Bearclaw Valley never bet the devil your head

she nods again, more emphatically this time. Evien had rescued her brother from the brink of death; surely he could handle a gash? Avicus was no medic and did not know the ramifications of infection. she had cut herself before, and it had healed. it would do so again. . .but she would certainly take the help from their healer.

now the second statement, she isn't so sure.

well, she has to be. they both do. what else could they think? what else could they cling to?

if Astara never returned, she may as well have been struck down by the bear. it would have been what she deserved, for forcing her mother out into the world in search of her wayward daughter.

she lets out a sigh, breath fogging, following her father deeper into the foliage. 

she is more exhausted than she has ever been,

and somehow grows more weary with each step.