Bearclaw Valley bear with me

the howl that broke over bearclaw was all the nightshade needed to wake. her eyes opened at once, luminant and full of dry chaos.

down the embankment the little bird went, until she saw first ico, and then the familiar form of her lover. and then, not so familiar form who, for all of his outnumbering, menaced merrick with a set of gleaming teeth.

astara snarled, placing herself protectively alongside her bear. she was not a wolf naturally territorial, and allowed all manner of souls to pass through the godwood unperturbed — so long as they did not threaten her kith. she leveled a hardened gaze upon Santiago, harder teeth bared — there was no joke to be had here, and his threats struck no humorous chord in the blackbird.