Legends from the Tribes.

Gather round children while I tell you the tale of Jarred Bear-friend:

Long ago, during the tribal wars, when the horse clans were at war with their brothers, Jarrad set out on his vision quest. After journeying for many days, he felt despair as the spirits did not speak.

He made camp along the banks of the great river Ashuelot, deciding to return home and confess his failure. The Ashuelot is known for its treacherous bogs.

During the night, Jarred heard the plaintive cries of a small animal in distress. Waking up, he first thought it was a dream, but he could still hear the mournful cries, so he went to investigate. Jarrad soon found a tiny bear cub crying for its Mother. He was startled as he thought he could understand the small bear. The bear darted off into the underbrush but quickly returned. Jarred sensed that the cub wanted Jarred to follow him, so he did.

Not long after, Jarred heard the heavy panting of a large beast and followed the sounds to the edge of a large bog in which a large and very exhausted bear was trapped. The cub's Mother. He returned to the camp and collected water, rope and food.

Returning to the trapped bear, he tied the rope to a tree and then himself. Taking the water skin, he made his way very carefully to the bear, searching for safe ground as he went. Once there, he quickly gave the bear some of the water to show he was a friend. He quickly surveyed the area to find the best way to help the bear free itself. After many hours, the mother bear was finally free but was so caked with make that she could hardly move.

Jarred fed both her and her cub the remainder of his food and began washing the caked-on mud from her fur. After many trips to the river, Jarred finally removed enough of the caked-on mud that she could move, although with great effort. Jarred helped the bear move to the river, where he finished washing the mud from her fur.

Once clean, the Mother bear and cub seemed to thank Jarred for his help. The Mother rose to her full height, placed her paws upon Jared's shoulders, and licked his face.

Jarred woke back at his original camp. Startled, he looked around to see what was happening. He found a small bag and a giant axe beside his fire pit. The axe blade was not a regular axe but looked more like the claws of a bear. The bag contained bracers and a pair of boots made from bear fur. Once he donned the bracers and boots and took up the axe, he felt an affinity with the items, knowing within his heart that these magic items were gifts from the Great Bear Spirit. The axe increased his prowess in battle; the bracers helped protect him during battle, while the boots allowed him to creep amongst his enemies.

And this is how Jarred received the gifts of prophecy from the Great Bear Spirit Katci-to'wack'w.

Jarred did not receive his title Bear-friend until much later when he again met the bear cub, Mooin, when it was fully grown. But that is a tale for another time.