Flycatcher Downs deum verum

outside the reaches of the valley merrick prowled.
the bearwolf was remembering all the myriad places of the valley; where he had walked and run and loved. with each step the blackbird came to mind; 
breath synced with steps in the snow — merrick felt the corvid queen unfurl beside him, heard her ghostly breath, turned his cyclops'-gaze turned to the beautiful jet face and glowing indigo eyes that only he could see now. his heart was seized with a terrible aching that prickled the remaining eye with painful tears.
a bear, moving too swiftly to be a bruin and yet drawing closer.
a sign.
merrick coursed down over the low rise, swiftly closing the large space between himself and the figure.