Firefly Glen tigugaa

kukutux wished her anger appeased.

she wished her dislike would abate.

but because she felt this was a performance, she could not see it as sincere. she had not heard kivaluk call back to his father. he was away, making preparations for his own marriage. moonwoman was moved to hear his betterment recognized, for it was true that kivaluk had grown stronger and more willing to speak aloud in this past year.

"perhaps you will come to his ceremony of marriage, if this is his want."

her heart hardened to think of how broken sakhmet had been, and how kigipigak did not mention her even now, while moonwoman and snow-trader were alone together.

the blood of tartok. the heart of moonglow.

"and it is my want that you find an issumatar so you may have peace."

and that was not ariadne. she was not a tartok-woman. and sakhmet had not been. kigipigak did not put aside tartok, only a claim to his son that had already been gone. who then, could sate the man if not a woman of his own people? who could satisfy his need for blood? he was restless; sedna had not made him to stay in one place.

but the way now was open for the man to speak at last to the heart of why he was here. kukutux would not recognize it otherwise.