Bearclaw Valley a seminar about whether or not deer feel pain or are just sad

Things went from bad to worse, and it was as if a rift to hell opened up in the next moment, because the hounds went pouring away from the meeting place on the hunt for the children. The woman that had been tending to the boy - Stryx did not know Ash or Abel's names - took off first. Stryx watched them go and only pivoted back to the conversation at hand when Val voiced opposition.

She looked at him as if he had three heads; more appropriately, he hadn't considered how dangerous voicing such opposition could be. Stryx tensed and thought quickly on how best to circumvent the growing tension between Aventus and the fool, but after some sharp words Aventus tore off as well, towards Stillrift, with Arielle on his heel.

As if that wasn't enough, Val shot after them too. You're going to get yourself killed, you idiot! Stryx couldn't help but think, and against her better judgement she flanked them all. Val was quick; Aventus was powerful and he had the backup of his mate; it took all that Stryx had left to keep up with them, and it was in these moments she realized her age.

Val! Stop! She tried to call to him - not because she didn't agree with the fight he had chosen, but because Stryx knew the children were doomed from their conception if they were born of this mad blood; at least she could save Val now, if she could be quick about it.