by
77° North finds Inuit orphan and archaeologist Chulyin Nakasuk rejecting her shamanic powers. Chulyin's journey weaves through a fantastical world spanning myth and science where she battles legendary creatures and human avarice. An archaeological expedition leads her to Greenland where she encounters The Foundlings. The encounter sparks acceptance of her shamanic powers and grief over the loss of a cherished uncle, and knowledge revealing the origins of human life on Earth.
They never knew I listened. How could they? Tucked under the covers, their muffled words drifted through the open door of my bedroom, sailing into the docks of my ears. Tone told me more than the words. The softer they spoke, the more I heard.
April light was returning, and I studied a smudge of colour glowing beyond the frost-painted window.
Whispers. My name, Chulyin. They were talking about me. I liked it when I heard them say my name. I felt safe. Special.
READ MOREBut her yellow, unblinking eyes distracted me. She thought I was special too, and I was frightened when she came, perching on the post at the foot of my bed. I tried to turn away but could not, pulling the covers over my head, shielding my eyes, the stench of decomposing fish replacing her stare. Pinching my nose, breathing through my mouth, didn’t help. I tasted it, tasted her presence, a metallic tang secreted by her feathers sour on my tongue. Molding a tunnel into the blanket to breathe, I observed the pink luminescence fade along with their kitchen murmurs, and an urge to scream, to fend her off overcame me, but my throat froze. The odour was overpowering, and I dissolved into the vapour of a dream.
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