Bearclaw Valley Uncertain flame

merrick cared not for the words bandied on his border. the scent of easthollow was here, and it was one he knew. 
cackling beneath his breath, the boy leapt the thinnest part of the river threading through his valley, and came upon a group of his wolves around an unfamiliar young man. the dissent in his ranks was disinteresting to merrick; he saw no reason to take sides. let revui and evien deal with their own battle.
but another time, and not here.
his dark plume sliced through the air commandingly as he arrived upon the scene to flank toad. but like the ashgrey giant, he too only had eyes for the interloper, and the mocking words upon his tongue. "better run before i let them eat you," merrick joked, though his roguish grin did not meet his eyes.
"easthollow comes to visit," he announced to the others, despite the fact the stranger had already spoken. his single eye burned back toward the boy. "you've seen the place. carry a message for me?"