Ocean's Breath Plateau kestrel

Her heart filled with warmth for the husband who was always ready to move mountains in her name. For a moment Marina was only quiet; thoughtful. Whichever path she chose, Chakliux would lead her down it as steadily as he'd led her through each part of their life together, she knew that.

Take me to the sea ice, then, Marina decided after a moment, listening to his heartbeat, feeling it against her cheek. The sea has great power. If nothing changes, we'll find a healer on the way home.

I'm not giving up, She promised, her own arms tightening around Chakliux. Steady as he always was, Marina felt his fear, could almost taste its bitterness in the kisses they shared. That fear was what sustained her even now; his fear and her love for him, for Tullik, for the children they'd created together. Her own strength might have failed long ago if not for that.