Chapter 6

Kol came from the pasture and had his midday meal. Finn then took the time to work with the boy on some of his fighting technique with a wooden sword. The older brother had to be skilled in order to train Kol, for the five-year-old boy was fast, wild and unpredictable in his moves. He was sneaky and laughed happily if he managed to touch the older brother with his wooden weapon.

"Enough, little brother. Get your spear and go on back to the meadow," Finn finally said, holding out his hand for the small sword.

"I could beat Niklaus at this kind of fighting," the boy boasted as he handed over the weapon.

"Yes, you probably could. But don't tease him. Father gives him a hard enough time."

"Father is mean," the boy agreed. "But Nik isn't very clever."

"He may be more clever in his thinking than in his fighting," Finn said with a chuckle.

"What good is that in a fight?"

"It makes him more clever than you think. Now, go back to the meadow."

The older brother watched the boy dash off to the field. There were other boys there, of course, and Finn knew they often played games while they were supposed to be watching for animals wandering off or wild animals seeking prey. A few of the older boys, like Niklaus, were more likely to keep watch, which could be a boring job.

Finn had a few minutes to go to Rika's house to see how her father was doing. He found Jan sitting at an outside table. The man was attended by his wife and daughters. His arm was newly bound to a board, and his foot and ankle were propped up

on a wooden stool and wrapped for support. He held a flask and sipped from it frequently.

"I hear you now wish to marry my daughter while your father is away," the man said, eyeing Finn. He let out a soft belch and winced.

"Yes, sir. I'm ashamed to say my father does not want us to marry." Finn guessed that he was drunk as he medicated himself against the pain.

"I know that. He hasn't kept it a secret. He considered me and my kin tainted."

Finn smiled slightly, but he did not reveal what he knew about Niklaus. Maybe Jan didn't even know about Niklaus' parentage. "I love Rika. In my mind I don't think our children would be 'tainted'."

"You must be honest with yourself, Finn. The children would likely carry on the trait. Would you stand by them if the trait manifested itself?"

"Of course I would. I don't see your family shunning you because you turn each full moon."

Rika's mother gasped at such a frank statement, but Rika just laughed. She often saw humor in some of the things he said, which were not necessarily meant to be funny.

"I was an adult and so was my wife at the time we married," Jan said.

"I have eighteen years. I'm a man," Finn said firmly.

"Barely. However, I do think you are a responsible person. My daughter says you want to build a house of your own."

"My father's house is already crowded with two full families. Yours is also full," Finn pointed out.

"I suspect you are more concerned about privacy," Jan said with a smile.

"That, too," Finn admitted and he felt his face getting red.

"It would be a temporary shelter. It takes time to build a substantial house."

"Yes, sir. I know. Aside from my love and my ability to defend her, I have little to give her. Or to you."

"We are an isolated village with few of niceties of value," Jan agreed. "Rika will have little in the way of a dowry."

"That's not important to me. My mother says we are welcome in her house for meals and other things. I don't want to be cut off from my family, but I have no idea what my father will do."

"He may be very angry. Nevertheless, Rika and her husband will always be welcome here," Jan said, and his wife nodded. "I give you permission to wed my daughter Rika."

The girl in question grinned broadly. "Thank you, Father." She rushed into Finn's arms and kissed his cheek.

He hugged her closely and with relief. Now, they had to make plans. Mikael and the group would be gone for some time, but likely long enough for the wedding to take place and for the little shelter to be made.

Finn's happiness was shattered by the sound of the big wolfhound barking frantically. Something was wrong in the meadow. Finn let go of Rika. "That sounds bad." He turned away and ran toward his house. Grabbing his sword, he sprinted through the nearby trees and along the path leading to the pasture. As he got closer, he heard another dog barking and the frightened voices of the guard children. Other people from the village also came running.

As he broke from the trees, he was able to see what the problem was. At the right side of the meadow several boys were gathered, their spears held ready and pointing at a big animal. It was a large, male black bear standing on its hind legs so that it towered over the boys.

Finn swore to himself as he noted that the boy closest to the beast was Niklaus. Was he trying to show everyone that he was not afraid? Niklaus had not yet experienced a growth spurt and so he was still short. In addition, Finn feared for Kol who was rash enough to do something foolish. If either of the boys were mauled or killed it would be a disaster for the family.

He ran toward the scene and came to Kol first. The boy looked pale, now that he was confronted by a big danger. "Kol, give me that spear. Go help with the herd."

"No, I want to fight the bear!"

In his best imitation of Mikael, Finn roared, " Don't argue with me! Do as I say!"

Kol cringed and gave up his spear. He then ran toward the herd where a few cows were escaping into the woods.

Finn pushed through several defenders until he came to Niklaus. The huge bear was very close and Finn could smell it. The boy was as pale from fright as Kol had been. The spear was shaking in his hand. Finn took hold of Niklaus' arm and pulled him backward.

"Move back! I know you are trying to show your courage, Niklaus, but you could be killed. You've showed enough bravery, so stay back!" He saw the boy hesitate and then show a look of relief. "Go help hunt for the escaped stock." Niklaus turned and ran to help the other boys.

Finn, armed with a sword and a spear, now faced the bear, which towered over him as it roared and spit blood. It was trying to maul anyone it could reach. Enraged and bleeding from the various wounds inflicted by those men who had come to the scene, it took a swipe at Finn just as he thrust the spear into the bear's chest Huge claws raked his arm, shredding his shirt sleeve and drawing blood. Pain shot up into his shoulder and he tried to back out of reach. The monster roared and focused its reddened eyes on him. Finn's only weapon now was the sword.

A/N This is not a good situation for Finn, needless to say. Will he be injured further by the fierce bear? Thanks for reading, guys.