He lives too! Samo exclaimed in relief. It never crossed his mind that anything could have gone on between Chakliux and Elk Charm; he was only glad that the man he had come to see as friend was well. Chakliux had gone separately from the group for a time. Samo had not questioned why. The seal hunters knew the shore and the hunt far better than he did.

Then the storm had come bearing down, and a wave had dragged Samo about as easily as a child’s doll. He remembered little between gasping breaths and burning saltwater in his throat. The sea had tossed him onto a strange shore, with no seal or caribou hunter in sight. If ever the hunters had passed through there, the sea had washed their scents away.

The gods must have heard his oath, he thought, and decided to toy with him.

Thank you, he said, surprised and grateful, as she offered him the dried meat. He accepted it gratefully, hardly waiting before scarfing down one stick hungrily. Even now, she cared for him. His eyes watered again, and he had to shut them for a moment to hold back the tears. You are too good to me.

He saw in her eyes and actions her relief, and the relief in his own expression matched hers. He saw, too, that she struggled to find the right words. He smiled, soft and sad, as he tried to think of what to do. During the nights they rested, the seal hunters would trade stories. Samo had listened, too, of course, but he had nothing to share then. (Or, rather, he had not been able to speak of his life before. He had not even been able to tell Elk Charm before he left of Gaul and Rome.

He wanted to know her so badly, but he had been afraid of what she might think if she knew him. Yet he knew now that he owed her answers.)

Will you show me where you make camp? Samo asked. I will tell you the story of what happened. But it is a long one. Maybe better to sit.