Bearclaw Valley some words with a mummy

Avicus was smart. They were both still learning how to best one another in this game of ranks. More often than not, she emerged victorious, but occasionally Aventus wanted something, or wanted to prove himself, badly enough that he played harder. This was one of those times.

He locked his jaws as best he could, convinced that this was the way to win. Avicus flailed and thrashed in his grasp, but he believed if he just kept holding on, she would eventually relent. She had to. His teeth were in her flesh, and the more she moved, the more it must hurt. But Aventus learned a valuable lesson when she bucked: sometimes, you had to let go to win.

His head was wrenched forward and down and he yelped when his chin hit the earth and forced his jaws open in a wheeze.