Bearclaw Valley if you are the dealer

an assessment of potential. an honest sort, merrick decided. not everyone would be so brave as to admit the worth to themselves before the bearwolf. this set his heart, but he wanted the last taste of a tease. for a long moment, he said nothing, considering all that the ruggedly built informant had given.
there was but one piece missing; he swept his muzzle against the earth and thought of the blind, mewling things that his nightshade had chosen over him. it angered the madman still, but he hid this with a shaking-out of his ruff, the tilt of his marred muzzle.
"what is your name, friend?"