The morning came as it always did. Everyone awoke well rested and greeted Paul who had kept the fire going the entire night.

“That actually was surprisingly comfortable.” Francis commented on the hammock.

“You might just be the best camping companion I’ve ever had.” Tim patted Paul on the back. “Instant fires, continuous fires, monitored fires, and you don’t have to setup a difficult tent.”

“It’s actually quite relaxing once you get used to it.” Paul shrugged. “But I’ll take the compliment either way.”

Some more meat for breakfast, packing up their camping equipment, and they were on the trail again. This time the hermit was leading the pack with sure footed strides.

“heh heh, I’m looking forward to that bear meat.” The hermit made conversation as they walked. “Bit of a rare treat. I don’t hunt those bears all that often, too risky.”

Tim lagged back a bit to draw the group a little ways back. There, he whispered. “Bear meat is usually full of parasites, I wouldn’t take anything he offers without seriously cooking it first.”

“Not something you have to worry about though.” Mark returned the whisper.

Tim only shrugged, and they continued to walk.

A couple of hours later, the hermit slowed and gave a shushing noise. Everyone got low and quieted down as the hermit led them to a bush. Peering through they saw a cave leading into a hill.

“This here is the place Kiva usually comes back to during the day.” The hermit spoke low. “I’m not certain where she goes, but from how the tracks are, and how many there are around here, this is the place she comes to.”

Tim nodded and pulled everyone back. “OK so this is good. Our first rule is no one goes into the cave.”

“Happy to.” Francis said. “I hear caves are hungry.”

“Hungrier than you could possibly know.” Tim shuddered. “If you knew the story of Nutty Putty cave, you’d never go caving.”

“There anything else you need?” The hermit asked. “If not, I’ll be taking my leave and checking back in a day, or when the screaming dies down, whichever comes first.”

“You’ve been helpful.” Mark shook the hermits hand. “Look us up in town next time you’re by.”

“I like my own hut too much to do that, best of luck boys.” The hermit waved goodbye and ambled away, leaving the group to their own devices.

And to their devices they got. Francis clambered up the first tree and hauled the net up after him. Paul also made their way up a second tree, very thankful that he now had claws to grip with. The net was strung between the two and spread wide. Beneath the net the bait was laid. The pungent smell of blood and meat filled the air as the meat package was unveiled to the world.

“Alright everyone, keep it quiet for the rest of the day.” Tim called up to everyone. “With the way the winds blowing it might not smell this right away. So I’m going to be over here, and Mark’s going to be over that way. Francis you keep an eye out and whistle or something. Paul you coordinate with Francis on the net drop and use your finger guns after that.”

Tim flashed a thumbs up at the tree people and walked over to Mark. “So those two up there are most likely going to be fine, all things considered. For us down here we need to get out of the bears way. If Francis points behind you, be ready to move.”

“I can do that.” Mark confirmed.

The four of them settled into whichever pose they found most comfortable. Francis leaned back against the tree trunk and stood on the branch. Paul sat on his branch and hugged the trunk for stability. Tim was cross legged on the ground beneath a bush and rubbing some of the runes on their body. Mark was alert and watching in the direction of the cave.

The hours drifted by. Tree leaves rustled and birds sang out in pretty little songs. The stench of the meat and guts faded as the nose blindness took effect. Each of the four found ways to pass the time as best they could.

Francis would glance around every now and then, but mostly focused on carving a little drawing into the tree. Simple hearts, little stars, hash marks, stick figures, and other things like that.

Paul was thinking about the ‘bigger’ spells still locked inside of his head. His attempts at finding a blank journal in town had come up fruitless. A book binder or paper maker wasn’t something anyone in town specialized in. He had plans to hit up the next trading caravan which should be due in a couple of weeks time.

Mark was carefully scanning the visible area regularly. The spear he was going to use was within arms reach. His body felt tense from all the waiting and he felt like snapping at any random sound.

Tim was practicing the spell motions for their prepared spells. The runes they would need to trace for their [Cure Wounds] spell were almost second nature. The words were the easy part, the specific hand movements were not. Tim hoped they would not need the spells.

The calm of the day was shattered by the crunch of boots and complaining words of travelers.

“This day couldn’t get any worse!” The familiar whine of Everett passed through the trees. “First we lost first crack at the hunt quest, and now we’ve been walking for two whole days! You said you could [Track] the bear. So where is it?”

“Yes I can [Track] the bear.” The bow woman tiredly explained. “I’ve been following the [Track] skill for the past couple of hours. It’s close I think.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“It’s close I think.” Came the mocking voice of the gray robed mage. “I’ve heard that excuse before. Last time you said that, it was an entire day longer until we found those deer.”

“Yes, and we found them, didn’t we?” There was a terseness in bow woman’s voice. “And we didn’t starve either.”

Their bickering approached the cave. Francis glanced over at Paul who looked at Mark who stared at Tim who threw their hands up in frustration.

“What the hell are those idiots doing?” Tim harshly whispered. “They’re going to scare the bear away, or get themselves hurt.”

Francis spotted the trio first. They were quickly marching in the direction of the cave. As he was pointing it out for everyone else, they heard a loud animal yawn come from the cave.

“Hah! We’ve found it.” Everett announced. “Lets get in there and take out that bear. Show everyone that we’re the best group at the guild, and get paid!”

Mark broke out of his hiding place first and motioned for everyone else to join him. “I think we need to go stop them.”

“They’re going to get what’s coming for them is how I see it.” Francis scrambled down the tree.

“I agree with Mark.” Tim stood up and grabbed the long spear. “They’re jerks, but being a jerk shouldn’t be a death sentence.”

Dropping the last few feet, Paul hit the ground and stumbled a tiny amount. “Yeah I don’t think this is a dark side route option we should take.”

“Right so we’re going after them.” Mark unlimbered the axe from his back. “I’m in front, Francis you stay on my right, Tim in the back with that spear, and Paul you stay in the middle.”

There was a cry of battle and the sounds of scuffles from the cave. The cries quickly turned into screams and the flash of spells lit up the darkness inside.

“Shit, let’s get in there and get them out.” Mark moved to the cave, and the rest followed.

Time Froze, and the shadows darkened to near pitch blackness.

“Oh what the hell is this now?” Mark grunted as he entered the cave. “I can barely see a thing in there.”

“Hold your axe out for me.” Paul hustled next to Mark who did as he asked.

“This axe will shine with [Light]!” Touching one of the fireflies to the axe head, the runic ring flowed down Paul’s arm and consumed the bug on it’s way. The axe started emitting light like a torch.

Francis popped on past the two. “Going on ahead, keeping out of sight, catch up.”

Tim kept their spear pointed forward so as not to scrape the cave roof. “Ready when you are.”

The growls of Kiva the bear and screams of pain from Everett echoed throughout the cave.

“Going in.” Mark rushed forward with their glowing axe. The cave curved to the left and when Mark turned the corner he saw a scene of carnage.

Bathed now in the pale magic light stood the gray mage with robes covered in blood. The bow woman had one arm dangling and a knife in the other. She was threatening the bear with wild swings. The bear was reared up on it’s hind legs and stood over the screaming and bloody body of Everett who was curled up in the fetal position.

Mark continued his charge and attempted to swing their axe against the bear, but instead of the axe biting into fur, the axe instead arrested it’s movement in midair.

“Paul! Why can’t I hit this thing?” Mark shouted over his shoulder.

Paul reached the corner and took in the scene in front of him. “Probably some bullshit!” Pointing his finger at the bear. “This bear will be hit by the [Ray of Frost]!” The red rune ring flowed to their pointed finger and the thin beam of cold launched forward striking the bear dead centre in its chest. “Francis grab Everett!”

Francis dashed forward, evading and moving around every other person. They reached Everett on the ground and grabbed them by the arm. “Got him!” then started dragging the wounded man backwards.

Tim made their own way into the cave. Coming around Paul they ended up behind where Mark was standing. “I’m here behind you Mark.”

The bear came crashing back down on Mark who jumped backwards just in time to meet it’s bite scraping across the breastplate he wore.

Bow woman looked stunned and asked. “How are you guys here?”

Tim and Mark both shouted. “Not the time!”

Gray mage let out a groan and slumped against the cave wall.

Mark swiped their axe at the bear from right to left. “Get out of here, we’ll hold it off!” The axe smacked into the side of the bears head.

Paul shot another cold ray into the flank of the bear. “This should slow it down a bit. [Ray of Frost]! Run!”

Francis continued to drag the whimpering Everett. “Oh stop whining you big baby.”

Tim threatened and waved their long spear in a manner meant to distract the bear.

The bear, now impeded from striking Mark easily because of Tim’s long spear, attempted to swipe their claws and bite at Mark but were brought up short by a combination of spear point and axe haft.

Bow woman stumbled over to the gray mage and threw one of the mans arms over her shoulder. Together they started limping their way past Paul and out of the cave.

“Time to pull back.” Mark shouted as he disengaged from the bear and made their way back to the turn in the cave.

Paul got a final shot of cold into the bear, the burn of spells down his arm muted thanks to adrenaline. “I’ll cover you! [Ray of Frost]!”

“Got him out!” Francis yelled. Everett was laying in the daylight and clutching a broken and bleeding arm.

Tim also retreated and shouted out at Francis. “Grab a bunch of grass! Make a pile at the entrance!”

The bear moved up to Mark and swiped a clawed limb across the breastplate. A bite came next and tore at Marks arm causing him to hiss in pain.

Bow lady and gray mage finished their escape from the cave. They stumbled and fell next to the mewling Everett.

Mark pulled back a bit further. Passing Paul he grunted. “Go get the grass, we can hold here for a bit longer.”

Paul turned and ran outside. They immediately started ripping handfuls of grass out of the ground.

Francis was also hurriedly grabbing grass and throwing it into a pile next to the cave entrance. “I really hope they know what they’re doing!”

Tim made their final retreat to stand side by side with Mark. They glanced back at the growing pile of grass. “Bit more then we make our escape.” Tim braced their spear for the bear’s charge.

The bear charged forward and took the spear to it’s shoulder causing the weapon to snap in half and rocket out of Tim’s hands. A claw took Tim in the chest and another bite hit into Mark’s axe haft.

The scratch caused Tim to choke and shudder as bits of magic fizzled and shocked outwards on the runes that made up their skin.

Everett whimpered, Bow lady and gray mage were not moving much.

Mark held up his weapon defensively. “We good?”

Paul threw more grass on the pile which was starting to be a fair amount. “How much more?”

Francis tossed the grass he was holding onto the pile, making it wider. “Just grab what you can!”

Tim covered their wounded chest and torn shirt then focused on tracking the Bear’s movements. “A bit more from Francis, then Light the grass on fire Paul!”

Another round flew by as Mark and Tim were attacked by but defended themselves from the bear. Paul and Francis gathered the last of the needed grass.

Paul shouted. “Ready!” pointing their open hand at the pile of green grass.

Mark and Tim leapt over the pile and Paul cast their spell. “This grass shall light on fire! [Prestidigitation]!”

The green grass immediately started smoking. The white cloud filled the space of the cave entrance and caused the bear to pause. It shied away from the smoking grass and let out a number of growls.

Time unfroze.

Everyone was breathing heavily. Hands on knees and bent over just heaving air into and out of their lungs.

Tim clutched at their chest and pointed. “We’ve got less than a minute, move back to the ambush site before it gets out.”