Silver Moraine toshin

suliya’s tongue swiped over bloodied lips as she considered the question.

she was a witch, she said, voice steady but tinged with something—respect, perhaps, or fear. muradoii born. but she left. a long time in the glacier.

she carved into the caribou with careful precision, eyes narrowing as she worked.

she read bones like you. spoke to spirits. knew the herbs that kill and the ones that heal.

there was a pause. her mother’s face flashed in her mind—stern, cold, but with eyes that had always seen too much.

father did not like it. he wanted me lanzadoii. wanted me sharp. she taught me in secret, until he found out.

suliya shook her head, lips pressing together.

he would have killed her if he could. but she was stronger than him in ways he hated.

she glanced toward sivaak then, a flicker of curiosity breaking through her guarded expression.

you remind me of her.