Dacey simply looked at the beautiful landscape from the top of a cliff. The breeze was particularly strong, making her narrow her eyes slightly.
They had been searching for Uru for a week, but still had no luck.
The dogs had managed to detect his scent in some areas, but after so much time the trail was very faint.
They had been wandering around much of the island, sometimes even returning to the original trail.
''Dacey, Fark heard several roars to the west of the island. It sounds like two bears fighting,'' a middle-aged man said, calling her from behind.
''Let's go,'' Dacey said, turning around.
The whole group gathered before approaching silently. The furious roars and muffled blows could be heard from far away.
Pushing aside some bushes, Dacey could see what was happening. Two snow bears were fighting fiercely.
Both were covered in wounds, with blood on their fangs and claws.
TTheir breathing was heavy, large clouds of vapor escaping their nostrils. For a moment, the sight and sound couldn't help but remind Dacey of a moving train.
When she looked more closely at both of them, she immediately smiled.
''It's Uru,'' Dacey said with complete certainty.
''Which one?'' someone quickly asked.
''The one on the left,'' Dacey said, watching the fight, clenching her fists whenever Uru took a hit.
''Should we help?'' the middle-aged man beside Dacey asked.
''Only if he's about to die,'' Dacey said, letting out a somewhat conflicted sigh.
The fight continued for several minutes, until finally, with a decisive blow, Uru knocked the other bear down, roaring in its face.
The other bear seemed to accept defeat, lowering its head.
Then Uru seemed to snort before removing his paw from its body. Approaching a dead deer, he took it in his mouth before leaving.
Clearly, it had been the cause of the conflict.
The defeated bear glanced at Uru as he walked away before limping off at a slow pace.
''Let's follow him,'' Dacey said quietly as she started walking in the direction Uru had gone, wanting to know why he hadn't returned.
Despite seeing him wounded and tired, a faint smile formed on her face. Her little Uru had grown up; now he was a dominant bear that fought fiercely.
He was no longer the silly bear who looked adorable just sitting there.
At five years old, he was already in his prime. Even so, it still seemed like he could grow a little more.
''Isn't it dangerous? He doesn't look like the same silly bear as before,'' a nervous voice said from behind.
Dacey didn't respond as she continued forward, making everyone swallow their questions as they followed her.
The group followed Uru to a valley, where he approached a cave before leaving the deer.
Suddenly, a loud roar echoed from the cave as a female bear came charging out and attacked Uru.
It was then that Dacey saw traces of the old Uru, who seemed to cower before quickly retreating.
Letting out a soft laugh, she noticed that the female bear was pregnant.
Uru seemed to be bringing her food, very strange behavior for a bear, since they usually go their separate ways after mating, even reaching the point of seeing each other as enemies if food is involved.
Uru let out a frustrated but helpless roar before moving away from the valley. Dacey gave the pregnant bear one last look before following Uru. Judging by the size of her belly, it seemed like she would give birth soon.
Dacey followed Uru to a rocky mountain. She saw him enter a cave and he didn't come back out.
''Let's go, remember not to get too close,'' Dacey said, looking at the group before taking the lead.
Unlike the others who had grown wary of Uru after seeing him fight, she trusted him because of the years she had spent with him. And of course, because of Harry. She could never erase from her mind the day the two of them snuck away to the mountain to perform that ritual with blood.
Her group stayed at the entrance of the cave while Dacey went inside. The cave wasn't too deep and she easily saw the large white silhouette.
''Uru,'' Dacey said softly but firmly.
A low growl mixed with a snort came from the white silhouette as it raised its head and looked at her.
From the look in his eyes, she immediately knew that he had recognized her.
Uru quickly stood up. In an instant, he ran toward her playfully, just as he used to when he was younger, before rubbing his body against her.
He leaned closer and affectionately licked her face.
''Uru! That's enough, you stink of blood,'' Dacey said, hitting the stupid bear that had covered her in drool.
In an instant, she was knocked down as Uru jumped around her, sniffing and licking her.
''Stupid bear,'' Dacey said, slapping his nose. Her hair was all sticky.
Uru made guttural sounds before sitting in front of her.
''Why didn't you come back? I thought something had happened to you,'' Dacey said, standing up and running her hand over several new scars.
He had grown a little since the last time she saw him. Now he was a little taller than Ater at the shoulders.
She had no doubt that standing up he could measure around four meters. A smile formed on her face as she rubbed his tangled fur after so long without brushing it.
Uru whimpered in different tones as he rubbed his head against Dacey.
''Does that have something to do with the female bear you went to see?'' Dacey said with a smile. Over the years, she had learned to communicate very vaguely with Uru.
''Alright, I'm just glad you're okay, I see you even have your own territory, you've grown up,'' Dacey said tenderly.
Uru only kept rubbing his head against Dacey, not knowing how to express his excitement.
''I'll spend the night here. Tomorrow I'll go back. Remember to come back when you're done with your business,'' Dacey said with a smile as she rubbed his large head.
Uru growled, indicating that he understood before lying down near the entrance so he could see Dacey.
Dacey went outside and told her group to set up camp and that the next day they would return home.
They weren't very far away. Half a day's walk would be enough.
While setting up camp, she suddenly saw two people crouched off to one side, so she couldn't help approaching curiously.
''What are you playing with?'' Dacey said, looking at two young people around her age crouched down and handling something.
''Look at this stone, it's very light,'' the boy said, weighing it in his hand.
''That...'' Dacey said in surprise before snatching it from his hand.
Feeling how little it weighed and running her fingers over its porous surface, Dacey thought it felt practically the same.
The rarest and most important material for making cement, volcanic stone.
Harry had shown it to her and had even played with the stone. He liked to brag to her about his inventions, so she practically knew how to make cement in theory. More importantly, she knew exactly who to take it to.
Dacey looked at the stone with some disbelief before looking around. Crouching down, she picked up another from the ground and then another, surprised to find more and more.
Suddenly, she couldn't help letting out a laugh that quickly turned into a loud burst of laughter. She had found a path for her people.
Looking at the bear, who raised his ears when he heard her laughing, she couldn't help feeling like kissing him.
....
The next day.
Deciding to have a quiet day, he woke up late and had a leisurely breakfast.
As he looked around the table filled with his family, a smile appeared on his face. Val and Arya were talking quietly between giggles.
Bran and Rickon ate quietly. Both of them were quite adorable.
With no more worries about the Free Folk, he felt truly at ease.
''Arya, Sansa, finish eating and go to class,'' Catelyn said when she saw that both of them seemed to be eating so slowly.
''Mom!'' Arya complained as she poked at her food.
''I'm done,'' Sansa said, putting the last bite into her mouth before elegantly wiping her mouth.
''Go with your sister,'' Catelyn said, looking at Arya.
Arya made a face and stuffed her mouth with food while looking at her mother, before leaving with Sansa.
Harry only let out a small laugh, earning a look from his mother.
''I don't know when you're going to accept that Arya isn't going to become the lady you expect her to be,'' Harry said, shaking his head.
''Just eat your food,'' Catelyn said before ignoring him.
Harry only smiled slightly and finished eating in silence.
Back in his room, Val rested her chin on his shoulder and looked at what he had in his hands.
''You know that's not a toy, right?'' Val said, looking at the pair of bows covered in decorations.
Having so many decorations carved into the bows would affect their structure.
''They're practice bows,'' Harry said, rolling his eyes as he looked at Arya's bow, which had wild animals carved into it.
He had promised her a bow of her own several years ago, and he was finally going to keep his promise along with teaching her how to shoot.
But he didn't plan to teach only her.
''Here, let's go teach them how to use a bow,'' Harry said, handing both bows to Val.
''Do you like making your mother angry?'' Val asked curiously.
''Annoying others is a universal form of entertainment. Even animals do it,'' Harry said, chuckling as they went down the stairs.
Harry reached the place where the Septa taught Sansa and Arya before opening the door without knocking.
Immediately, five pairs of eyes turned toward him.
He briefly looked at the other two girls before recognizing them: Jeyne Poole and Beth Cassel. It had been a while since he had last seen them.
Ignoring the Septa's question about what he was doing there, he walked toward his sisters.
''Sansa, Arya, I need you to come with me,'' Harry said as he walked toward them.
''Wait, woah!''
''Let's go!''
Both shouted for different reasons. Harry grabbed Sansa around the abdomen, carrying her under one arm while holding Arya with the other.
Sansa kicked her legs as she was carried like a suitcase under his arm. Her body was horizontal and she almost felt like she was flying.
Jeyne and Beth only watched the scene without surprise. Even so, a little envy could be seen in their eyes as they watched Harry leave the room.
They only lowered their heads and sewed in silence when they noticed the Septa's bad mood.
''Harry, I was starting my sewing,'' Sansa complained.
''Today you'll do something much more fun,'' Harry said as Val joined them with a smile.
The bows were on her back so as not to ruin the surprise.
''Are we going riding?'' Sansa asked uncertainly. It wasn't the first time Harry had taken her away from a class and they usually went for a ride through the forest.
''No, something more interesting,'' Harry said, chuckling as they left the Great Keep, making Sansa quickly murmur for him to put her down, completely embarrassed when she noticed the smiling looks of everyone they passed.
It was then that they reached the training yard.
''Harry, what are we going to do?'' Sansa asked, confused. Her cheeks were still red, and she felt as if everyone were looking at her.
Harry didn't answer her and set them both on their feet before gesturing to Val, who immediately took out two small bows and placed them in his hands.
''Today I'll teach you how to use a bow,'' Harry said, handing each of them a bow.
Unlike Sansa, who had a blank look as she held hers, Arya snatched her bow from his hands and hugged it affectionately.
Her fingers traced the carved animals with interest.
Sansa looked at the bow before looking at her brother.
''A lady doesn't—'' Sansa said before being interrupted by Harry.
''Finish that sentence and I'll make you wear leather armor,'' Harry said, staring at her.
Sansa lowered her head, aggrieved, as she looked at her bow. At least it was pretty, carved with butterflies and flowers of different kinds.
''Pay attention: spread your legs, extend your arm firmly, nock the arrow, pull the string, and release,'' Harry said, demonstrating each step.
The arrow flew out with a whistle, striking the target with force.
''Arya, you go first,'' Harry said, stepping aside and smiling at Arya.
Arya quickly imitated Harry and extended her small arm.
Nocking the arrow, she pulled the string as she aimed. Her arm trembled a little when the arrow shot forward, so it only hit the edge of the target.
''Well done, you just need to practice, but your arm wasn't firm enough,'' Harry said, stroking her little head.
Arya smiled excitedly as she moved beside Harry, giving Sansa an incredibly smug look.
She was really happy that things had turned around. She was terrible at sewing, while Sansa was always proud of her skill.
Sansa noticed Arya's look and felt really uncomfortable. She had always been better than her younger sister. Looking at the bow in her hand, she gripped it tightly as her gaze became competitive.
Imitating Harry as best she could, her small fist gripped the bow as she aimed at the target.
As she placed the arrow on the string, it suddenly slipped from her hands and fell to the ground.
Several laughs sounded throughout the yard, making her face turn red with embarrassment.
Quickly picking up the arrow, she aimed at the target before pulling the string and shooting.
Harry narrowed his eyes when he saw that the arrow would pass over the target. Secretly moving his fingers behind his back, he made the arrow trace a slightly strange arc before embedding itself near Arya's arrow.
Sansa looked in disbelief at where her arrow had landed before giving Harry a big smile as she jumped and hugged him.
''Well done. You're a Stark, my little wolf, you should at least have fangs even if you don't plan to use them,'' Harry said, smiling at Sansa as he gently squeezed her cheeks, making her show her teeth.
Apparently forgetting the Septa's words, Sansa nodded happily, pleased by what Harry had said.
Arya puffed out her cheeks, dissatisfied at not having crushed Sansa, before quickly trying again.
With a little more practice, she managed to improve her shot, getting closer to the center.
Sansa immediately imitated her and tried to surpass her, but this time Harry didn't help her, causing her arrow to fly over the target.
''I knew it, it was just beginner's luck,'' Arya said, looking at Sansa.
Harry smiled slightly, having awakened the competitiveness of the two sisters. Besides, he noticed that Sansa didn't dislike shooting; it was just that old woman putting ideas into her head.
He played with them for a couple of hours before sending them home to rest.
After lunch, his father called him to his office to talk. A letter had arrived from Lady Dustin.
''She said she was still indisposed,'' Ned said, suddenly looking at Harry seriously.
''I see, then I'll go see her, I want to know if she's really indisposed or just avoiding us,'' Harry said, frowning.
''Whatever the situation, you must face it calmly. Lady Dustin is Lord Ryswell's daughter, they are two Houses with shared interests. Her situation is complicated, you can't make enemies of both over trivial matters,'' Ned said, looking at his son.
Although it was disrespectful to visit a noble in that manner, Ned didn't stop Harry. Whether it went well or badly, he hoped the visit would help him learn to deal with complex situations like this.
''I always seek what's best for the North, Father. Don't worry, I'll do whatever is necessary to maintain the stability of the territory,'' Harry said, standing up and planning to prepare everything to leave the next day.
''Just don't do anything crazy,'' Ned said helplessly.
With the first ray of sunlight, Harry left Winterfell with Val, heading toward Barrowtown.
----
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