Deepwood Weald [m] red flax

Sulukinak left- and Simbelmyne’s stark gaze rose to study Dutch’s face. A muscle jumped in her jaw as she clenched her teeth together to keep her ragged breaths in check.

She is strong.

Was that what made Sulukinak special? Being strong? Did that mean that she was weak and he intended to have a stronger woman for his second wife? The thought tumbled within her mind, distracting her. 

She remained very still, numb to the words that Chakliux spoke of the man and the conflict between them. For several moments, their voices were nothing to her, words jumbled together as if spoken underwater. She kept an ear turned should her name be spoken- but it wasn’t.

Chakliux’s voice eventually called her back into the conversation, and she caught the flash of magenta as his eyes searched for hers. She felt out of place and unnecessary- both in this conversation and in her place alongside Dutch. 

Chakliux mentioned driving the man out- and she silently hoped that he intended to drive his cousin out with him- but that hope turned into burning jealousy when Dutch pledged that he would seek the man out again before he left. He wanted to know the man more- but she couldn’t help but feel that it would be a last-ditch attempt at getting Sulukinak to stay with them, should he find some glaring fault within the caribou hunter. 

She thought of his hungry gaze, and felt herself flush with simmering contempt. 

Dutch looked to her, but she avoided his eye contact. She did not want to speak out of place- not in front of Chakliux. She was not of their culture, and did not understand why it seemed that fish-eaters and caribou-eaters would have such issue with one another. She knew so little; her ignorance clouded her judgement, made her feel isolated. 

The men could talk of their plans; she would not get involved. She had her own tasks to accomplish. 

”I will let you talk.” She said, her tone curt- she wanted them to keep talking for a bit, so Dutch might not follow her immediately back to the den she wished to improve. She needed some time to handle her feelings. ”I am going to work on the den. I will see you when you come back, later.” She forced herself to look at him, but was not strong enough to summon a smile. 

Would Sulukinak have been strong enough to do so? The thought made something in her gut clench. Her gaze was only gentled a shade by the faint misting of her eyes as she glanced briefly to Chakliux, gave him a slight nod, and then trotted off briskly so that she would hear no more of it.