Silver Creek nutaaq

What did he look for? He smiled in to her furs, and with a long breath began to think aloud.

A place with good hunting. Somewhere rough, so our children are tested by the wilderness and can learn to trust themselves. It was a vague idea of something, and it could have been anywhere. That was the beauty of Tartok, thought Kigipigak — they could choose anywhere, from the steepest mountain to the most glorious forest, so long as they were strong enough.

I will go anywhere you want. Whatever place calls to you, it will be ours. He kissed her cheek then, and when he went quiet, he wondered what sort of place she would choose. As the issumatar it would be entirely her call — and if she wanted what was already controlled by others, then Kigipigak would just have to man up and take it in her name.

Somehow he doubted Asivaq would be so aggressive; there was time, she would learn.