Ouroboros Spine salumaruk ⇑

Invades...

He had not yet been to the lake. His focus had been the animal trails of the lower hills, or the graze-lines and limits of the cliffs, but he did not delve too deeply along the raise of the spine; not until Kukutux began to wander. Raimo saw had not seen her leave the ulaq but he found her scent trailing towards the territory's heart and thought it odd; so he followed, pantherine, prowling after her.

She might still need space. Her mourning songs had ended but Raimo wondered if the ache remained; it would, he had to reason. He ached sometimes for the life he had left behind and his family still lived. He could not fathom what it was that Kukutux felt. He kept up with her but let his shadow grow long — many wolf-lengths.

When he came to the edge of the lake he did not leave the trees. His singular gold eye caught a shaft of spring light, and he saw her, heard her. He watched as she bathed away the dirt and blood and then kept watch as she slept, never too far.