Redtail Rise their masks have the countenance of very concerned deer

He turned his path unconsciously toward the smell of trees and water, loping downward, but it wasn’t until he dropped down to where rock and forest floor met that Aventus noticed he was not alone.

His ears swivelled upright at the same time he straightened from his prowling crouch. Up until now, he had made no effort to find or spend time with Ashlar. The bard was a coward and a loser. Aventus had better things to do than entertain the snivelling whining of a full grown man who couldn’t be counted on to protect anyone or anything.

These days, however, was he really so different? War loomed on the horizon, and Aventus turned his back on it. Aventus chose to run from it. He was not afraid for his own life, but that of his remaining son. Perhaps Ashlar had some reason for his cowardice as well, some purpose that had not been clear before.

Will you go to war? he wondered aloud, pinning the bard with his silver eyes.