So I needed somewhere to put all my random Auldearn-related fics that no doubt are going to happen at some point. Here is the first (to be posted, not necessarily the first chronologically). Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Auldearn the Bear is mine. The rest of it isn't.
"Bertrand," Vlad began absently as they circled each other, biding their time to strike, "why Auldearn?" Bertrand shrugged, using the movement to disguise the start of a vicious series of punches, which Vlad barely managed to avoid.
"He was the first out of the crate." Vlad shook his head and was promptly sent reeling backwards by a shove he knew Bertrand hadn't put all his weight behind.
"No, I mean... funny name for a bear." He managed to land a punch of his own, but Bertrand countered it without missing a beat.
"And Mr Cuddles isn't?" They both fell back for a moment, regrouping, resuming the uneasy circling orbit around the centre of the room. Vlad glared at his tutor; that wasn't an answer. "I named him after a particularly good buffet in my youth. The Battle of Auldearn, 1645. Dinner and a show." He took advantage of Vlad's horrified distraction to go in for the kill, the Chosen One barely aware of being attacked before he found himself pinned to the floor.
"You're disgusting sometimes, Bertrand, you know that?" His tutor stood with a smirk, offering a hand to help Vlad up.
"And you're getting sloppy. Again!" The circling began anew.