Bearclaw Valley my heart is in economy due to this autonomy

joined by the sable presence of her amor, astara lifted her gaze. a welt of pride burned in her indigo eyes -- for here she had erected a pedestal for merrick and his savage beargod -- so he may be the mouthpiece of his religion, and draw from the bones whatever power he needed.

she drew her muzzle along his cheek, neck, flank -- and then walked past. she would let him examine the crude altar as he pleased -- for she had much more work to do.

she gathered stones in her jaws as merrick lingered at the rough pulpit. these stones she would place in concentric rings around the bone, sorted from smallest to large.