Blacktail Deer Plateau Ullaaq

The dark youth repeated the word, tasting its foreignness upon her tongue. The northern male watched her with an impassive stare, wondering whether she favored the sound of the term or if it was merely another word that had been shared with her – another word among a long list that carried little meaning to one of her age.

When the dark child spoke again, it was to offer her own peculiar word. Ursus, she spoke, and Issorartuyok regarded her steadily. He had never heard this term before and assumed it to be another name, one perhaps her parents had used.

Then she asked him to go there, to Ursus.

Issorartuyok was hesitant. The earthy brown of his eyes searched the mountain that concealed the glacier, his desired landmark. It would not do well to leave a child in the wilderness, he was forced to remind himself.

Very well. We go to Ursus and to find your parents. You know where it is, little shaman?