Qeya River KIVGURUK

Before Amalia returned with Kukutux, the two men were alone together. It was brief. In those moments Kigipigak could have said something - perhaps should have - to alleviate what the boy might have been feeling. Sakhmet was the heart that beat for their village, not Kigipigak. He did not know how to counsel the boy. He saw how much Kivaluk struggled to hide his feelings and in a way, approved. If only because it took some of the ownership of the moment away from Kigipigak himself. He could claim the boy did not need or want to be consoled; he could use the age old excuse that men aren't meant to speak of such things. This was no womens circle.

Before he could say anything, Kukutux was among them. She moved to be close to the sangilak and appeared worried. Kigipigak gave her a look that was briefly forlorn, but glanced next to Amalia, uttering a soft thank-you which could've been a dismissal; but if the warrior woman wished to linger, Kigipigak would not send her away.

He looked to Kukutux fully now.

Thank you for coming. I do not mean to alarm you. We have had some... changes, to the village. He did not want this for Natigvik, but there was no avoiding it. You have not met my other son, Akkuma. He and his mother have gone away to mend his spirit. He has been troubled lately. It felt best to Sakhmet that they go off together for a time.

This was a fair assessment but did not answer some very important questions. As a result, the village lacks an issumatar. Our numbers are too low to handle winter - especially so, given how harsh this land can be at that time. Idly his gaze shifts between the moonwoman and Kivaluk, and back again.

If you are willing, I would like to ask -- He could not finish the question. Something of a strangle hold had overtaken Kigipigak's throat for a moment. He knew he was not showing weakness by asking for help, but at the same time he could not fathom how this might appear to his son. It was momentary.

I ask that my village become yours. Let my people leave this empty place and go with you to Moonglow.