The Adventures of Draco and Una

Chapter 8: The Campfire Coup

Chapter 8 | The Campfire Coup

Meanwhile, Una ran into Buster and they scared each other.
“Buster! Do you have Draco?” Una asked. “Yes, but where's James?” Buster asked. “He's in the castle still! They're gonna kill him at dawn tomorrow!” Una exclaimed.
“Well, then, there's no time to waste! We gotta set up camp and wait for the others. I'm gonna let Draco off the hat.” Buster stated as he put the hat down with Draco on it and he got off and grew back to his regular size.

“Una! You're alright!” Draco said as he nuzzled her.
“Where are the kids?” he asked.
“They're still in my saddle bag. You want me and Buster to get them out?” Then he looked at Buster.
“I'll tell you when, ok?” Una said. “Ok.” Buster said.

Then they heard a growling noise behind them. A giant creature with red cat ears, brown wings, and a bear-like body came up to them. “
Fear not, I will not harm you. I am a hug bear. May I join your camp?”
“Sure.” everyone said at once. They all headed outside and Buster went to collect sticks. Draco curled around Una and cleaned her. She nuzzled him gently as she lied down.

She loved how his tongue was like a cross between a snake's and a cat's. Buster came back and saw the two of them snuggling. He set the fire wood in between the lovebirds and the bear. Draco lit the fire and put his head on Una's shoulder.
“So why do you have those cat ears?” Buster asked the hug bear.
“Well, I made them because I thought they'd be cute. Also, when I was a baby, they cropped my real ears. So I bought the yarn and knit it myself. And before you ask, my mother taught me how. It's a mother Hug Bear's duty to teach cubs to knit. Then they pass it on. I actually convinced a real Nekothrope to let me measure his ears for scale in trade for a hat of his own. I had green, which matched his eyes nicely.”

Then he reached into a burlap sack on his side and pulled out yarn and a weird brown brick.
“This is an invention of mine called chocolate. I found the ingredients while I was traveling the world. It's very good and I heard unicorn poop is edible. So, Una, if you'll do us a favor, I'd like a sample of your brightly colored poop.” So Una pooped and the Hug bear took it in his hand and ate a small sample off the top.
“Mmm. It's so soft and gooey and sweet. Now, I have some crackers that aren't the best, but I made them with love.” He took the crackers out of his sack and asked,

“Buster, sharpen a few sticks for us, please.” So Buster took his spare arrow heads and sharpened sticks. While that happened, the hug bear said,
“So let's talk about love, shall we? I see you two are in love. You are an odd couple.”
“Yes, we are. I've known him since he was a baby but I'm ageless and he's immortal. Or long-lived. I'm not sure. Who knows, though? I heard about an orphaned dragon a couple years back. But I heard that she was taken in by some friends of the family. So that's good. What about you, Buster?” Una asked.
“I only have one love, and he's in the dungeon.” Buster responded, still sharpening sticks.
“You're in love with James?” Una asked. Buster nodded.

Suddenly, Florentine March, the wizard of the troupe, came out of the bushes.
“Ah, something smells good. What is it?” “It's my new invention. It's called S'mores. Ya know, because you want some more but your mouth is stuck, so you just hear S'more.”
“Interesting.” Florentine said. “The rest are behind me. I'll give them the signal that the coast is clear.” He whistled a boatswain's whistle, and Kendra came out of the bushes. “Hey. The rest are deeper in the forest. And it's risky to be sitting around a fire a few yards from the castle.” she whispered.

“I don't know about you, Kendra, but I'd be more than willing to spill some blood in the name of love.” Buster said, examining his latest stick before putting it down.
“Yeah, as long as it's not your own blood.” Kendra remarked.
“I would do anything for my love. Even kill.” Buster solemnly stated.
“And just who is your love?” Kendra asked snidely.
“The one and only, James Whisp.” Buster lustfully sighed.
“That's funny, because I'm in love with him. It must have been the potion. The potion only makes you realize the love you already have. I was planning on using it on him, but now I'm afraid I've got competition.” Kendra sadly sighed.
“Oh. Well, you can have him. If love means anything, it means sometimes you have to make a sacrifice. Even if that means sacrificing the one you love.” Buster said, sharpening another stick.
“Well, that's very nice of you.” Kendra said. “Then give me one of your arrows. I'll just shoot him in the arm, that won't kill him.” “Better yet, take a spare arrow head.” he said, handing her one from his bag.
“So you bathed the arrowheads in the love potion?” Kendra asked.
“Yes. I figured it was the most effective way.”
“Well, great. He memorized all the potions. He didn't believe in writing them down, in case a competing wizard tried to steal the recipe. So if he dies, they go with him.”

“He won't die. Not on my watch.” Buster said, examining his latest stick before putting it down. “All right, my invention is ready.” The Hug Bear said. He passed the unicorn poop cylinders to Buster, who put the poop cylinders on the sharpened sticks and passed a stick to everyone in the group. Kendra held the unicorn poop over the fire and twirled the stick and everyone else followed suit. Draco held two sticks: one for him and one for Una. He passed Una's stick to her and the Hug Bear passed around the chocolate. They bit the combination of unicorn poop and chocolate and they liked it. But they knew something was missing.

“I also have these crackers. They're not very good, but they're made with love.” He started passing those around. Everyone sandwiched the chocolate and unicorn poop between the crackers.
“Oh, my goodness!” said Draco. “This chocolate stuff is very sweet. And the crackers are also sweet and very crunchy!” “Yeah, but the only problem is that the words, ‘Unicorn poop’ doesn't sound very appetizing. Well, I'm from a marsh and my mother was very mellow, so let's call it marshmallow!” the hug bear said.

“All right,” Kendra said, standing up. “We need a plan. To save James.” *author's note: they discuss the new plan*