Ouroboros Spine a familiar sense of grief

It sounded strange to hear Shikoba so worried, and hurt, and quiet. She kissed him gently and then began to explain what was on her mind, and Mojag did not know what to do when her tone shifted. He was right to think something was wrong - but he did not know what to do, how to fix it.

Thoughts of his father were... complicated. Mojag's expression tightened; concerned for his mother more than anything. It was a brief change which he hid immediately; a hopeful smile re-appearing as the boy presses his face in to Shikoba's furs.

I'm okay anaa, he promises, I am a hunter now. I have many friends here. I have Stratos, and -- Callyope, and Kukutux, and you. And you have me. He did not need his father, he had decided. Mojag would make sure he grew in to a good man so that anaa could depend on him.

He hoped that would be enough.