Bearclaw Valley Because he was a better boy, and more loved by the angels

Aves, she repeated, her voice still soft. She matched the name with his dark face and committed it to memory. 

His question had her nodding a little. Merrick showed me one not very long ago. He explained how the pack lives here because the bears let us and only if we respect them. Her firelight eyes moved from the shadow to the creature. She watched him a few moments before adding: He said we needed to be holy, but— She frowned and looked back to Aves, careful not to meet his gaze. How do you know if you're holy? she asked. Her frown softened and her expression turned curious. She not only had no desire to be eaten by one of these beasts, but she also wanted to do what was expected of her here, especially if they were going to teach her how to be a healer. She hadn't thought much about her purpose before coming here, but now that Merrick had planted the seed in her mind, she wanted desperately to learn and to be of service to the pack that took her in when she had no one else.