Ouroboros Spine Cinders in the Hearth and Fire in the Home

"there are many reasons why you have not come back as yourself. i have seen this before, massaraq."

slices of bison meat, quivering with fat. a heap of dried rosehips. small chunks of mallow root.

"eat, igniga. feed your skin."

the woman sat down before the boy-man, and pulled the sight of him hard into her eyes. "some spirit has been angered."

now she glanced toward the proud spire of moonspear, rising even in sight of the spine; kukutux was quiet in her contemplations and at last jerked her chin toward the village of his sister.

"we must do it again, massaraq. we must walk in the spirit world again. but this time you will not be alone."