Bearclaw Valley soot & violets

ursus had once claimed these woods, and when it left, new life seeped in. how quickly too, thought val -- for even he saw evidence of past claim in these woods, and how moss, pinestraw, and dirt collected on once worn-smooth paths and stones.

he was standing at the edge of a stony clearing when merrick approached him. val had been intrigued by aventus the first day he met him; there was something about him that was so different from val, it was hard to put into words. but merrick and the impression he left upon val was easily translatable: the man scared the shit out of him.

he instantly curled his tail to his stomach, his ears down and eyes turning quickly to what looked like it may have once been an altar. val kept his tongue, scenting blood along merrick's coat and hoping his would not soon join the thousands that had found their end in merrick's teeth.