Bearclaw Valley pelagic

no response from the familiar shadow at her flank. instead, the voice of the usurper-father ringing clear and ear-piercing as a bell. we leave, asperas repeated silently to herself, bristling. another glance cast toward the bear, and then the spiderling leapt back like a cat confronted by a cucumber — and in the next moment, was off, fleeing back toward the safety of the caretaker's den so fast it was a wonder there was no smoke trail left behind.