Ouroboros Spine The big lake they call Gitche Gumee

perhaps in answer to raimo's silent watch, bronco's clan came no further. kukutux drew a breath and descended toward them, cheek creased in pain. it would not be an easy trek in return to the ulaq, but the moon refused to be bound by her ankle any longer. it was a swifter arrival than she had anticipated; she put aside her shame.

the duck passed raimo and he strode after her. fighting the responsive glance along her shoulder, the woman sighed with relief to finally be among her kin. "bronco," came her soft murmur; she would reach to him first, gaze sweeping first melaine and then keyni with a bittersweet familiarity, a nod toward the tall woman who wore a coat of jetstone and watched silently. pikaluyik, and no more warm than that.

finally kukutux came to antares. meerkat stood near, her gentle presence soothing even the duck as she stooped closer and meant to touch his muzzle with her own. they had all lost many. but he had lost his mother, this boy who wore her spirit, and in that the spine-woman felt more greatly her role as aunt to him.

raimo, close, surely, watchful.

"please rest here in moonglow." the fireflies and the huntress she had not met, following; kukutux knew that they would lend themselves to whatever was needed. "you are family to us, and this has been a time of much sorrow." the duck did not think that they planned to make this place their own for long, but she wished them here.

and in her spirit, a growing want for antares to recover here beneath her care.

but it must be his choice.