Ouroboros Spine atvaktaktuk

The girls were returned to the ulaq after the service, but not Sisamat. The boy did not want to sleep or to be hidden away, so Kigipigak - emotionally drained in his own way - allowed some leniency. He lingered outside the ulaq so that his son could investigate his surroundings; but they would not be far either, so that Kigipigak could watch over the others.

He was tired. It had not fully sunken in until now. The travel had been one thing, the building stress of being within Moonglow another. The ceremony to see off his son, whose body wasn't even here and whose spirit did not exist, added more weight to Kigipigak's experience.

He had felt eyes upon him more than once. No doubt the spiritual people of the village wondered why a father would not sing for his dead son; he presumed they all judged him for his stoicism. He was glad to be gone from there.

The boy made a sound, so Kigipigak turned and regarded Sisamat as he motioned after something, but Kigipigak did not have the attention span for silly games and soon called to him, Alright, that's enough. Come, join your sisters.

The boy gave him a stare that made Kigipigak's spine straighten, but he didn't obey quickly. Sisamat, now. His tone betrayed his lack of patience - and the boy hastened to the door, ducking inside while his father sat across the entrance, to keep watch.