Shadowwyn Moor Hydrurga

The herd flowed like a tide across the moor. The crushing of the snow to their steps was intermittent but it reminded Sulukinak of when pieces of ice would graze one-another in their passing. Sometimes a caribou would lift its crowned head and bugle, and to that Sulukinak would wince, or turn back her ears, until she became used to that too and barely stirred when the trumpets sounded.

The girl was so focused on her observation of the herd that she did not hear the other woman drawing close until it was too late, and whatever reluctance she upheld about their meeting drove a spike of anxiety through Sulukinak. There was not a lot known about this gilded woman, at least to the shadow girl, and now that they were close, and available, Sulukinak could shift her study to them instead of the herd.

There was nothing motherly about this woman, which to Sulukinak was all too familiar. She was cold and hard in the same way as Sun Eater; she was serious, and she was focused, and the way she looked upon the herd and upon Sulukinak was the same. It was unsettling because of how familiar it was.

Uncle said to meet you, she began.

He has taught me of the lanzadoii, and sent me to learn of sharadoii with hunting men. He said you were something different. He had used the word muradoii but in this moment, in her currently hypervigilant state, Sulukinak's mind did not hold tightly to that, and she forgot it. Do you know the everdark? Where it is ice and sea?