Page 19 of Polar Destiny
"There are people coming," Húnn suddenly hisses and I untangle myself from Finn, getting ready to run. I'm in no mood to fight. Not that I knew how to, anyway. My fighting skills extend to using wooden spoons as swords when I was a child. So yeah, not much use in reallife.
Finn helps me up and we wait for them to come closer. Somehow, my hand has found his - or was it the other way round? I curl my toes inside my boots. It's not quite crossing them, but I'm sure it'll have the same effect. I really want these people to bewelcoming.
"It's Torben and two other guys," Húnn announces. Looks like he's the one with the best eyesight. I still can't see anything. "He's leading them here so they must befriendly."
My tension eases a little. Torben is protective of his sleuth and he wouldn't put them in danger. These men will be safe. And maybe they'll even let us stay for anight.
Finally, I can see them as well as they walk through the snow towards us. Torben is followed by two guys who are quite a bit older than him. Early sixties, perhaps? One is rather large, but I wouldn't call him fat. Just big boned and muscly. The other looks like he could be Finn's father: blond, lean, with wrinkles around his mouth that bear witness to a lot of smiles. Thick glasses surround hiseyes.
"Guys, you won't believe this!" Torben calls from a distance. "We really are onInchbrach!"
"So we wasted months on that other island," Ràn mumbles under his breath, but his brother shusheshim.
"These are Bertrand and Arnold," Torben introduces the two men behind him. They both smile and give us a friendly wave. I'm reminded of my grandfather, my mother's dad. He had the same calm, peaceful vibe as thesetwo.
"Very nice to meet you," the larger one, Bertrand,says.
Torben points at the guys. "Meet Finn, Húnn andRàn."
"And who is this young lady?" Arnold asks, and Ràn immediately steps in front of me,growling.
"She'sours."
"Woah, you can back off. There's only one bear in this world for me." He takes Bertrand's hand and smiles at him. It's clear there's more than just friendship betweenthem.
"Bear? You're bears as well?" I ask, completely stunned. What are the chances of meeting more bearshifters?
"Yes, I smelled it as soon as I got close to their house," Torben says. He looks less worried now than he has for the past few days. I'm glad, the frowning doesn't suit him. "Although they are bears that I've not encounteredbefore."
Bertrand shrugs and points at himself. "Panda, and Arnold's a spectacle bear. I've never met a polar bear before, though. Aren't you a bit far fromhome?"
"That joke is really getting old," Torben sighs. "My ancestors emigrated from the Arctic to Scotland, and then later to Norway. I'm not actually a full-blooded polar bear, but those genes seem to be the dominantones."
"Same with me," Bertrand smiles. "I was adopted and have only been to China once. Anyway, how about a hot tea? You look like you could all do with somerest."
"That would be lovely," I reply and step forward, ignoring Ràn's protective growl. "I don't suppose you have any hotchocolate?"
* * *
The bear couplelives in a large, one-storey cottage further inland. It's surrounded on all sides by low hills so you can't see the sea - and neither can other people see you. On an island without trees for protection, this is as good as it gets. There are several other houses in the distance, but Bertrand tells us sadly that they are no longer occupied. Some left, some died, so now they are the only two people still left on Inchbrach. I'm tempted to ask him if the other inhabitants were also bear shifters, but I'm not sure if that would be polite. My bear etiquette skills are seriouslylacking.
Torben sets me down at the door to the cottage. Thankfully, I didn't even have to ask for a ride on his back. He must have seen how exhausted I am. My ankle has begun to ache again and I can't wait to put up my feet and warm myself. And then sleep. For a long, long time. I've not been this tired in...forever?
I follow Arnold into the kitchen, which also seems to be their dining area. It's basic, but quaint. They even have electricity from a small wind turbine behind thehouse.
"Sit down, lass," he tells me and I thankfully follow his suggestion. The wooden chair I choose is hard, but right now I don'tcare.
"I'll make us some tea. And a hot chocolate for you, my dear. You look like you could useone."
I'm not sure if that is an insult, but as long as there's cocoa in it for me, that's fine. My body is cravingsugar.
Bertrand comes into the kitchen and looks at me curiously. "Why are you sitting here and not in the living room? I just put some more wood on thefire."
"Because I told her to," Arnold replies gently. "She needed arest."
"She'll rest more comfortably by thefire."
"Oh well then, have it your way. I'll be over with the tea in a jiffy." Arnold smiles at his partner and gets a grin back in return. I love how comfortable they are with each other. A little bickering, but lots of unspoken love betweenthem.
