Bearclaw Valley soot & violets

merrick snorted and straightened. it was enough for one day.
"come hunting," he ordered. they would need to reestablish their caches here in the valley. he was pleased to see easthollow still downed and his valley empty.
val showed more promise than ashlar had. but it would not be only merrick who tested him.
he would lead the boy off into the primeval forest among the decade-worn stones and there they would catch hares, as many as they were able before parting ways.