Chapter Three: Stolen Freedom

Chapter Three: Stolen Freedom

"Ursa!"

"No, don't even start Buddi!"

Buddi growled under his breath. Ursa pulled a thick sweater over his head and then handed him his boots. He groaned. That sweater itched, it scratched. But it was warm and Buddi knew that was the whole reason that Ursa made him wear it.

She was paranoid.

"Ursa, not to be rude," Ursa pulled his jacket on as he talked. "Aren't you going just a bit overboard?"

Ursa shrugged. "Maybe but I don't want you sick again. I doubt that you want it either."

"Well no but-"

"Then, dress warm, understood?"

Buddi sighed. "All right."

"All right what?"

"All right I'll dress warm," Buddi replied automatically. Ursa smiled. Then, as she headed out the door, she said,

"I'll meet you in the kitchen after you get dressed, all right?"

Buddi nodded. As soon as Ursa disappeared, he growled and pried his jacket off as well as the sweater, replacing it with his typical winter top, an insulated like leather. Then, slipping on some warm slacks, he headed downstairs as he pulled his boots on. He met up with Ursa in the kitchen.

She glared at him but to his surprise said nothing. But she did say,

"Buddi…"

"What?"

She sighed. "You aren't gonna like this-"

Buddi sighed and interrupted her. "Why do you adults always start conversations that way? I hate that!"

Grubbi watching from the stove put a hand over his mouth and chuckled. At that moment, Buddi didn't know it but he had sounded just like Ursa used to! He noted that Ursa noted that and grinned slightly herself.

"Sorry, but here's what I'm saying…what I'm ordering."

Buddi swallowed; it was rare for Ursa to order anything outside of a crisis situation. She usually let Barbics go as they would go, although he had fewer prerogatives than the adults. But when Ursa ordered something in their ordinary lives, she had a good reason for it.

"What?"

"I told you that you could go out today and I intend to keep my word. However," she gave him a smile, hoping for him to understand her, even though she knew he would not. "I want you to do two things: One: stay in Ursalia. No going outside the city gates."

Buddi growled low in his throat but her proposition, her order just grew worse.

"And I want you to stay in my eyesight."

Buddi leapt up, fuming. "WHAT?"

Ursa answered calmly as she took a swallow of warm milk. "Sit down, Buddi." She gestured to Grubbi who set some food in front of the child, which made him sit. Ursa continued, "You heard me."

Buddi growled and leaned over the table. "Ursa! No!"

Grubbi winced and looked at the duo very reluctantly. Ursa rarely gave orders. When she did, you followed then, unless you have a good reason not to. But Buddi didn't, he gave no reason, just flat out refused.

Ursa raised her eyes, which were simmering.

Buddi knew he'd gone too far and swallowed. Ursa didn't say anything for a minute, surprising both Grubbi and Buddi. Then, her eyes lit up, her palm flew and Buddi's head jerked back as Ursa's hand made a contact with his cheek. He rubbed his face and listened as Ursa gave her order again,

"Buddi Barbic, my word is clear. You stay in my eyesight or you spend all day inside again. Understood?"

Buddi nodded. "Well, did you have to hit me?"

Ursa snarled. Buddi shut his mouth. Ursa met his eyes,

"Understood?" she repeated. Buddi swallowed.

"All right."

Ursa smiled briefly but leaned back and crossed her arms. "I learned of your curiosity and cunning a long time ago, little one. All right what?"

"All right, I'll stay in eyesight."

Ursa gave him one final amused smile. "Whose eyesight?"

Buddi sighed. He couldn't pull anything over her eyes. She knew him too well. Finally defeated, Buddi exhaled deeply and said, "Yours."

The two finished eating in silence.

* * *

"Cubbi wait!"

The pink furred cub gasped as he turned and saw Sunni scramble from the Glen, following him. She grabbed his hand and then towed him beyond the sight of the Glen. He waited and then said,

'I thought you had to stay in!"

Sunni smiled. "I do but I'm plain sick of it. By Gum, I'm fine."

Cubbi giggled. "How'd ya get past Grammi?"

"A little something called a distraction, named Tummi, looking for a cake."

She gave her younger friend a smile. "Where're you going?"

"Cavin. He said he'd meet me. Calla's at Jean-Claude's kingdom…some royal thing."

Sunni's face fell. Cubbi noticed. "Wanna come?"

Sunni shrugged. "Sure."

The two cubs found Cavin rather quickly. He was waiting in a clearing in the forest.

"Hey Cubbi! And…Sunni!" the human boy waved as the two children ran to their human friend. He smiled at them and then watched as Cubbi drew his wooden dagger.

"Take me on, traitorous human!"

Cavin picked up his sword but kept it sheathed so not to hurt his friend. Wood could not do much damage against steel. Cubbi understood that but that did not keep him from trying to pin his friend down. Cavin let him win a time before striking back. The cub dodged and Sunni sat down and watched them. It was amusing. But that did not cure boredom. It felt good to be in the air.

"Back Gummi!"

"Away, traitor!"

"Feel my blade."

"Not if you feel mine first!"

Sunni watched the two spar together. Cavin obviously had the advantage of strength and height but Cubbi was smaller and could dodge easier. The two had evenly matched skills, although in different areas. In that way, the two were at an impasse, as Buddi would say.

Buddi had no one as a peer when it came to his intelligence skills. He wasn't the smartest of the Barbics as the adults had more experience than he did but Buddi did have the best mind for plans and strategy. He thought differently than they did. He wasn't a fighter, he was a planner and that could be just as important.

Sunni sighed deeply and leaned back into a patch of clovers.

"Buddi, I miss you."

* * *

Buddi watched Ursa spar with Gritty. Those two were fun to watch. Gritty was stronger but Ursa more agile. In fact, it was rare thing if Gritty connected with her. They were both so fast! In fact, Buddi stopped playing his flute and just watched them.

He strained his ears and heard some of their conversation.

"A bit out of practice, Ursa?"

"Maybe, but that isn't making much difference is it?"

"It will in a minute."

Buddi got up and walked over to the bottom of the platform and looked up. He had an idea. Maybe it was immature, and perhaps even a bit mean but he didn't care. Ursa had made him mad. Besides, he wanted to see her floored for once. He waited until gritty swung his staff and then,

"Ursa!"

She whirled to Buddi's shout, but missed blocking Gritty who swept her feet out from under her and made her land flat on her back. He put his staff against her throat.

"I believe that's game, Ursa Barbic."

She growled. "Yeah, yeah, let me up."

Gritty chuckled and removed his staff. She sat up, rubbed her aching head but then turned to Buddi.

"What is it, imp?"

"I'll see you later."

"We're you going?"

"Just to get a snack, chill out okay?"

Ursa started to say something but Gritty interrupted her.

"Go Buddi. Ms. Protective here needs to beat me…if she can, that is."

Ursa growled and whirled to Gritty, her hair flying into her face.

"If isn't the word, gritty Barbic. It's when."

"Ooo, I'm shakin'." He laughed.

Buddi giggled and rushed in. As he did, he made his decision.

"The heck with rules. I'm outta here!"

* * *

Sunni had been watching Cavin and Cubbi play the last few hours. She'd wandered off and explored a bit but she was bored. She needed a friend. A kindred spirit.

"I wish…" she gazed at her reflection and trailed her fingers through the cold water, leaving small ripples. "I wish Buddi was here."

"Wish granted," a voice said cheerily. The waters cleared and Sunni was staring at Buddi. She whirled and there standing above her was her best friend. She yelped in shock and happiness and then leapt up, flinging her arms around him and squeezing.

"Oh, Sunni." Buddi wheezed. "Great to see you too…but I can't breathe."

Sunni released him. "Sorry."

"It's okay," he shrugged.

"Cavin!" Sunni waved over tot the two other boys. "Cubbi!"

The two dropped what they were doing and turned. Buddi was with Sunni! But why was he here? The two boys hurried over.

"Buddi!" Cavin almost hugged him but stopped. Buddi smiled.

"Hey Cavin, Cubbi.' He said nodding to each in turn. Cubbi cut in,

"Why're you here?"

"Came to see Sunni." Sunni blushed faintly, very faintly.

Cubbi smiled. "Where're the others?"

Buddi winced. "Ursalia."

Cavin gasped. "You're alone."

The cub nodded.

"The others don't know?"

Another nod.

Buddi added, "See, ever since I got sick-"

Cubbi interrupted. "You got sick too? I thought you Barbics never got sick."

Buddi laughed. "We are mortal Cubbi."

Cavin smiled as Cubbi asked, "Yeah, I knew that. How high?"

"Bout a hundred and three average. Highest about one hundred and seven."

Cavin grimaced. "Pain, yes?"

Buddi nodded. "Heck yeah."

Buddi smiled and said, "And before you ask, yes, I'm not supposed to be out of Ursalia but it was driving me mad! And second, don't worry Cavin."

The human was shocked. This cub knew what he was thinking it seemed. The child continued,

"I trust you. Ursa doesn't but she doesn't control every aspect of my life. I like you."

Cavin nodded. Buddi truly was the 'different' Barbic. Every other Barbic would kill themselves before they trusted him. But Buddi was so natural about it. He treated Cavin the same way eh treated Cubbi.

"-it!"

Cavin jumped as Buddi tagged his arm and he was the other two run off. Cavin smiled and pursued. He called after Sunni and Buddi.

"How does it feel to be free you two?"

Buddi turned to Sunni, shocked.

"You were sick too?"

She nodded. "About as bad as you." She smiled and called back. "Great. Been cooped up too long."

Buddi added. "It's stolen freedom. But I'll take it."

Cavin nodded and then the four children raced around until finally, all four exhausted, they laid down and let freedom whisper its sweet scent into their ears.

Nothing had even sounded so beautiful to Sunni and Buddi.

Stolen freedom, denied freedom…yes.

Wrong to take it? Probably.

They cared?

No.