Teflar awoke abruptly and turned over on his right side " What is it, my friends? The ranger widened his eyes at the bearcub running freely along the forestline and, with instinctual habit, quickly pulled out his bow.

Nanith lowered his shortsword and pointed at the frolicking mammal with a frown. " This one looks lost. I don't think it means us any harm. It almost looks like it is running from something,�

Erelis watched the scene unfold as if he was a common spectator to such activity. " I don't think the bear feels a threat upon him. He gambols freely without a care in the world."

Ninnipin agreed and added " I could be wrong, but this baby bear might forebode bigger problems....like its mother. I think we should just try and scare it away if it decides to come our direction."

Almost on cue, a massive dark shape slipped slowly and quietly out of the woods and stopped to sniff the air. The fellowship drew their weapons and watched with tension as this massive black bear sensed something troubling in its atmosphere. Suddenly, a throatly yelp was heard! At the cliff's edge the small bearcub scratched heavily at the earth with ragged paws while its body slid slowly backwards toward the empty canyon! A deadly fall awaited the scrambling cub as it fought to claw its clunky body away from a nasty plunge!

Without thinking, Aramil dashed out from the forest and ran towards the bearcub struggling to regain its footing. A groan of surprise roared from the black bear as it watched the mage come to the edge of the precipice and lean over to grab the cubs appendage. Nanith ran out as well clutching a thick stick and pumping his tiny, bouncy frame over the tufts of earth that separated him from the hapless struggle.

No sooner had the elf clutched the furry cub when the animal threw its body back over onto safe ground and scurried back towards its mother. Aramil twisted around in time to see the large maternal beast rise on two legs and growl quite fiercely. The mage backed away steadily on steps of calming stealth while Nanith tried to scare the bear away with wild cries and waving of his thick tree branch.

Teflar ordered " Don't retreat Aramil! Stand and fight, my friend!" The foursome watched the bear step forward roaring at the sky with a cocked head. " Nanith, don't linger and taunt the bear. Attack it!"

Erelis came out of the forest and sauntered out to the east of the beast about 20 yards in a possible flanking manuever. " That would surely mean his death. Let's not get in over our heads here!"

In answer, the ranger released an arrow that zipped from his bow striking the beast in the upper chest! The animal spun around clumsily on its hind quarters and a ferocious roar exploded from the wounded beast enough to shake the eardrums of all within its range. The growl thundering forth was enough to make the heartious soul question their lives...after all, it was now a death struggle against nature's strongest beast.