Sequoia Coast oil teeth

It was dark beneath the ice.

His figure cut a shadow there which Chakliux could follow for a few minutes, then it dropped away.

Raiyuk used the limited light that glowed nearer to the ice in order to orient himself; he kept the location of the carved hole in his mind as he swam.

Dark shapes came; some large, some smaller, all fast. These shapes came and went from the shadow-play of the ice, with the larger ones keeping distance; but beneath, a younger seal not yet wise to wolves came close.

They shared a look. The seal was emboldened, and it could move more freely. It came swimming close and touched Raiyuk; it wanted to know what this other thing was! Raiyuk stayed calm. He let the creature explore and when it began to show playfulness, he thought of his coming siblings.

A bellow from the deep made the ice quake; one of the adults was warning the child. It did not want to listen - and Raiyuk took his chance in that moment.

The shapes moved beneath the ice!

Something struck it from the water side!

There was stillness, and bellowing, and the sea became a riot that only Raiyuk contended with.

The large shapes dispersed and far off in different directions, the family split, the seals emerged to watch the ice for more danger.

When Raiyuk surfaced he was bloody; he did not have the seal pup with him, but he was grinning red, and needed the air. His eyes flashed to his father as he gulped breaths, and then he went down again.

The seal pup was thrown through the carved hole and on to the ice where it slapped down and lay prone. Half of its face was torn; its neck cut, its hide scored by Raiyuk's teeth. The boy came up next and dragged himself to the open air again, sopping wet and invigorated.