Totoka River uuliktuk ☙

a man's voice shook kukutux from her fear; she furtively glanced outside the entrance of her shelter. a tall man, and from here she could see the sheen of his golden eyes. not cry, then. as much as the duck wished to deny such things, she feared the keep's leader more than the trembling of the earth.

"this woman greets you," kukutux whispered breathlessly, emerging to dip her head before the stranger. beneath her paws, the stirring again; the girl shut her eyes tightly. "i do not ... know what is happening," came her soft admission before she could keep it from departing her lips.