Bearclaw Valley Like the generations of leaves, the lives of mortal men.

merrick hoped that evien might suddenly appear, and grow angry with them
the fire in the verdant eyes would have singed the seed of doubt from the bearwolf now. he sighed, gathered himself, began to move off into the swirling darkness.
"tuur," and the sound of it was at once both grating and pleasant to merrick, "once upon a time i thought you should belong to my children." the truth of it was necessary, even if it barbed the returned waif.
"now i see you were brought back to be bear. serve the red one," he pronounced proudly,  though there was a danger behind the remaining eye.
"do it well and you will only grow in ursus."
merrick's natal children would inherit his kingdom, but tuur would have a share in it also, bought with loyalty.