After a while, he began to sing. He told her she was beautiful and sang about his homeland, about the animals, flowing streams, woodlands and grassy meadows. He said he wanted to take her there. Alison let the words flow over her. A great weight was lifted from her mind. Things would work out all right. Her perfect lover was waiting for her somewhere in the future.
As the song continued, a note of sadness entered the boy's voice. He said they lived in different realms and would forever remain apart. Just this once they had come together. Tears formed in his eyes and he reached for the small carving that hung about his neck. He told her it was his talisman and very precious to him. He gave it to her and she gave him her necklace: a stainless steel cat on a stainless steel chain. They talked for what seemed a long time. Then Tom's voice intruded and the boy faded away.
Lying in bed that summer's morning, Alison reached for her necklace and found it gone. In its place there was a carving of a bear on a leather thong. She held it in her hand and fell back to sleep.
***
The bear plodded up the slope, following a trail of honey. His face was marked by scars, the product of fights with males of his own kind. Now, in his twilight years, the old animal sought the company of a young cub of a different species. Treading cautiously amongst the fallen branches, he stopped to sniff the breeze. His eyesight was failing but his sense of smell was still good. He caught the air in his nostrils and formed a picture of what lay ahead: honey, fresh rabbit droppings, nectar-laden flowers, a fire, and the reek of human kind.
The presence of humans would normally have sent him into the safety of the thicket. But he recognised the smell as belonging to a harmless individual: a young male who had befriended him when he was ill and given him honey.
'Brother.'
He heard the boy's familiar greeting and quickened his lumbering pace.
The boy held out a sticky hand. 'Come, Brother. Look what I have for you.'
The bear reached the circle of firelight and halted. The stench of canine presence filled the air and he drew back ready to attack or take flight if the murderous beasts appeared. He grunted fiercely and heard the boy's calming voice.
'Peace, brother. There is no one here but me and our good friend, horse.'
'The stench of dog no longer seemed so fresh. The bear moved forward into the firelight and watched through his one good eye. The boy held up a bulging leather bag. His fingers slipped down and he pulled at the string that secured the neck. A gush of amber liquid flowed onto a slab of stone. Abandoning caution the bear ambled forward.