Moonsong Glacier [m] going toe to toe with an enchantress

He dropped his head lower, but said nothing more on the subject of Nyra and his mother. Talking about it did not bring his jaws any closer to the white bitch's throat, and whining about it did not bring his mother back. However critical he had sounded just then, there was a little part of him that admired the Vals and Avicuses of the world. How they could just up and walk away from things instead of being shackled by duty.

He had killed Evien at the behest of his parents so that he might wear the title of Bruin-jaw, but sometimes the mantle lay heavy on his shoulders. Lately it was heavier than ever. To shrug out from under the bear's paw and live a life free of that influence, what must that be like? Aventus was too loyal by far to entertain the idea for himself. He believed and he did not; half of it was genuine, half of it a farce.

Hmm, he murmured. I am sorry they had to die. That was just how things went. The bear gave vigor and verve to its followers and put the fear of god in those foolish enough to trespass, but took much from them in return. Even now, he wasn't sure if the cost was worth it, but he followed Merrick, and Merrick would follow the bears to his death if they so demanded it.

Bears take much, but they can give much, too. He blinked solemnly, tipped his head back to look at the stars. You may not know it, but your encounter made you stronger.