Ouroboros Spine or in the temple of absent gods

once dutch had asked to know the name that kukutux held for valiant.

now moonmother was glad that she had not said it aloud, as a softer light played upon valiant's face and transformed his features into something more comfortable with the route of talk she had chosen.

he had met the moondoe and this pleased kukutux; it meant she needed raise no more hand in that direction. sedna would guide them both. her daughter sought a companion for love and for the lineage of moonglow she would carry.

and her eyes had fallen upon the ice-bear. the duck would watch this.

his story of a blackbear woman reminded kukutux of her first husband's fierce sister, she who had perished upon the mountain with so many of her kin. she had been mother to dutch and had raised valiant as her own bearcub, which explained why their kinship ties would be brother.

the man circled back at the end to vairë, prompting a small knowing curve of mouth from kukutux. "she is very wise, a doe who stands in sunlight and makes the right choice, even if it takes her a long while to know. careful as the one who marked her."