Silverlight Terrace the tell-tale heart

The boy felt unclean.

The moonlight illuminated a shining silver path before them both; he could not put aside the words Kukutux had spoken when they had fled, days ago. He still carried the tusk between his teeth.

Avicus crumbled partway along. Nuak was ignorant until he returned to himself and looked ahead for her familiar shape, only to find it was not there. When he turned to seek her out the girl was behind him instead.

Unsure of what to do, as Nuak was not accustomed to seeing weakness from Avicus, he stood and watched pathetically.

Was this a curse? Was this the moon womans power?