Redhawk Caldera defeated

He had not returned to Brecheliant after the discovery of Ariadne, as the death songs were sung, and it was only after checking on his remaining children that he finally accepted that a choice needed to be made. He would not pull them from the home they knew, not immediately — they were grieving the same as the rest of their village. Vaire had said they were a blessing to their grandparents, too; and so Kigipigak gave them time together, and went south to where he had pledged his services to his adult son.

No doubt the whole valley had heard those keening notes, those messages aiding Ariadne's spirit to where it was meant to go; perhaps some had even heard Kigipigak's cries, but by now it had been at least a week, perhaps longer, since the last of the songs. He had not kept track.

The way home felt wrong. He wanted to hold his children and be there for them. It felt like turning his back on Tautukpik and Akmaaksi; it felt like he had abandoned Nutuyikruk to the elements, as her trail had gone cold. But he had to return to Brecheliant to at least speak with @Kivaluk and @Chickadee.

As he came plodding over the border smelling more like Neverwinter than anything, Kigipigak finally stopped and took a deep breath. He called for them with a subdued note rumbling from his chest and through the trees.