Bearclaw Valley a seminar about whether or not deer feel pain or are just sad

Arielle didn't realize that the bruin-jaw had stopped at the edge while she dropped down. She was too focused on what needed to be done. 

When she made it to the bottom, she turned to look at Aves but he wasn't there; he was hitting the ground in front of her. A sickening thud echoed against the stone walls when his head met the rock. Arielle couldn't breath. His body was just crumpled there in the dirt. Shock and the promise of agony froze her in place, she didn't know for how long. But when the pain finally hit and shattered her heart, she cried out: NO!

The bruin-heart ran forward, not sparing one thought to anyone else. 

She fell to the ground beside him and placed her head gently on his chest, pinning her ear against him to listen for his breath and the sound of his heart. Her eyes glistened with withheld tears. Then she heard the soft thud of his heart and felt his chest rise and then fall; a few stray tears rolled down her cheeks as she stood. Her anger turned to resolve. She was ending this now. She refused to let her husband poison himself with anger and grief; he would turn into his father and she would have to watch Aves kill himself. She refused.

Arielle turned from her unconscious mate and walked with slow purpose to where she knew Indra would be. 

She swallowed and steadied her breath. Indra? she called out, like it was any other day and the bruin-heart was taking her on a trip to learn about the bear. 

The bear has spoken to me, and he has a very special test for you. She hoped that would lure the girl out if her presence hadn't already.