Redtail Rise thou art the (wo)man

He had not asked her name, perhaps assuming she would give it in return.

Tulimaq liked to think he had the aura of a warrior. Perhaps not so linear or superstitious in nature; superior, being the key phrase. Her questions made him flash his teeth with a curl of the upper lip, grimacing.

Then he relaxed as if the ire had not sparked within him.

I heard the call. You seek to make a claim here, become issumatar. He answered as a soldier might answer a general, and the mental image made him want to roll his eyes. She was small and could barely speak - he had little proof this girl could back up her desire.

I have nowhere to be. If you can offer me something for the work, I will aid you. At least until his savaktuk arrived, or something more appealing drew his attention. He thought of the pale boy who followed the snow-woman then, and his brow creased.