Ouroboros Spine snow blade

Expecting resistance, it was with great surprise and humility that Tautukpik was received by open arms and soft words. Names bestowed, secret things now known among them together, which held the magic of their anaa and their grandmother, and their people. He did not know how he felt in that moment as Akmaaksi crumbled in to that embrace. He wanted to resist it—but found himself unable to.

When they parted, they would go and collect what was to be spared, and they would descend the mountain. There persisted a part of Tautukpik that wished their aapa could see them, could stop them; but he saw the hurting in Akmaaksi, and the relief, and the trepidation, and knew he had to remain the anchor. He could not trust their father to be that.

They would go from the village and make their own path.