Duskfire Glacier itkaktuk ⨢

At once, Issorartuyok was eased by her words. The familiarity of the tongue was enough. He was pleased to find that she had not changed from his memory. She was still a woman like moonlight with eyes unlike any he’d seen before. The large man smiled to her, bowing his head in a show of respect. She did not lead him, but she had offered him strength in their first meeting.

Young Veteran is good. He is diligent and devoted. If the boy wished it, he would make a good leader of his own village one day.

Issorartuyok nodded his head. He was pleased to have found a young one like Veteran. The boy had even endured a difficult spat – judging by the scar – and had learned to hold himself like a young man despite it. This was a good sign and a promising trait. The northern wolf would explore that with the boy as he grew into a man.

I worry, Moonwoman. Before my journey with the scout Meerkat, we discovered a sickness in the deer. I am unsure if it has been removed from them, he confided in her. I must investigate the herds to see if it has taken all of them. What they would do if the herds had been infected, he did not know. Winter was almost upon them, and he had spent all his time creating storage for prey that was ill. Issorartuyok breathed a sigh filled with concern.