The wolf pads up to the altar and puts down chewed-up nightshade dripping with well water and damp salt from the dead priest’s pocket.
It sits on its haunches and after a few coughs and growls starts to speak in a human voice, reminiscent of the town librarian who disappeared weeks ago, but hoarse, as with a bad cold. It’s a simple incantation, thanking the dead. She pleads for healing, by the water that runs beneath the town like blood, drawn out into the roots of the night, cleansed with salt and sacrifice.
The ancient Saltwater Ritual completed, she lowers her snout and quietly says: “I miss you.”
Then she curls up to rest.

(Using Nightshade, Well Water and Salt at the Church to perform a Saltwater Ritual.)