Bearclaw Valley silkrobe doorsill

She followed closely at the shadow's side, feeling the buzz of his excitement and wanting to know what had summoned the feeling within him. There was another with them today—a wolf she did not know. She regarded him with friendly interest while they walked but she hadn't yet said anything. Arielle was usually quiet unless asked to speak or she felt she had something she needed to say. She wanted to know this boy, though, just as she wanted to know all of the pack. She thought it would be important to be on good terms with everyone if she was going to study to be their healer.

At Merrick's coaxing words, she froze, her electric gold gaze whipping to the place where she could smell food. Had he brought them there to eat? That questioned was quickly answered: a black bear came from somewhere in the trees to feast on the pieces of fish scattered along the ground. She watched him, at first with fear as her heart began to beat furiously in her chest. 

But then her leader stepped out in the open, no wariness in his features. He explained that they would give homage—whatever that was—to the beast. When she joined he had told her of their dedication to the bears that shared the valley, and she had understood the words, even agreed to follow the same beliefs. But there was something different about the large creature there, in front of her. Merrick wasn't scared, though, and she took her cue from him. 

Arielle stepped out to stand with the shadow, her gaze moving briefly to her packmate to see if he would join as well. Then she focused solely on the bear, her eyes widening in wonder. This is how we pay h-homage? she asked quietly, her tone genuinely curious. Are there any other ways we do that? Whatever the word meant, she understood the meaning behind it, at least enough to do what Merrick expected of her.