Moonsong Glacier sikingilak

It was a thing of women.

Melaneus would learn to grow familiar with these words. He would learn that there were many things which belonged to women, that simply could not be shared with men, could not be understood. And yet, this did not stop his wonder.

When she drew near, he felt that familiar rush, as though many waters poured through him. Warm and inviting.

Glad, she wished to keep him near.

Though you are strong, I will keep you safe, he promised. He had never walked with spirits, never seen them. He was a hunter, and this world was all he knew. The only spirit he had ever neared was Callyope herself, but even she was of this world, as much as she felt like someone from beyond.

Melaneus felt it, too, that pull towards each other, like moon and tide. He reached for her to draw her closer, to let her feel the earth one last time before she let herself drift between the stars. Just tell me what to do, he said softly, words only for her.