Duck Lake blue heron

saatsine killed and ate well. pelts began to gather, pinned upon the ground with long branches, stretched between stones. these would be of use in trade to others, though sun eater did not want to be overburdened. sunlight stood in cold relief over a land readying for snow.

among the many thousands of caribou which crossed the sunspire mountains, intent upon the taiga's thick brackenwood, new life was sired as last breaths were taken. a gathering of caribou along the lakeshore left behind one of their number as they trotted to rejoin a larger herd.

a half-dead yearling male tried to rise, gouged and broken from where he had attempted to thwart an older bull for his harem. such was the way; sometimes the young were triumphant, but more often than not was such foolishness repaid by death.

sun eater was a dark, darting figure; he dashed between retreating hooves of panicked animals and seized the throat of the downed bull, dragging him with hard jerks half into the water itself.