Hoshor Plains Sound Off

They arrived as a group of four to the sight of many bodies, most of which were familiar in some way to Kaluktuk and brought out of him a wide smile, and a booming laugh, as eyes met eyes and a shared camraderie spread between the camps. Ariadne saw Valiant and Raindrop off on their way among the throngs of people, and then Kaluktuk followed her as she made her way to visit with Sialuk, towards whom Kaluktuk gave a hearty greeting. He pressed his nose to Ariadne's shoulder quickly to get her attention and motioned, mentioning some names, and with her acceptance Kaluktuk dispersed to meet with others that he saw.

There were the pair from Moontide, Heph and Rodyn, who earned a greeting and easy praise from Kaluktuk. Then when he caught sight of @Njord, the man was thrilled enough to cheer and sidle up to him, shoving shoulder-to-shoulder as a brother might; this was his aokatti after all! They caught up briefly for a time before Kaluktuk was called away again to help with settling Moonsong's camp, but with the promise of stories and hunting to be shared.

There were men and women from mountains, forests, even the seaside—he could smell the chill of salt and ice drifting through the plains with them—and it felt like being home again in Unnuakvik, to a point. This was the kind of life that Kaluktuk had grown up with. To flow among a warband, to hunt with one's brothers and celebrate all the strength of one's abilities; Kaluktuk had missed it deeply, and it was not until this endeavor that he recognized how strong that pull was.

He crossed paths with a wolf and cub, recognizing the mark of Moonglow upon them both, and after a smile and some jesting with the child (Salaksartok) he looked to where they had originated, and saw the building of the camp, and the shape of Kukutux, who herself was busy with her attention elsewhere. He thought of their last conversation and dismissed any further inclinations. A farewell to the boy, then, as he was whisked away towards the camp—and Kaluktuk sought out his betrothed, to continue their own shared work.

Soon the wolves would band together and begin their hunts. It would be a monumental feat to bring down their prey, but one worth celebrating and telling stories of!