Bearclaw Valley If I was born a blackthorn tree

Arielle was right, but it was not only her he sought to hide his pain from. He sought to hide it from his father and from the bear both. The bear most of all. Ursus had succeeded in their raid on Rivenwood as much as they could succeed. Only Laurel's death could have made their victory sweeter. Yet Aventus harbored some misgivings, some doubts that holding the children prisoner was wise for them, but he did not think their bear god would approve of his questioning.

It's okay. Aventus did not really want to get into it with Arielle even though it was the most pressing issue between them at the moment, so he prattled instead: father says we must master pain to master fear and death. I cannot let it hinder me. Maybe one day he would be able to use pain to mask fear as well, like Merrick did so well.