I was on a hunt for a zombie polar bear who slaughtered some years ago nearly a dozen people from a hamlet way across the continent.
Travelled with Dolil Swayedcinder, a female human pikeman, who aided me, two months ago, in defeating a reptile vampire spear master in an isolated coastal town. This creature had stalked the night and made this city its playground. Without Dolil I surely had never succeeded.
Impressed by her skills in handling her weapon I let her join me.
Some company in the forests and swamps ahead would be a nice diversion to the lonely hours, only filled by howling wolves and singing birds.
Days passed and we were slowly approaching the lair of my prey while we were getting closer to each other.
She told me of her family of which only her brother was alive.
I felt privileged in hearing her story and I gave her balm as she spoke of the cruel death of her father. I slowly understood why she was traveling the world, seeking glory or death. I assured her, I would help her in finding the one or other.
On a rainy day we reached the foothills of a low mountainrange which was dressed in heavy grey clouds.
And in the distance, nearly hidden behind rain, we could see a massive hill. The roaring we could hear despite the dropping water told us that we had entered the realm of our prey.
Passing a small haunted woodland (undisturbed), crossing a scenic brook (rabbits were chasing away from us) and the destination was in sight:
A rocky hill, overgrown with large trees and bushes full of berries and covered in thick gras, weighed down due to the ongoing rain .
And in front of it the decaying corpse of a huge polar bear, engraved with the remains of its former battles.
Screaming fearsomely Dolil drew her pike and charged at the bear while I was moving around, intending to swing at it from behind.
I thought that I would have time to do this but the fierce onslaught of the zombie smashed Dolil's left leg. Bravely she stabbed at its bloated body, her pike was stranded in the rotting flesh of its ribcage while I was sprinting - hoping I would reach my companion to grant her some relief.
Just as I arrived, the polar bear bit her in her head and crushed her skull like a toy, destroyed by an angry kid.
I swung at it but, somehow, this huge mass happened to dodge my attack.
And the enormous claws teared my lower body.
I had no chance. Not alone. Not anymore.
I turned and ran.
After a long and exhausting race I managed to escape - I have to give thanks to a horse which distracted my frightening predator.
Lonely again, I began my long way back, knowing that the wilderness would bring some nasty surprises.
But I had to search for companions.
I had to look for a possibility to gain revenge.
I had to find a way to bring Dolil back to her home.
I wouldn't let her rot in the vicinity of such an embarrassment to nature.
And I would present the skull of this abomination to Dolil's brother.
Maybe he would forgive me.
Maybe I could forgive myself.