*CRASH

While I started to climb back down I suddenly heard a noise of something big falling. It was hard to tell what it was so I climbed up again in the hope that I could spot any movement in the forest.

(There is nothing that I can…)

As I was thinking that a tree shook a bit in the distance. It wasn’t that big but it was easy to spot from where I was so I started thinking a bit, what could it be? But before I could get an answer it shook twice more in quick successions. With that it was clear, someone or something was there.

(It’s worth the risk to investigate even if it’s just an animal. At least with that kind of information I could more easily figure out what kind of creatures live in this forest.)

I got near the place in about 15 minutes, it helped that from time to time I could hear the noise of a tree that shook. After the forest stopped it’s screams of agony I started to hear heavy footsteps once in a while. It is clear that whatever they were they were big and heavy, and I say they because I could distinguish two types sounds. One heavier, it almost sounded like dragging while the other was firmer and more agile but clearly both were nothing that a man was capable of.

As I got closer I suddenly thought that the lighter one sounded strangely familiar, something like a horse, or at least that’s what it remained me of. Maybe it was a cavalryman fighting with something and so my hopes grew, at least it gave me something to look forward too.

Intrigued as I was I still had to be careful, my life was at stake so I had to take precautions. As such I started circling around to find a good spot from where I could approach. As the sound of the exchanging blows suddenly intensified I finally found what I was looking for. It was a mound that I could use as hiding and a lookout that apparently was very near where the noises were coming.

The closer that I’ve got the clearer the sounds were but unfortunately as I climbed up they suddenly died down. At first I thought that a conclusion was reached but I was wrong because as I focused I could hear deep huffs coming from the other side.

(They must be tired, which wouldn’t be unusual considering how long the fight lasted. I wonder who or what could they be?)

Reaching the top I first saw an old tree snapped in two, clearly it was the first tree that I heard falling. So I traced the tree in the valley below and few meters after it’s trunk ended the head of a man jumped in my eyes.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

(Luck is still on my side.) I thought while I examined the man. He was battered and bruised, exhausted but at least not heavily injured or dead.

As excitement took me over, I barely noticed the horse he was riding while I searched for his opponent. I had to find a way to make the man feel indebted or at least gratitude towards me and what better way was there then to ensure his victory while I assists with a form of distraction.

(But I have to make sure that I won’t be the one to land the killing blow or else he might bear a grudge considering how long the fight lasted.)

Such were my thoughts when I saw the beast. A long, bulky but not very tall creature that had an appearance closely resembling a very furry black bear. Its snout was very small considering its size but the head was big. I couldn’t see exactly how his face looked like because of my position but at least I could tell the creature was sturdy and most likely the thing that resembled its fur was hard to pierce.

(Which begs the question, how is he planning on killing the thing) I asked as I looked again to the man that apparently had no weapon on hand.

(Did he lose his weapon in the struggle?) I wondered as I looked about for any signs of its presence.

But I wasn’t successful, from what I gathered the weapon, if there was indeed one, was buried or it landed somewhere that I couldn’t see from my current location.

(Or might it be under the creature?) Such thoughts passed through my head considering the beast didn’t move to much from its position. But I could have just been wrong and the thing could just have been tired or it’s legs could have been injured in the struggle.

The weirdest thing was that both faced each other without moving. Both drawing their breath while apparently looking for a way to tackle their opponent or make their next move. If I got any closer most likely I could feel the tension oozing out in the air.

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