[@SubjectVision]If Rik is heading directly into the woods, then he can hear the caws and squawks of the same group of Elwet that Akeno, Esfir, Grunthor, and Lazash have encountered. From his vantage the sounds will be in a different direction, so unless he took note of the tracks leading into the woods earlier or saw Esfir dragging Lazash off, he won't know there are other Runts nearby. If he chooses to go after the flock instead of trying to single one of the monsters out, he'll create a flanking situation with the other group while neither of them is aware of the other, greatly increasing the potential for chaos.

[@ERode]Can do!