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Suddenly, the bear appeared out of the swirling, snow-filled darkness. He snuffled at Gytha’s face.

“She smells of death.” His voice rumbled so quietly that the girls barely heard him over the wind.

“Does that mean she will die?” Solveig looked up at the great beast.

The bear sighed. “I would…”

His soft words were cut off by a furious shout. Ivarr appeared out of the whirling snow and threw himself at the bear’s face, beating at the creature’s eyes. “Get away from them!” He tried to dig his fingers into the bear’s eyes.

The bear gave a roar of pain and shook his head, dislodging Ivarr, who fell beside Gytha. Ivarr scrambled to his feet and stood protectively over the girls. “Get away!” he shouted, waving his arms and taking a step toward the bear.

The bear rose to his full height and looked down at the man. A deep scratch at the edge of one eye bled down his huge muzzle.

Sigrid opened the door, having heard the noise, and screamed.

Ivarr shouted again at the bear. Then he cried, “Get Gytha inside! And give me my axe!”

Sigrid tossed the axe into the snow near him and grabbed at Gytha’s feet.

“Wait.” The bear’s voice rumbled as deep as thunder.

Ivarr caught up the axe and advanced on the bear. “Get away from my daughters.”

The great bear shook his head, and drops of red scattered across the snow. “I mean your daughters no harm. Nor you, either.”

Ivarr heard only roaring, and his eyes widened with fear. Yet still he advanced, putting himself between his daughters and the bear.

Behind him, Gytha shoved herself to hands and knees. “I’m fine,” she whispered. “Just a little dizzy.”

“I can help you.” The bear’s voice rumbled like distant thunder, deep and wild and raw. “Tell your father I mean you no harm.”

Gytha struggled to her feet, leaning hard on Sigrid, and gasped, “Pabbi, wait! He’s a friend. Please.”

“Get inside!” Ivarr’s voice cracked. “Please, Gytha!”

The wind caught at Ivarr’s coat so suddenly and so roughly that he staggered, and as he did so, the bear reached forward with one huge paw and knocked the axe from his hands. The beast shoved closer, crowding Ivarr back with his great shoulder.

Then the bear was face to face with Gytha. “You’re dying,” he said, the deep voice thick with grief. “Please let me help you.”

“If you can help me, you can help my mother.” The words tumbled from Gytha without forethought, and she stood straighter, one hand braced on Sigrid’s shoulder.

“Of course.” The bear ducked its huge head. “But please, will you trust me? I wish to ask a great favor of you, one that requires sacrifice from you. But I believe you are brave enough for it. I have seen you endure suffering with grace, and I have no one else to ask.”

“I would do anything to save my mother.” Gytha shifted her weight to her own two feet and her knees buckled. The bear shoved his head under her arm, so that she fell over his neck with her face buried in his thick fur. The warmth of him, pine-scented and wild, filled her lungs, and she felt a little more clear-headed. “Don’t hurt my father. Please, Master Bear.”

Ivarr was shoving desperately at the bear from the other side, unable to reach his axe or his daughters.

“He does not hear my voice, so he is frightened.” The bear shifted again, presenting his broad side to Ivarr and his bleeding face to Gytha. “Tell your sisters to bring your mother, and any others who are sick, and I will do what I can for them.”

“Bring Mamma outside, please.” The words tasted strange in Gytha’s mouth, full of fear and desperation. Sigrid’s shadowed eyes widened, and Gytha whispered, “Please, Sigrid!”

Ivarr twisted beneath the bear’s neck and reached Gytha. “Are you hurt?” His hands gripped her shoulders.

“No.” Her vision blurred and refocused, and her ears roared in time with her pulse. “Pabbi, don’t hurt the bear. Please.”

At this moment, Solveig and Sigrid opened the door again, Hlif standing unsteadily between them. The bear turned to stand face to face with the older woman. He breathed into her face, and a growling rumble came from him.

Then Hlif stood straighter, and she cried, “A bear! Girls! Ivarr! Come inside before it eats you!”