"The Gods can be kind, Salvia." Misery's voice was quiet as she gave the puppy one last affectionate pat before rising slowly, putting her weight on the cane. The tremor ran up her scarred right leg as she did so, and she gritted her yellow teeth. "But the Gods are also cruel. Cruelty is refining." Misery knew that well. The God's were kind - they had brought her Damian. But in their cruelty they had given her only forty-three days with him as her mate. That was refining. It had made every moment more precious, every second carved into her memory. "If Harlowe turned his back on the Gods, than he had to be punished." There was no greater sin then letting go of the faith. If you turn your back on them, Tak will eat you alive." Maybe it wasn't the best story for a child, but it was true. "Tak will always find you. Even if he doesn't come and get you himself, he can take our bodies and use them to exact his vengeance." Misery was unaware that was the exact vengeance that had been enacted upon Harlowe. But she had seen it done back home. A foolish wolf proclaiming that the Gods were false. The gleaming gold-green eyes of a cousin turning upon the creature before they ripped the tan fellow apart. Eating his heart. Tak would always find you.
Misery looked at Larkspur, her worn face sliding into an easy smile. "But you don't need to worry about that, Salvia. You have a good father. He will teach you. You will be faithful, and Rah'khir will protect you. You'll grow up and be the finest of hunters like all of her children." The Silver Lady was renowned for her hunting prowess. Her children praised her by hunting the finest and deadliest of beasts. "And one day you can be marked, if Eris allows it. Blessing marks, protection things. And you will learn the holy tongue so that when you praise your Goddess, she will hear every word."