Stavanger Bay you who bares all your teeth in every smile

If the first was shepherded by the deer spirit, and the second the ice-and-fire of his parents, it was a wonder what beast brought forth the last of the children: emerging finally from Vaire in the manner of a splitting cliff falling in to the sea, came Salaksartok. A bundle of wet brown, meeting the floor of the ulaq nose first, and squalling with such ferocity it was as if a storm's gale had possessed the cub.

He squirmed from the start; he writhed, kicked, wanted to be on his feet but didn't know up from down or what feet were. He was demanding things so far above his current limitations, and yet Salaksartok would not yield - touch would not soothe him, and if offered a teat he would only balk and cry with more fury.

Alive! Alive! Alive, I am alive! Every fibre of his being shrieked! I am your problem now!