Ouroboros Spine unatattik ‡

stratos was kind to a man who did not deserve it. kukutux held her tongue. she did not need to heap more dislike upon kigipigak, for even her own son spoke carefully around the ire that moonmother carried for winterhawk.

"i forced myself to accept that even if i did not care for their marriage, that he would provide protection for her. ariadne was with child before they abandoned moonsong at the great hunt. i know it, stratos. and because i knew i could not bring her back to me," voice tensing as not to break, "i put my faith in kigipigak's strength."

"but once more he comes badly to the place of moonglow, and this time he brings your sister without hope and her arms bereft of a child. i tell you, stratos, it is only the love ariadne bears that man that kept me from commanding warriors against him, to throw him not only from moonglow but from the wilderness."

she sighed. "but it would have only broken us all, my son. he will learn to be sunshine in some way, or her heart will no longer find happiness in him. that is what i see along their path."

enough of such things! she nodded once in sharp resolution, then reached her small worn paw to stratos' own. "your own life too, perhaps it will open its next journey here."