Totoka River tukisiviit ⪂

The measured way with which Kukutux spoke gave the man pause. He did not have words to share, and wondered after Sakhmet, what she might think of this conversation. He had filled her in about so much, but not their argument.

It still burned him to think about the way they had spoken to one-another; the sense of betrayal that Kigipigak had felt upon being forced to choose.

Now he wasn't sure what his answer might be. Now, with Sakhmet, a new path had been shown to him.

I do not doubt you either, moon-woman. Kigipigak was a tall man but he made himself smaller now, respectful to the woman who had rescued him, an in a way reunited him with his lost shadow. Had she not given him a home and become true kin to him, Kigipigak would likely have left this place and never found Sakhmet again.

He looked now to the spry girl beside him. His warmth was clearly for her alone, but there was worry upon his face as well, something which Kigipigak had been carrying and hiding from her.

Sakhmet and I... Are on a different path. He could not look at Kukutux as he said this; but he watched Sakhmet, finding comfort with her there, and also he studied her for any sign that this was wrong. That maybe she did want to live among the Moonglow wolves — and they could, until a better time came.

Kigipigak could not make up his own mind.