There was no apprehension or fear of danger on Ktulu's face when the Great Bear turned from Eytan back to her. Even as he lifted a massive paw armed with sharp claws that could slice her to the bone and placed it on her chest, she showed no fear. She merely watched and waited for what the bear would say next. Her eyes widened as streams of light flowed from where he had touched her and into her body. She could feel its warmth as it searched out her heart, could feel the warmth as it penetrated and bound itself to her. As the light encircled her she heard the strong and steady beat of her heart.

Or was it his?

"Goodbye, my child."

"No...." Ktulu had not wanted to believe that the Great Bear's end was so near. She grit her teeth as waves of emotion washed over her ranging from sadness to anger to regret. She should have asked Apollo to come with her when she'd felt such a strong pull to the forest. He would have been able to aid the bear and prevent his death. Wouldn't he? Her vision blurred as tears gathered in her eyes. The Chieftess blinked them away quickly then turned to look at the warrior that had witnessed the entire ordeal. Her own tears had cut trails down her face and she blubbered her apology.

For what? Crying? Witnessing a private moment?

Her gaze fell as she looked back at the bear lying peacefully in the middle of the forest that he had protected. He was the forest's spirit. Its heart and he was gone. The Constrictor's gaze ventured away from the bear. He had given her something, she knew not what it was, and she felt that she had to give something in return. And so when she saw the last of the summer's wildflowers not yet covered by snow and killed by the cold temperatures of Frostfall she went to them, gathering them individually in her teeth and upon returning to the bear she laid them beside him. "Goodbye, my friend." She murmured then, her muzzle smoothing the fur on his grayed face.

Ktulu lifted her head and looked at Circe once more. The mare had seen a side of herself that she rarely ever showed even to her own family. How would she take it? Would she see her leader as weak because she had compassion for others? Would she be disappointed that she was not a completely cold blooded killer? Only time would tell. She nodded her head to her warrior, acknowledging her and granting her permission to move closer. "Death holds no prejudice." She said quietly. "And is far from kind to those of us left behind."