"Right about... there?" He points to a bit of the hills, and yes it's the same one.

"Yep."

"We can go closer, if you like, a calm bear at rest is a magnificent thing even if the rest doesn't impress you."

"Sounds like an experience worth having."

"Let's see it, then."

There are a lot of paths, and no signs past the road, but he finds his way through like he's often been here before.

There's a feeling John and Rodney can probably pick up on, when they get within about a hundred yards. It's a little like oldness but more intrusive, and a little like static electricity. It's fairly faint, though, even as they get close.

Within about a dozen yards the slightly-artificial quality pretty much vanishes, and the cave itself, which is about twelve feet around and goes straight back and down into the hill, doesn't look that way at all. There are fewer trees but they don't look planned, the turf isn't mowed (but is actively being grazed by a goat), and the stone is genuinely untouched.

Sitting near the cave dressing a deer is a man in notably more primitive-looking clothes; furs with less treatment or cutting to the leather, no dyed cloth. (He's a priest to the scanner.)

Also a bear, lying peacefully next to him and munching on a hunk of said deer. Large, greyish-brown, and not at all angry, but it's hard to ignore the possibility that will change when his teeth are being put to use actively.

Huh, it's a little like communing with Chaya but also very different. It's much less personal and the vibe is also different old is a good descriptor.

The bear is indeed both intimidating and incredible. He's seen similar bears before but from much further away.

Rodney waves a little timidly.

Dym glances over but likes his meal better.

"There's holier places, but this is maybe the easiest to reach where ordinary people without a gift for magic can feel it. And personally I never feel it hurts to see a reminder of why we picked the bear-god as our nation's Father. Hello again, Priest Boyozi. Showing around these outsiders."

The other man looks at the two of them, tilts an eyebrow at Sheppard's general bearing, and then nods and goes back to his work silently.

"I'm certainly feeling it. It's a very singular feeling. Thank you for hosting us." He directs the last to the priest even if he's not paying attention.

Priests of Ursun tend not to be extroverts. Might be better with bears than people, actually, especially while sober. But he gives a slight nod anyway.

"Head back south?"

"Sounds good." And then after they've started walking, "Nice city you've got here."

"We don't have many cities but I'm proud of all of them. Erengrad's the most... engaging of them, though."

"That's an interesting wording. Is another city prettier?"

"The architecture in Kislev City is more beautiful, and the Winter Gardens by the palace are magnificent, though it doesn't have anything like this Garden of Ursun, theirs is much more artificial. I think of the three as... the capital is proud and old and never conquered, Praag is a monument to the resolve to never let defeat stop you, and Erengrad is lively and varied and exciting. Praag is often exciting itself, in fairness, but usually in the way that needs a blade or bow."

"I'm familiar with that kind of excitement. I like this kind better. Not that I won't engage in the latter when it needs doing."

"I won't deny enjoying the thrill of a fight, but it's best in small quantities, and for a good cause. But yes, it's a pretty city, and as a small-town boy originally I particularly appreciate the Gardens."

"That makes sense, there's nothing quite like the wilderness but these gardens come close."

"It is nice once and a while but I get quite enough of it from our missions. I prefer the amenities of being among buildings. And having a bed to sleep in at night instead of camping."

"At least when you don't fall asleep at your desk from getting to into a project."

"Maybe you're just not very good at camping. Not that I'd recommend the luxury tents vain boyars bring to war, but if you want to fake a building..."

"Oh, we can setup some nice camps the beds still aren't as nice though."