A Bear Named Boo

Caribou

Rowan allowed herself one glance in my direction before raising her chin. "Let's go, then," she snapped, uncharacteristically harsh. Her back was stiff as she led us out of the trees and into the sun-drenched grass. 

"Where are we going, my lamb?" Cedar asked.

"North," Rowan replied shortly.

Beside me, Avani stiffened.

"North?" Cedar inquired.

"My mother is helping defend Grizzlyland."

He nodded graciously. "I'm just wondering, then, why we are going south."

Rowan bristled nervously, her step faltering. "We aren't," she said uncertainly.

"You are adorable," Cedar smiled, infuriatingly patronizing. "How long have you been going in circles for?"

I could sense Rowan's anger, but I watched her force a smile. "It's so hard to tell, without the stars to guide us."

Cedar nodded seriously. "This far north there are other signs. Look at the trees. See how one side is full, and the other is almost bare? Nothing wants to grow to the north. It's a barren, hateful place. But, if that's where you wish to go, stand beside a tree and put the full branches to your back."  

Seeing he was right, Rowan sucked in a grim breath. "Thanks," she said tightly.

"Of course," Cedar said graciously. "It's lucky I found you. Your mother would have been waiting a very long time."

Rowan scowled.

"Did you know your fur is as glorious as the setting sun?" Cedar purred.

His flattery was worse than his patronizing. I briefly considered telling him about the doe on the black river - maybe he'd go and get himself killed - but lost the chance as Rowan set a furious new pace.

With Cedar as our escort we no longer bothered trying to hide from the other bears we passed - and there were many. Tensions were high with so many overlapping territorial Grizzlies. All of them seemed to be working for Rigel, and Cedar seemed to know many of them. 

"Cedar!" a dark Grizzly hailed our companion later that same day. 

Cedar stood tall, his nose drawing in the scent of the newcomer. "Thato," he said. "Hello."

Thato appraised our small group. Cedar, son of Rigel; two sows, one of whom was so thoroughly soiled that you couldn't even see the colour of her coat; and me, another boar. We made an odd sight, especially this close to mating season. 

"Things are well?" Cedar prompted.

Forcing himself to stop staring, Thato looked at the ground. "Not entirely, sir. Picanto was claimed by the humans."

Cedar cursed. "How?"

"He was fond of the garbage, sir. We told him to keep his distance, but he kept returning for easy meals. His brother said the humans took him two suns ago."

"Idiot," Cedar commented. "Well, let that be a warning to anyone else tempted by their trash."

He went back to unearthing rocks to get at the insects hiding in the cold soil. Thato shot us another prying look, but quickly retreated when Cedar rumbled a soft warning. 

Avani met my eyes for a brief moment. She didn't dare speak openly but her expression was hard and filled with a sentiment very much like "I told you so." I didn't need the silent rebuke. I'd realized for myself that the humans were more dangerous than I'd given them credit for. The humans who'd sheltered me were far away.