Silvertip Mountain Are you covered in leaves and gently shaking in the gentle breeze?

The boy stepped back to admire his handiwork. He lacked the bloodlust that drove Merrick and Avicus, and could make little sense of the innate violence curdling within Asperas, but what Aventus was was unwaveringly loyal and dutiful. He would gladly shed blood and deceit in the name of Ursus, not because he hungered for it as the others did, but for the might of pack and family. More like his mother, that way.

He was surprised to find Asperas watching, but not surprised when she darted forward to taste the blood. He rumbled approvingly, baring his bloodied teeth at her in a wicked grin. Taste them, he encouraged. These ones are enemies of Ursus.

Coyotes were weak creatures, smaller and more delicate than wolves, but crafty, yes. Coyotes could steal from bears and wolves alike and get away. We shed their blood to mark our presence, he explained, stepping aside to give Asperas more room to investigate his work, and leave their bloodied corpses for the bear's favour. I think it looks good there, don't you?