The spirit bear shrank down even further. Keep it? What did that tiny, tiny human an by keep it? Keep it in that monstrous lizards stomach? The bear swallowed and made itself look as unappealing to eat as possible. If it could, it wouldve dug up the ground and sared mud all over itself; unfortunately, the ground was frozen. Im, Im not tasty.
Vur squinted at the bear and swiped a paw at its shoulder. He passed right through it without leaving a mark. It was like passing through a cloud without the wet sensation. His brow furrowed, and he leaned his head forward to sniff the bear. It remained perfectly still as his nostrils flared beside it. The bear didnt sll like anything. It was almost as if it was a ghost. The last ghost he had eaten was quite a while ago, and he didnt rember it tasting like anything. It seed like the bear wasnt lying to him. Have you a seen a girl with horns around here?
The bear gulped, maintaining eye contact with Vur. Horns? A girl? A girl with horns? Its eyes widened, and it bobbed its head up and down. Yes, yes, I have. I know exactly who youre talking about!
Vur raised his eyebrows. It was a good thing the bear didnt sll tasty, or he wouldve eaten it before he found out it knew where Tafel was. Take to her, Vur said before glancing at the ice surrounding the bears lower body. With a few swats, the chunks of ice smashed apart into tiny crystals, freeing the bear.
The bear rose up, floating once its legs were no longer restrained. It resisted the urge to flee and dropped down to all fours. Shes right this way, the spirit bear said and gestured with its paw. It tromped forward but left the trees it made contact with intact. Vur didnt. His scaled feet knocked them over, leaving a small trail of destruction as he followed behind the bear. Its heart hurt when it saw its beloved territory being trampled, but it didnt dare say anything in case it angered Vur. Shes not too far from here. If we continue at this speed, well make it there in a week.
Vur furrowed his brow. A weeks too long, he said and shook his head. How about we fly there instead?
The spirit bear stared at Vur. I, I only know how to float. I cant fly. It hung its head and sighed. If it were a spirit eagle, flying wouldnt be a problem. That way, it wouldnt have to spend a whole week guiding this monstrous lizard.
Ill carry you, Vur said and took in a deep breath.
The bears eyes widened upon seeing icy mist leak out of Vurs mouth, drifting to the ground. Wait! it shouted and jumped to the side. It barely dodged an icy breath that froze everything in its previous vicinity. If you completely freeze like that, I think Ill disappear from existence!
Vur tilted his head. I froze you before, didnt I?
You froze my legs last ti, and I couldnt feel them anymore. If you freeze my head, whatll happen if I cant feel my head? Ill die!
Oh. Vur nodded. Then Ill freeze everything except your head.
The bear paused. Would that work? Before it could think about it even more, an icy wave washed over it, numbing everything below its neck. It dropped to the ground, and Vur picked it up. You said it was that way, right?
The bear tried to nod, but its head was frozen. Yes, it said instead. Shes that way. She lives in a village in the plains. Youll see it as soon as you exit the forest.
The forest rushed past as Vur flew forward, holding the mostly frozen bear in his claws. In the distance, he saw a few glowing orange dots, signs of civilization. It was probably the village where Tafel was. Along with the orange dots, there was also a smoky silver dot hovering above them. Stella squinted and pointed. Is that another spirit bear?
Looks like it, Vur said. He glanced down at the bear in his claws. Is it another spirit bear?
The bear didnt respond. Its eyes were glued shut, and its lips were trembling as if it were about to cry.
Vur cleared his throat. Is that another spirit bear? he asked again. Im talking to you, bear.
I dont know! the bear said, its eyes still pressed shut. I dont know!
Huh? Stella asked and tilted her head. You dont know? Well, why dont you open your eyes and check?
I cant! The bears head shook back and forth. Im scared of heights! If I open my eyes, Ill faint!
Stella stared at the bear. Can you even get hurt if you fall from a high height? Arent you made of gas?
Do you have to be hurt by sothing to be scared of it? the bear asked back.
Stella scratched her head. She never really thought about it before, but maybe the bear had a point. After all, she was scared of waterfalls, and those couldnt really hurt her unless her wings got wet, and she got sucked under, and the flow from the waterfall trapped her in a continuous circuitous current that prevented her from escaping, and she desperately tried to breath in but inhaled a mouthful of water and drowned instead. A shiver ran down Stellas spine, and she shook herself off, changing her mind about bullying the bear for being afraid.
Were here, Vur said. He didnt bother circling around and plumted straight towards the ground, causing the bear to shriek for its mother. A baffled spirit deer awoke from her slumber and froze upon seeing Vur.
Oh, were on the ground now? the spirit bear asked and opened its eyes. He bead once he saw the deer. Here she is! The girl with horns you were looking for! May I go now?
Vur blinked. He was looking for Tafel, and he thought he was about to find her. How co this bear brought him to more food instead?
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