Ouroboros Spine unatattik ‡

<33

The last he had spoken with anaa was when he approached her with news of his two wives. When he approached her now, their names were as far from his tongue and his heart as the land was from the sky. He felt no need to hide from her, no need to prove himself anymore. Though she had not said it, he knew that bringing Ariadne home - and even more, staying with her when she'd wandered afar - was worth more to moonwoman than if he had brought home a thousand wives.

He radiated neither fear nor shame. Only love.

Stratos found her near three sisters, alone and looking to the sky. The dancing lights were not present, but he liked to think two of the stars were the mischievous glint of the eyes of Little Fox. Who knew what kind of a man he'd have been? But every boy had some glint of mischief.

I hear they have been named, he said to break the silence, I feel better, knowing that. Every child deserves more than a number.

Perhaps here, his judgment against his brother-in-law's ways spoke more freely than they ever had. He did like Kigipigak, although... he remained torn on the broader details. He'd only had his sister's side, after all, and he knew the emotions of young women.