The sun had long since set and a peculiar row of shadows had etched across the earth. They arranged themselves in a pattern that resembled the jagged tree tops. The faint light of the moon did well to distort the light heart of the wood. The hulking bear walked with curious argent eyes as his massive paws sunk into the moist earth. There was a satisfying breath of a leaf beneath his pads, but nothing that would draw the notice of any of the passersby. The soturi still expected to catch the pale flickering of one of the Mayfair wolves within the thick foliage. The beauty of the young Deirdre was frightening, but Lærke had not voiced his thoughts to anyone other than the silent guardians of the sky. 

The ghostly pair of eyes sought the flickering of the stars above, but the whispering of Donnelaith was raising his flesh and bringing his pounding heart to life. The bear continued his swaying trek through the underbrush and twigs. His ears stood tall atop his heavy crown.