Ouroboros Spine harvest moon

Akmaaksi scouted ahead and together they ascended the the great stones to enjoy the sprawling green vistas of the caldera. Then, they picked their way down an established path. His cousin was comitted to her course and walked with purose. Ipiktok’s ears pricked and he paid attention to the surroundings she showed.

Eventually, they arrived at a place that, by every measure, fit Ipiktok’s criteria. He was amazed Akmaaksi knew such a place. It felt preordained.

“Aya! Cousin!” he exclaimed as Ipiktok inspected the great ulaq – which was large enough to be considered a hunter’s hall. Suddenly, the young man felt very small and his demeanor cooled. Could he lead a life big enough to bring honor to this hearth?

“Is there too much deadfall?” he asked, as if giving himself an excuse to avoid the failure should he not live up to such a grand life.