Big City Darkened Nights
#32 - the old bear

Halfway to the farmhouse the animals become spooked. Panicked enough the animals try taking off wrenching Carr’s arm. Not making it far entangle themselves around a cluster of tall saplings.

Frustrated with them Carr wants to leave them tied up. Bleating and squealing they keep fighting to run.

The hairs on Carr’s body stand up, feeling stared at, turning scans the woods, “Cat, it better not be you.” With the animals in tow, he hopes it’s not wolves tracking them.

Ambling out of the trees Carr’s wild farm foe. A thirty stone Grizzly bear, that’s killed several of the farm animals including an Ox.

Drawing his sword glares at the big bear, “So we met again. I still have many animals to avenge.”

The grizzly sniffs at them, wanting one of the entangled animals.

Boldly stepping between bear and beasts Carr readies to go toe to toe with this old foe. The grizzly stands tall on its hind legs, roaring at Carr.

Knowing to stand ground Carr yells as loud as possible. “Go! Or die!” Also realizing this bear isn’t going to be killed from one blow.

Hitting the ground with its’ huge forepaws the grizzly stomps about making plenty of noise.

After taking on one of Hell’s Hags Carr is not going to back down, “Not this time bear.” Carr kicks at the dirt like a bull ready to charge.

Not seeing many stand up to him the grizzly smells Carr’s scent. Smelling the fresh Dragon scale mixed with Carr the bear tries once more to scare the young Human away. Swiftly the grizzly stands again roaring loudly. Dropping to the ground just as quick it charges.

Wishing to have a polearm or spear Carr raises the sword back. Ready to strike down hard on the bear’s snout. As Carr chops down hoping to connect with head, the grizzly sharply turns right bounding into the woods.

Perplexed Carr stands there wondering why the bear turned and if he should run after it. He is thankful the grizzly isn’t pounding on him right now, “That’s right you just run away and hide I’ll replace you later.”

Glancing at the still struggling animals Carr sighs. Looking back for the bear all he can see is bushes and saplings shaking, marking its’ route away.

Certain all the noise made, has scared away anything else, Carr decides to just take the goats.

After fighting to untangle them Carr reassures the pigs he’ll be right back. The remainder of the walk is easier only having to stop once.

Breaking free of the trees Carr calls out to the nearby farmhouse, “Hey! Ma! It’s Me!” He heads directly for the barn, “Bring a lantern!”

Showing the goats, the water trough Carr sees the horses are still there and steps into the dark barn to check on them.

Ma comes out of the house looking for Carr but doesn’t see him and almost mistakes the goats for the horses, “That’s not the horses.” She yells out, “Carr is that you?”

“Yeah Ma.” Carr remembers the chickens and quickly drops the backpack. “Can you bring me a lantern?”

Glad Carr is home earlier than thought she replies, “Sure thing dear.” Returning inside to fetch a lantern.

Untying the magic bag Carr can’t see anything inside, so he carefully sticks a hand in. Feeling like something is gently pulling him. Braving to stick the hand in a little further feels the wood casks and canvas sacks.

Touching around he feels out the willow cage. Grabbing it pulls out the cage for inspection, noticing all the chickens are alive and calm.

Entering the corral Ma queries, “I’ve got you a lantern. What do you need it for?”

Carr snickers seeing it’s not even lit, “Well I wanted it so I could see better in the dark.”

“What do you have to see? Looks the same in here in the day.”

Rolling eyes Carr replies, “Chickens.”

She tells him. “We don’t have any chickens. They keep getting eaten.”

“I know Ma.” He sighs trying not to get frustrated, “If the lantern was lit, I could show you we have some with two goats and two pigs. But the pigs are tied up.”

She saw the goats and they are sniffing her, “We got chickens and pigs?” Snapping her fingers lights the lantern, “Oh, you’ve got chickens.”

“Yes Ma, eggs again.” Carr informs her, “I need the lantern to untie the pigs.” He slips the pack over his shoulders.

She looks around, “Where are the pigs?”

Exiting the corral Carr holds the gate open for Ma, “The pigs are all tangled up back in the woods.”

In passing she likes the color of the new armor, “What? Back in the woods? Why didn’t you just bring them all at once?”

Closing the gate, he gently takes the lantern, “Come with me and I’ll tell you.”

“Why do I have to go with you?” She notices the gold ring on his finger and figures money was squandered.

Starting the walk back Carr sarcastically jests, “Because I’m too scared to go back by myself.”

Wishing that were true she follows, “So you got your new armor. What did you do with the old suit?”

“Ah,” Carr snickers, “It’s in my backpack with a couple other suits of armor, some new quilts, most of our supplies, some new weapons…”

Interrupting him she kicks him in the butt thinking he’s being difficult, “You don’t have to be a smart ass just because you had gems to spend.”

“Hey.” Grinning Carr points out, “I just got this armor and there’s not a scratch on it yet.”

She’s curious to how much he spent, “What have you left anyway?”

Knowing how she’ll respond to the answer Carr tenses up, “Nothing.”

“What!” She cuffs him upside the head. “Some woman wasn’t it? Or did you pay too much for things?”

Bugging her, Carr teases, “Well there was a woman.”

“Stupid men.” She mumbles. “Was it worth it?”

Now being a smart-ass Carr replies, “Violetta always says, giving to those less fortunate is worth it.”

Now annoyed Ma changes the subject, “So why are you dragging me back in the woods late at night?”

“Late at night?” Carr glances back, “The sun went down an hour ago. I’m going to untie the two pigs I left.”

“What do you need me for?”

About to say nothing Carr appeases her, “I was hoping you could at least hold the light for me. Maybe guide the way back.”

“Oh.” Content with that, she now wants to know, “Who’s this woman? And is that why you’re wearing a ring?”

“Which one?” Carr laughs to himself. “No. Her name is Mrs. Basteal. And the ring is a healing ring.”

“A married woman?” She cuffs him again, “What the hell’s the matter with you?”

“Ow, hey, come on now, relax a little.” Carr explains, “The woman’s a war widow who doesn’t know it yet. She’s got two young ones and they live in a shabby shack. I was giving her some gems to get their home fixed and get them through the winter.”

Thinking it over Ma replaces it a sweet gesture, “Oh. The ring is a good idea. So, what else did you do?”

Not wishing to get into the King Halford thing yet Carr tells her, “I spent a couple nights in Elija’s Inn. They say hi.”

“Yeah?” She inquires, “Is that wife of his still round and kicking?”

Shaking his head Carr remarks, “Yes. And she let Elija hire a pretty barmaid.”

“Oh yeah?” She strangely asks. “What race is she?”

“Race?” Carr ponders it, “Anyway, I also spent a night drinking with an old friend of yours.”

Curious she queries, “Who?”

“He taught you you’re flame trick.”

Not having to even recall who she’s astonished the boy met him, “You were drinking with Cornelious? Is he still alive?”

“Oh yeah.” Carr can hear the pigs ahead, “Ma you’ll be happy to know the pigs are still there.”

“Why?” She looks ahead but can’t see them yet, “Where would they go if they were tied up?”

“I was worried about wolves at first.”

“Wolves?” She looks into the dark, “No wolves around here.”

“Sure there is,” Carr informs her, “but it turned out to be that old grizzly. I had to run it off.”

“That bear’s out here?” She pushes him, “And you brought me out here. Probably to feed to the bear instead of your supposed pigs.”

Carr laughs, “Whatever Ma. And the pigs are there,” He points out their moving silhouettes.