OUTCAST : THE PATH OF A WARRIOR

1. NORAK the TAVRONIAN

CHAPTER 1

It was spring, green flowery slopes on pastured hills flanked by distant mountains with its icy peaks , towering in the background. A sight, even for my sore eyes.

I felt a warm early sunlight , a cool icy wind brushed my face, as I exited the cave. Near-by, a lone pine tree stood like a giant, guarding the tranquil lush valley below.

The sound of a water spring near by, flowing towards the woods, could easily have been my home.
But something seemed off, and this didn't feel like home.

Dazed and confused, I walked a few extra paces down the sloping hill, squinting my dry and puffy eyes, as I viewed the  surrounding valley below.

The ground under my feet was warmer, than I'm used to, and even the abundant dandelion flowers all around me, felt surreal.

A rumbling sensation in my stomach, a blunt reminder to hunt for my meal. Mother always sewed a little pouch in my loin cloth , where I always kept my flint, handy during hunting with father, and for making camp.
I was relieved when my fingers felt the lump of stone under the thick fur.

I turned abruptly around from a sudden sound directly behind me.
I gazed directly at a large animal, making me stumble and fall backwards

A brown adult bear, not ten yards away, stood on its hind legs, growling at its intruder, puffing itself up before the onslaught.

I slithered backwards trying to move further away , but it was no use, it was already on its all fours, charging towards me, halting a few feet away, loose dust raining upon me.
bluffing ? I wondered.
I pulled out my knife, the sun light gleaming upon it, as my trembling hand tried to keep it still.

Fear grasped me, holding me tight, numbing my reaction, yet my animal instincts took over, letting out a thunderous bellow, echoing all around the valley.

The bear slapped its front paws, blowing forcing air from its nose.
It turned its head towards the mouth of the cave. I nervously searched its entrance, half expecting more rushing out towards me.

Was I the prey? perhaps! Or was it enraged by my disturbing its hibernation? I pondered.

I stood up slowly, not to arouse an attack. I lowered my head, nostrils flaring, and pointed horns at the ready.
I dug my heels deep in the soft earth, my stance rigid, bent at the knees, and ready to fight... Or, perhaps make  flight!

I snorted, before bellowing deeply, a harsh hollow sound, a roar to make even my father proud. My message was received graciously,and to my relief, the bear retreated back into the cave.

I waited, as i watched it slowly dissappear into the shadows before turning and walking the opposite way, down towards the valley.

But then I heard a commotion, two sets of paws running from the cave, teeth clacking, towards me.
I turned like lightning to see two bear cubs instinctively confronting me, while frantic mama bear, right behind.

The cubs repeated the scene mama bear performed earlier, as they too stamped their front paws to the ground bluffing a charge, stopping, just four yards from me.

Mama reacted like any mother would , and came between us, stamping her paws, clacking her teeth, and blowing harshly out of the nose and mouth, snorting and huffing.

As I backed away slowly, the bear did likewise, pushing her cubs backwards, but something caught my eye to the right, another yet bigger bear was approaching.

She was facing another danger, but this time the real threat was to her cubs.
The black grizzly stood on its hind legs, reaching easily ten feet in height, sniffing, and popping its jaws.