The bear was already hot on his heels. It seemed to have woken from his winter sleep prematurely. And Hex seemed like a good way to replenish its energy.
Hex racked his brains. He would have to fight it. But how. He was quite good with his short sword. But no amount of skill would help to penetrate its hardened fur.
'This thing will not die by slashing it. I need to go through its body.'
Suddenly he thought of something. He was near a fork in the road.
Left would lead down towards a plateau. Right to a narrow upward path, edging on a chasm.
He glanced behind him. The beast seemed berserk. He had to risk it. He ran right. The beast followed.
Soon the path narrowed. Hex knew he had to be carefull. One misstep and he would fall into the chasm himself.
But the same applied to the beast. And it didn't seem to realize it.
Hex stopped and watched the bear run towards him. It was close. He pulled his sword out and braced his back against the wall.
