Cedar Sweep aquiattuq

The children were here, and it was still only the two of them. This was not as stressful for Kigipigak as he had done this once before; but he thought of Natigvik and what had risen up from nothing, and remembered Amalia, and Tulukiri, and then of course his sons who were a world away. Sometimes it felt like farther than that — they had stopped being his long ago.

Kigipigak did quick rounds this day. He checked the southern border for signs of trespassing and instead caught the scent of game, which he trailed through the core of the forest, and as he crossed to the north-side of the village he felt a light rain begin to coat his shoulders.

The sun would begin to set in the next few hours and there was still very little that had changed for him, or Asivaq, or the village; could it even be considered a village? He did not dwell on that thought for long. His sons needed him — his daughter too! He would find Asivaq fresh meat and make sure all was well.