Qeya River three

women had their ways. tartok women were different from them too; he knew to listen when they spoke and wait for them to reach conclusions. women fought to death always, not like men—men maimed, tortured, bled others or themselves, but killed only as a final resort.

knowing this, and hearing nagruk, kukuvrak had his thoughts. he circled them both and came to a halt alongside nagruk, huffing. clan women have their work. we seek issitoq; turn him, turn clan.

watching tikigak now, he wonders how she will take this bloodless tactic; given how much disdain she held for kukuvrak's assertion from an earlier conversation.

regardless, he is eager to move.