astara was dead.
avicus had gone.
apophis had disappeared.
asperas had betrayed the bear.
aventus walked in righteousness.
arielle had earned her place.

merrick merrick merrick merrick mer—

"mother," the bearwolf rasped aloud.
he sat upon the stone that overlooked the valley's single entrance, silhouetted against the faintest moonglow in a darkened sky.
feeding; teeth snapping sinew flesh bone neck vertebrae; rot rot rot rot; her teeth; blackening
motherfang decaying beneath the earth;
merrick's eyelid fluttered; he would not could not weep, like a mantra like a talisman.
the bear spirit burned and burned with hunger.
no more weakness.