Chapter Seven: Homeward Bound
Chapter Seven: Homeward Bound

Buddi groaned and whined,

"Ursa! The sun isn't even up! Why am I up?"

Ursa smiled and pulled Buddi's sheets off. He immediately curled into a ball by reflex to warm up. Ursa pulled him up. He looked at her with blurry eyes and rubbed them. He sighed and yawned with a stretch. Ursa patted his head.

"Come on, kid. Up. We need to get started early. We're hoping to get there in one day. So the earlier we get started the better chance we have."

Buddi gave her a small glare.

"Not if you fall asleep on the way,"

Ursa shook her head. "Buddi, we've been up for two hours. I let you sleep in. get a hot bath. That'll wake you up. Then come down for breakfast. Okay?"

The cub nodded, still half asleep. "Yeah, okay. Sure."

Ursa smiled, ruffled his hair and then left, closing the door behind her. Buddi sighed, rubbed his eyes again and yawned. He could not understand how the adults did this. But he took Ursa's advice and got a warm bath. It did help, a bit. Maybe food would help more.

Buddi dressed quickly and headed downstairs. The other Barbics were awake as they usually got up at sunrise. But little Buddi wasn't used to being up this early. In fact, he was barely awake. Granted, as he walked, he woke up bit by bit but he was still pretty much out. Ursa met him at the bottom of the stairs and gave him a smile.

"You'll wake up Buddi. A little sugar might help, though."

Buddi looked at her, eyes practically pleading.

She chuckled and led the child into the dining room. She handed him a plate piled high with hot food and gestured him to sit down and eat. Buddi complied and Ursa sat down by him. The other adults were finishing and gradually filing out. But Ursa had waited so Buddi wouldn't have to eat alone.

Buddi was grateful for the company but Ursa had another reason behind it as well. A reason all mothers have…

"Buddi, eat them." Buddi was shoving some fruits around, diced meaches. They tasted a tad like peaches and Buddi hated them. But Ursa knew that they had energy nutrients and minerals so she made him eat them.

Buddi made a face and said, "But they taste nasty, Ursa."

Ursa smiled and said, "I know you don't like them, Buddi." She took a bite of them herself. They were good to her. But she knew when she was Buddi's age she hated to eat them too. "But you need the nutrients they have especially today. So eat them."

The cub made a terrible face but shoved some into his mouth. He downed them first and then went onto the plankins, meats and other foods. Ursa didn't let him leave the table until his plate was clean. Buddi was still amazed how she could be so stern at times and yet so motherly at others.

The two Barbics started outside and were met by Grubbi.

"Well, ready for action, you two?" he asked, a small smile in his eyes. Ursa smiled back and nodded, Buddi mimicked her. Grubbi knelt to the cub's level and said,

"Keep Ursa from doing anything stupid okay?"

Ursa scowled but then laughed. She knew Grubbi wasn't serious. Then, seriousness took over his face. "Be careful Ursa. And take care of that cub." He smiled. "I highly doubt I have to tell you that, though. Am I right?"

Ursa nodded and gave Grubbi's hand a firm grip as goodbye. He nodded and she walked out. Buddi hugged the adult around the waist. Grubbi gave him a wink and then slipped him something. He looked at the adult. Grubbi smiled.

"Don't tell Ursa. But it's some candy for you."

Buddi grinned widely. "Thanks."

Grubbi nodded. "Take care, Buddi."

Buddi nodded and ran to catch up with Ursa. He found her out in the courtyard where the others were getting supplies together. They ha don their heavy winter outfits. But just the pullovers. The pullovers covered the tops and their bottoms but could be remove dif need be. Ursa gestured Buddi over.

He consented.

Ursa pulled on some pants over his slacks and then slipped a pullover over his top. It was warm. Buddi looked at her. She smiled. "We'll be going over mountains. That'll keep you warm." Buddi nodded.

"Where'd you get them? I've never seen 'em before."

Ursa smiled. "I'm not totally sewing illiterate. I made them."

Buddi stared at her. "You? You made these?"

She nodded. Buddi smiled.

"Wonders never cease."

Ursa gave him a playful whack to the head. She scooped up her supplies and slipped them into a sack. She slipped that onto her back and then picked up a much lighter one. That, she helped Buddi put on. She told him,

"We all carry something Buddi. Since you're little I gave you the food, the lightest pack."

The cub nodded and followed her over to the others. The group stood a moment before heading out, Buddi on their heels.

* * *

"Here, Ursa!"

Ursa looked up as Gritty tossed her the rope. She grabbed hold of it, measured its strength and nodded to herself. But she was unnerved, this side was too steep.

They had been climbing for several hours and now were finally on the last major peak. But Buddi was having the most trouble. Ursa knew he feared heights. And this side was too steep for him. She knew it. She turned to the child.

He was looking upward, fear clearly present in his eyes. He had tightened the cloak she gave him to help past the sweater. She put a hand on Buddi's shoulder.

"This side's too steep for you to tackle, Buddi." She drew him to her, tied him with some spare rope she had to her, and told him, "I'll take us both up. Hang on."

"Don't have to tell me twice."

She checked to make sure he was secure and started upward.

Buddi tightened his grip on Ursa, burying his face into her hip. He hated this. He was trembling, not from the cold but from fear. He didn't dare open his eyes. Ursa was unfazed of course but nothing fazed her and she didn't fear mountains as he did. If you fell from mountains, you were pretty much finished. But trees had better chances to save yourself. He swallowed hard and squeezed her tighter.

Ursa took another hand and pulled herself up some more. To her she was merely pulling herself, as Buddi was so insignificantly light to her. But she knew he was there by the way he tightened his grip as they went higher. She pitied him. She knew that he wished they could have gone around the mountains but this was fastest. She pulled herself higher and Gritty helped her up and took Buddi from his waist, saying,

"You can open your eyes, partner."

Buddi consented and was glad that Gritty had told him quietly. Although Mari and Lundi were kind they would tease him or put him down. Only Gritty, Ursa, and Grubbi didn't scold him about his fear of heights. Gritty cast it aside; Grubbi comforted and Ursa said she understood.

Ursa helped Buddi detangle from her rope and felt his belly rumble. He blushed and she gave his cheek a gentle dig with her fist. She turned to the others.

'Let's take a break. It's about noon anyway. We should eat."

They nodded and Ursa took Buddi's sack off and passed out some sandwiches. She sat near the center of the mountain, Buddi practically in her lap, he sat so close. She smiled and let him lean on her. The others were closer to edge and although the edge didn't frighten her, she knew it terrified Buddi and she didn't want him to have to eat alone.

The Barbics ate fast and soon were starting down the other side. Mari and Lundi went first, down a rope and then Gritty. Ursa turned to Buddi.

"I'll be down there to help you, Buddi."

He nodded, refusing to let his fear show. But inside he was trembling.

Ursa gave him a nod back and disappeared down the side. A few minutes later, she called up,

"Your turn, Buddi."

The cub walked to edge but unfortunately saw how far it was and collapsed back onto the mountain, sick to his stomach with fear. Ursa saw and said,

"Come on Buddi. You can do this. We're here to help you."

Her answer was:

"My hands are too sweaty. I'll fall!"

Ursa sighed deeply and said,

"Buddi, look in your pouch in your cloak. I put chalk rock in there. Rub it on your hands to dry them and then come on.

The cub found it but he was still trembling. Slowly, he walked to the edge and took the rope in his hands. He went as the adults, had, backward, first one foot and then the next. His stomach was burning and cramping he was so scared. He'd never felt more relieved in his life then when Ursa grabbed him around the waist and helped him the rest of the way.

Buddi clutched her.

She rubbed his hair, her eyes looking at the child with sympathy. Gritty took the rope and headed down again with the other two. Buddi stammered,

"I'm sorry Ursa. I embarrassed you didn't I? I mean, you raised me-"

"AM raising," she reminded him.

"You are raising me," he stated again, "I'm supposed to be tough but I completely freaked out."

Ursa merely smiled. He always worried about how she thought about him. When would he learn that nothing he did would make her regret she was his guardian? That nothing could diminish her pride for him?

But she said nothing but,

"Let's go, Buddi."

He swallowed and followed her to the edge. She stopped, paused, rope in hand. She turned to Buddi, who's face was white with fear. With a sigh but a nod of understanding, she opened her arm and he threw his arms around her neck. They went down together, Buddi, holding tight to Ursa.

He said softly,

"This is going to be a really long journey, isn't it?"

Ursa smiled.

"Just hang on, Buddi."

He forced a smile. "Believe me, I don't plan on letting go."