2949: A nightly adventure

[Vladim]

What passed for a grin crossed Dahr-Ol's jaws as Beorn gave the tree a mighty blow. Beorn was known for his unorthodox tactics.

As the orcs began to run, the frenzy came upon the bear pack with the scent of orc blood now heavy in the air. Dahr-Ol fought the urge and focused on staying to Idunn's left. There was no doubt she was Merovech's blood as he watched her urge the horse forward. A smaller orc hidden in a shrub between the woods-woman and the bear raised its crude spear as she rode past. Dahr-Ol removed its head with a single swat. Resuming his run, he witnessed Idunn spear her third orc. And then calamity.

Beorn's horses were were wonderful animals, but the bear lord treated them as children not war steeds. It reared and Idunn smacked heavily into the ground. As the horse cleared the grove a shaft of moonlight broke the cloud cover and glinted from a battered helm just beyond the prone warrior. Dahr-Ol lifted his head, bellowing a challenge. Adrenaline and rage lent him speed. He covered the gap as the orc raised its blade, blood lust and vengeance had driven caution from its face.

The scarred brown body of Dahr-Ol leapt across the gap inches above the warrior woman. The bear hit the orc in full flight and both impacted the trunk of a thick oak tree. The piled heap of orc emitted a low groan as Dahr-Ol's jaws closed around its neck. Raising his body onto his rear legs he shook his head back and forth slamming the orc repeatedly into the tree. Three, four, five strikes later the bear released the mangled body, and issued another full throated roar. Leaning low he shoved his snout into every bush and branch, seeking any other threats.

He walked a circle round the woman, trampling the underbrush and creating a clearing which could conceal no enemy. As the battle subsided he shuffled next to the woman, lay flat on the ground, and lifted his right shoulder in in a short rolling motion.

There was no sign of Idunn's mount.

[Vladim]

And like that, it was over, as unexpectedly as it had begun. All enemies lay dead, and Idunn got to her feet, shook her head, and dusted her cloathes and cloak. The fall had bruised her, but thankfully no greater harm was done. As she inspected herself and recovered her spear, she also saw that the bears had started to turn back, while Beorn continued onward - alone. Now she stood alone herself, save for Dahr-Ol, who remained by her side.

With a quiet bow of the head, she thanked him: she knew that without his interference, she would have not gotten out of it so easily, and perhaps this victory would have cost them her life. No wonder the bears hunted alone - it was too dangerous for common Men to accompany them, as Idunn had discovered. She noted her companion's willingness to carry her, now that her steed had abandoned them, but she was not ready yet.

Instead, she took up her axe and begun the grim task of collecting the heads of the orcs they had slain. For though she was weary, her fury had not abated, and thus she was able to complete the task swiftly. After tossing the heads in a large sack, she was ready to leave this scene of murder and return to Beorn's house.

[OOC: I think I am basically done; if anyone else has anything to add, then please feel free, and I might respond to it, but I am also ok to end this side-thread here.]