Page 407 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

Rossa didn't pause to think. She bolted.

Flying through the tree branches, leaping from one tree to another, until she reached the edge of the forest and was in sight of the castle gates. Still she ran, not stopping until she could bar the doors to the great hall and set her back against the impenetrable oak.

Sal came out of the kitchen to see what the noise was. She took in Rossa's dishevelled appearance and said, "Had a bit of a tumble, did you?"

Rossa shook her head, desperately trying to get enough breath in her lungs to force the words out. Finally, she managed to say, "There was a bear. In the forest."

Sal just smiled. "Oh, yes, we do get a few here. They come down from the mountains, to raid the orchards. They're quite partial to chestnuts and apples. They eat their fill and then go. Quite harmless, really, and nothing to fear, as long as you keep your distance and don't bother them. In spring, they sometimes bring the babies. Very cute to watch."

Rossa could only shake her head. There was nothing cute about that massive monster.

A monster she should have shot when she had the chance, she now realised, for a killer so huge, so close to the village was surely a danger to everyone here.

Instead, she'd run like a coward.

Anger fired her blood. Not at the bear, but at herself. How could she be so stupid?

"I'll be in the yard, chopping wood," Rossa managed to say, her hands shaking as she unbarred the door. She peered around the yard cautiously, making sure the bear hadn't followed her, before she dashed toward the axe and the chopping block.

If the bear did come here, this time, she'd be prepared.

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