The Black Bear

The morning hunt had been uneventful.

Three hunters moved quietly through the forests of Feralas, speaking only when necessary. One walked ahead, reading the ground for tracks. Another carried a freshly caught pheasant over his shoulder. The eldest, a weathered tauren whose horns bore the marks of many seasons, brought up the rear.

The forest was alive.

Sunlight filtered through the towering canopy in scattered beams. Birds called from unseen branches, insects hummed among the ferns, and somewhere in the distance, a waterfall echoed through the valley.

“Nothing unusual today,” the youngest hunter muttered.

The elder nodded.

“That’s how you know the forest is healthy.”

They continued for another mile before the hunter in front suddenly stopped.

Without a word, he raised a hand.

The others froze.

Across a small clearing, standing between two ancient trees, was a bear.

It was enormous.

Its fur was as black as wet stone, absorbing the morning light rather than reflecting it. Thick shoulders rose and fell with slow, steady breaths, and pale amber eyes watched the hunters in complete silence.

It made no attempt to hide.

Nor did it threaten them.

It simply stood there.

Watching.

The youngest slowly reached for his spear.

“Easy,” the elder whispered.

No one moved.

Several long moments passed.

The bear lowered its head slightly, turned without haste, and disappeared into the undergrowth.

Not crashing through the bushes like any ordinary beast.

Simply…

gone.

The youngest let out the breath he had been holding.

“Should we follow it?”

The elder answered without taking his eyes off the trees.

“No.”

“Why?”

After a long pause, he replied quietly.

“Because it wanted us to see it.”

The hunters exchanged uncertain glances before gathering their things.

There would always be more game.

Some things were best left alone.

As they walked back toward camp, none of them noticed the fresh bear tracks ending only a few paces beyond the clearing.

Or the broad hoofprints that continued deeper into the forest.