The young, white bear ran and ran. Its paws crunched upon the snow as it pounded its way across the bleak, white tundra. Its heart raced at it frantically sought to escape the creatures that pursued it endlessly. Its eyes darted this way and that, trying to seek shelter from the darkness that was always there, always behind it, always snapping at its heels. And still, the white bear ran.

Bigger, older and more experienced now, the white bear turned just as the dark shape behind him lunged. The sinuous creature struck the side of the bear, causing a bright red line to appear across the bear's white flank. Deciding to face the monster, the bear struck back; its strong, powerful clawed-tipped paws smashed into the enormous black shape that pursued it. Again and again, the bear struck.

The snake-like enemy barely flinched. It struck again with vicious, venomous fangs tearing at the bear. The bear fought back against the monstrous serpent, but, eventually, the bear began to tire. Sensing its victory, the fearsome black serpent reared up ready to strike the final blow.

Then, miraculously, other creatures arrived. Just as the white bear thought he'd would be swallowed by the dark serpent, a hawk flew as a clarion of sound filled the air. The serpent turned its head in wonder and fear began to fill its mind and show in its eyes. A wolf leapt to follow the hawk with a fox, hound and others right behind. The wolf was the first to snap at the serpents tail, drawing blood and causing the serpent to falter in its attack. The battle continued between the colourful creatures and the serpent. Both drew blood but both sides were strong. They seemed to be evenly matched.

Above them dark clouds had formed on the horizons. The clouds rolled and rumbled about the hills that surrounded the battlefield until a radiant, white light suddenly pierced the darkness. The rays of this light momentarily pushed back the clouds and, lancing down from the hilltops, struck the serpent a deadly blow. Figures appeared in the light, all garbed in white. One of these glowing, pale figures drifted down from the horizon and joined the animals who had now defeated the dark serpent.

The white-clothed figure approached the bear. As the glow faded, the figure materialized into that of a woman, more radiant than the sun or stars and more beautiful than any bloom or blossom. The bear padded closer to the woman, his heart beating fast to an inner song of victory and love. As they neared one another, the bear rose onto two hind legs. It began to change and flow into the form of a naked man, losing its claws and shaggy, white coat. They came together and embraced one another in gentle arms, their mouths finding one another’s in a sweet and passionate embrace. And as they held each other, the bear-man breathed one single word before they kissed again.

"Sanyangia..."

Coren awoke, suddenly sitting up from his bed in Castle Northwatch. At first his heart pounded as he wondered where he was and what had woke him. Then he remembered the remnants of the dream that had already begun to slip away from his mind. He tried to grasp them but already the fragments were falling and fading from his thoughts. He rubbed his head, desperate to remember the end of his dream but the only thing his fuzzy brain could remember was a face and a name - those of Sanyangia. Still, that was enough.

Coren settled back down on his bed as memories of the stunning sorceress from the Ivory Tower brought comfort and a contented smile to the large, gruff Northman.