Having departed from the yearlings for a bit, Rhazien made his way towards the towering, volcanic landmark. He caught sight of it along the horizon the other day and had been curious about its existence ever since. Did it have caverns filled with magma, like the location in the north? Or was it a mountainous structure, threatening to blow at any given moment? Both possibilities interested him, and Rhazien wanted to find out more about this place... which was why he was sauntering along the base of the volcano, looking for a trail that would lead up the mountainside.

As Rhazien rounded a corner, an unexpected scene unfolded before him. A grizzly was standing over the mutilated body of a fresh kill, tearing through the sinew and filling its belly. He stopped in his tracks, pelt bristling at the sound of bone being crushed between its powerful jaws. It enticed him. He watched for several moments, enjoying the symphony, deciding within himself if he was going to engage or keep walking... though, the latter would be more fun.

"Speech"

Since his first trip to collect obsidian from near the volcano hadn’t worked out for him the first time, he decided to give it another go. Keeping an eye out for bears, and reasoning that he couldn’t be that unlucky twice he stepped out of pack lands. Near the base of the volcano, he found a glint of something shiny and black. Bending down, he examined the rock, before storing it in the small bag he had pilfered from the packs stores.

He just needed one more piece to get on with crafting, but before he could look around for another, he heard the sound of something large eating. He paused, flattening his ears as he moved carefully through the rough terrain. Looking for the source of the sound… there. Okay, so there was no doubt. This was Grizzly territory.

He was about to turn and leave when the Grizzly paused in its eating, looking first at something to the side - Strai followed it’s gaze, and realised another wolf had stopped to sightsee - and then forward, towards him it dropped it’s meal and let out a threatening growl.


"Speech"

Rhazien wasn’t the only wolf caught in the crosshairs of the bear. Within the time he took to observe, a child stepped into view, carrying a small bag he was likely using to store things. He couldn’t help but glance towards the boy, analyzing him for a few seconds. But his analysis was interrupted by the bear, who dropped the entrails from its jaws before releasing an ominous roar. Rhazien had heard this type of battlecry many times in his life, and he knew what it was preceding. It exited him, and brought on a burst of throaty laughter. “Looks like we’re in the crosshairs boy.” He called out to the stranger, shifting his weight more inward to center his gravity. A low growl resonated from him, serving as a response to the bear's threat. Lets dance.

Whether the boy stood and watched, or ran away in fear didn’t matter to Rhazien. But if he found enough bravery to engage, he would be surprised given how young he looked. Regardless of how he responded, Rhazien wouldn’t hesitate in his own actions. Lunging forward, he took advantage of his positioning and attempted to slam himself into its side to make it lose its footing. Jaws splayed and grabbed a mouthful of flesh just behind its front shoulder, as he wanted to stay at its side to avoid getting slapped across the face with those dangerous claws.

"Speech"

Strai suppressed a sigh, knowing he wasn’t big enough yet to take charge of a fight like this. Truth was, he’d be easy prey to a bear alone. But it wasn’t a truth he easily admitted, and he was foolish enough to engage despite knowing it. So when the dark shaped stranger spoke out to him, and shifted their stance, Strai did the same. Taking off the bag and dumping it on the floor beside him. Its awkward weight would only slow him down.

The larger and older wolf went for a more frontal assault, taking the bear's attention. Strai angled himself around and behind the bear. Creeping into position, he waited and timed his attack with the strangers. When the black wolf engaged, Strai launched himself upwards. Using his feline-like claws to gain purchase as he dug into its flesh and scaled the bear’s back as quickly as he could. He needed to keep near its spine where he was harder to reach - at least until the black wolf distracted it again.

"Speech"

When his jaws closed around a chunk of flesh, the bear released an enraged roar and sidestepped away from him. Its body contorted, twisting as it attempted to turn enough to grab him. But Rhazien was swift on his feet, ensuring he had enough time to backpedal and avoid the jaws snapping towards his face. It was a close call though- hell, he may have lost a whisker or two. But he didn’t get his head bit off, which was a win.

Rhazien braced himself for a sudden surge, expecting the bear to try and chase him off. But its attention shifted, head swinging wildly and hips bucking as if something was on top of it. Oh? A look of surprise spread across his face, a single brow cocking as he noticed the boy was on its back. Well, that was new. Laughter erupted from him once more, a smirk spreading across his face as he launched himself forward. “Go for the spine boy!” He encouraged, just before slamming into the bear again. It stumbled a bit, still finding its footing but Rhazien got its attention again. He snaked his jaws towards its underbelly, trying to grab the thinner flesh to create a wound deep enough to reveal entrails.  

"Speech"

He was intending to head for the head. Last time he had fought a bear, he’d managed to pop one it eye’s. That had given them a much needed edge. But the stranger was the wolf at the front of this assault, taking most of the grizzly’s anger. If he wanted Strai to go for the spine, so be it.

Digging his back paws in as much as his claws could manage, he balanced himself awkwardly against its back as he freed a forepaw and began driving it across the skin of it’s back. Trying to break through its thick coat. He added his fangs to the effort, ripping and tearing as he made progress through its skin. He must have hit something good, because the bear suddenly roared again. Bucking and thrashing. His paws slid of it’s body, which was also slick with blood His back legs held on for only a few seconds longer, and then he was thrown to the ground. He hit hard enough for the breath to be knocked from his body. His paws stained with the blood of the bear.


"Speech"

While Rhazien went to work on the belly, the boy must have been attacking its neck or head. The bear didn’t know which direction to attack, which was apparent by the way it thrashed, bucked, and swiped wildly at whatever it could grab. Rhazien stayed in pursuit, forming a dance-of sorts with the bear. Each opportunity he had, he would dart  in and take a bite out of its underbelly, trying to deepen the hole he was creating. A sickening pop echoed beyond the roar of the bear, as he finally pierced through the perineum to reveal the harbored entrails.

In the same moments, the boy must have also hit his mark. Rhazien was sent stumbling backwards from the sudden increase of thrashing, blood splattering across the ashy ground from the two wounds they had created. He heard a thud beside him, eyes following the source of the sound to see the kid being thrown to the ground - and right in harms way. The bear was livid now, whipping back and forth, trying to trample with the strength it had left. Without much thought, Rhazien impulsively lunged forward, placing himself between the kid and the bear before shoving the entirety of his weight into its shoulder. It tumbled over, unable to withstand the nerve damage and blood loss.

But the battle wasn’t over until it was dead.

"Speech"

He knew he needed to move, but first he needed a moment to catch his breath. He struggled to fill his lungs, and weakly began to roll, trying to get out of danger. He would have been too slow, far too slow if the stranger hadn’t intervened. The form of the black wolf was suddenly between him and the bear, as he shoved the grizzly over. It fell backwards, landing on the wound Strai had ripped into its back.

He realised then that the stranger had opened another in its stomach. It was dying, but it was taking its time doing so. Thrashing in its death throes. That made it dangerous, but Strai didn’t care. Sucking breath back into his body, he got to his paws, and lunged forward. Diving between the paws of the taller wolf as he went for the bear. He jumped on its stomach, and then over its muzzle. Landing on its forehead. His momentum (and luck) kept him from getting swiped. Once there, he leaned forward and pierced both it’s eyes with his claws.


"Speech"

After the bear toppled over, it still continued to thrash and madly swipe in their direction, daring them to continue their assault. Shoving it over caused Rhazien to expend a lot of his energy, and he knew his shoulder would be bruised from the impact. But it was all part of the hunt, and a necessary price to pay if they were going to kill it.

Taking a moment to catch his breath, Rhazien glared at the bear, analyzing its movement should it suddenly find the strength to lunge. A flash of white zipped between his legs, the body of the boy leaping onto the bear’s stomach and maneuvering his way to its forehead. Feline-like claws unsheathed, and the kid bore its fucking eyes out. Blood streamed down the bear’s face, and Rhazien let out another throat laugh. This kid had guts, that was for sure. And Rhazien liked it.

Now that the bear lost its sight, its paw swipes would be completely at random, which meant it was best to avoid a head-on encounter. Rhazien leaped forward and encircled it until he was right behind it, and without hesitation, he lept onto its back and pinned it down by the shoulders. He took a look at the damage the boy did, noting there was still some flesh to tear through before the spinal cord could be severed. Splaying his jaws, he bit down on the existing wound, widening and tightening his hold until he felt the crack of bone and snap of nerve fibers.

"Speech"

Strai glanced up at the sound of a laugh, and he couldn’t help it. He grinned. He felt no judgement from this wolf, and they had worked surprisingly well together, if he did say so himself. Still flush with adrenaline and victory, he watched as the black wolf manoeuvred themselves around to finish off the bear once and for all. It was already so weak from the damage and blood loss. But now it was fully still, and he could move about the bear without fear.

Here came the tricky part. He looked boldly up at the black wolf, as he considered how to approach this. The coat was largely ruined by their assault, but he was just a small wolf. He didn’t need much. ‘I call dibs on the coat.” He could craft a piece of armour with it.


"Speech"

He kept his paws on the bear’s shoulders, using his weight to hold it down until the last of its strength left its body. Once he felt certain it was dead, or at least on death’s door, he released his hold and raised his head. Sinew, blood, and spinal fluid dripped from his jaws, trickling down to his chest to create a rather gory image. Stepping away, his eyes rolled across the bear’s body, taking note of its wounds, feeling prideful in how they had killed it with moderate effort.

Pools of amethyst and emerald aligned with the boy’s gaze, and Rhazien couldn’t help but smirk at the bold posture he took on. He wanted the pelt, which Rhazien cared little for- but that didn’t mean he would give it up so easily. “Sure thing kid,” He took a step forward, wanting to loom over the pup, peering down at him with a sly smirk. “But I want something in exchange.” His gaze trailed over his body taking note of his markings, and the odd, bone-like spurs that protruded from his cheeks. Cat claws and spurs… you didn’t see that every day. “The name of the warrior boy who slayed the bear oh so bravely.” It was a simple request, one he assumed he would oblige to. And if he did, Rhazien would set his sights back on the bear, to begin the process of ripping the hide from the muscle.

"Speech"

The stranger approached him then, his words of approval of Strai's request, but his posture said something else. Looming over him in a way that came off as a threat. Strai didn't flinch or shy back. He understood posturing, strength. His mother had ensured that. He stood taller, hopping onto a higher part of the bear. Making the movement casual and fluid. Not a retreat, but a tactical manoeuvre. He couldn't do much more about this wolf's height, but it was something.. 


He stared boldly back at him, and was surprised by the simple request. His name was his to give, and he did so. "Strai Iverson" as soon as he spoke the words, the wolf turned their attention back to the bear. "You're a pretty capable warrior yourself. What's your name?"

Watching the boy retain a defensive posture, Rhazien couldn’t help but smile. What a confident thing he was. He provided a name, and the older Saxe stored it in the labyrinth of his memory. The surname was one he hadn’t heard before, and he wondered if he would encounter more of this lineage. “Rhazien Saxe.” He offered his name in return, momentarily hovering over the bear before he went to work.

Using his teeth and strength, Rhazien painstakingly peeled the hide from the muscle, trying to get it all back in one piece. He assumed Strai would assist him however he could, seeing he wanted the pelt. Once they were finished, he motioned towards the boy. “"The pelt needs to be treated.” His gaze swept across the scenery, to add theatrical effect. “Not much water around here though.” He peered down at the boy. “Know of a stream nearby?” If Strai engaged, he would throw the bloodied hide over his shoulders and follow him out of this volcanic wasteland.

"Speech"

Strai was surprised by how easily the dark warrior moved to help separate the coat. Wondering if this was a trap of some sort, Strai helped to separate the mess of coat. Starting from the opposite side as Rhazien. He used his extendable claws to cut sections of the coat, until it could be peeled back. Thanks to the damage done to both the stomach and the back, they ended up with two sections.


Luckily, Strai was starting to know the territories around the Vikings fairly well. He nodded his head, tossing the smaller piece of coat over his own shoulders as he led the way. "It's close to Heiðinn, but if we are careful we can keep you out of the territory" he explained as he brought them to the stream.