Chapter 63- Cedrus tries to sort the problem and takes Troodon in
The evacuees, or rather, soon-to-be Archenland Exodus travellers, continued to pack their stuff into bags, sacks, baskets and other containers. Pyros such as Emberflame were preparing their protective lamps that will shield them from the Witch's cold curse in the air due to its lethality to them, while baby Talking Beasts and Magical Creatures such as Eureka and Citron the Otters, were being placed into special baby baskets made of metal and lined with soft bedding to shield them from the cold as well. In one cell of the sleeping quarters, Guinan the Faun gazed for the last time at one of her most valuable possessions, the family picture of her and her relatives including her uncle and his son, Guinan's cousin, whom she had mentioned to her friends was named Tumnus and who was roughly the same age as her. However, Tumnus and his father were not with Guinan and the others in what was left of Guinan's Faun clan and their Talking Beast adoptees, alongside some of the other members. These missing members had moved to live elsewhere in Narnia since the calamity involving Belladonna casting an illusion on her wicked teddy toy to turn it into a massive demonic figure to severely frighten the woodworkers, resulting in the gruesome and very bloody chain reaction no different to the scenes in the Arena of Death and culminating in a disaster zone and the deaths of the Faun clan's patriarch and a number of other creatures including one of Guinan's older brothers, and three childhood Talking Beast friends: a young Moa, a Roadrunner and a Lightning Bird, also called an Impundulu, which was a grounded and flightless version of a Thunderbird and had electrical powers similar to one though not as powerful for they could not summon mini rainclouds. That incident was what led to the village disbanding and scattering to live elsewhere since without the Faun patriarch, they were as helpless as an Elephant herd without its lead matriarch who was often the brains of the herd and knew where the food-abundant areas were.
Guinan's older brother, the Roadrunner, the Moa and the Lightning Bird had been four of Guinan's closest friends who had often comforted her and been there for her in times of trouble, but they had died in the calamity Belladonna had brought upon the village in which they and the clan lived. Belladonna had deliberately caused the incident to entertain her sickening thrill of seeing blood splatter and other gory things, and though she had been the cause of that incident, none of Guinana's clan members had any idea that she was responsible. The Lightning Bird had been in the woodworking area helping Guinan's brother chop up firewood while the Moa had been working with some Rabbits and a Dwarf in stripping the logs of any stumps for their processing into the firewood, and they had gruesomely died in the chain reaction at Belladonna's clutches. The Roadrunner had been returning from a hunting trip and a stray piece of wood had flown from the calamity scene and had gruesomely killed him and injured several of the other members of the hunting party. There were three members, one of them being a Troll characterised by his brightly coloured hair for good Trolls possessed colourful hair of various colours, unlike the Curupira whose hair was various shades of red in the males, and orange in the females, who had been in that hunting party still present but they had been severely traumatised by the incident, and had been having some counselling sessions with some of Gandalf's helpers trained in that area to help overcome, what most of us would call in our world, post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. The Troll was with Guinan and her family, packing his belongings with the other members and he was very clearly nervous about venturing outside of the base on the mighty Exodus to Archenland.
Guinan's eyes oozed massive tears and streamed down her face as she gazed at the certain Faun, the Roadrunner, the flightless Roadrunner-like electric Bird and the Kiwi-like bird who was around half her size at the time for Moas grew to be massive Birds like their extinct counterparts in our world, albeit not as big, but still as tall as the average height of a male Slender-Man. Guinan's heart contracted with agony and grief once again as she continued to grieve the loss of the four friends. She, along with the other members of the clan, had never seen who was responsible for the gory deaths of these four alongside the other fatalities including the Faun clan patriarch, but Guinan had deduced that one of the visiting cronies of Jadis who had arrived to collect the 90 percent food offering from each of the households may have been responsible. Since that incident, Guinan had developed a deep-seated grudge against ALL of Jadis's cronies and the Witch herself and had not been able to release it and move on, despite counselling from some of Gandalf's helpers and their telling her to let it go. Tearfully and sniffling, the Faun girl packed her picture into a bag before resuming collecting her other belongings. As the family of Fauns and their Talking Beast Adoptees, including the family of Moas and Impudulu and also the widowed Roadrunner whose only son had died in the incident continued to pack their things, Nyarth came by and saw Guinan sit down on her bed and weep, her sobs rocking her upper body and twisting her face and sending massive streams of tears running down her cheeks from her eyes, the sadness over the village incident overwhelming her and prompting one of the adult Moas who had been the mother of the young Moa lost in the event, to stop and talk to her, resulting in the initiation of a conversation about the woodworking area incident. Nyarth flinched. He did not want to tell Guinan that Belladonna was the one responsible for the cause of that disaster as it would cause even more grief, and Guinan and her company already had enough of that, and the fact that she still found it incredibly hilarious as shew confessed to Pazuzu and the other cronies present made his guts twist. Maybe he will tell her in time but the oldest brother of Kushanku knew that now was not the right moment. Sadly with sympathy for Guinan boiling within him, the Nekomata followed his siblings and their company into their chamber to pack with their roommates who had also slept in there.
As the packing continued, Cedrus and Passiflora had arrived in the sleeping quarters and had located Ena and the rest of Troodon's family of Theropods. Running over to them, the chief Curupira and the Cherub managed to catch their attention and before long, the two helpers of Gandalf had launched into a conversation with the bipedal Reptiles regarding Troodon and their expulsion of him from their circle permanently.
"Look, we understand how UPSET you guys are with Troodon over what he had done under Belladonna's coercion alongside Webby and the other foolish kids," said Cedrus, "We're also upset and furious with him and those lot too but that should NOT be a reason to kick him out of your circle of family."
"Certainly not with a very dangerous and imminent trip coming up," put in Passiflora. The Cherub then breathed a sigh, "Look, it's understandable you're so furious with him, all of you," the childlike winged Humanoid shot her frown at the other family members as they checked the presence of their things, the younger Theropods and also the Theropodlings and eggs in the special protective baby baskets. Passiflora then turned her gaze back to Ena and continued. "It's true Troodon, and the other kids including Fluffy-Cotton, have made a lethal mistake in thinking that bloodthirsty mindless brute Vampire of a Fox was a sweet, kind and even cherubic Kitsune with a personality matching even that of us Cherubs, only to realise too late that those traits were a mere illusion intentionally cast to cover up her true nature as a psychotic, sadistic, bloodthirsty, bloodlust-obsessed, devilish Wendigo."
Passiflora shook her head as guilt also gripped her.
"In fact, even I thought Belladonna was such a sweet Fox the first time I saw her when she was being taken to the dungeon compartment at Kyukon's command, and I thought she had repented of her disturbing ways when she was evicted alongside the other severely misbehaving Talking Beasts," the Cherub continued, still shuddering with guilt, "but then I realised how wrong I had been. Kyukon was indeed wise to have her incarcerated."
Cedrus also nodded in agreement, for he had also been fooled by Belladonna's sweet appearance, at which the Curupira patriarch could not believe he had also fallen for that deception bait, leaves and trap (a Curupira and many other land species' equivalent saying to 'hook, line and sinker' which some semi-aquatic creatures such as the Marsh-Wiggle, Ahuizotl, Gillmen and Kappa, would sometimes use). In fact, Cedrus felt incredibly guilty and foolish and shuddered, so he put an agreeing hand on the Cherub's shoulder.
"You're not the only one, Passiflora," he said gently to which Passiflora flashed him a glance. Ena then shot the Cherub and the Curupira a glare.
"Troodon and the other kids with him including those stupid five Rabbit kittens of Faline have endangered ALL of us," growled she before rising to her feet and her crutches and hobbling off to help her brother and Troodon's uncle, named Dromaeo, as he counted the eggs and the baby Theropodlings in the baby baskets to ensure that all were present.
"But he is still one of your sons, Ena, don't you get it?" protested Cedrus as he and Passiflora followed the adult Theropod to Dromaeo as he finished counting the eggs and Theropodlings.
"Look, given the chance, I'd have throttled him REAL good myself," continued Cedrus, "But he did not know any better, and neither did the other kids who foolishly set Belladonna free. He's a young Theropod, and he's bound to make mistakes."
"And he WILL know better the next time he is baited with a scam disguised as something harmless and innocent-looking," added Passiflora. At this, Dromaeo shot the pair a stunned and scornful look.
"Oh, so you'll think he'll learn from this mess, huh?" retorted the male Theropod and Ena's brother rhetorically, "Well, I doubt it. He's NEVER learned ANYTHING since he was a young Theropod toddler."
"Yeah, he's always been a troublemaker since he started walking and running, and since Papa abandoned us," growled one of Troodon's sisters as she went past with one of the bags of belongings. Ena nodded in agreement.
"That brat has brought the mess upon himself," growled she, "So NO. He is absolutely… NOT… skipping back into our circle."
"Yes, there are OTHER families of Talking Beasts including a couple of other Theropod families he can turn to," put in Dromaeo, "So let them try and sort that wretched boy out."
"But do you think turning your backs on him before an imminently dangerous journey ahead of us all is punishing him, Ena and Dromaeo, because we certainly don't," said Passiflora firmly.
"All he needs is a firm rod of discipline to his back, you two," said Cedrus, "and besides that…"
"And besides what?" snapped Ena brusquely and disgustedly, cutting Cedrus off, "That troublesome pest travelling with us on this trip to Archenland after what HE and the other KIDS have done to the rest of us in setting that furry, two-tailed dung worm from the dungeon against Gandalf and Kyukon's orders and allowing her to cause trouble eventually leading to our location, which was supposed to be a safe haven from the Eternal Winter aboveground for a number of years, being revealed to that bloodthirsty, power-obsessed Snow Serpent and her band of ugly and equally psychotic, bloodthirsty and HIGHLY IMMORAL slime-balls, eh?"
"Not to mention cause that incident in the crop compartment during Truffula's tree crop safety lesson in which Ena's back was badly damaged such that she is never able to walk without crutches or run again, because of him," put in Dromaeo. The uncle of Troodon then breathed a sigh. "Let's face it, Cedrus and Passiflora. WE have failed as ADULTS in bringing Troodon up and raising him to be a responsible young Theropod, especially ever since Ena's mate and my brother-in-law had abandoned us. Despite all we could do, he just would NOT behave."
"Now after what he had done including injuring me, we've had our fill of it," put in Eva, "So he's on his own from now on."
At this, Guinan and her group came by. Guinan had been listening in on the conversation for much of this time.
"Well if he's been such a troublemaker even as a young Theropod, then maybe something traumatic must have happened to him at some point, either at the clutches of that Snow Beast's cronies or perhaps abandonment by someone from his own family?" asked the Faun girl. Cedrus, at this, gently but firmly commanded Guinan to leave and to let him and Passiflora deal with this. Guinan obeyed and followed her family and their adopted Talking Beast members and left the sleeping quarters. However, one of the Impundulu flashed a concerned glance back at Troodon's family and felt concern for a certain Theropod well within him despite being angry with the Reptile for endangering everyone's lives including his own. A sigh escaping his beak, the flightless Lightning Bird left after the others.
"Look, Troodon needs watchful eyes on him, not disownment and a kicking out, especially during the imminent trip to Archenland," continued Cedrus to Ena and Dromaeo, "You'll only make things MUCH worse…"
"B-b-but we've given him chance after chance after chance for him to behave," retorted Ena, "and STILL he refuses to change. Well, now we've reached the end of our tails with that lad. His release of Belladonna despite Gandalf and Kyukon's orders and his injuring of me are the final sticks."
"So from now on, he's by himself," put in Dromaeo as he watched some of the younger Theropods including one of Troodon's older sisters take away the baskets containing the eggs and Theropodlings.
"So you're perfectly happy having Troodon travelling ALL by himself on the dangerous journey to Archenland, through that snowy and multi-branching terrain, without ANY form of family protection?" asked Passiflora, before the Cherub shuddered, "What if he strays from the group and ends up in danger? Young Narnians are EXTREMELY vulnerable to predators like that Father Christmas impersonator Krampus…" the Cherub practically spat the name with pure malice and extremely acidic rancour that was far more corrosive than any acidic substance that existed in the world of Narnia. This was unusual and out of character for a highly noble and childlike species of Magical Creature, and Cherubs VERY rarely, if ever, expressed such negative feelings, but the reason why they detested the snow demon Krampus was obvious besides what the doppelgänger of Father Christmas did with innocent young Narnians after posing as the real Father Christmas, who had not been seen in Narnia since Jadis, the other creature all the Cherubs also DESPISED with an extremely ACIDIC rancour, took it over and locked it in the Eternal Winter, and luring them into his fatal traps.
Some of the sleigh-driving Goat Demon's toy-based minions were a band of highly demonic dolls that resembled the real, flesh-and-blood Cherubs. These living dolls had feathered wings but unlike the wings of the real Cherubs which were a beautiful white decorated with metallic covert feathers (metallic yellow in the males, electric blue in the females), the wings of the Cherub dolls of Krampus were ragged and smeared with dirty ashy brown and black. The dolls also had ragged clothes much like the Shadows and other Spectre species, and also the Banshees and the various species of Hags; grotesquely bulbous eyes like a Boggart or some other creatures of Jadis with that trait (such as the late Gollum the Black Dwarf) which were a shining menacing white like those of a Wendigo, and an extremely bloodthirsty and sadistic nature with an overinflated love of torturing their victims in the bloodiest and goriest of ways. Some of these aberrations even had the ability to throw out their tongues like a whip similar to the Triffid-Mouths while some others were armed with razor-sharp fangs and long finger claws like a Sabre-Toothed Cat or a Drop Bear. This was the biggest reason why all Cherubs DETESTED Krampus with a CAUSTIC passion, far more caustic than even Belladonna's toxic traits, and on par with the hatred they harboured for the White Witch. To add insult to injury, it was theorized that Krampus may have created these demonic Cherub-like dolls as a downright mockery of the childlike and highly noble Cherub species, possibly because these creatures were naturally loyal to Aslan; someone Krampus despised the most like the White Witch. This caustic rancour for the Father Christmas impersonator was being expressed by Passiflora just now. Pushing her extremely acidic hatred for Krampus aside, Passiflora continued.
"As I was saying, are you guys happy in leaving Troodon, who is still a young Theropod, barely even an adolescent, to travel by himself?" asked the Cherub. However, what came out of Ena's Reptilian jaws, as well as the tone lacing it, sent hot outrage tearing through the winged Humanoid and the Curupira.
"Well if Troodon DID wander into danger," said the female adult Theropod in a voice tone that was as indifferent and as frigid as the snow aboveground, "Then he's gonna have to find his own way out of it. But if he doesn't, and he ends up either gruesomely tortured and killed or eaten alive by some of Krampus's toy minions such as those dolls with the ragged, feathered wings, then that's HIS problem and not ours."
Cedrus's mouth dropped open while Passiflora flinched violently, her white and electric blue wings flapping slightly at the mentioning of her species' most detested creature in Narnia besides Jadis. Not to mention the fact that Ena just had the audacity to intensively mention those abominable demon toys in front of her.
"ENA!" shouted Cedrus in utmost appal, attracting the attention of Kushanku, Sandstorm, Nyarth, Akira and Satoshi as they also walked past with Alexandrite, Padparadscha, Cyril, Link, Desdemona, Molayne, and Crystal, Snowwing and Dahlia. At this, this group stopped to watch the talk between Ena, Dromaeo and Cedrus and Passiflora while the other Theropods of Troodon's family continued to check over their things and move out.
"THAT… is an EXTREMELY CRUEL… and FLABBERGASTING THING to say about your OWN SON!" yelled Cedrus in controlled anger, his appal at Ena's cold attitude towards Troodon boiling within him.
"Well I guess that tone of voice of yours, as well as WHAT YOU'VE JUST MENTIONED, says it all," said Passiflora disgustedly, her arms folded and her face creased into that expression, clearl;y offended at Ena's mentioning of the pseudo-Cherub dolls of Krampus boiling within her glare. Kushanku and the others with him exchanged glances.
"Did I just hear what came out of Mrs Ena's mouth right?" asked Alexandrite in a low voice, to which none of the others replied for the shock at Troodon's mother's choice of words had blocked their own ability to form words themselves. Flabbergast as intense as that flaring in Cedrus and Passiflora rooting them to the spot, the group continued to listen, Sandstorm especially shuddering, remembering how Dashiell had disowned him and his four adopted Nekomata siblings the other day, but this was worse… MUCH worse.
"Well, we have PLENTY of other things to be flabbergasted about, haven't we?" continued Ena without a single sliver of care, and any remorse she had in offending Passiflora seemed to be absent for she was too consumed with her fury against Troodon to even care. Cedrus and Passiflora continued to stand there, speechless gazes on Ena and Dromaeo and their uncaring attitude towards Troodon. It was clear that these two have not only disowned the young Theropod but they had also thrown away any care they had for Troodon as well, even if he did wind up in danger with possible fatal results, such as at the clutches of the wicked Krampus. As this conclusion churned in his mind, Cedrus's eyes picked up the presence of a group of forms standing nearby. At this, the Curupira turned his gaze and eyed Kushanku and the others, clearly disapproving at the group's presence and their staring at them and Ena and her family.
"Can you lot prepare for the Exodus please?" said the Curupira tribe patriarch. Passiflora also delivered a silent reinforcement to Cedrus's command with a firm face. Kushanku and the others obediently nodded, picked up their bags and left the sleeping quarter compartment. As soon as the group had gone, Cedrus and Passiflora resumed their talk with the two Theropods as they prepared to follow their offspring and Dromeao's mate.
"Listen, Ena and Dromeao, you've cared for Troodon in his egg and have raised him…" continued Cedrus in the hope that he might get Ena to change her mind but once again, Ena brusquely cut him off with her indifferent, uncaring attitude and cold answers.
"We don't wanna hear it," said the female Theropod as she hopped along on her crutches with Dromaeo supporting her. At this, Cedrus finally reached the end of his hair with the Theropod's stubbornness and refusal to listen. However, he kept his composure.
"Well, if YOU aren't gonna take him with you on the dangerous journey, then I'LL take him into my tribe," he growled, "He's gonna need some proper discipline and also protection…"
"Look, Troodon is a troublemaker, right?" snapped Ena, "He's made his nest, so he must lay in it. He's on his own from now on so now he MUST find his own way in life. Let him pay the penalty."
"There is NO WAY he is gonna return to our circle, now or EVER," added Dromaeo. Passiflora then formed an angry look on her face.
"Well, WE are NOT gonna have ANY young Talking Beast or Magical Creature travelling by THEMSELVES through hazardous terrain where every corner is likely to conceal a potential predator such as that Snow dung-heap MONSTER Krampus or wild non-talking beasts," retorted the Cherub.
"Well, one of the other families and groups can take him in but I highly doubt they will since he had also endangered THEIR lives as well as ours," snapped Ena.
"Then I rest my case," snapped Cedrus, "I will take him into my tribe and take him with us."
With that, the Cururpira walked away with Passiflora following him. At this, Ena hobbled after the pair.
"WHAT!? You wanna RAISE THAT BRAT YOURSELVES!?" shouted the female adult Theropod.
"Yes, if you WON'T," snapped Cedrus, "Listen, I have some firm ground rules I hope will correct that Theropod's troublesome behaviour, so don't you worry…"
And with that, he and Passiflora left for the entrance to the sleeping quarters. Ena began to screech after them.
"Well, you watch, he's gonna disobey EACH and EVERY ONE of them and NOT LISTEN to you!" she yelled, "HE'S BEEN LIKE THAT SINCE HE WAS A BABY THEROPOD!"
"Yes, good luck to you, Curupira, if you're DUMB enough to TAKE THAT BRAT UNDER YOUR WING!" added Dromaeo, "YOU WAIT AND SEE. You WILL REGRET taking that stupid piece of work into your group, especially if he decides to disobey and disrespect you in EVERY way possible."
"Not with what raising techniques I have in mind, he won't," snapped Cedrus. At this, Bursyamo and Troodon turned up, having waited long enough. Not too far behind them, Gandalf continued to see out the evacuees from the sleeping quarters but when he heard the argument boiling between a Curupira and some Theropods, he paused his job and walked to the entrance of the sleeping quarters.
"After all, he is STILL too young to go by himself and NEEDS someone to raise him until he's ready to leave the nest," continued Cedrus.
"Fine, but YOU don't come to us if he starts biting at your fingers," snapped Ena, "Which HE WILL WITHOUT A DOUBT, once he has GOT YOUR TRUST with his cute little eyes and false demeanour…"
"Not with what I have in mind," said Cedrus with confidence, "I know he has some good buried deep within him somewhere. All I have to do is locate it and dig it up…"
"Well, you'll NEVER succeed, Cedrus!" snapped Ena.
"What's going on?" asked Troodon as he, Bursyamo, Passiflora and Cedrus met.
"You're coming with me, young Theropod," said Cedrus in a firm and authoritative voice, "If there is ANY stuff you need to pack, you need to jump to it. Now let's go to your sleeping cell and gather your things. Come on, we don't have much time."
Troodon stood there, confused but Cedrus hardened his authoritative glare.
"And I mean NOW!" the Curupira tribe patriarch added, with a sharp point to the sleeping cells. Troodon breathed a sigh and obeyed. As he left, Cedrus followed with Passiflora stopping to talk to Bursyamo about the situation. Ena and Dromaeo looked on disgruntledly. Troodon, when his eyes picked up the forms of his mother and uncle, stopped and gazed sadly at them.
"And after this, you will be travelling with the young Cururpira boys and girls and their families, alongside me and mine, on the journey," continued Cedrus, currently unaware that Troodon had stopped to gaze at his biological family, "Where you will DO as you're TOLD, WHEN you are told, without any backchat or messing about," he then turned and saw Troodon gaze at his mother and uncle. At this, the reverse-footed Humanoid darted in, seized Troodon's three-clawed hands and dragged him along.
"Like NOW for instance, and DON'T make me have to repeat myself. If I give an order, you LISTEN and OBEY," he finished as he dragged the young little Dinosaur along, "Now hurry along to where you slept and START packing your BELONGINGS, and THAT'S FINAL!"
And with that he gave Troodon a firm shove but not too much as to push him over. Troodon gazed at the Curupira and left in the direction of the sleeping cell he stayed in. Cedrus then gazed at Ena and Dromaeo as the pair disgruntledly left after the other Theropods in the family at Bursyamo and Passiflora's command, leaving Cedrus to follow Troodon to watch over him as he packed his things. Ena, Dromaeo and the rest of Troodon's family then passed by Gandalf who shook his head disapprovingly at them and firmly told them to leave for the meeting hall, which they did. Then Gandalf left to see out the last of the evacuees once they had packed their things including Troodon who was now under Cedrus's care which he was glad for, for the nine-tailed Kitsune did NOT want ANY of the kids, even the naughtiest ones such as the ones who had participated in Belladonna's escape, like Fluffy-Cotton, Troodon and Webby, travelling by themselves on the dangerous Exodus, likely for the foreseeable future until Ena and Dromaeo changed their minds and allow Troodon back into their family. However, this was likely to be very slim for the family of Theropods were still furious with the youngster, and a few of Troodon's siblings and cousins had even began to cultivate extreme hatred for their brother/cousin and possibly plan on getting revenge on him for his actions, but that is another chapter for another time.
Everyone had a MASSIVE journey to prepare for.