Even in such a short time with Barok, I cried buckets of tears. From him, I learned what true loyalty meant. Even when the ones you serve and love turn their backs on you, you stay vigilant. You remain by their side. You keep believing in them.
"He was an honorable leader until the very end," I whispered as my tears slipped freely into my hands.
A new word etched itself into my skin.
Loyalty.
On the day we paid our respects and said our final goodbye, a group of aged elks arrived, accompanied by the current leader of Pele. They shared stories of fighting beside Barok when he drove out the intruders from the savannas. Barok had been the last bear of their group still alive—still remembering.
He hadn't been delusional at all.
The threat was real.
The new leader of Pele, Kovu, had been absent all this time, helping the elks patrol and strengthen defenses against those same intruders.
"Thank you for taking care of Barok," Kovu said sincerely. "I didn't have the chance to watch over him properly. The duty he passed to me kept me away."
"No worries," I replied gently. "He understood. And I'm sure he was proud of you."
So this was the bear Barok often spoke of. Young, but steady. Barok must have seen something special in him.
"By the way, Kovu," I added with a soft smile, "I know your duty is important—just like Barok's was. But don't forget to live your life too. Leave room for yourself."
"Thank you," he said, cheeks warming.
Mate.
Seriously, Eriu?
Not every eligible ruler needs to be one.
This constant push muddled my feelings, made everything confusing. I bowed quickly, clenched my hands, bit my lip, and turned my attention away before I could spiral.
The elder elks spoke next, their voices heavy with concern. The mercenaries from the savannas were gaining ground again. Some had already slipped past defenses.
"What kind of beasts are they?" I asked.
"Hyenas," one elder replied grimly. "We're no longer sure they even follow the Prides. They broke away, formed their own kingdom. Now they only terrorize and expand."
So the hyenas I encountered when I first arrived…
They hadn't been random.
Gideon had called them corrupted souls. Just thinking about them sent a chill down my spine.
While we spoke, a younger elk came running, panic written all over his face.
"We need help! The young king left without telling anyone. No one knows where he is!"
"That foolish child!" an elder snapped. "After what happened to his parents—we cannot lose him too!"
The elks hurried to leave. I didn't hesitate.
"Wait. I'm coming with you. I can help search for him."
I bid farewell to Pele and followed the elks. I couldn't keep up on foot, so one of the elders offered me a ride. I accepted gratefully.
We reached the forest's edge, where the land opened into a vast, endless plain.
Hyenas couldn't have crossed that alone.
Someone helped them.
I dismounted, staring at the open land, wondering where to even begin.
"The others are searching the opposite direction," a younger elk said.
I nodded and chose the wooded area.
As I ventured deeper, I stumbled upon an ancient graveyard.
My chest tightened. My breath caught.
Tears filled my eyes—not my sorrow.
Hers.
She knew this place. I could feel it. The grief seeped into my bones as I moved forward, trembling.
Then I heard movement.
A fawn was tangled in thick, twisted roots, struggling desperately. The more he fought, the worse it became.
"Stop moving," I said firmly. "I'll get you out."
I summoned my dagger and cut him free.
Instead of thanking me, he complained.
About how long it took.
About where the others were.
About everything.
"They're useless! It's their fault my parents died. They were supposed to protect them! Look—I escaped their watch so easily!" he ranted.
What an entitled brat.
We walked back toward the elks, his complaints nonstop. My patience wore thinner with every step.
When we reached the group, the elders thanked me profusely.
The young king didn't.
"What took you so long?" he barked. "I nearly died because of your weakness! That's all going to change now that I'm king!"
The disrespect stunned everyone.
That was it.
Before I could stop myself—
Slap.
The sound cracked through the air, echoing across the plains.
Every head turned.
Silence fell.
And for the first time since meeting him, the young king stopped talking.