Bearclaw Valley You're on your own

Ashlar hesitated when Merrick seemed to grow upset for a moment.  The boy sensed that it was not something he'd done, but he didn't like that he'd caused it regardless.  What was it that had made him react?  Ashlar thought back to what he said, but found nothing.

How many can I find, or how fast can I find them.  Sometimes, if I am with someone, can they find a word without a rhyme.  That game was fun because, at times, he'd make up his own words.  It depended on how competitive the other wolf was in the game.  If... you ever wanted to play.  We could?  He added hesitantly, unsure if he was crossing a line in offering such idle time to the leader.  The moment from before inspired the invitation, in part.  If he'd upset Merrick, he wanted to make it right, but he was keen enough to know that asking such a thing outright was likely not the thing to do here.  The one-eyed wolf didn't seem like he would appreciate sharing the way Ashlar did.