Fox's Glade To the forest again

merrick had gone out into the world to explore.
armed with a taller height, a heavier build, and an older age than he had been the last time he exited bearclaw, the boy was confident in his travels. the glade of foxes was not far, and along the way he caught the scent of both mona and piper. if they had come, albeit some time ago, why couldn't he?
shadows engulfed the boy; he trailed the musky scent until his eyes too alit on the hunting fox. the coypup scarcely breathed; he hunched in the underbrush, eyes wide, but it was not the fox who commanded his wariness — it was the fierce dark man who sat not far off, laced with scars and imposing.