Bitterroot Valley Arjunaruk

The woman was amenable to the idea, and then asked a question that made Kigipigak bark with a laugh; it was short and deep-chested, not that she would know of it, except the look of mirth upon his face. He had judged her to be something she was not — and she was not of the north, made clear by the question. Still, she was impressive.

An ulaq is a sleeping place. Women build them for themselves, and when they marry their men join them. They are used for work as well, as Kukutux is doing. Was she a wolf that slept in the open the way a hunter might? Kigipigak wondered, but he kept this to himself. She certainly had the build of a warrior, and the way she watched everything he said or did was hawk-like.

Kukutux uses one for the healing arts, and one for other work. Come, I will show you our nearest camp in the valley. The camp of the women was one he knew well, now. Having been treated there after his run-in with his rival. He motioned for her to follow him and was already striding north, to Kildeer Rest, where one of the camps had taken root. If she was not there then it only meant a longer visit with this intriguing woman.