The silence rippled through the docks and every single pair of hands had stopped what they were doing. Their attention diverted, their eyes fixated. She was back and it was true. Everyone could see it was true. The way she held herself, the furs covering her stomach in a half-hearted attempt to cover the truth that everyone now knew.
She didn't make eye contact with anyone, though she was aware of their stares so much so it made her own eyes sting, meeting back with the bitter cold she'd escaped for those years of her life. She'd returned after leaving without a word but her sister Nakoda had returned after she left in the night to tell them she had got married and wouldn't speak of it anymore. It was Nakoda that was waiting for her at the dock with her husband and two year old infant in her arms.
"Auntie" smiled the child, who had only been a new-born last time Aga had seen her.
"Ummi, Nakoda, Harkou" but she only made eye contact with the child. She felt her own baby kick, as if in response.
"Mummy, where's cousin?" A guilty flicker went across Nakoda's face. Aga's eyes met hers and a slight smile made itself visible. It was strange to Nakoda, she looked so old. Her eyes were pools of sadness and the lines of her mouth seemed to have aged in such a short time. She remembered the last time she saw her. Smiling, beaming as she climbed onto a great sky beast, what did they call them? Sky bison! And she was waving at her as she flew into the sky being held by her newly married husband. It all seemed like such a long time ago now. Like a dream. Aga took hold of Ummi's hand and placed it under the fur.
"He's kicking" she whispered.
"He?" The girl looked suspiciously at her hand in deep concentration.
"Yes, my baby Soluz."