Silver Creek akisaurriñiq

She let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding when the woman—Asivaq, she introduced—confirmed she was just passing through as well. Meerkat shook her head lightly.

My husband, Njord, and I live in Sun Mote Copse, northeast of here. I’m Meerkat. It’s nice to meet you. Where are you coming from and where are you headed? she queried, genuinely curious.

Her amber eyes flicked to the trees behind Asivaq, as if expecting to see some sign of her mate. Surely he wasn’t far, though maybe she’d wandered away from him like Meerkat had done to Njord. Her ears drew back guiltily.