Firefly Glen [phe] allein allein

toula was sweet in a way disarming. more than once kukutux found herself wondering how so young a woman could have such power. she considered the girls who would move toward age more this winter, and the ones who might seek mates in spring.

the power held by toula was different. kukutux was not certain what to do with its unknown edges.


pharaoh spoke of the hunting songs and the duck demurred with a smile. "i will teach these things to you. and yes. i will learn your words." yet the story of the bear brightened her further; in awe and in wonder, reaching out to touch its smooth surface and run her paw over the marks cut there.

her palm seemed to glow with strength.

"i give you much thanks for this, pharaoh," she said at last, overcome. "it will be set in a place all eyes may see that akashingo and moonglow understand what spirit lives in wild forests."

an emblem.

she considered.

"we are mothers," slowly the words. "i will give you something to show my eyes too have opened."

it would not seem so grand, this narrow strip of polar-bear fur. "nanuk," kukutux said softly. "grandfather white bear. his teeth chews the land and his great feet break the land with his steps. he is an old spirit. his children are many. his blood formed the first islands upon which my people made the first villages. i do not know this one's story, but his power is in the blood he gives to the sunshine people."

and softly she gave it into toula's grasp.