There were people who believed that Tiela could never be scared, for she always kept a brave face, no matter what happened. Others just considered her naive.
Suddenly she heard a growl. Lying dead still in her sleeping bag, she listened, afraid it might be one of the night creatures she feared so much.
Finor turned over is her sleep and gently snored. Tiela relaxed, besides, what had she to worry about? Norman, Nathan's second most trusted guard, was awake and on duty. She sighed, happy.
Something erupted out of the bushes near Norman and Tiela screamed as man and beast fought in battle.
Then Finor was up in a flash. Dagger in hand, she rushed towards Norman and the... what ever it was. But before she could get there to help, another something crashed through the undergrowth behind her.
Tiela screamed again.
Load growls were coming from both animals and Finor yelled in pain as one of the creatures bit her. Norman, on the other hand, had deep scratches all over his body but instead of yelling in pain, his eyes flashed red and Tiela shivered.
Tiela looked around for a weapon herself, just in case more somethings decided to join in the fight. She picked up a large stick from the fire that was burning at the end.
Both Finor and Norman continued to battle the two beasts. Fur flew and flesh tore. It seemed as though the beasts were winning.
Tiela felt helpless as she watched on, she couldn't just stand by, and then Norman plunged his dagger into the beast's chest and as it fell, it gave off a horrible shriek that Tiela would never forget. It lay, twitching.
The beast that Finor had been fighting, gave a loud grump and ran off back into the undergrowth.
Tiela was shaking, tears running down her face. "Are you both alright?" she asked and then realized how stupid her question was, of course they weren't alright!
"We'll be fine once we're cleaned up," said Finor and Norman nodded as his eyes returned to normal.
As the two both started bathing their wounds, Tiela, very carefully, went to look at the dead animal, as if it might leap up and attack her.
"It's a bear," she said to no-one in particular.
"That's no ordinary bear my dear," said Norman.
"What do you mean?" asked Tiela.
"It's a Morba Bear," said Finor amazed, "But I thought Morba Bears could only be found in..."
"In the deep forests of Excelsior and Evnoyton," continued Norman.
"We aren't nearly that far!" exclaimed Finor, "Maybe half way down the border between Van Legite and Yoranther but I'd be suprised if we were even that far!"
"Do you think it could have been a trap?" asked Tiela.
"Doubt it Tiela," replied Norman, "I've never known anyone who could capture one of them things alive, and not many survive an attack from one either! Those claws could scratch diamonds!!"
"They certainly didn't leave much of you!" laughed Finor looking at Norman.
Norman hmmmphed and continued to clean his wounds, occasionally wincing.
"Anyway, the important thing is that it means that there are also Morba Bears in the other countries! Possibly in our own!" said Tiela.
"Mmmmm," said Finor, "I'll have to report that to Nathan on our return."
"I think we should present the fact at the treaty presentation myself," said Tiela.
"That would be a good idea," argreed Finor.
"What for?" asked Norman.
"Well the other countries need to know, especially Van Legite and Yoranther!" replied Tiela.
"What for?" repeated Norman, "What can they do about it without losing half of their population? They're Morba Bears, they hunt in pairs..... so we should both stay awake the rest of the night," he said to Finor and Finor nodded.
"Agreed," she said.
Tiela sighed, crawled back into her sleeping bag and tried to get some sleep out of the exhausting night.
