Ouroboros Spine Black willow

grandma wanted to go? tautukpik began to protest; he had already seen nutuyikruk go, and had lied to aaka before she'd gone, and seen his father leave them in the village too. everyone leaving, few coming back.

as stricken as kukutux appeared for the time being, tauktukpik was ignorant to this. she hurt, she worried, and he stomped his feet. no! don't leave. would he follow them and leave akmaaksi? he wanted to say yes, to shout and scream that kukutux should stay — but he heard a plea upon the wind.

Shining Water waits for her. She is not alone; Pathmaker protects her. Rest, little brother. Rest and dream of the mountain.

Tautukpik's ears twitched and he glared at the clouds for a moment, not seeing the green shifting light here now, but hearing the voice of Black Bear; and he looked at Pauk next, seeing his figure through a blurry haze of tears. Boldly, the boy steps towards him and commands, Keep gramma safe. P-please. Be good. Be good. Be good, or get away from here.

He would stay and he would guard Akmaaksi.