The seal hunter listened to the boy's thoughts, as he always did, with thoughtful silence. It was a respect the boy had scarcely known. It had existed for others, but never to him. He wondered what Chakliux saw in him to grant him this. Regardless, Kukik could only offer the same to the seal hunter. It was the least he could do for all that the man had done for him.

And to oil father. Kukik's voice was strong, adamant. Whatever spirits followed them on their path, even if only for a passing moment, deserved their gratitude just the same. The boy knew Oil Father watched the seal hunter, and to him the seal man offered many gifts to the sea.

The boy returned his gaze to the whale carcass. The wound the wolves expanded upon wept crimson upon the rocky shore. It stained both them and the stone scarlet. With a testing paw, Kukik pressed against the exposed flesh, aiming to draw more of what remained of the whale's life into the open. A glance passed to Chakliux. Was this correct?