Raven's Watch flame-farewelled

it was not the same, and kukutux turned away to hear it; not in denial but in deep hurt; "oh, fjall," tones cascaded with a brilliant anguish, "i hope so much that she comes back."

of course ariadne would not, the duck believed. sons returned, but never before had a daughter scorned the nuiruk arms. and her daughters moved upon sea and mountain and glacier; their wills were iron, their minds stone.

if ariadne meant to be apart from them, she would certainly make the cutting a finished burn.

"if you find her, kuppikutak, please. tell me. in quiet," kukutux murmured. she knew ariadne would not wish her mother to know where she and kigipigak had made their village, and moonmother had no intention of speaking its name if this was not wished.

she desired only to know, to be assured that her daughter lived and that the children of her body drew strong breath.