Bearclaw Valley There is nothing more lonely than an action taken quietly on your own

kill him, the serpent urged. he seeks to corrupt ursus.
but aventus had never been anything less than dedicated. he had shed blood. he had followed in the steps of the bear. and now he had killed through the ursine soul.
but why evien?
why had the bear spoken through his son and not merrick?
had he lost his way?
it was the secrecy of the thing mingled with the sensation that his starlight time was coming to an end — he could not deny that the bears has chosen aventus. it was only because he did not understand for what purpose that he was resistant.
merrick released the tension of his body. it was not for him to question. he had not wished for the physician's death, and yet it had been demanded all the same. taken, all the same.
he looked upon the face of aventus for a long moment, then ducked his muzzle close. "what about your sister?" the bear-king whispered into the dark ear, for he must know the truth of that, regardless of what the bears had chosen.