The Heartwood inuusik ✾

"astaroth." his name fell in unfamiliar syllables; her clipped tongue struggled with it, but only momentarily. kukutux was content to follow, small paws carrying her after the man. she paced at his side, silent for the time being as she attempted to identify the scent. "tuttuktuk," the waterbird murmured. "fat. teeth that point up," the girl went on, trying to describe the musky boar that made dark forests its kingdom.

they were dangerous, but she was thrilling with the idea of being included upon a hunt normally only men would take. women hunted small game. their mates and fathers and brothers went out to kill larger beasts. but there were no other males here, only kukutux and astaroth. would it be enough?