Silvertip Mountain Outside the night wind keens and wails

Very good, yes.

The Taggerung nodded his head at Cluny’s response and offered a clever smile in return. The bard would not so foolishly tell a story of a bear who easily lost to a wolf, not to the Scourge. It would have been a wish for a swift death.

Not in fang or claw, no. Kojall was a man of strength but he was not quite a fool. He understood that Carog would have the advantage in a sheer battle of brawn and savagery.

Great Carog, he said to the bear, I do not wish for either of us to lose life or limb to this challenge. The bear eyed him with disbelief, for Carog was not afraid of the wolf. Kojall bowed his head just so that he might win momentary favor from the bear.

Carog, let us show an enduring strength in this war for godship.

How do you propose such a test, wolf? Carog demanded in the way of a bear. Kojall appeared thoughtful before he looked to a stone nearest him and smiled.

Whosoever can carry the greatest weight upon their back by the next full moon will be the victor and will prove their worthiness of godship, Kojall offered.

The Taggerung could not help but admire Kojall and the stories that had sprouted from his greatness. For all of Cluny’s talk of bears and snakes, the bard wondered if there was a chance that he carried the pride of Kojall within him.

Very well, Carog agreed, until the next full moon. If you should stumble or lose your load, you will forfeit the challenge.

Very well, said Kojall.