The longer Kaelon rode behind Kane the more annoyed he became. The saddle was clearly made for one person. Kane was already big enough as is, but the cramped saddle just made it worse.

  Just as a cramp was starting to form in his leg Kane led the paladins off the road. They traveled through a forest for a second, animals scattering under the heavy hooves of the horses. The trees became more and more scarce as they approached a lake.

  By the time they stopped, the sun began to set in the horizon. Kaelon jumped off the horse and began stretching right away. A few minutes of pain later, his cramp was gone.

  The paladins all moved with haste after getting off their horses. Tents appeared by the lakeside one by one. Eventually they had a whole campsite ready.

  By the time Kaelon joined in a bulk of the work was done so he head into the forest to look for firewood. Walking through the forest Kaelon scanned around for suitable sticks. He had quite rhe bundle in his hand when he heard something in the distance.

  'What was that?!'

  A crack echoed through the forest and Kaelon immediately turned toward it. His eyes peered through the trees as he tried to identify the sound. Kaelon's hand rested on his sword as he stepped up cautiously.

  "Who's there? Come out now."

  Nearing the source of the sound Kaelon dropped his firewood and rolled to the side. In the blink of an eye a black bear crashed into where he used to be. Kaelon's eyes turned sharp as he drew his blade.

  It was time to see how his swordsmanship fared against non-human targetd. The size difference would definitely be a challenge. Kaelon had been looking forward to this!

  A smile appeared on his face and he dashed at the bear. His blade dug into its side before the animal could react. However the cut was narrow, the bears hide tougher than expected.

  This time it was the bear who acted. Letting out a roar of pain it swiped its claws at the nearby Kaelon. Its arm came down like a hammer, the full weight of a bear behind the swing.

  Kaelon faced it head on, trying to parry the blow. The claws sent out sparks as they clashed with his sword. The strong impact knocked Kaelon back a few feet, his back clashing with a tree.

  He groaned in pain before jumping up at the bear. The bear seeing an opening, was standing practically directly over him. Its claws about to come down on his head.

  With no choice but going forward, Kaelon tried to duck under its attack. His sword was primed for a counterattack. Kaelon let out a scream while moving, one of the bears claws had hit him square in the back. He almost fell face first from the impact but instead he jumped up.

  This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  His sword pierced through the bears head. Ending it in one strike as it's blood splattered on Kaelon. Kaelon sighed in relief as the bear fell dead. His back ached and a slight dent decorated his armor but he was alive.

  Taking a minute to calm down a little Kaelon decided to bring the bear back with him. Maybe he could use its hide or something, or just sell it in the nearest town at least.

  The bears weight was borderline crushing him but Kaelon's eyes were determined. If anything he took it as extra training for himself to bring it. He staggered towards the campsite moving slowly.

  In the camp Kane and the others were sitting around an already lit campfire. Smoke rose into the distance as they prepared their rations. One of them looked back towards the forest and all of the sudden yelled.

  "Captain! There's a bear! It's heading our way probably attracted by the food."

  Kaelon still burried under the corpse kept approaching slowly. He couldn't speak right now because of the weight. His face completely strained and turning the same shade of red as his hair.

  Kane stepped forward to take a look. His eyes narrowed before he pointed at Kaelon under the bear. A laugh escaped him as he spoke, completely amused by this situation.

  "Ha! Look there's Kaelon! His face is hilarious, you guys gotta take a look. That cannot be natural."

  Drawn by his words all the paladins gathered to welcome a bloddied Kaelon home. Kane especially just stood there laughing as Kane struggled to bring the huge bear back from the forest.

  A loud thud echoed in the clearing as Kaelon finally put the e bear down. Kane came up to him still laughing while pointing at the bear.

  "Dude why did you bring a bear back?! Hahahaha! Didn't you go out to get firewood? How do you come back with a bear?!"

  Tears streams from his eyes as his laughter just went on and on. Kaelon roled his eyes at him before explaining himself.

  "I did go out to get firewood, but this bear attacked me so I killed it. I figured I'd bring it and see if I can butcher it to sell for money."

  A paladin on the side noted with a sweatdrop.

  "How resourceful of you...."

  Kaelon smiled at that, not seeing his clear sarcasm.

  "Well I am from the slums. If you learn anything there it's to use everything at your disposal."

  Kane, who had calmed down now, agreed.

  "That makes sense to me but your not in the slums anymore. This is more inconvenient than anything. We need to move quickly and that bears weighs a ton."

  Kaelon didn't think about that. Although after butchering it the load would lighten significantly, all that mass was still there. His eyes narrowed as he came up with a solution.

  "Ok yeah you're right.... But I could just only take the more valuable stuff. Leave the meat and bones behind for the animals."

  Kane nodded understanding his words.

  "Yeah that's probably your best bet."

  The two dispered to do their own things. Kaelon went to butcher his bear, Kane to finish his meal. The night came to an end peacefully and the paladins retreated to their tents. A few stayed outside to keep watch, the group would take shifts doung this both on their way there and back.

  Kaelon ended up just skinning the bear for its hide then throwing the rest of it into the lake. He uttered a prayer, offering the bear to Thalasar.

  "Thalasar, Serpent God of The Seas and Water. Saphire of The Deep and Selemare's Lost Treasure. I offer you this bear, may it sustain the life of animals in the lake."

  The bears body sunk and Kaelon thought he saw azure scales at the edge of the water. Reaching for them Kaelon discovered it was a mirage. This world was wide, even this little experience had taught him a lot.

  Mostly that when fighting large opponents, getting in close is key. Though that can occasionally backfire, like what happened to him. His back still ached even the next day and a large bruise was forming.

  Kane stepped up to the lakeside with Kaelon, they watched the lake for a moment before leaving. The squad packed up their campsite and set off once again. Horses running towards Vinhal.