Ouroboros Spine up with the trees

For this, White Elk did not share that he'd been named after his grandmother, Elkheart. He was pleased to be told so all the same, however, and failed to hide the slight simper of pleasure the words evoked.

He stood a little taller himself.

"And so is Kannoyak," he declared, having never heard this name before but believing it all the same. "For what reason does she call you this?" And why did he not have a name from her? "Do you know her well?"

They must be friends; there was surely no call for jealousy. Not unless this man also had his eye on Callyope. But, truthfully, White Elk saw no signs that he was less than deserving of such a woman. Perhaps he was the greater prize, and the one that would be chosen. Could he take this in stride?

"I am a friend of Callyope," he said, testing this theory.