Moonsong Glacier If we run into red full speed

Dutch's fun was not spoiled by this denial. He would rather moon wolves eat this meat than sacrifice it to their seal-cousins — something Dutch had come to view almost as pets. Not the kind you petted and fed dinner scraps. More like delicate tropical fish that were pretty to look at but not to be touched. The idea of the seal hunters coming for them made him just a little sad — but more for the possibility that it might scare them all off, rather than for the life of one that might be lost to feed more moon wolves.

"I am sure I will be riveted nonetheless," Dutch assured her, and he meant it most sincerely.

Since she seemed so excited, he decided they could leave the meal for afterward. He shifted unobtrusively to head in that direction instead, listening intently to the tale that Simbelmyne weaved. A few different things stuck out to him — mainly that he knew that island. His mother had been there before, although she had not brought this story back with her. He tucked that thought away for later thought, instead focusing on the actual story.

"Seal hunting is important to me only because it is important to Chakliux," the panther admitted. They were drawing close to the lake, now — he could smell them, but he could not hear their barks. "Your folklore is just as important as his. There are many histories gathered here — and I think it is important to relate to other creatures. We are all children of the earth."

They came to the same observation rock as he'd shown the seal hunters. They did not disturb their sea brothers from this height, but they were still close enough to get a good view. And a good smell, if one could call it that.

"They are fish eaters," he said to Simbelmyne as he settled on the rock, his head and paws hanging over the ledge while his bunched hind legs anchored him. It was not far to fall, and he rather thought that the sunning seals below would make a great cushion. "They will eat meat if they find it, but they are not made to hunt land-creatures. You can swim in these waters as long as you keep away from them while the male is in the water."

Dutch pointed out the largest of the creatures, which had eyed them briefly before going right back to sleep.

"He is protective of his wives and children" he said. "But they are curious and playful. And underwater, they sing strange, lovely songs."

They were fascinating to Dutch as well. He had only rarely gotten up the nerve to swim among them — and he had not yet tried with these seals in particular.