Duck Lake illusion; diverted

Merrick's instruction was simple, and incredibly muddy to Aventus. He was confused, but did his best to mask it with a determined setting of his jaw. He was absolutely prepared to kill, but how was he to find a victim while he remained in Ursus as prince? He analyzed his sire's words again, melded them together, tried to understand what it was the dragon intended, and then realized—

He must kill Evien.

The healer had nursed him back to health after Nyra, but why else would Merrick mention the healer but to hint to his son what he must now do? The "but" only served to solidify this misguided notion. Evien was a good mediator, BUT, thought Aventus, he was not the embodiment of ursine ideals. That was meant to be Aves' place. Listen to yourself. Well, he was listening now. He nodded to his parents and said, I will. While they were out searching for Avicus, he would whet his young appetite for blood and craft a weapon of ambition under Evien's guiding eye.

To slay the Bruin-leaf.