Ouroboros Spine naluruk

Aiolos admitted something to Kigipigak, or informed him of this change, and he did not miss a step, but his face grew tense with consternation. The village could survive without a first hunter but it was a terrible affliction to be suddenly without, as they were the one to organize the others. Kigipigak could not recall if he had met this man either, this Adrastus; he supposed then, perhaps this man had abandoned the place long before Kigipigak's arrival.

In thinking of the children of the village, he imagined only Kukutux' own. That there were others born here to a different woman surprised him, but this he kept to himself. This was not one of Tartok's holdings and they were not under the same laws as his people. Such scrutiny would get him nowhere.

Then we will find something ourselves, he answered with a more up-beat tone. Perhaps in doing so we can bring news of the herds back to the village. It will be a blessing if we can fill in what was missed, as we lack a first hunter. This would be a bonding experience between the men — something Kigipigak held in a nearly sacred light.

They were slipping beyond the village limits even now, drifting along the mountain paths, closer and closer to wilderness where they might find clues to such things. In a lower voice, Kigipigak offered a bit of positivity: Hunting is not so difficult when there are more bodies to help. We will find something.