Bearclaw Valley soot & violets

he was not prepared to hear his son's name on this one's voice. merrick watched over the youthful face as val spoke, seeing all the ways that youth and inexpertise made the boy weak. he did not want another ashlar. no more chances given to those with or without their blood.
avicus held the key to come home —!
the bear had come to val. merrick lifted his chin ponderingly. "if ursus chose you then who am i to question it?" the bruin-witch stepped beyond the supplicant and jerked his head for the other to follow. "what do you most fear?"