The Heartwood inuusik ✾

she did not understand these men. but jarilo was interested in the same, and plants as well. perhaps it did her no favors to be surprised when the stone-man asked after her craft. "yes," kukutux agreed, falling into a bartering spirit. "in my land, we trade." she watched him carefully, wariness ebbing.

"if you help me to hunt, i will show you what to do with the skin," the duck offered. closer, he was a storm-battled cloud, and his eyes glowed approvingly, shafts of sunlight through rain. she wondered from where he had come, even as she gave her companion a light nod and moved into the shaded woodland.