Deepwood Weald arctocephalus

Sulukinak followed the sea when she found it again. It was familiar. She had hoped that it would draw her brothers out of hiding if they were near; and yet night after night passed with no sign of them. Her hunt shifted to include anything to put in her stomach. For a time she investigated the sand for things to scavenge, and was drawn in to the forest beyond the sea.

Here, there were signs of many things. Winter touched this place but not to the extent of the bay. The trees were imposing and ancient, and she felt overwhelmed as she walked among them, as if this were somewhere forbidden. Nothing this old grew upon the island where she had been born.