Bearclaw Valley her perfume and her rum

No hesitation, Aventus agreed. It wasn't just about him now. He would go for the good of all Ursus wolves, and he could not serve them or the bears if he allowed himself to be killed. Enemies everywhere, but Aventus was a wolf raised to have no morals, and so he would not hesitate. Privately, he hoped it wouldn't come to that.

The first blood spilled by Ursus on this pilgrimage should be that used to bathe their new territory.

When do you plan to depart? he asked, knowing Merrick would need some time to convince Astara, inform the pack, and prepare the cubs. Aventus could leave at any time, doing what he did best: slipping by in the shadows, serving Ursus in his own way from afar rather than at the head as their shepherd. But he would not leave too early. He had to be close enough that, should they need him, he could hear their howls.

Hours before them, perhaps. No more than that.