Alpine Lake i would swim

"i am told it is called 'beaver,'" kukutux answered, taking one piece and settling upon her slender haunches. shyly glancing toward heloise, the duck began to chew small bites from the dried length. allowing herself a momentary pleasure in her ability to master the skills her mother had taught her long ago — was it so long? — kukutux paused to lick savory flakes from her chin.

"my grandfather was also a fighter. it was how he won my grandmother's eye, and the leadership of our home. long before i was born," she added, a smile of true pleasure briefly exposing the white smallness of her teeth. "he had a set of great antlers in his ulax, like ... two huge paws." a moose, but kukutux did not know the common name for the great beast.