Sequoia Coast walrus fat

This felt different from all of his training. It felt different from the hunt for seals with Dutch. How could the water be so cold as to numb him, but so sharp that it burned? How could that cold penetrate his fur and seep in to muscle so immediately?

He gasped and got his breath. Chakliux urged him to try again, and the boy wanted to shout something - to complain - but his tongue wouldn't let him. His teeth chattered. The only way out was through.

Raiyuk dove again. He felt the numbing. He was prepared for the sting of the cold and the salt, until he opened his eyes and it felt like shards of ice were being jammed in to his face. He wanted to surface immediately but fought the urge.

He could see where the light shafted down through the water. It was clear despite how dark it had appeared from above. It was painful, but he endured it, and before long he had been under the water for much longer than before.

As he surfaced this final time Raiyuk was eager to escape the cold, and moved to drag himself to an embankment, soggy and miserable - but grinning to his father! He had done it!