Duskfire Glacier itkaktuk ⨢

kukutux was grateful to turn their words. they were heavy, and she wanted to spend an easier time with the man. 

"the work of atsak is difficult. i make a meeting with a man and one with a woman. i ask what they want in a wife or in a husband. sometimes i speak more than once with each. and then i make a place for them to come together and speak. that is all."

her mouth turned bemused and wry. "i made a meeting with a moon-leader. i made a meeting with a woman who knew the medicine of the earth. he pursued a glacier. she wished a steady place in a man's regard." 

it had become like a song;

"now i see the moon-man has his glacier;"
"now i see the leaf-woman has found her safety."

and it had required no romance.