Hoshor Plains Sound Off

The boy had gone with his grandmother and his siblings, excited about the adventure even though he did not quite understand its purpose or its dangers. Whenever Kukutux took her attention away from the children to greet another adult, Salaksartok would huff and puff; he would either grab for a sibling and rough-house with them until separated, or try to draw his grandmother's attention away by other means—until something else inevitably caught his attention.

He followed Aiolos for a time. Then there was Seal, who came to say hello and who he recognized vaguely from the sad time on the mountain. He stomped away from the camp as it was being built to chase scents, and found himself trailing after Chickadee until someone gathered him up with the other children and once herded to Kukutux, the boy put up more of a fuss, putting to use his voice to shriek and complain, or his teeth as he disturbed the preparations and made small messes of the medicines around him.

Promptly enough Salaksartok was taken by one of the adults to tour the camp, which would at least keep him occupied and under watch. He was pleased enough with this; there were so many people, and he wanted to know them all.