Ocean's Breath Plateau wind sister

calmly he cracked the shells open with his back teeth and laid them out in a row on the kelp leaf. in her words he heard the anger of an old woman who has not accepted she is an old woman. but this was only his man spirit speaking; no one questioned the strength of an older man. towhee was not so old as to yet be an elder, and seal hunter women of her years had even brought forth more children. 'old,' then, was not a reason to be thrown away but a time to rest and reap the honor built over life.
"you have many years and much wisdom," chakliux finally said, choosing his words with care. "if your teaching helps a younger hunter bring down the man he has been following or leads him to defending his village, why should that young man not give you meat and fat for your lodge? why should he not sing your praises and bring others to listen to your teaching?" his voice was soft.
"you gathered your skills through trial and blood. you are repaid in what you need to be comfortable, to not hunt so much unless you want. to be tended and heard and respected. that is why i offer a trade for your knowledge, though there is nothing i could give that would be worth so much."