Ouroboros Spine ugguanik ⏞⏟

THE FIFTH SONG

grandfather

he watched kukutux from across an ice floe. no matter how she ran she could not reach him.

granddaughter. you have suffered another blow

kukutux swallowed snow as his voice reverberated inside her head.

i watched you die

i have died a hundred deaths. you will too.

somehow it did not fill the duck with dread; somehow a warm feeling of relief crept into her stomach.

her ankle throbbed with less pain.

low tones as the sun lay down for the long night.

beloved spirit, you walk through sedna's throat.

it is dark, but do not be afraid.

we are with you.

go toward the stars beyond

go to the light beyond

do not turn back

do not look back

she would repeat it once, and then no more, staring silently toward the sky that trailed starlight and moonfire over the darkened mountain.