Whitebark Stream the last of her tribe

they circled one another. sun eater wore an expression of relief that not even his wife had witnessed: lanzadoii greeting lanzadoii. "the caribou are eternal and bring truth," he agreed, a plume of breath lifting from his jaws. 

pavati. jaggedclaw. he did not know; wait. familiarity blossomed. "you are distant marriage-cousin to me! my mother was dii. bitterbrush." he was pleased that they had a more defined relationship, though he became somber to hear black hawk's voice now.

"i am sorry. we are strong. we are many. children are soon to be born." his eye flickered. "stay with us. hunt the caribou. travel with saatsine. i have a war chief and bloodhunters. you will be safe."

sun eater wished to ask what had happened, but it was not for him to know.