Mount Apikuni kayunnilik ⫇

The journey had been longer than anything Stratos had ever thought possible. He knew, of course, that much land sprawled beyond Moonglow’s outer ridges, but he was sure they’d walked far beyond any place he’d ever seen.

He did his best to keep pace with the adults. Sometimes, he even charged ahead. One eye always turned to look for his sisters, to make sure they were keeping up. Though they, too, had begun to grow into themselves, he still felt the need to protect them.

Now, though, as they tested and waited for anaa’s instruction, his eyes were only on Aiolos, who seemed to glow in the radiance of the sun. No wonder they call him sun man. He thought, not for the first time. And though his name was not called to join tataa and Shikoba in forming the guard line, he found both his parents eyes upon him, an unspoken whisper that he was meant to rise with the warriors.

Stratos struggled to contain himself. He grinned, and leapt forward to join his patrol, feeling the mantle of his place in Moonglow shift from child to something of a man. A glance over his shoulder, and he saw Sacrarium arrive, but his own introduction to them would have to wait unless Aiolos stopped to greet them.