And as the tiger drew back and raised
its extending claws in answer, he drove his spear deep into the
grizzly's brawny neck and shoulder. Nor did he draw away in the face
of its fury, but drove in against the scruff, pinning its head while the
tiger's slashing blows fell unmercifully.
Pulling back the shaft as the spearhead lost its bite, he drove it this
time into the bristling shoulder, and with a strength he would not have
thought in him, from both point of pain and pressure, drove the thousand
pound menace onto its side.
This was all the tiger needed. Slashing and biting, braving the peril
of its roaring jaws, he tore away at the vital streams of his foe until
they spilled recklessly, and the raging heart that drove them was
betrayed in a self-defeating carnage of red. The bear lurched forward,
dying.
Kalus stepped back, panting, his heart near exploding with the effort
and fear, while the tiger yet leered over his fallen enemy, unsure of
its end. Then the bear's eyes faded, and all was silence.
The cub whimpered out from its hiding place, looking to Kalus for some
sign of reassurance. He knelt down and caressed her head against him,
feeling much the same need himself. Then turned to face his ally,
feeling a fierce kinship as deep and true as any he had ever
experienced.
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