Ouroboros Spine Wading it out

adrastus had not come back, and the duck felt her heart break for the cloudberry woman. she carried his spirit along her flanks now, as did moonwoman carry that of her sun man.

the heat remained harsh, though much cooler than the handful of days before. kukutux found the strength to leave her ulaq, to pad along the scent-trail that aiolos had left behind. his brilliant frame cut through the face of the waters, and for a long moment she only watched.

and then she too entered the lake, breathing out a sound of relief. "moonglow must have a firsthunter." 

her muzzle rested against the shoulder of aiolos, dripping and weak.