Bearclaw Valley And I'll be in Scotland afore ye

an agouti of cobbish constructon joined them; astara tore her gaze from the hound, studying the new arrival with a shrewd lavender gaze. a woman by scent, but by appearance ... astara was put at ease, for she knew merrick would find little attraction in the sturdily built female.

turning back to catch fraser's submissive display, astara canted an ear and listened to the dialogue, offering nothing but her presence. what perturbed her was that orson did not visibly look taken aback by this creature -- what was he, and why did he look so distinct from her kin?

nosing along fraser's ruff if allowed, astara looked the picture of musing consternation.