"Get away from me!" Plucky yelled as Djim reached for him.
"Plucky, please! You gotta understand! I didn't capture your dad because I wanted to!"
"I grew up without my father and it's your fault!"
Plucky threw dirt at Djim and ran as fast as he could toward the river.
"Plucky! Come back!"
Djim brushed off the dirt and ran after him. Plucky reached the river and charged in. He immediately regretted this, realizing the water was much deeper than any he had ever been in.
"Help!"
Plucky caught a glimpse of Djim diving in before going under, despite his struggle to keep his head out of the water. Seemingly out of nowhere, he felt an arm around his torso and felt himself being pulled upwards. Plucky coughed up water as Djim pulled him ashore.
"Hey, kid, you're lucky I found you in time," said Djim. When Plucky opened his eyes he saw Djim looking elsewhere. Following his gaze he spotted a group of guards approaching.
"What? What are they doing?" Plucky asked.
"You just got us both in a lot of trouble," Djim answered.
The guards approached and seized both Plucky and Djim by their arms, carrying them back towards the king's tent.
"What is the meaning of this, Djim?" The king growled as he glared directly at him. Plucky hoped he wouldn't have to face the king alone.
"Your Highness, allow me to explain. I confessed to Plucky that I had captured his father during the war. Even though I was under an enchantment, I am the reason Plucky never knew his father."
Plucky felt the mood inside the tent change immediately. He looked up at the king and saw even he was caught off guard.
"Is the bear mage, in fact, Plucky's father?" The king asked.
"Yes, your Majesty," answered Djim respectfully.
"I would have a word with Plucky... alone."
All of the guards inside the tent made their way out of the tent; Djim followed. Plucky didn't know what else to do, so he kneeled and bowed.
"Plucky, arise and look at me." Plucky obeyed.
"I knew your father very well, Plucky. He and I were friends for many, many moons. It was he who had gifted us the Great Owl. Losing your father to the witch was truly a terrible loss, and more so now that I have learned she denied you the chance of ever enjoying the company of the amazing bear that was your father. If he were here right now, having heard of what you just attempted to do, do you think he would be proud of you?"
Plucky thought for a few moments. "No, your Highness."
"Were you my son I would not be proud either. You made an oath to me, and in the heat of the moment you tried to break it. If it were anyone else, I would have executed judgment quickly. But because your father was like family to me, I consider you my family as well. With that said, I will concede you one more chance. Plucky, I believe you will grow to become someone great, as your father was. Please don't disappoint me again. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes, your Highness," Plucky replied as he bowed his head.
"You are free to take your leave. Tell my guards outside to send Djim in."
"Yes, your Highness, and thank you." Plucky bowed once more and did as the king instructed. The guards took Djim inside before Plucky could tell him anything else.
Djim stood before the king and bowed his head; his right paw over his heart. The king spoke.
"When I found out what you had done while under the witch's spell, I was angered. Long have I blamed you for what the Lions did to our people. My mind was so clouded I did not realize this was all part of the witch's plan. I see now it was her intent to conquer us all by causing us to feud with one another. In my haste I had you imprisoned, which I regret. While even I cannot return to you those years spent in captivity, I can give you something else I hope you will accept. I will not hold you accountable for Plucky's actions today. I will and do commend you for your confession to him. I recognize that took a lot of courage, and it is such acts of nobility that make me proud to be a cougar, to have renewed hope for the future of cougar kind. I..."
Suddenly, two cougars came in from outside. Djim and the two guards gave abeyance and stood to their right, giving them room. They both bowed.
"Your highness, we come with urgent news."
"What tidings do you bring?"
The witch has crossed the river, and her armies are close behind. She requests an audience of your majesty."
The king blinked and then turned to look at Plucky.
"Plucky, go find Djim and do not leave his side."
"Yes, your highness," Plucky replied.
"You four, with me."
Everyone left the tent as one, the king and his guards first. As they approached the witch and the river, a few more guards formed up around their king. The witch stood in the middle of the forest, the water parted so that she stood on dry ground. To her left stood a hyena bearing a cloth of white sheep wool. Behind her stood hundreds of hyenas. He noticed they were strangely silent.
"Your Majesty, it has been a while!" The witch remarked, feigning a smile.
"Spare me the niceties, witch. I would sooner place my trust in a sea serpent."
"Now, now, I mean you no harm, at the moment. I have only come to collect what rightly belongs to me."
"Under what pretense would I willfully keep a cursed relic that belongs to you?"
"It is not a relic I desire. I have come for the bear cub."
"The cub belongs to no one. He has vowed his allegiance to me, and as such shall remain under my protection."
A shadow passed over the witch's face.
"Return the cub to me and no harm shall befall you or any who dwell in this valley."
"You betrayed a very close ally and friend of mine. You have never given me a reason to trust you. Plucky stays here."
"'Tis truly a shame. Time and time again I offer peace in exchange for what is truly mine, and each time it ends with me unleashing my fury upon those who defied me. It seems this time will be no different."
"I would rather die a thousand deaths than ever cooperate with you. My people fled from you once. We shall never do so again!"
The witch cackled, then in a loud voiced which echoed throughout the valley, roared.
"Your king has foolishly condemned all of you to death! In the morning, you shall all behold the extent of my wrath!"
The witch and her army of hyenas, now barking and laughing, turned around and marched back across the plain. The witch disappeared into a plume of smoke. The king stood in silence for a few moments.
"Your highness?" One of the guards asked.
"Long have I hoped for this day - a day when we cougars would restore the honor we lost so long ago. The witch has promised destruction. What she has not, nay, cannot account for is the extent of our wrath. I shall avenge the bear mage."
———
"Djim! I don't know how to fight!" Plucky pleaded.
"Plucky, Plucky, listen to me. I made an oath that I would teach you how to fight. I don't have enough time to do that now, but you can rest assured I will not let anything happen to you."
Plucky nodded and took a few deep breaths. Djim continued.
"Panicking is the worst thing you can do at a time like this. Besides, that's my job."
Plucky was aghast.
"How can you even joke at a time like this??"
Djim shrugged. At that moment, the king approached, catching both Plucky and Djim off guard.
"Plucky, given the circumstances, there has been a change of plans as we find ourselves now on the cusp of war. I will no longer burden Djim and you with the task of learning to fight. It would be foolish of me to expect so much of you within such a short period of time. Rather, you shall serve me in a different capacity." Plucky sighed in relief. The king asked, "Now, Plucky, how good are you at climbing?"
