The old crone had joined with the rest of Saatsine towards the end of their pup's ‘mini march’. The long march was still yet to come.

Along the grove lakebed, she took note of her two brothers across the way and followed the trail of their eyes to where the first of many Saatsine youths of the season began its arrival.

The first, a son of Cen, to be easily expected. Yet the next two were not further sons of the chieftain, but daughters of her own womb! Pride swelled there, simmering silently in the mother. This litter held the first times she had ever felt pride for her creations.

It was caribou spear and Tatsaaye’, daughter of her own spirit, who she watched now silently. Awaiting still if her fire-land son and death-touched daughter would soon follow or if they had ultimately fallen behind.