Totoka River bohpoli

For @Inutsuk

It was hard to leave the island behind. It was hard because each person there had become such a fixture in Mo's life, and they each meant so very much to him.

It was hard because the water was everywhere and he did not think he was strong enough to survive it - but he had, and had to remind himself of that as the tide receded, revealing the sand bar Bartholomew often took.

Mo often watched Bartholomew make the journey. He knew how long to wait. He knew where to walk, where to take care, and how quickly. Even though he had the knowledge his fear was almost insurmountable; remembering bits and pieces of his transit to Sweetharbor, although vague, were powerful motivators that made him want to turn around before he even got started.

The boy - now a young hunter in earnest - had not found what he wanted within Sweetharbour, but what was necessary, and now beloved. It was almost worse than knowing he failed to become a hunter like Shikoba, worse than failing the false idol that Inutsuk had always been. How could he leave them behind?

The water receded but his fear remained. Mojag knew he had to fight himself now. It was the final test - this abject horror he would face and overcome, to prove he was a man now. To prove he was stronger than when he had arrived. Besides, if I make it across once, I can make it across on the way back too. That helped.

Before long he was halfway across. The sand was wet and packed down, leaving an easy trail. He stopped long enough to look back, and thought he spied the shape of Heda on the beach - and he smiled, feeling his chest tighten. As he turned back again he moved with greater haste. It was quite a hike before he made it safely across - welcomed by the delta of the Totoka's tail.

A great relief flooded him as he touched solid land and smelled the deep flavor of the forest - ferns, pine trees, wet stones, and bits of chill. It was dark when he reached the tree line, had been dark for most of the day - but all Mojag could feel now was light, and excited, and hopeful. He lifted his chin to call out to distant Sweetharbor: I made it!