Ouroboros Spine Sorrow follows on gilded wings

they would take tulukiri to firemother and bury her in the frozen dirt beneath the red tree.

kukutux sang first as she motioned the hunters closer. "i will not call for the women. tulukiri was a hunter."

she showed them how they must wrap her muzzle and limbs and tail and body in strips of black fur.

carried to the gravesite. earth dug, moving away to house her body.

and kukutux sang all the while, honoring the hunter's spirit. 

they would lay her there. the duck put ivory and bones and deer-teeth into the grave, to appease the spirit in case it returned.

"for nine days we sing."

"and her name must no longer be spoken. if her spirit hears, it may return. we want rest for her now."

kukutux looked down at the still, torn frame.

"sun walker, go to be at peace."