Did I mention that the bear had hooked its claws over my ears? My head jerked forward and I let out a loud "Owwwwww!" and I thought I was going to lose parts of me. But the shock of this new pain shook some sense into me. My hand flew up and grabbed the bear, and tore him free of my face and Valkyrie's... mouth. The sword was still in my other hand. I brought it down and it skewered him, busted neck to feet. The point stuck into the floor and stood there, shivering. A real bear-kabab.

Then the pain registered again. Wincing, I reached up. My hands came away with blood, but my ears still seemed attached to my head. Mostly. "Ow." I looked over at Valkyrie. "Are you all right?"