It is the Unnuakvik,she said, half grinning and half snarling. Her tail waved like a flag while her expression softened. She strutted forward to sniff at his neck. Val had wondered when she might see the Tartok again.
And the Watcher!He says, smirking crookedly. The slice of flesh crossing his lips is warm and easily agitated, as Kigipigak has not looked after it appropriately. The boom of his voice dwindles a moment later and becomes something cautious, the way a boy's might when crossing the pulpit of a church.
Why do you dig?He hoped it was not for something such as a burial. His voice is evenly sombre just in case. Kigipigak eyes the mounds—and the divot she's carved between a set—as if something may rise out of them.
They are little rats, niki in the dirt,she explained, ears swiveling toward the sounds and pawing frustratedly at the damaged hole again. She used the more general word for food in his native tongue, not knowing the more specific one.
I hear them,she growled. Her nose twitched as she pawed hopelessly at the vole tunnel entrance.
I hear them,Valmua went on to hiss as she assailed another hole.
Have you been up the mountain?Kigipigak asked abruptly. He wanted to redirect Valmua's attention and learn about the place she wished to take for herself.
Only around it. The way up is hard,she said, eying one of the peaks. Many of the parts of the mountain were impassible without going at least part way around it.
I do not think there is a good way up from the Watch,she said, though now she wished that there was. The mountains may have been the closest thing to their homeland. She could see snow already capping the highest reaches of their rocky precipices.
Hard does not mean impossible,Kigipigak stated. One of the things his mother often said when he, or his spineless sisters, complained about their training regime. The boy is quiet for a moment and Valmua adds,
I do not think there is a good way up from the Watch.
We will find another!He announces boldly.
I crossed these mountains from the valley next, so that at least is possible. Will you show me your way?Kigipigak looked expectantly upon her now with his full attention, wondering if she will give up her pursuit of the buried spirits so easily.
You will come with me,she said swiftly, intending the innuendo as she flashed her eyes briefly to his. Looking back toward the road to their Watch, she moved between the mounds, careful not to disturb them.
We will find the path to the mountain,she declared equally boldly. In fact, she had never bothered to look that hard for a good path up the mountain. Surely, if they could get to the lake they could get past it.
You will come with me,the woman said. Her words were bait and Kigipigak surged hungrily after them. Against his better judgement Kigipigak's attention flowed down the back of her head and to her rear; as she pranced around the mounds he watched the way she moved, only averting his gaze when she had cleared the worst of them.