6:Day Three

A loud snapping crashing sound coming from outside of the cave ripped Cassia and Willow from their sleep. Cassia grabbed her father’s knife for protection. A monstrous silhouette appeared at the opening of the cave. It was standing on its hind legs. The beast came down on all four legs and sniffed the air. A deep agonizing huff came from the beast. Its breathing was labored. It pushed its way through the vine curtain at the opening. An enormous chocolate brown bear entered the cave. Its fur was covered in blood and it had multiple battle wounds. along with the wounds it had a dagger sticking out of it’s back. The beast collapsed on the floor of the cave heaving, struggling to catch its breath. Cassia inched her way around the great beast. It groaned in pain. She took a closer looking at the creature. Something glinted in the dim light. It was a silver charm of a hammer that hung from a thick hand crafted rope chain.

“BoldR?” Cassia asked

The bear made a deep raspy groan. In response to her question. His breathing becoming more laborious with every minute.

“Willow grab some of the medicinal herbs from the pots and make a poultice please. I’m going to pull this dagger out of his back.” Cassia grabbed one of Liliana’s clean nappies and folded it to make a thick pad. She grabbed the dagger and with one smooth motion pulled it out. The Bear made an ear shattering roar which scared Liliana awake. She began to cry. “It’s ok Lili it’s just a friend who needs help. Give me one moment sweetheart.” Cassia tried to verbally comfort her. She quickly put the clean cloth on his wound. “Willow grab me the blanket from the bed and cover the bear.”

“Why he has a fur coat to keep him warm “ Willow replied.

“He won’t in a few minutes.” No sooner as Cassia made her comment the sound of bones cracking could be heard coming from the bear’s body. The size of the beast started to shrink. The fur slowly began to fall out. And within minutes a large man was lying face down in the beast’s place. Cassia rekindled the flame from the embers and got the kettle going for hot water. Willow prepared a drawing poultice. Together girls washed and cleaned the man up. They treated and wrapped his wounds. They then rolled him closer to the fire for warmth keeping him covered with the blanket. Within the hour the man broke out in a feverish sweat. His body shivered and shook with sweat beading up on his forehead. The girls did their best to help him. Liliana toddled over to him and cuddled up next to him. His shivering began to slow so the girls all cuddled up to him and his shivering stopped. A couple of hours later soft snoring could be heard coming from the man. The girls got up and readied them selves for the day. They intended to go and check the fish trap and to let the man rest undisturbed. The girls quietly exited the cave and made their way to the river. When they reached the river they saw the marker was tripped. They quickly went to the trap to find it filled with decent sized fish. The girls were ecstatic, they squealed with delight. Cassia pulled out her knife and began to dress the fish immediately. She then strung the fish and began their way back to cave. Along the way Willow found some lemon balm, ramps, mushrooms, and some starchy roots similar to potatoes. When they reached the cave they heard some rustling coming from inside. As they entered the cave they saw the man up and walking slowly with the blanket wrapped around him like a toga.

Willow gasped at the sheer size of the man as well that he healed so quickly. The man looked up from the stew pot to see who entered the cave.

“BoldR” Cassia greeted him with a chipper tone. As he looked up he saw Cassia and her sister standing in the doorway. His eyes welled up with relief when he set his eyes on the girls.

“Girls you’re a sight for sore eyes. I thought the worst had happened to you.”he gingerly stood up and walked over to the girls and with his huge arms included all three girls in a hug. He released them and went over and sat down. He huffed and puffed from shortness of breath.

“I saw you sniffing the stew are you hungry?” Cassia inquired. BoldR looked at the girl and nodded.

“I don’t think that stew will be enough to feed all of us though.” He stated with respectful regret.

“ Luckily we hit pay dirt fishing today then.” Willow held up a stringer of fish with a triumphant grin.

“Look at you out here roughing it like a master huntsman.”

“My Da taught me well” Cassia proudly replied.

She took the fish and ran a thin stick through them she placed some aromatic herbs in the open bellies of the fish and tied them up with sweet grass string. She warmed up the stew. She then took a hot stone she greased it up and she chopped the roots, mushrooms, and leeks and fried them up on the stone. The cave was filled with an amazing smell it made everyone’s mouth water with the anticipation.

While everyone was eating, Cassia broke the silence.

“BoldR what happened who stabbed you in the back?”

“I didn’t see them. I was busy taking out the vampires that were in front of me.” He replied after drinking some stew broth and smacked his lips.

“Do you know if Mom and Da are alright?”

“I’m sorry little one I didn’t see them all night. I wished I had more information for you but I don’t.” He shook his head remorsefully.

“It’s ok we plan on heading back tomorrow.”Cassia informed him. “Maybe we will find some more survivors along the way. I’m glad to see you made it out.”

BoldR smiled at Cassia.”you have your mother’s kind heart.”

“I thought I was more like my father.”Cassia replied. “Stubborn” she giggled soon BoldR joined in with a chuckle. “What exactly happened that night?” Cassia asked filled with curiosity. She was hoping she could get more answers to the night’s events and if her parents made it out.

BoldR scratched his head then dropped his hand. Sadness filled his eyes. “I was in my house sleeping when I heard the bell ringing.When I ran outside I saw the village was on fire. I saw some soldiers that I thought were from Archon but they ran up to attack me. So I changed into my bear form. I took out as many as I could, until some bastard stabbed me in the back. That silver dagger brought me to my knees but I was able to make my way here in bear form. I would have died as a human. What ever that is, it will take out a werewolf easily.” BoldR stared at Cassia anticipating more questions.

“Did you see my parents?” She asked with hopeful eyes.

“I’m sorry Cass I did not.” He shook his head “ But knowing them they were the ones who rung the bell. They were the type of people that would do what they could to help as many as possible.”

Cassia smiled at the fact that BoldR had deep respect for her parents. “Thanks for the info. I guess we head back tomorrow for more answers. Let’s get some rest we have a long journey ahead of us.” BoldR stretch and shifted into his Bear form with great ease. He crawled up onto the bed and laid down. All the girls hopped onto the bed and snuggled into the warm fur. They all slept peacefully that night knowing they had a bear to protect them.