Ouroboros Spine kuli ⧫

ostrega? the moon's eyes changed for a moment, caught between knowingness and sorrow. "the ones who lived upon the mountain were called ostrega. it was my married-title. sialuk was born beneath the sound." 

"we have a kinship tie between us." her voice was softer, marvelling at how large the ostrega clan must be. "but that is not why i have called you."

kukutux gazed at zane for a long second. "you have more years than me, my brother. now that i know i am your kinswoman, i will speak more directly. two moons ago i went to search for those who had no husband or wife. now that is the moon of returning white hawks, it is the time to honor what i have said."

a pause, for often had her way of speaking confused zane. "i had met one of the firefly clan. she is a traveller. to the age of wanting a husband but perhaps she is not ready for children." kukutux suspected it was not so for her newly recognized relative, but men took their pleasure everywhere. it was not something over which she had previously been given control.

but now she was taqqiq in moonglow. "i wish to make a meeting for you both. now. it is only a meeting. she says she does not want one with many roots." one pale ear flicked. her kithman had not sought to place himself higher among the hunters; despite the new notable connection between he, the moon, and the star, kukutux felt that raimo would place adrastus before the ostrega in the hunting circle.

curious to see if her decision would infuriate him, she leant closer. "tell me of your thinking upon this, zane."