Stone Circle heliotrope

But... Kristjan wanted to protest! Surely, the bird had not been sentenced to death by simply being relegated to the earth. Plenty of things lived on the ground: bugs, rodents, deer, wolves. Yet, he could not formulate an argument to refute what had been said. A small whine of frustration sounded through his closed mouth and sadness crept upon his features as he leaned into his father's embrace.

Reality settled uncomfortably on his shoulders.

He pulled back to look up at Gunnar once more; he had not noticed, even now, how much closer his father's muzzle was to him these days. Do I... have to eat him? Kristjan queried hesitantly.