The blow had been terrible, Koda had heard it loud and clear even from a distance. He had managed to get away from the white bear by slipping into the bushes in total silence ... and it was a miracle that Iorek hadn't seen him go. But curiosity had prevailed and Koda had sprung to see what had happened, ignoring the thundering voice of Iorek who was calling him, running away some strange and pronounced words in a tone that Koda did not know, but he did not notice while he was crawling among the bushes around another bear. This was not white, he had the fur of the lightest color of his: almost honey orange and he massaged his head with an angry and suffering air. Koda stopped in the bushes when she saw the other's brown eyes wandering lost and trying to reach a stick. He managed to grab him unnaturally in his paw, in a way that Koda had never seen ... but he didn't pay too much attention because he had to make sure of something "ppssst! Hey!" The other bear looked at him "hm?"

"Are there any other hunters around?"

"what?"

"answer the question!"

"Uhhh ... no?"

And all the little bear's energy shot out suddenly in a relieved cry. He pushed himself with his hind legs, rushing towards the other bear and inadvertently pushing him to rock backwards and slam his face against the tree "good!"

A second thud was clear and loud when the other's nose collided with the gray bark of the tree where the trap had been set on purpose to catch prey, and which instead had wrapped itself around the back leg of the unfortunate bear. "Didn't you see the trap? tsk! I had seen it miles away!" Koda boasted, getting up on his hind legs "it must be embarrassing for you ... don't worry, I won't tell anyone!" And when Koda made a promise, that was such. And he would never, ever break it. But the bear didn't know it, and he certainly didn't know Koda ... Koda had never seen him either, he thought as he turned to pick up the stick that had fallen. He held it as he had seen the other "do you need a hand to go down? Wait, I'll give you a hand!" and brandished it in the air.

The terror stood out on the other bear's eyes, he waved his palms in the direction of Koda to try to dissuade him from hitting as unfortunately he was about to do "NONONONO! WAIT!!" from then on, delirium followed; Koda waved his staff wildly, slamming it against the other bear's body with light but strong strokes enough to cause him some pain. And with that the other exclaimed sentences to try to dissuade him

"No! Stop-wait-if only- hey!" but then he blurted out "STOP IT!" and a split second later the stick slammed on his face. But Koda did not spare him shots, he kept hitting although he was in good faith until the cub recognized a rather altered voice and marching steps towards them

"KODA! YOU'RE IN TROUBLE UP TO YOUR EARS!" and Koda instinctively drew his head into his shoulders like a turtle in distress would do, as if expecting a blow or being unkindly caught by the scruff by the angry bear. Iorek was behind him, and did not deign Kenai a look because he went straight to scold Koda

"I told you not to stray away!" He didn't shout, but kept a remarkably low tone of voice to make his disappointment clear. If he was wondering how he managed to escape under his nose, Iorek didn't show it because the look the white bear was directing him was enough to make a mammoth melt into the ground. "I'm not going to repeat myself several times, Koda. It seemed to me that I was clear." he glanced fleetingly at the trapped bear and said "good evening." then he turned again to end the scolding

"did you understand-" but he stopped in mid-sentence, eyes wide and it was as if his face had fallen on the ground while realizing what he had just seen. His irritated expression changed radically when he looked at the other bear again

"sir, are you in trouble ...?" the trapped rolled his eyes

"oh, don't tell me!" He groaned "maybe I can be of assistance?" and when he approached, the other bear (he must have been slightly younger than Iorek) shook his head quickly "I don't need the help of a stupid bear! I just need the stick." Iorek was not offended, he was only quite irritated by that brusque tone. Koda, on the other hand, didn't realize the electric current between the two, and handed him the stick in a seraphic way "okay, here it is!" but the other waved his paws in front of them "no, I'll do it myself! put it back!" Koda was visibly confused as he searched for the place where he had found the stick "put it where it is you found it, near that little rock!" the other bear instructed him. Koda put his stick on the moss "here?"

"Yup." the other bear replied suddenly, as if exasperated by their presence "okay ..." said the cub, and with this he leaned against a fallen trunk. "boy, that tree is strong!" he commented aloud, and Iorek understood that this was only the beginning of another snuff typical of that cub known for a few hours. Koda didn't even realize that Iorek said to the trapped bear "get ready, there will be laughter."

It was almost sunset, and the brown bear was still trying to reach that damned stick in a completely comical way. Koda had spoken relentlessly, but at least that very long speech was not addressed to Iorek. "... and so I learned to be more careful about what I licked." and then something completely unexpected.

Koda was silent: Iorek was lying to enjoy the scene of the arrogant bear, whose name he had not yet understood, who was trying to reach the stick in a comic scene. He glanced at Koda, and the cub returned it as if they agreed that they were going to spread a pitiful veil over that ridiculous situation. With a movement of his paw Koda approached the stick, and feeling it under his paw and being able to grab the other bear cheered

"HAH!" and when he did it was with a certain brilliance of madness in his gaze, to which Koda reacted rolling his eyes "see? it's all about using the head-" and he had hoisted himself towards the branch that kept him anchored to it by means of a rope, using the stick as a lever ... without noticing that perhaps the chosen stick was too weak ...

but this he discovered even without Iorek saying it, because two seconds later he fell face to the ground with yet another thud. "Reminder for you, don't use sticks anymore." Iorek said to him with a certain sarcasm mixed with hilarity in his gaze.

The other bear reacted with a lightning look "hey, you two have nowhere else to go?" he asked exasperated. "yeah, the salmon run!" Koda exclaimed, hopping around the offending place with his nose turned up "Hey, Iorek! maybe if we free him he can come with us!"

Come with us? Where did this plural come from? Iorek showed his disappointment with an expression that spoke for itself, but it was obvious that it was addressed only to Koda and that in reality the question asked by the cub was addressed to the trapped bear "okay, okay! If you can get me down from here I will go with you to this ... this ... "

"Salmon Run!"

"whatever. But if you can't do it: you turn around, walk away and never come back. Ever." he put enough emphasis on the last sentence, as if to say he didn't want to have them around. Koda turned to look at him, and Iorek was amazed at how he was handling the situation while looking for the connection that had activated the "do you swear?"

"Yeah-!"

"pinky swear?"

"yes, sure, okay. Pinky Swear." and saying this they joined the claws which were to correspond to the little finger in one hand in a universal oath. Iorek didn't take long to locate the focal point of the trap, it was a stick stuck on the ground with the rope tied to it ... he could have destroyed with a simple blow of his paw ... nothing simpler.

"This is a trap made by men, and you are just two dumb bears. So there's really no way that-" He couldn't finish, because with a blow of his paw Iorek let go of up what kept him anchored, and on the face of the else he painted the same expression of terror when he realized he had spoken too much. The flight he made was crazy: he remained suspended for a few meters in the air before falling on his back and having his stick on his chest with unprecedented violence, so much so that he doubled over in pain. All this under the amused gaze of Koda and Iorek's annoyed and a little irritated by having been called 'stupid bear' for the second time in a day gaze. However, a new smell appeared in the air and the atmosphere of hilarity changed immediately.

Iorek stiffened when he recognized the smell of reindeer skin and spears made of stone and other raw materials.

A hunter? the white bear looked around frantically and then looked at Koda, the only priority was to make sure that any type of hunter didn't have Koda. Where this protection came from, Iorek didn't know. But he was willing to protect him only this time ... a cub must make bones to become independent.

The same thing that Iorek's mother had done with him, had assisted him when he had fallen into too deep water, had remained beside him but had allowed him to find a way out by himself. That was what made him independent.

"Go ahead and don't turn around, Koda." he ordered "the closest refuge you see, hurry up." and for once the cub did not protest "there is a glacier nearby-"

"We'll meet there. Run!" and pushed him forward with his muzzle, the little bear set off at a funny gallop and disappeared over the hill to the great relief of the white bear. In all this the other was getting up at that moment, rubbing his head and looking at Iorek with an irritated air "and best regards, congratulations for the delicacy!" he said with a sarcasm that gave him an absurd annoyance.

Even more than the sun on the back did. He puffed into his face with all-natural coldness for his character "the snow to cushion the fall was over, sorry for the inconvenience." he said critically

"you-"

"Kenai".

"I didn't ask you. Follow Koda."

"who?"

"the cub. Follow him."

"because?"

"just do it."

Kenai looked at him in a disdainful way, crossing his paws on his chest and raising his chin arrogantly "don't give me orders!" he said, something childish in his voice. He tried to growl, failing miserably. A sound came out mixed with a barking with his mouth closed and a banging of teeth.

Was he really trying to scare him? With that starving face and his impulsive and arrogant way of doing towards everyone?

oh please ... Iorek wrinkled his nose and snarled in his face, with the only difference that when Kenai bared his teeth anyone would have laughed. When Iorek did, anyone would tremble.

Kenai was taken aback by that guttural sound and withdrew his head in his shoulders, every trace of swagger disappeared from his muzzle in front of what looked like a really angry face, a face that had gone from zero to total anger. "do I have your attention?"all he could do was nod.

"then move."

Never was that once the fate or coincidence of the moment on their side, because at the same instant in which those words( absolutely through with the fake brave facade of Kenai) left Iorek's mouth, a shadow stood out beyond the sunset light and briefly obscured their view of the leaves behind them. Not that they were important, at least not like the hooded figure of the hunter. It was the precise moment in which, if someone could have taken a picture and looked at it from many years later, they would have seen so many emotions in a single image; complete alarm on Iorek's face, mixed disbelief, sudden joy on Kenai's face and blind anger on that of the hunter. "Denahi ...?"

that name was addressed to the hunter who was now advancing from the darkness. His face even more threatening than when it was in the shadows now that it was in the light.

"Denahi, you found me!" and began to advance dangerously towards the hunter. Too close, so close that Iorek tried to block him "what are you doing ?! are you crazy, Kenai?!" as it was intended, with a definitively non-bear scream, the hunter hurled himself at Kenai. An upset Kenai, the brown bear backed up shouting

"IT'S ME, KENAI!" but being dominated by the screams of the human. At that point Iorek, or rather his primordial instincts, believed that to jump into action the only sensible thing to do was what he was better at: fighting.

He reared all three meters high and opened his jaws in a roar that came out so intimidating it could pierce anyone's eardrums. Then he fell back on all fours and without hesitating in a momentum he charged towards the hunter, who didn't hesitate to brandish his weapon: the spear was long and sharp, but Iorek didn't fear it.

Just as man seemed not to fear his claws and fangs. In the fury of the moment he stumbled and found himself having to protect himself from the teeth and the claws of the bear with only the spear, waving it like a foil and managing to cause a fairly deep cut on what for a human would have been in the calf in the middle part of the animal's paw. With a quick blow, Iorek snatched the spear out of his hand and slung against him by lifting him by the jacket and pushing him away with as much force as he could "RUN, IDIOT!" was all he shouted to Kenai as he darted past him, running towards the glacier. There was no way the hunter would reach them there, or so he hoped.

They had barely been able to pass between the walls of the glacier, but taking it easy because Iorek knew they were clearly ahead of the bipedal.

He hadn't checked the hunter's position, but inside the glacier they would have been safe and as soon as his paws touched the gravel and gave Kenai one last push to get him in. Out of the corner of his eye he glimpsed Koda, who trotted towards them at the same time as a crunch was heard above them.

With one movement Iorek muzzled Kenai and pulled Koda towards him to tell them to keep quiet and continued to observe the figure of the hunter standing on the ice, spear brandished like a spat and dangerously forward posture. And so he held his breath until the figure was completely out of his visual and auditory field, only then he breathed a sigh of relief by letting go of Koda and leaving room for a fairly shaken Kenai

"... he's chasing me ... "murmured the brown bear. Iorek's reaction revealed all the anger he had felt during the brief clash and was decidedly sudden, so much that even Koda was frightened in front of it. From neutral his expression changed as he swung around baring his sharp teeth "WELL?! What did you expect?! he's a man! They can't do anything but hunt us down! Put your soul in peace and learn to fight!" He roared at him, pure fury animated his gaze.

Kenai stepped back "it's not like him." he said in a thin voice, as if in shock.

What kind of bear had never seen a hunter? Iorek felt the blood boil in his veins as he squinted that half apology of bear from head to claw before letting go of a guttural growl and walking away to the far corner of the cave to take a look at the small wound on his paw caused by the blade. It was not serious, with a little luck it would heal immediately. He then began to lick away the blood to make it clot faster so as to heal faster in turn. He had learned the procedure by heart.

"are you hurt...?" Koda's paws lowered his before the white bear could protest, examining the cut as if it could only vanish by looking at it. "it's nothing." the adult answered quickly. "...you sure?"

she couldn't help but feel a modicum of tenderness over her concern "I'm sure. Just a scratch."

"You saw it bad out there." Kenai approached slowly, but remained at a certain distance as if he was afraid that Iorek would hit him. The white bear glared at him but did not reply, continuing to tend to the wound until he was satisfied. "it's fortunate that he didn't meet me..I would have made him sit in stripes!" despite the initial disagreement, both Iorek and Kenai turned to look at the cub with the same expression "I know a move or two to make his guts tremble!" Kenai bowed his head to the side with a less than serious smile "oh, really?"

Koda looked at his tiny claws with a proud gaze "not to brag ... but this is a little thing I call ... the Slasher!" and he performed a completely uncoordinated and technically incorrect jump that led him to fall on the gravel and get up immediately (given the elasticity, and the characteristic called 'rubber bones' typical of the cubs neither of them was surprised) "and this is the Flying Fury Of Death!" and in a completely comical pose he remained motionless on his back legs, straight in front of the two bears who nevertheless exchanged a neutral look as if they were thinking the same thing. "Uhh-hhuh." muttered Kenai nodding with a slow blow of the head. Iorek decided to have some fun, then looked up and gasped "he's coming back!" he exclaimed, and the reaction was just what he expected. Terrified, Koda ran to hide under Iorek's paw exclaiming a "WHERE?!" not exactly comfortable with too much physical contact, Iorek looked at him

"Koda." he simply said. He wasn't a stupid cub, even if he understood some things only if it suited him ... and Iorek's personal space was one of the things he did not have very clear. It didn't seem to matter much to him though, because he didn't move away from him

"typical." scoffed Kenai, still trying to take off the string that had been twisted around his leg in a very clumsy way. "Yeah, well, the next time we run into that hunter--"

Koda began, but this time it was Kenai who interrupted him "There is no we, okay? I'm not taking you to any salmon run." he said, ironed in his decision.

Oh awesome.

Koda's face relaxed into an expression of unpleasant surprise "what?" he asked with astonishment "But you pinky swore!" The difference between the two adults was basic at that point for anyone to see clearly. Iorek thought but didn't say, Kenai said everything instead.

And that led him to have much less emotional tact with anyone "Yeah, well, things change. See ya, kid." and got up, starting going out. Iorek knew exactly that Koda was going to protest, but this time it was he who had the protest ready and with well-prepared knowledge "it's getting dark." he said "and considering your experience I don't recommend ... you know, just wandering." Kenai stopped but without turning, as if in some way he signaled that he was listening but that his pride did not allow him to turn around "are you telling me that I am incapable?"

Yes, that was what his instinct told him to say.

"No." was what he replied though. "union is strength. Remember that there is a cub in this ... group." he found no other description for that makeshift gang.

"So what? It's not my problem." and again he started to go outside, but with a leap Iorek was in front of him and blocked the road "of course it is. If I remember correctly we saved your life, so in a sense you have a debt."

"You're out of your mind, buddy. It was a favor of once. Get outta the way." but Iorek didn't move in the slightest, on the contrary he towered ever higher in front of him. Things could have taken a worse turn if it hadn't been for Koda's intervention "Come on. Please? Can't we just go together? There's a lot of bears and a ton of fish, and every night we watch the lights , touch the mountain, and last year ... "

what started as an attempt to stop a fight turned out to be a matter of interest for Kenai, who immediately took his eyes off Iorek to turn to Koda" Wait, what'd you say?"

"There's lots of bears and tons of fish-!"

"No. You know where the lights touch the earth?"

Koda nodded, stepping between the two bears "Yeah, it's at the top of the mountain right by the salmon run. Weren't you looking for a mountain too?" he also said to Iorek. The white bear masterfully pulled himself out of that conversation "talk to him first." he said pointing at Kenai

"They're pratically next door. Come on, I'll show you. It'll be great. I promise to help you escape from every trap you walk into." Koda insisted. Kenai looked offended at him "I'm not gonna walk into any more ..." and exactly as he walked, the string got caught on a rock and the brown bear tumbled to the ground "... Traps."

be mature Iorek, don't laugh Iorek.

It was Koda who freed him and asked him hopefully "Come on. What do you say?"

"Are you sure you can take me to where the lights touch the earth?"

"Yeah, no problem!" Koda replied, starting off. Kenai snorted, thinking hard and running a paw over his face "If you slow me down-"

"We won't be slowing you down." Iorek remarked with anger, turning away

"we leave at dawn tomorrow." and he settled on the ground as far as possible from the chaotic energy of the two, resting his head on his large legs. Kenai had strategically placed himself at the other extreme and Koda remained in the middle, instinctively snuggled against Kenai only to be abruptly rejected with a

"And keep all that cuddly bear stuff into a minimum, okay, kid?"

Koda did not lose heart and replied with a "My name's not kid. It's Koda." What to say ... the cub knew how to defend himself very well. Even Kenai would have been able to understand it despite that empty head. Seeing Koda sleeping in the middle, however, was truly excruciating.

The white bear sighed exasperated "Koda, come here." he said in a forced voice. On a cold night he could make an exception and use his heat for a good deed. The cub trotted towards him and settled next to the white bear as he had done with Kenai, sinking his muzzle into the white fur of his side.

"now sleep. I don't want to hear you until tomorrow, have I been clear?"

Koda nodded slowly, and for a few moments peace reigned inside the glacier.

A peace that Koda broke in less than two seconds "what's your name?"

Iorek and Kenai sighed in unison.