Bearclaw Valley i've seen their worlds inside my head

A distracted tongue smoothed the lifted fur on his back, but did little to calm the boy. While not frantic, he knew that where he stood in relation to Merrick was as great a distance as the chasm between ants and gods, and that kept him worshipful and submissive in Merrick's presence.

Avicus crept toward the dragon, and Aventus was seized for just a moment with the desire to grab her tail and drag her back. The moment passed quickly; he loved his sister fiercely but he feared the dragon's wrath more. He didn't know if approaching the man was a step out of line, but he was quick to decide that if Merrick should become upset with this behaviour, it was better directed at Avicus than himself.