Herbalists' Cache let the drum speak

Bracing on one side as best she could, and thankful suddenly for her recent experience with holding up bodies, Sulukinak moved with Meleys as they assisted Sun Eater. It was slow going, and farther than what she would have liked for her uncle to struggle across, but they had to be smart. His sleeping place was hidden; she intended it stay secret.

When he spoke she expected to be a translator, but he did not use the language of the Saatsine, he spoke his broken common and made his knowledge known.

His disinterest in war. His want to leave. Sulukinak knew this land meant nothing to them - they only lingered for the herds and when the herds departed, they would have gone too. That they were now forced to go, and to uproot newborns in the process...

If it was solely Sulukinak's decision she would have filled that den with the children inside. Let the earth claim them, let them feed the caribou and give their strength to the herd. It was clear to Sulukinak that a curse had followed Sun Eater; some intervention was necessary, of this she was certain.

Her focus was upon her uncle and then, looking out to the faces of any who gathered, she looked for understanding among those loyal to their ways - if any even existed, now.