Bearclaw Valley bear with me

ico.
merrick quickened his trot, swallowing his newly caught vole as he moved. the howl had spoken of a trespasser; he smirked, wending his way in the direction of water.
there, little ico. and there, a hulking beast with ears shorn and tail cut, reeking of various things, with a malevolent look that merrick rather enjoyed.
he sidled upon the earth, nudged ico reassuringly, then with banner raised, began to advance downward to meet the brute, a proud flare of red hackles towering upon his shoulderblades. "what can we do for you, my good bitch?" merrick shouted, the words ending in a darkening, joyless cackle.