Lion Head Mesa Disinterested eyes

slate's narrow spine watered his mouth; he looked away until the woman turned back and was speaking once more. the bittering scent of leaves rose sharply. he was transported first to the valley and then to the mountain. 
to her credit, the woman did not react. merrick nodded. "ursus serves the bears. they speak through me, and i will say their words to the rest of you."
this time he did not look to see slate's face. the man's lopsided stare was reaching across the crimson grounds toward the high-rearing mesa. "this belief is particular only to ursus. not our — allies."
"among us you will find arielle. she is a young healer and has not yet seen battle. she will learn quickly."
"and in akashingo there is some boy or another. equally young. they call him a physician." so slate would have her own sort of alliance here, he supposed.
merrick lapsed into silence. he did not expect slate to respond so long as she carried her pouch of healing things.