"Help, Djim!"
Plucky shouted as he struggled to keep his head and his pack above water.
"Plucky! I got you!" Djim hugged Plucky with one arm and he swam them both to shore. It was then Plucky looked back and saw a few piranhas leaping out from the top of the waterfall. He shuddered in relief.
"I wonder why I didn't see a waterfall on that map of yours," Djim said.
"The map!" Plucky cried out. He opened up his pack and found that the map was dry.
"It's gotta be the magic," Djim commented. "And another thing... those wolves are still out there - still looking for their next meal. We should get a move on."
Plucky nodded and after consulting the map, followed Djim as they headed for the beginning of the mountain range. The trees were twisted and gnarly in this part of the forest. At first Plucky had a somewhat difficult time keeping up with Djim, who had to pause occasionally so that Plucky could catch up. Djim decided to slow down - it wouldn't do any good to have something happen to Plucky if he was a few paces behind him.
They reached a small clearing which, aside from a pair of jungle fowl, was barren. To their left was the base of a cliff. It was then Plucky noticed his pendant was glowing.
"That's interesting," Djim said, noticing the pendant as well.
Plucky soon realized his pendant was guiding them along. He quietly thanked his father as they followed alongside the mountain. In the distance they heard the faint howl of a wolf. Then, after a few moments, they heard the faint reply. To both Plucky's and Djim's relief, it seemed the wolves were heading in the opposite direction.
Djim cocked his head and sniffed his armpit.
"Must be the smell," Djim said as he winked at Plucky. Plucky couldn't help but laugh.
———
"You've taken our magic away. Let us go," the Great Lion urged.
"I would, but I sense Plucky is somewhere in the forest, and I can't have you interfering with my plans," said Olive.
We haven't eaten since you imprisoned us. Let us hunt!"
Olive waved her staff, and in front of the Lions there appeared roasted chicken, turkey and fish. The Lions' eyes lit up when the aroma reached their nostrils. They devoured their meal and plaintively looked up to the witch.
"I have decided it isn't worth keeping all of you prisoner for too much longer. You are testing my patience."
"We vow not to go after Plucky."
"I never said I would let you leave alive."
"What do you mean?"
"You will find out soon enough!"
Olive waved her staff in a circular motion three times. Suddenly, the Lion of Earth collapsed. The Great Lion spun around, terror in his eyes. He padded over to the Lion and sensed he was no longer breathing.
"What have you done?"
The Great Lion asked as he rounded Olive once more.
"Every new sunset will bring death upon another Lion. Even I cannot say who will be the next to perish."
With that, she vanished into a plume of smoke.
———
Try as she might, she could not break free of her magic cage. Suddenly, a plume of smoke appeared in front of her. Out of it stepped the Witch.
"I know Plucky better than you do. You underestimate him and that shall be your downfall."
"Empty threats. We shall see who has the last laugh!"
"Don't you dare harm my son!"
"I won't, unless he fails. Even though you don't deserve to have it, you have my word."
The Witch laughed.
"It's no use struggling. There you shall remain at my discretion."
Plucky's mother stopped trying to escape as a tear trickled down her cheek.
Olive walked across the meadow and gazed across the plains. To herself she muttered, "Those cougars have proven to be quite the thorn in my side. Let's see how they handle this next onslaught."
———
Plucky led Djim alongside the mountain until the daybreak.
"Djim, I'm sleepy. Can we stop?"
Djim sniffed the air then trained his ear towards the forest, listening for any approaching danger.
"I do not detect any Lions coming. I think we can stop for a bit."
He suddenly fell to the ground. Plucky cried out and ran over to Djim.
"Djim, are you okay?"
Djim began snoring.
"I take that as a yes," Plucky said, furrowing his brow. He laid down and fell asleep. His pendant continued glowing.
———
"Plucky! Wake up!"
"What? Why? Djim, I was sleeping!"
In a softer voice Djim answered, "I think we are being followed. Now get up and follow me."
Plucky stood up as quick as he could. The sunlight nearly blinded him, and Plucky rubbed his eyes. By now Djim was impatiently urging him to follow.
"Who is following us?"
"Shhh. Not now, keep quiet."
It was then Plucky heard it: the ostentatious rustling of several of something approaching. Wildly, Plucky's eyes darted around until they found Djim who urgently beckoned him to hide behind a nearby boulder. Not a moment passed before the first pack of jackals whined and barked as they passed the boulder. They were followed by a second pack, then what could only be hundreds and hundreds of jackals. Each one was clad with a rope belt upon which hung two short daggers, whose points ended at their hind knees. No jewelry was to be found. Several passed by seated upon giant black bears.
At length the procession ended, and Djim waited for the last jackals to disappear into the forest before breathing a sigh of relief.
"I can't believe they didn't sniff us out."
"I believe they were under an enchantment. What worries me is they are headed towards my tribe and valley. Most troubling is they won't spot this new danger until it's too late. I fear the worst for my tribe."
"That settles it then. I'm going to defeat the witch," Plucky said with a new determination in his voice. "Look Djim! My pendant!"
Djim looked at the ruby. It was still glowing. Plucky took a few steps to the left and the glow faded. A pair of steps to the right saw the ruby glow increase in intensity.
"I don't feel safe following the ruby, what with the jackals and bears ahead of us," Plucky said in a discouraging tone.
"I agree with your thinking," replied Djim. "I think I see some steps up ahead. Come with me."
Plucky followed Djim about a furlong's length alongside the cliff. The steps were steep and cut into the mountain, winding up and then downward into the mountain at an acute angle.
"Once we reach the top I think I'll be able to see where the jackals and bears are in relation to my home. Up you go, Plucky."
Plucky stood at the foot of the staircase and looked up. The stairs were daunting. Plucky remembered Djim's words from before: Even the largest fish must be eaten one bite at a time. They began their ascent. Plucky hesitated once they climbed above the canopy - there was now no longer any protection from the relentless sunlight.
Djim reached the top of the staircase first, Plucky not far behind. Djim studied the distant cloud of dust denoting the army they had narrowly avoided that morning. It seemed they were congregating on the plains.
By this time Plucky caught up and gazed out at the forest, then looked to the plains and the gathering army.
"What do you think the witch's ultimate goal is?" Plucky asked Djim.
"Don't worry about that now. Let's find out where this staircase leads to, okay?"
Plucky nodded. Turning around, he saw that the staircase would take them into a dark tunnel. At length Plucky and Djim found they were inside a large opening, dimly lit by sunlight peeking through scattered holes in the ceiling. In the center of the clearing was a single pedestal made of stone, upon which rested a scroll. Plucky seemed drawn to this scroll by instinct, though he could not say why. Djim quickly determined they were no longer in danger, for the present. Plucky anxiously unrolled the scroll and began to read.
Dearest Plucky, I am sorry I have not been there for you all this time. I was taken prisoner after the war. Suffice it to say that I long to see you for the first time in both our lives. Whatever you do, do not let yourself be deceived by the witch. Remember, Plucky. I love you.
⁃ Your Father
Plucky couldn't stop himself from crying. All of a sudden, the ground beneath them began to shake, knocking Plucky over.
———
"Where could they possibly be?" Olive asked herself, searching for Plucky. In reply, the dreadful realization dawned on her.
"It seems Plucky has discovered the true fate of his father... My, my, this is quite the wrinkle," said Olive.
———
"Your Highness! We bring terrible tidings!"
A trio of guards urgently yet respectively gained the king's attention.
"A new army of jackals and bears have united with the hyenas and ants."
The king remained silent; his head bowed. In a weary tone, the king gave his command.
"Gather all in the valley who are able and willing to fight."
"Yes, your Majesty," the cougars spoke before leaving the king's tent.
