The early mornings of the next several days were spent sending out patrols. A snow storm had intensified and then exploded east of the region. High winds were impacting everything from the ships of the tall ones to the flights of the sea birds just offshore. The Nubbin guardians were now patrolling the outer beach just before dawn, on the watch for birds which might be blown ashore and injured These birds are known to the tall ones collectively as Alcids, and include such species as: the razorbill (alcs to Nubbins), the common murre (urs to Nubbins), dovekie (ales to Nubbins), Black Guillemot (Cepts to Nubbins) and Puffins (finups to Nubbins).
On this day, the north patrol came upon a group of ales strewn across the upper beach near the place known to the giants as Newcomb’s Hollow. These are the smallest of the hardy seabirds and are more often blown ashore than others. Only about 9 inches in length, with a wingspan approaching fifteen inches, this storm was just too much for the little birds. Though weakened and fatigued by their ordeal, they were in fair shape, aside from one who was found to have a broken wing. All were gathered and taken back to the holding lodge where they would be warmed, rested, and fed, and when the wind eventually subsided, released off the beach where they were found. The one mending a wing would bide its time at the lodge until ready for flight.
The south patrol came upon an alc, but the bird had already succumbed to the test of nature. It was picked up and wrapped in a blanket and carried to where those "taken" would be buried following a sending ceremony atop the bluff overlooking the open ocean it once roamed. Despite their role as guardians and the effort given each day to help maintain the natural order around them, Nubbins are very accepting of death, recognizing it as a process on the continuum of life. Nothing has a place for all time, but the value of the time given is precious to the Nubbins, and so they honor that time in all species.
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