Bearclaw Valley Because he was a better boy, and more loved by the angels

He listened silently and politely while Arielle recounted her first time in the presence of a bear, silver eyes lingering unabashed on the brighter yellow of her own, which sought to avoid his. That was as it should be, he thought, and wished his sister had observed her place as well as this one did. Perhaps then the rift could have been mended and they could have stood side by side again, instead of painting Ursus red with one another's blood.

Yet Aventus didn't feel much like a leader at the moment, and didn't wish to lord the fact over Arielle, so he looked away after a time, trailing his gaze back to the bruin. It was now stretching a foreleg into the air over its head and smacking its droopy lips. You don't, he answered. Only the bear knows. The most we can do is appeal to the spirit and pray it is enough.

He doubted that was the answer Merrick would give, or whether Merrick would approve of it, but it was what Aventus believed. Even the most devout of Ursus wasn't guaranteed to keep the bear's favour. Once, a wolf of Ursus left in a manner not ordained by the spirit, and earned the bear's wrath. They were marked by the bear's claws, but their life was spared, for they were beloved by the Bruin-witch.

It was easier to talk about her, easier to stomach his churning turmoil, by refusing to speak her name. The spirit required blood for the mercy shown, and took it from Ursus' physician, Evien. He licked his dry lips and said, Evien was a good wolf. He was loyal to Ursus. He saved my life once. The bear took him all the same, a life to pay for the life spared.

You see, he concluded, feeling strangely self-conscious of how much he'd spoken in the last couple minutes and shuffling in place as though to shake it off, we must do what is best for Ursus, but always respect the bear in doing so, lest we draw their ire. Shed blood in the name of Ursus and for the glory of the valley, and not for personal gain. Make way for their might, and never cross them. Protect them when the snows come and they slumber.

That was what he fervently believed. If you are loyal to Ursus and the bears, you need not fear.