Moonsong Glacier Take away everything I am

a sacrifice.
his son's voice paled and fell away; merrick watched the bear, saw its weaving and dripping jaws over the jarring gore it had made of their loyal vesta —
he grew peaceful within himself, and at last let his consciousness back into the chaos and whirl and tight, pragmatic voice of his son. "yes," he breathed belatedly; "we will give her a martyr's burial;"
his wish despite what was to come;
she had been chosen and the blood that painted the earth was the breadth of ursus' cruel blessing.
merrick turned, shouting a challenge to the bruin. its heavy blankweight head swung, and numbly it followed, drooling, a shattering growl echoing beneath hoarse breaths.