Balsam was fighting a bear. The particulars of this encounter were unimportant. Suffice it to say that he'd made a mistake, the bear had taken offense, one thing had led to another and now...bear fight. If he were to sum it up in a word it was terrifying. He'd fought alligators and bobcats, and jackwagon giants, but never, not once, had he ever fought such a terrifying beast.

A giant clawed paw went sailing over his head so close Balsam swore he could hear air whistling through the bear's toes. He launched himself sideways at the bear, aiming to sink his teeth into its exposed left armpit. The treeling's plan was simple: death - or defeat - by a thousand cuts. His jaws weren't more than a fly bite to the beast so it would take countless bites to dissuade it from killing him, but what choice did he have? Here in the ravine he was backed into a corner. Though he was a skilled climber the bear would snatch him down and tear him apart before he got out of reach. Of that he was sure.

Álarr had just slipped down into the strange underground cavern when he found himself debating about turning back. It was beautiful but also unnerving. Water streamed down the rock face into the cavern below and the sound echoed strangely underground. It was an interesting location but not the sort to turn up any of the resources he was looking for. Water wasn't the only sound he could hear. Scuffling and growling caught his attention and as he peered into the dark he saw a bear attacking what looked like a pup!

Álarr immediately sprang into action, lowering his head so that his horns were ready to spear the creature he threw caution to the winds and head-butted the bear right in the creature's right side, eliciting an agonizing cry as Álarr's horns sank several inches into the creatures side. There was a flaw in his plan though, he was stuck and helpless as the bears paw slammed into him, sending him flying and dislodging his horns. However, he was not without allies. Brynhildr, his raven sailed right for the ear's eyes, talons and beak slashing as the bear struggled to knock the agile avian aside.

Balsam succeeded in sinking his teeth into the bear's armpit. He didn't shake his head or do anything to worsen the damage; there just wasn't enough time for that. A single solid attack from the bear and he would be a goner so he was focused on quick, clean attacks that would get him in and out in as little time as possible. He let go of the bear almost as soon as his teeth made purchase. The bear lunged for him but its assault was stymied by an attack by-

The little warrior very nearly choked on his tongue as he caught sight of the massive beast who had just stabbed - yes, stabbed - the bear with his horns. He'd thought Sirius was a monster but this guy? In addition to being huge this guy had horns. How many mutants lived in Boreas? For real, until leaving home Balsam had met just a handful of mutated wolves. Here they were as common as pigeons.

His instinct was to be wary of the stranger, but as it was clear the man was trying to help him, Balsam had no choice but to swallow his misgivings and accept him as an ally. After the bear struck Alarr and sent him flying Balsam leaped forward and sunk his teeth into the bear's left ankle. Hopefully that, combined with the bird's attack, would be enough to turn the bear from Alarr and give him time to recover.

Álarr stumbled to his feet, the world swayed beneath his paws as he shook his head, trying to gain clarity. His side ached where he was struck but there was no time to rest. Their lives were on the line. The smaller wolf dug into the bears ankle and it roared in annoyance, pulling back and letting loose a fierce growl. The bear was irritated and in pain but it still hadn't backed down enough for Álarr to feel comfortable retreating so he charged again this time rearing up on his hind legs, jaws spread wide as he grabbed onto the back of the bears neck right at the base, the force and weight jerking the bears head back. It roared and shook eventually dislodging Álarr again but this time the young wolf was able to land mostly on his feet.

This time when he let go of the bear Balsam wasn't quite fast enough to get away cleanly. The bear struck him broadside and sent him flying. Balsam hit the ground hard and rolled. The wind had been knocked from his lungs by the bear's paw and he struggled to right himself. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Alarr leap onto the back of the bear and knew he couldn't stay down any longer. He rolled to his paws with a wheeze and darted towards the bear as it raised a paw to strike at Alarr, who had just leaped free of it.

With a flying leap Balsam managed to snag the back of the bear's raised paw in his jaws. He wrapped his paws around its arm and drug his claws down it while simultaneously shaking his head. It was a bit of a break from his usual MO but he was certain the bear was teetering on the edge of losing its nerve. All it needed was a nudge in the right direction.

Balsam knew it was over when the bear's enraged roar turned into an angry bawl. He allowed himself to be flung away and managed to get to his feet quickly. The pint-sized fighter stood still with tail raised and gaze unflinching as the bear took stock of the situation. It stood on its hind legs with its mouth agape and its lower lip quivering as it glanced between the two wolves. For several moments it appeared indecisive and then it was gone, fleeing into the darkness with a huff. Balsam breathed a sigh of relief and then turned to look at the wolf who had helped him. He was wary of him - of all giants, honestly - and now that the bear was gone he had time to wonder about Alarr's motives. Had he come to rob him like the bear had?

While he tried to recover the bear raised a paw again to try and knock him senseless. Thankfully the smaller wolf leapt up, grabbing the paw and causing the bear to roar and flail as it tried to shake the little nuisance loose. It finally did, clearly frustrated. The last straw came when Álarr lowered his head and charged, horns ramming the bear right in the ass. With a furious bellow the bear sprang forward, head whirling around as it shuffled back, eyeing the two wolves for a moment before it slipped back into the darkness and disappeared.

Panting Álarr allowed himself to sink onto his haunches. Darn bears. He glanced at the smaller wolf. "Hey, are you ok? I'm a healer if you need anything. My name is Álarr Imperialis."