Redtail Rise diddling

Astara, too. They had always been her pair of hunters, nightstalkers, death come on four legs. Merrick had seen them as supplicants to his addled religion — Aventus had long played into that, and long grown weary of it — but it was Astara who strove to craft them each into finely honed blades.

Truly Melonii, and not for the first time did Aventus consider dropping Bearclaw from that name.

He kept his head low between smoothly rolling shoulders, both so he could smell the trails below and to show Avicus the proper amount of respect. She suggested a few options. It took him a moment to parse her meaning; she had always been a little guttural and succinct, but he didn't think he would ever grow accustomed to her gargling manner of speaking with part of her tongue removed.

Bigger? he asked, swiveling his head upward to sniff the breeze. There were deer, yes, but also foxes, porcupines, perhaps a rare badger or wolverine. He was game for anything. Whatever doubts and insecurities Aventus might harbor in his mind regarding his sister, he remembered their ability to work together when they were younger. They still had the capability, he believed.

A deer might not be so hard for them.