Chapter 9: Troubling Doubts
The shadowy figures that were spying on Sid and Buck in the tribe village not too long ago return to their hideout in a cave as they were revealed to be Victor and Ripper, the wolves that have been attacking Tawk's tribe for a very long time.
"So those fools reckon some puny sloth and a crazy weasel can defeat us?" Victor evilly chuckled.
"They really are so thick that they'll believe in anything" Ripper deviously agreed.
"So shall we have our fun with those two worthless bugs, or just simply get rid of them now?" Victor asked.
"Patience, Victor. Like all the rest of those rats we'll get rid of them, but I suggest we keep an eye on those fools and see if they are worth a challenge for us" Ripper replied.
"You're right, of course. It's been too long since we had anyone worthy enough to fight the likes of us" Victor grinned coldly.
"Once we're done with those fools, we will rid of that fat leader of theirs like we did with his delicious wife. And maybe if we're lucky, we can enslave those weasels and have them expose the other tribes out there for us to conquer" Ripper replied.
"You, Ripper, have the mind of a genius" Victor evilly said.
"Well of course, I'm most of the brains and you are most of the brawl" Ripper agreed.
"I guess this is why I'm the strongest" Victor teased.
"Oh shut up!" Ripper grumbled.
Meanwhile back at the village, Flora and Hantro were watching Sid decorate his throne with the help of Buck as Hantro still doesn't believe that they are what they say they are.
"Aren't they wonderful?" Flora happily sighed as she watches the duo.
"Sure..." Hantro sighed.
"Oh Hantro, just think about it. Now that they're here, we can finally live in peace without worrying about those wolves ever again" Flora replied.
Hantro said nothing but continued looking at the duo before Flora even notices him being the usual doubtful self as she asked, "Hantro, what is the matter with you?"
"Sweetie, can we talk alone?" Hantro asked.
Flora looks around then nods as the male weasel leads Flora into a private cave as she then asked, "So what's your problem, Hantro?"
"Look Flora, I don't want to be too against you and all that but are you guys really going to let those...oafs in here and allow them to take over the Chief throne?" Hantro asked a bit firmly.
"And why not? They are the chosen ones" Flora said.
Hantro just scoffed. "The chosen ones... or so they say" he said.
"What is your problem with that, Hantro? They're here to help us" Flora asked a bit sternly.
"Flora, did it not ever occur to you including your father that they might be impostors in league with the wolves and send here to spy on us for the them to take their chances to kill us?" Hantro asked worryingly.
"Them? Spies for the wolves? Don't be ridiculous. The wolves never team up with anyone. They kill those who stand in their way and I doubt Sid and Buck would be spies for them" Flora scoffed a bit.
"Look, I don't want to be the bad guy here but come on Flora. The prophecy is nothing but last words from your grandfather. They don't mean it's magic or anything like that. It's smoke and ice reflections" Hantro said, trying to reason with Flora.
"I'm sorry Hantro, but I choose to believe in the prophecy because it's what I hope and what I wish to believe. My grandfather was never wrong about his prophecies" Flora stated.
Hantro just nodded and said, "Well I can understand that people need to have hope for these things but in the end, we all have to work together to survive and not count on things that are just illusions."
"I know, Hantro" Flora nodded.
"I'm surprised your father believes in this too" Hantro shrugged.
Flora looks at Hantro and asked, "What is that supposed to mean?"
"Flora, I don't mean any offence but sadly your father has become less of a leader ever since that day happened. He doesn't do any good to the tribe much anymore but hides in fear and shame" Hantro confessed.
"What are you saying? Are you against my father's leadership, Hantro?" Flora asked a bit offended.
"I am not against your father. You know that. I simply want peace. That's all I ever wanted, but I fear your father may be losing the will to gain that with his leading of the tribe lately" Hantro replied.
"I see, but you don't need to fear because he and I believe that Sid and Buck can save us. They are good people and they will help us. I know they will! My father believes in them. He knows what to do" Flora tried to reason with Hantro.
"Look, I am really sorry but I really doubt your father knows what he is doing. I mean for Christ sake, he has become less of a father to you!" Hantro admitted.
Flora felt hurt by that but fears it was true. Ever since her mother died that day, Tawk became less of a father to Flora and more of a villager to her as he is leaving Flora to grieve alone without any comfort or love due to his busy obsession of the destruction of the wolves and his worried ways of the future of the tribe.
"My father may have been...different towards me lately but I know deep down he loves me and he wouldn't do this if he knew this would be dangerous...So I ask of you to please believe in my father's choices and please believe in Sid and Buck. They are here to help us and make our future bright and free once more" Flora explained.
Hantro looks at Flora for a moment before he pulls her into a hug and kisses her as he said, "Alright, I will try but I will keep an eye on them. Just for safety reasons."
"Very well. Thank you, darling" Flora thanked with a smile.
Hantro smiled back and replied "I love you" before kissing his fiancé again.
What happens next?
Stay tune to find out!
ALSO PRETTY PLEASE GIVE CREDIT TO DUSK19, FOR NONE OF THIS WOULD BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT HIM