Redtail Rise the premature burial

Ashlar came to the call quickly, and quicker still when he heard the sounds of a creature in pain. It wasn't a wolf, but a fox, and clearly caught by Avicus from the way she stood over it.

He balked momentarily, confused. He had a sudden memory of the trip with Merrick, the way he'd been pressed to help in dispatching the coyote. Was this a test? The bard wanted to trust his friend, and did, but such things couldn't stop the turning of his stomach as he remembered where both of them came from.

He knew that it was a test he'd fail over and over again. If not gladly, at least firmly now. But she knew this too.

His body language was hesitant but he did step forward, though his ears tilted back against the sounds the poor creature made. Why hadn't she killed it yet? He knew the nature of the hunt, but to let it suffer....

The swelling of its belly was the first thing he noticed. Disease, or.... no. He moved in closer, losing his nerves some as interest took over. Something else.