Bearclaw Valley king pest

astara did not see her daughter crush a beetle between her paws -- but she saw a brief glimpse of avicus' proud gaze as revui lifted astara up like a trophy, hurling her aside like some small, annoying trinket.

astara did not land like a cat. her spine hit the wall at full force, sending a crack down her back and a yelp from her jaws. she landed in an uncoordinated heap, incoherently snarling -- readying for an assault that never came.

instead the beast slunk back to the den, and the small child he guarded with it. astara's breath came in heavy gasps in the aftermath, her eyes white rimmed with shock and pain as she panted through bared teeth.

for a long time, she stood there hyperventilating at the entrance -- but at last, astara collected her shaky breath and growled for her little murderer to come and follow her mother home.