Bearclaw Valley the wake [m]

"the black wolf," merrick sighed with an open affection. "my raven. she has been with me for months and months. i met her just after i met you," the boy remembered, teeth glinting in a savage little grin. his ear had been torn by talons then, but the notch only served to recall that first memory of astara.
"what do you think of her?" he inquired again. perhaps ulysses had not yet met the reticent blackbird, but surely he had seen her at least in passing. lantern-eye watched his companion, secretly hoping for the mildest glimmer of jealousy.