Bearclaw Valley goodness is eternally difficult

In the coming days his fear might take one of two paths, with the potential to grow into either mortal terror or awe. Merrick's and Astara's actions alone could guide that. Although frightened into utter stillness, Aventus couldn't resist the urge to blink owlishly, trying futilely to clear his fuzzy vision and chase away the tears that the bright light brought to his eyes.

When his eyes opened again, Merrick was further back. His breath eked out of his lungs in a slow exhale, only to hitch once more when the man swept closer again, reaching a dark paw forward. The man's ankle slipped around his backside and he was pulled toward the beast, a dragon eyeing a piece of treasure and assessing its worth, and Aventus could do nothing more than shrink back on himself and urinate.