Redtail Rise thou art the (wo)man

Food — he could get that from the snow-woman. Enlist the hunters she had at the ready, the pale boy specifically, if he were hungry. Or go it alone.

The slurring of home brought a hard glint to his eye. Tulimaq was a ranger by nature, he need not barter himself away for a piece of land. It was not the way of his people.

But blood — his ears twitched.

He grins, the expression ill-fitting upon his rugged face, but lends a youthfulness that hadn't been there previously.

Then, issumatar, what shall I call you? The word auktuk sprang to mind, but Tulimaq did not think it appropriate to label this girl in the ways of his people, at least aloud.

As he spoke, his head lowered an inch or two in deference.