Krunskuvers. As long as a Töskr from head to tail, these carnivorous creatures dwell in the undergrowth of the giant forest of Bocti that covers most of Druss continent. One long body, two powerful arms with which they can grab at their prey and hold on while they sink their sharp long teeth into its neck. Quiet crawlers, they only hunt for food and don’t like to play with their prey. Over time, evolution has given them fur, especially at the end of their tail. Fur that resembles a Töskr’s, hence Gründ’s confusion.

This particular krunskuver had been waiting for a long time, hidden in the bush on the side of that path. She was expecting a happy event in the near future, and thus needed to hunt and prepare for the arrival of a new life. Not to mention the long trip to the mountains where these creatures gave birth. Gründ’s arrival was perfect.

Perfect, of course, is a matter of perspective. In this case, Gründ didn’t agree at all. He didn’t want to be eaten, thank you very much, even for such a good cause as the birth of a baby. But neither of them discussed this, as they could not understand each other, and so their instincts spoke on their behalf.

The krunskuver, whose name I do not know, jumped out from the bush and at Gründ. Her arms grabbed at the long fur while her teeth sank in the traveller’s hind paw. Letting off a cry of pain, Gründ reacted with a solid punch to his opponent’s jaw, effectively knocking her off of him.

While the krunskuver was gathering herself for a second attack, the Töskr found a fallen branch to use as a defensive weapon. The forest grew silent, as if holding its breath. The trees that had earlier witnessed with detached amusement the glorious flight of our furry friend, were now almost worried for him. They knew that this was a turning point for the ground dwellers, and they silently hoped that the adventurous creature would make it out alive. Then again, the other one was expecting…

Suddenly, the predator dived for the injured leg. Gründ reacted just before the teeth sank in again, a powerful downwards stroke on his opponent’s head. And just like this, the fight was over. Both would live, if Gründ managed to get back to the colony fast enough. The forest released the breath it had been holding, and set to helping the two creatures back to safety.

Branches got out of Gründ’s way, bushes happened to be just at the right place to catch him when he stumbled, the path got wider… and while the Töskr was valiantly moving forwards, the krunskuver was taken by vines into her lair, to rest until she could hunt again. She would have a monstrous headache but no permanent damage, and the baby would be fine.

Gründ, dizzy with the aftermath of the short fight, added with all the emotions of the day and the blood he was losing, stumbled more than once on his way back. His vision was blurry, his paws heavy. He had no breath to spare, else he would curse the predator and thank the Core he was still alive. As it was, he trudged on, holding on to one single thought: “I can make it.”