Ouroboros Spine or in the temple of absent gods

the ulaq, which had been home to many children and now acted as a rendezvous for vairë's little ones, was placed before a wide circle of well-worn earth, grass fuzzed at its edges. the entrance was large and square, made of stone entire. several wolves would be able to sit within the ulaq comfortably.

drying-racks and hanging furs were kept to the right. a cache had been dug on the left. she and valiant set down ariadne's gift and kukutux turned in time to see one of her grandsons running away with a piece of dried meat from the rack. "go to your mother, monster boy!" she called after him with a laugh.

valiant then, received the full weight of her curious gaze. "you are isbjørn." she moved methodically, gathering dried blackberries and mixing them with elk fat. strips of the animal's meat itself, dried upon the roof of the shelter, were laid alongside fat and berries, all upon a curved piece of birchbark.

"i have a great fondness for your brother. his love for you is very strong, valiant." kukutux pushed the plate before the polite man. "he has sent you here because i am atsak. matchmaker." the jadestone eyes gleamed.