Moonsong Glacier sistermine

The panther only laughed, but he had to agree with Chakliux — she was a wise woman, and he had great respect for her not only as his mother, but as an individual to rely on and an example to strive toward. It was a great source of comfort to him to know that the black bear was proud of the man he had become.

They slowed, and Dutch turned this idea over in his head. He thought he smelled mischief in it, although he could not quite say to what end. He decided, however, that it could not hurt to go and introduce himself to this —

"Simbelmyne."

It was a pretty name. It belonged, he thought, to a winter queen. And if the seal hunter's eyes shined, the panther's certainly glimmered. He would seek her — and time would tell if he would thank this man, or if he would chase him with a swishy stick the next time they met.

"Cloudwoman rests here," he said, pointing his nose toward their common place. "Go in peace, brother. I will see you on the other side."

He favored the seal hunter with a warmly fleeting glance before turning back toward the borders. Now more than ever, he felt a strong need to have them under his eye.