There's a new sheriff in town

Freshly healed, Merrick was a little leery about going off to scout and hunt a bear, but he wouldn't let it show. He still limped just a bit and his side was tender. The largest of scars there was still rosy pink. Keelin had asked him not to, but the purple giant brushed it off. He'd fought a million bears. Besides, he wouldn't be alone. That made all the difference.

Coming to the lake, Manea mentioned where she'd smelled the bear and suggested that he and Arcturus draw it out so that she and Imperia could come from behind. The plan worked for him and he wasted no time in enacting it.

The white hide of the beast could be plainly seen and Merrick stalked up to it, a growl on his lips. He snapped and snarled, making a fuss until the bears attention was on him and Arcturus. The bear swiped out at them, though lazily, as though it thought the action would ward off the wolves. Merrick caught the swiping paw with a swipe of his own, talons slicing into the back of the bears appendage. The pain caused the bear to flinch, then become angry. It stood up on hind paws and roared at the pair. Merrick shrugged and roared back as was his way.

"Merrick Mendacium"