Ocean's Breath Plateau natchiayaaq

Tullik’s breathing was wheezy, but she was stubborn. More kelp was across her shoulders, ready to dry. 

She halted in the doorway. A boy, no, she thought as the seal pup at his feet caught her eye, a man. Elation rushed through her like a shot of caffeine.

Her whoop shattered the silence of the lodge, kelp slung from her shoulders as she ran for the young man, dragging him into an embrace if he allowed it.

You did it! You did it! She crowed, leaning back to look at Raiyuk.

I did not doubt it for a second!