Bearclaw Valley her perfume and her rum

Something ramrod rigid took up residence in Aventus' spine at the mention of his sister. He assumed Merrick was referring to Asperas, but on the off chance he meant Avicus, it was a red-hot tip of a poker in his soul to suggest she deserved anything of Ursus any longer. He would not ask, but pressed his teeth together over the unfurling of his tongue with the question.

Focused instead on the journey ahead, the Bruin-jaw shook his head. I will go now, he said. He would likely swing by his mother's den to see her before leaving. Avoid the Saints at all costs, yes? Not that Aventus knew where they were.