Álarr raced through the battlefield, his pack bouncing on his back, his armor chaffing against his skin as he tried to put as much distance between himself and the bear as possible but the beast was far faster than he'd thought. Bears all across Boreas were waking up from their winter slumber, cranky, hungry. Álarr had lucked out in gathering some honey and beeswax for various healing projects but in doing so he had some how managed to piss off a bear who very much wanted those spoils. Now he was running for his life. Stamina wasn't going to keep him going forever and the bear was gaining on him. His snow white raven, Brynhildr called a warning from the sky. Ok, it was time to fight.

Álarr pivoted sharply and charged forward. The bear was momentarily taken by surprise and the wolf took this moment to slip along the bear's right side and dig his fangs into the bear's knee. Álarr immediately started thrashing his head, ripping flesh and sinew before dodging to the side the bear's claws just missing his head.

Sylvia had been curled up in her makeshift den just on the border of the Battlefield, resting for the day before she would attempt another spar with a stranger. Her muscles hummed with a pleasurable ache from the training, a wonderful sensation she had forgotten since leaving her homeland. In her peaceful rest, Sylvia may have slept the whole day away without knowing it. However when the ground rumbled slightly from a heavy disturbance nearby and the faint sounds of huffs and grunts touched her ears, Sylvia was immediately up and clawing her way to the surface to catch a glimpse. When she finally got onto the Battlefield, her amethyst gaze fell on a snow white flash, dashing just beyond the reach of an enraged bear. The female watched for but a moment, wondering just what had caused the large creature to be so angry, before she witnessed the wolf flip tactics. 

The moment the two made contact, Sylvia realized what an opportunity this would be. She had been wanting her own hide, her own armor, and perhaps, just maybe, if she were to lend a helping paw, the stranger might just let her take some. Brown paws hit the ground running then, claws digging into the dirt to push her body forward. Once she was within a few yards she slowed her pace just slightly, violet orbs charting a path through the ground and calculating the best take off point. With the bear honed in on the other wolf, Sylvia had the opportunity to surprise the beast, and she would take it. Pushing off of her hind legs the russet woman launched herself onto the back of the bear, extending her claws to get a firm placement before biting into the flesh just above the bears right shoulder. Sylvia would violently shake her head from side to side, attempting to take a chunk with her if the Gods would have it. 

Suddenly a large claw came around the bears side, attempting to swat away her attack. Not wanting to risk the damage those long talons would make, Sylvia reluctantly let go, jumping ship. She left just in time too, because her left hock felt the tinge of the bears claw scraping against her skin, causing her to land roughly onto the ground. She was quick to pivot around, facing the bear and the wolf, wondering what would happen next. Her gaze fell on the white wolf once more, noting that the male was not just snow white, but was marked with raven ink around his legs and eyes. He was a handsome creature, and if they were to make it out of this alive, she would be sure to catch his name. Her gaze sharply turned back to the bear, and she let out a series of sharp, threatening barks in an attempt to turn the bears attention to her so perhaps the male could launch an unopposed attack.

"Sylvia"

I'll tough it out, I won't give in

Álarr pivoted to face the bear, his hackles raised as he snarled. At 44" tall he was a sizable creature himself though he was still dwarfed by the sheer mass of the grizzly bear that was now, no pun intended, bearing down on him. That was where he realized his miscalculation. Álarr had assumed that if he attacked and acted aggressively that the bear would decide to leave him be in search of easier prey, yet here it was still moving toward him. What was going on? Surely he didn't look that much like a… his face fell as he remembered his horns. Oh… shit. Well, it was very likely the stupid bear saw the horns and immediately thought prey despite the wolf's earlier attack. Or maybe it really was just mad at him. Whatever the reason things exploded into motion a moment later.

A strange wolf leapt onto the bears back, fangs ripping into the beasts shoulder. Álarr did not recognize her but he was glad for the help. The bear reached around and she was forced to let go. The pair locked eyes for a moment before she began to bark to catch the bears attention. It worked. With an angry snarl the bear whipped around and charged for the woman, all four legs beating the ground, sending dirt flying as that massive maw opened wide.

Álarr charged himself, his long legs propelling him forward as he let out one short bark. The call was to his companion, a pale white raven. Brynhildr dove down sharply talons outstretched as she sought to puncture one of the bear's eyes. She did not score an eye but her talons ripped into the flesh of the bears face. Droplets of blood scattered into the air as she quickly climbed into the sky in order to dodge the fierce fangs. Álarr had a less glamorous target. His jaws ripped into the bears behind, eliciting another pained cry. Surely between the two of them the bear would just give up and flee but instead it whirled around to face him once more. With a snarl, Álarr lowered his horns in preparation.

Oh shit.. she thought to herself as the bear turned to charge her. Sure, Sylvia had wanted to get the bears attention, but watching the massive grizzly charge her, well it was just a bit too much attention. Her eyes widened as her legs stiffened, wondering for a split second how she was going to get out of this one. But before she could react, a pale bird swooped down in front of her, attacking the bears face and causing blood to spray out from the wounds. Is everyone against the bear?  She wondered to herself with a grin on her lips before taking the opportunity to run to the left side of the bear and out of it's sights. She turned in time to see the bird, now more obviously a white raven, climb into the sky with power flaps of it's wings. When her violet gaze turned back to the enraged beast at hand, she found herself witnessing the male bite down into the flank of the grizzly. Sylvia tilt her head to the side, noting it wasn't the most flattering attack one could go for, but it seemed to be useful nonetheless. Next thing she knew, the beast had turned on the horned male, ready to attack him once more. Sylvia, being the gentlewoman she was, wouldn't let that happen. 

The female charged to the bear's side, aiming her snapping jaws to the bears armpit, trying to sever something vital to end this wicked bears assault. But her movements must have drawn the bears attention, for as she was mere feet away the bear shifted to turn to her. Shit... shit... shit! The woman would hiss mentally. Her momentum wouldn't be stopped and redirected in time to get away safely, so instead she would leap forward, digging into the bears rib cage. The bear's hide was thick, but for a creature just waking from it's winter hibernation, it lacked the inches of fat that would normally prevent her attack from reaching any muscles or tendons. Instead her canines breached the hide and tore into the muscle, causing blood to bleed out of the wounds and across her muzzle. Suddenly Sylvia was flung off the bear, sharp pain radiating off her right side before she hit the ground with a loud thud. The air collected in her lungs was forced out, causing her to gasp loudly and cough harshly.

Worried orchid eyes glanced down to her side as she attempted to catch her breath, noting the slashes of red along her hip. Sylvia would cringe at the sight more than the pain, but she could not argue that the wound didn't sting. But her adrenaline would not let her feel the full force of the wound as her wide eyes turned back to the grizzly; the murderous snarl that was wedged onto it's muzzle seemed to be highlighted by the slashes cut into it's face by the white raven, blood dripping down it's golden pelt. The beast puffed out air as it shifted its stance, a limp in its hind leg where the male wolf carved out his mark, and the side she had tore into now had a small, steady stream of blood falling from it. "Bastard... just die already!" She growled, pulling herself onto her paws with a grunt. This was going to suck.

"Sylvia"

I'll tough it out, I won't give in

The woman charged forward and Álarr couldn't help but grin despite the danger they were in as the bear struggled to deal with being attacked on two fronts. It was clearly getting disoriented and frustrated. That frustration would give them the key to winning this fight if they could just avoid any serious injuries. The bear suddenly whirled as it sensed the woman's approach and the two met in a collision of blood and fury. Álarr instinctively dove forward, ripping into the tendons of the bear's left hind leg, trying to cripple the creature or at least slow it down enough that they could end this. He could feel his side beginning to ache, his breath starting to come in sharp gasps. They were running out of time to finish this. The bear suddenly kicked back sharply, catching Álarr in the chest. He gasped and stumbled.

The bear eyed the woman for a moment before rounding back on Álarr. It rose onto its hind legs, revealing its full and terrifying height. Álarr felt fear course through his limbs but as the bear came crashing down, forepaws seeking to smash him Álarr knew what he needed to do. He darted forward, angled his horns and as the bear crashed down, unable to stop itself it impaled itself right on his horns. The impact strained Álarr's neck the bear stumbled, its limbs shaking. Blood and whatever was in the bear's entrails went oozing out onto his head. Álarr tried to pull free but the weight of the bear was pushing down on him. He scrunched his neck and rolled his shoulders forward to better brace his head. Fucking hell how was he going to get out of this one?

Though she was unable to see what exactly was going on behind the bear and out of her sight, she somehow knew that horned wolf was doing serious damage. The cries of the grizzly were music to her ears, as if the songs of battle themselves were coming alive. When the bear turned to face Sylvia once more, all she could do was grin a wicked grin, the whites of her canines stained copper with the bears own blood. She knew she must've looked like a mad woman for doing so, but Sylvia couldn't help it. Finally.. something thrilling was coming from this land! However as she prepared for another round with the beast, the creature suddenly turned it attention away from her, causing Sylvia's grin to drop and a frown to take it's place. Only when the grizzly stood back on it's hind legs, and she saw the top of it's crown rise up into the sky, did she realize it's brown gaze must've been honed in on the other wolf. Before she could charge forward to stop it, the bear's weight came crushing down, and the only glimpse she had of the other fighter was a fracture of a second long, and it was of him dashing forward to meet the bear. "No! Stop!" She cried out, violet eyes burning with fright as she lunged forward, but by then, the fight was over. 

The bear stumbled, a pained gurgling sound rumbling from it's throat, but the light in it's black iris's was fading. Sylvia frowned as the bear still managed to stay upright, not understanding how it could be done. When the russet woman came around the side of the creature, she found it draped over the male, and she gasped. "Oh! Shit! Are you stuck? Hold on!" She called out in a panic before she charged the bear once more, but this time her goal was simple; to push the massive creature off the poor man. Sylvia's body slammed into the bear, seeming to tip the scales ad the grizzly fell over on it's side. It was only then that she saw how the damn thing had died, and her brows raised in surprised. "You.. impaled that thing... with your horns?" She slowly questioned as she process the situation, her surprise slowly turning into admiration. "That's awesome." She chuckled, shaking her head before getting a whiff of the newly opened stomach contents sprawled out along the pearly white hairs of the man. "And gross." 

"Sylvia"

Álarr's heart was racing, he could hear the blood pounding in his ears as he drew in shaky breaths. His entire body was tensed to keep the bear from crushing him. The weight, the smell, the blood, he could feel panic starting to stir in his belly. He tried to shake his head but when he did his muscles ached in protest, shivering at effort they were already building. He heard the woman cry and out and he was quick to answer. "Yes, please help!" He didn't know what to do. When the bear had lunged the attack seemed so clear and sensible and it was only now that he was moments away from being crushed that he realized he'd made a mistake.

The woman body slammed the bear with enough force that it toppled to the side and Álarr was able to retract his horns. The pulled free with a gross sucking sound and a good amount of blood and bile soaked his head. "Ughhh…." He made a face as the juices matting his fur before turning to look at the woman. "Um, yea, I guess so. I don't know, when it was about to fall down on me it seemed to be the right thing to do. Though I would've been flattened if you hadn't been here so thanks for that." He grinned. "My name is Álarr, what's yours?"

Sylvia couldnt help but chuckle at the state of her battle partner; his once beautiful pearly white hairs were matted and stained with the bears stomach contents, and as if that wasn't enough, the look on his face when he realized it too made her laugh harder. It was refreshing, battling foes with someone so capable. Her violet eyes couldn't help but light up with a spark when she eyed his deadly horns. All she could think about was how useful they would be in combat against other creatures, especially other wolves. It would be then that she decided, come hell or high water, Sylvia was going to get her own killer rack. Her gaze swiftly dropped down to his face as he thanked her, though if he only knew her true purpose for helping today, he may not have thanked her at all. "Heh, no problem." She grinned, shrugging off any praise as she did not feel entitled to it. He was the one to deliver the final blow, after all. 

So, Álarr was this handsome man's name. It was odd but fitting and the more she played with it the more she liked it. "Álarr. Strong name for a handsome warrior. Though after this, they should be calling you Bear Slayer." She grinned, eyes flashing to the carcass just feet from them. It was an honorable title, one that the viking woman would be proud to carry. Perhaps one day, she would. Her grin only widened when he asked for her name, to which she replied with a warm smile: "Sylvia Ada Bjork, at your service." She playfully bowed, chuckling as she raised her crown and leaned back to sit on her haunches. She let out a hiss when a sting in her side erupted once more, alerting to her that her wound was indeed still there, and would not be forgotten. Instead of investigating further, the woman simply laid with her affected leg kicked out, easing the pain. "But most wolves call me Sylvia or Sylvie."

Her interest peaked for the first time since venturing to this new world, Sylvia would lean in as she spoke once more, her attention fully captivated by the male before her. "Tell me, Álarr, what the hell did you do to piss off that bear?" Her mind was racing with possible answers, some more hilarious than others. Perhaps he had quite literally poked the bear while it slept, hoping it was still hibernating, but obviously not. Or maybe he tried to snatch one of its cubs for an easy meal, and mama bear wouldn't allow it. Reglarless, the russet woman wanted to know, and more importantly, she wanted to learn more about this Bear Slayer.

Álarr shook his head, seeking to get a bit more of the blood and gunk off his fur and horns but he knew he'd likely need to clean himself. If he could find a good pool of water to dunk his head in that would help. How inconvenient! Still, he'd lived. This was a fight he'd be able to walk away from and it would certainly make a good story to tell his siblings when he finally made it back to Legion.

Heat rose to his cheeks at her words. Strong? Handsome? Bear slayer? He hadn't ever heard such things directed at himself. He was flattered but also relieved that she hadn't seen the fear that had been coursing through him during the battle. Even now he felt as if his limbs could start shaking again at any moment. He certainly didn't feel like a bear slayer, if anything he simply felt very lucky to be alive.

The woman introduced herself as Sylvia. "A pleasure!" His eyes again fell upon her wounds and he shrugged his pack off his shoulders. "I'm a healer as well as a fighter. Would you like any help with your wounds? It's the least I can do to return your help." He meant it to. It didn't seem right to let her go wandering off, bleeding as she was. She asked him what he'd done to piss of the bear and he shrugged lightly before shaking his head.

"Just bad timing. I was gathering some honey and beeswax and I guess the bear didn't feel like sharing."