Ocean's Breath Plateau war claw

marina had grown reserved, and chakliux did not know what to think. always he had possessed the words to soothe her, and now it was not so. 
tullik was gone with kilalurak and his heart grieved; he turned often on his hunting, to glance as if she might appear, but never — never did she.
seelie was home again. aditya healed. and at last the seal hunter called for the son who had not yet seen him. he too had avoided summons for @Raiyuk in this time, wanting to treat the returned young trader as any other man with his own mind.
yet things plagued him; moreover the fact that they must leave this place. he wished for the children to look now also to the man who was their brother; he wished to know if raiyuk would lead them.

With his new lodge (mostly) built and a gift from the sea gathered, Raiyuk had bundled some items out of his collection with the intent to finally visit his father.

He approached the lodge of his father now, carrying this bundle, and it felt surreal. If he had to describe the sensation of seeing his childhood sleeping place again after so long afield, he would not have known how to; but there was an aspect of it that looked too small as he approached. How had so many people managed to live together there?

He remembered building it alongside Chakliux. He remembered adding to it for his brother Taggak.

Raiyuk saw it now with his father standing alone there, along the path. He loped to the man, and without as much care as he might've required, tossed down the gift bundle and threw himself against his father with the intent to hug, or wrestle, or to just be close.

It is good to see you, father.

arm rose to hug the strong body of his son against him. raiyuk was tall and powerful; his marks had settled into the proper darkness, and a confidence was in his eye that belonged only to a man.
a new lodge had been built, and it lifted chakliux' spirits to know and to see, and to wonder if raiyuk meant what he wanted to believe.
"it is good to see you, my son," the seal hunter grunted, butting their heads together gently. "i heard that it was you to helped to bring seelie back," came his quiet words of admiration.
he watched the frost-lapped sea; he felt a warm peace fill him with a taste of contentment.

The light tap of foreheads brought a depth to his smile. When the girl was mentioned, this faltered a little. I had not known she was missing. It was an accident. Which he admitted freely.

His intention was only to travel home to the village, and he happened upon her. The memory of those many dead bodies strewn about—he looked a little green around the gills, recalling it.

I am glad everyone is home now, and safe.

raiyuk did not take up the praise, which chakliux felt was a natural response for his son. he only smiled and then lapsed into another time of contemplative quiet.
"two were taken. she was brought back. he was not. his exiled father came when we were away at the hunt."
voice was heavy; "i do not think rodyn will wish to stay here. but there are others who may. even sisters or brothers, raiyuk." berrybright eyes softened. "i see you have built a new lodge. if you mean to remain, i will speak to them. but if you do not wish this before you, then tell me now."
the salt called to sea hunters. he did not desire to move inland, but for the health of marina he would build his lodge only where she thrived.

Chakliux corrected him.

It caused his brow to furrow—not the correction itself, but the knowledge that others were missing. It made anger stab at his chest, and his spine straighten, and a clear offense writ across his face as he learned of another missing child. Who would ever take a child from their home? It was awful! No doubt people were looking—...

I do not think Rodyn will wish to stay here, his father went on to say. Of all things to learn! Raiyuk had only recently returned and built himself a place to house his collection. If there really were plans to go elsewhere he would have to think on it.

For a time he was silent. That too was an answer to his father, as Raiyuk wanted to be close to his family wherever they ended up. At the same time, his conversation with Aditya rose to the forefront of his memory.

We should stay together. Wherever you go, I will go. And even as he said this, it felt like a betrayal! His chest felt heavy. If there is anything I can do to help, you know I will.

it was that then.
"we should be together," the seal hunter agreed, though his disappointment to leave the well-established lodges was clear. "marina cannot be near the mountains. we will build a place for ourselves outside, nearer to the sea. but i will be in moontide as first warrior," he assured. "and we will make the young ones fierce."
a smile touched his face. "will you come with us to the sea ice when it is time? the boys will find strength in your presence."
and another cycle would begin.

Together, then. How it was meant to be. He was glad to be included, and grateful that he had made it back home in time to see things through; although it was odd to think of the people here, this village, no longer standing—that they must go elsewhere was not a hindrance to Raiyuk, as he had been places and seen there was goodness hidden throughout the world. They would find somewhere else, somewhere safe again.

And his brothers! Yes, they would grow to be fierce. They would cut their teeth through seal hide. They would learn the patience and the terror of the cold under the ice, and Raiyuk would be there to witness it. Yes, of course. He said.

You think they will mind me there? He did not ask the more obvious question, at least to himself: Will they know me? This was a way for them to meet their brother. They would see how strong their father was, and Raiyuk would merely have to match up to whatever stories had been told.

chakliux struggled much to think of it, to consider their fine work and the birthplace of his children standing empty, to see the lodges one day overgrown and crumbling.
he realized in great ferocity that he did not want to go to the plateau. his life was here — his world was here, and chakliux felt age moving its inexorable hand in the direction of stubbornness.
"i do not think so. it will be good that they see a man who shares blood with them and who has done this. who has taken his seal. even if you are silent, you will add power."
brushing raiyuk's shoulder, he turned, almost in anguish, and began to trudge back toward the lodges, but not before adding, "tell me if i am to help you build a larger home this year, my son," smile alluding though chakliux was too knowing to outright ask.

He would go. He would be there to see it.

Chakliux made mention of expansion, not of his own lodge but that of his son's, and as soon as the inference was made Raiyuk thought of Jorma, and felt his throat constrict.

He played off the sudden warmth to his throat and cheeks by passing a quick laugh to his father, sauntering after him; meanwhile in his heart Raiyuk was unsure.