Long Winter's Sleep

Rœkia sized up the bear, preparing her next attack. She raced forward toward the arm she'd injured earlier, this time seizing the bear's elbow. It reached around, fangs nearly snagging her scruff as she scrambled out from under it. She was grateful to see Lukina fly off the bear's back and then a moment later the bear took off, deciding that the fight was not worth the hassle from the wolves. She let out a relieved sigh before turning to the stranger and nodding, too tired to speak. The woman grabbed a basket of berries and headed south while Rœkia padded over to her cousin to make sure the girl was alright.