Ankyra Sound piyugaktuk

The man sank down so that he could sit and watch her, study her as before, yet be a stalwart spot for her to lean and rest. He told himself it was for her benefit but it was more because of how worn out he felt, even in the face of this discovery.

Kukutux' words came back to him. They rivaled what Sakhmet now said; that she need not build something, that he was enough. That he was wanted. He thought of how long he had searched for her, only for her to surface when he'd thought himself to have grown beyond her.

It seemed as though his worries were heavy, yet also meaningless. There existed no choice to be made for Kukutux or for Tulimaq, for Moonglow or for Tartok; he had Sakhmet, and somehow she was a third option. He could go his own way. They could go together.

I've been with Moonglow this whole time. He explained, his voice soft and careful, as he wondered to himself if he still held a place there or if Kukutux might've given up, given their conversation. Their argument. He wasn't sure.

This was offered so that Sakhmet could decide for herself: would she come home with him? If not, Kigipigak wondered where the road might take them. We could go back there. We could.. Go back to Blacktail, if that's what you want, or somewhere else. Or nowhere, he almost said; but in the end Kigipigak realized - he was giving up control again, giving the choice to someone else.

In that moment he became contemplative, which was not normal at all.