Buddi sat on his bed, on his belly, kicking his feet back and forth. He'd been grounded to his room until tomorrow morning. He sighed deeply and winced as he rolled over. The pain made him immediately turn back onto his stomach.
"Blast you Chelsea, what did I do to you?"
Buddi sighed deeply. He felt bad about making so much extra work for the adults and he felt sorry for himself. Ursa had been wrong. If anything, today had been worse than yesterday. He was beginning to believe that this stupid curse had ruined his life.
And his backside hurt.
Ursa had given him the buckled end of her belt six times. Then she'd grounded him. Buddi tried not to think about it but it came back, in crystal clear vision…
A Few Hours Ago…
"I didn't mean to, Ursa!"
"Buddi…"
"I didn't. It was-"
"Buddi! I'm not punishing you just for the mess."
Buddi looked at her and backed up. As she spoke, she was sliding her belt off the rest of the way and folding it in half.
"Buddi, you know you aren't allowed in the weapons' room. That mess just reminded me why. Now come here!"
"Ursa, no, please no. Not…not the belt."
"Come here and hold still."
Buddi didn't move. Ursa grabbed him by his arm and pulled him to her, despite how he begged and pleaded,
"Ursa! No! No!"
Buddi despised being spanked, but the belt was the second highest punishment they gave. Only the sword paddling was higher. Barbics did not generally use physical punishments but when they did, it was a force that Buddi dreaded, no matter who distributed it, although it was usually Ursa.
"Hold still!"
Buddi tried to break her grip, despite how futile he knew it was. She wrapped her arm around his torso, holding him still. Ursa's voice turned colder.
"Buddi, stop now or I'll add a swat for each time you protest!"
Buddi froze. Ursa spoke again,
"Gum's sake, Buddi you know how strict I am on rules."
"But I didn't know it was gonna fall like that!"
"You broke my rules, deliberately disobeyed me." She continued, ignoring his protests. "And look what came of it. Do you have any idea of how long it will take to clean that mess up?"
"I could help-"
"No! You've done more than enough! You're pleading for my mercy but that doesn't work with me and you know it. You broke my rules, now pay for it."
Buddi squeezed his eyes tightly shut. He let out a loud yelp as Ursa's belt connected with his backside. He pleaded with her,
"I'm sorry! I-OW!"
Ursa smacked him five more times.
By the time she released him from her grip, he was sobbing, the pain that spanking brought refreshed in his memory. She told him, her voice still angry,
"Stop crying. You deserved every swat I gave you. Stop crying!"
"It…it hurts."
"I know. Buddi, I hate doing that. You know for a fact how rarely I spank you."
"But…but with the belt?"
Ursa slid her belt back on and said, "Buddi, that mess contributed to that. If you had listened to me, you would not have made such a disaster area."
Buddi looked at her, with red eyes. She said simply, "It's for your good. As is this: you're grounded to your room until tomorrow morning."
Her voice had not cooled at all. She looked at him with stinging eyes,
"Is that understood, young man?"
Buddi nodded. Ursa stormed out and slammed the door.
PresentBuddi turned over and laid on his side when his stomach growled. He hadn't been allowed to eat dinner. He looked at the clock. It was almost his bedtime but he was so hungry. He licked his lips and tried to ignore the pain in his belly.
The door opened and Buddi heard Ursa's footsteps.
"Ursa?"
She sat by his bed and stroked his hair. "Yes, it's me."
Buddi turned onto his other side but didn't sit up. Ursa took a breath,
"Sit up so I can talk to you, Buddi."
The cub did so but sat on his knees. Ursa raised an eyebrow,
"Buddi, it can't be that bad!"
Buddi made no reply to that comment. Rather he said,
"Yeah?"
"I came in to tell you good night. And to tell you something,"
"Yeah?"
"Buddi…actually I need to ask you something."
"What?"
"Buddi, I get the feeling that you didn't tell me everything that happened with those humans."
Buddi nodded, "I didn't."
Ursa looked at him, "well?"
"I…I…"
He looked at her and just flung himself at her, locking his arms around her neck and burying his face into her chest.
"Buddi!"
The cub just blurted it out, saying exactly what he knew he should have told her a time ago.
When Buddi finished, he felt Ursa lift his chin,
"Buddi, why didn't you tell me?"
"Be…because you said curses were…stupid."
"They are. You aren't cursed."
"But everything that's happened…"
"That was because of your actions. Now what have I told you over and over again?"
Buddi let his shoulders slump and obediently repeated a phrase that had become familiar over the past few days by the way it kept repeating in his mind.
"Buddi is responsible for Buddi."
Ursa nodded, "that's right. You make your own luck Buddi."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For the weapons, the dishes, the…well, everything."
Ursa smiled at him affectionately. "I know you are."
Ruffling his brown hair, she said, "And I know that you've been having a rough time lately. It'll get better eventually. Just try and stay out of trouble."
Buddi nodded, "all right, I'll keep that in mind."
Ursa smiled at him again and said, "Okay, you're released from your room to go get a bath and then I want you in bed, understand?"
Buddi nodded and she left.
Buddi did as told and once he was in his nightshirt, he went back to his room to find Ursa waiting for him. He wasn't surprised honestly as she always came and told him goodnight. But it was rare when there was a threat of attack. He had been surprised when she had come in a few minutes ago but the fact that she came back was even more surprising.
"Ursa! I thought that you were planning for the attacks?"
As he spoke, Ursa helped him into bed and tucked him in, saying,
"I am but I can take five minutes to tell you good night."
She thumbed his nose and said, "Now, I want you to sleep and think about how you're gonna improve tomorrow. Okay?"
Buddi sighed, "didn't work last time."
Ursa rolled her eyes, "Buddi, you don't give up because one time didn't work."
"But…"
"Hush." She looked him directly in the eye. "I know you think today was terrible. You got cuts on your arms that I know still hurt and on top of that you got a spanking."
Buddi nodded with a wince and said, "It still hurts."
"As well it should." She answered simply. "You'll remember it. But don't dwell on today."
Buddi pouted but didn't say anything just turned onto his side. Ursa smirked and softly said, as she stroked his hair once more,
"Gentle dreams, Buddi."
Unlike glens who said 'sweet' dreams, Barbics believed that dreams were impersonations of inner fears, goals, and ambitions. Wishing for gentle dreams, requesting the dreams to be from goals and ambition, not fears, was their way of wishing each other a peaceful sleep.
Buddi nodded. He was half asleep as it was, he was in pain but his little body was tired. He curled his legs into his chest and closed his eyes. Ursa stroked his hair and he heard her chuckle a little. She patted his back and said,
"I'll see you in the morning Buddi."
Buddi nodded again and she blew out his light before she got up and left, closing the door behind her softly.
* * *
"Buddi!"
The cub groaned and buried his face into his pillow, moaning,
"Not yet!"
Ursa smiled and sat on his bed, saying, "Wakey, wakey, Buddi."
Buddi moaned loudly and shook his head. Ursa smiled again. Buddi had never been a morning bear. He probably never would be. He glared at her out of the corner of one eye and said,
"Not yet."
Ursa smirked. "Buddi, you were supposed to get up an hour ago but because I felt sorry for you, I let you sleep until you usually get up, instead of an hour early like I told you yesterday."
Buddi frowned but rose slowly. Rubbing at his eyes, he said,
"I'm upping, I'm upping."
Ursa smiled and said, "Grubbi's fixing breakfast. Come down when you get dressed."
Buddi nodded and Ursa walked out. He was tempted to go back to sleep but wisely thought better of it. He stretched and dressed before heading downstairs. He was hoping he could actually make it down without tripping this time.
Fortunately he did so and when he walked into the kitchen he was greeted with the smells of freshly prepared meats, cheese, and milk. He sat down in his usual spot and Grubbi gave him a plate before sitting down himself. The Barbics ate in silence, as they usually did. They would speak at night, during the evening meal.
Buddi finished first as he usually did. He got up, excused himself and went outside. He decided to journey a way outside the city, just to hopefully avoid any other accidents. This curse had forced his self-esteem to take a nose-dive.
The cub wasn't sure how long he sat on the bridge, just letting his feet dangle. He was deep in thought. He supposed that the morning guards had been at the gate for several hours but he didn't care. They didn't bother him so he forgot they were there.
"Buddi."
The cub yelped in surprise and lost his balance immediately. He pitched forward, with a scream.
Gritty's reaction was instantaneous. He dropped to his knees; ignoring the pain the sudden weight brought to his skin and snatched the cub by his left ankle. The guards almost ran over but saw swiftly that Gritty had a firm grip.
Buddi had a very good view of how far the ground was below him and he felt sick to his stomach. For a moment, he thought he would throw up. Dear Gum Above, he hated heights. The cub let out a strangled whimper.
"I've got you, partner."
Gritty pulled the small cub up, grabbing him around his waist when he was able. As he set the cub safely on his feet, his own pulse was still racing. If his reflexes had been a millisecond slower…
Buddi was snow pale and said,
"Don't…don't do that."
"I was going to tell you, you shouldn't get that close to the edge."
Buddi nodded. "Ursa is always telling me that."
"Now you know why."
Buddi nodded, "wish I had found out in a less frightening way though."
Gritty smiled, trying to force the relief from his eyes. He didn't want the cub to know how in a split second his heart had stopped.
"You need to work on your balance, partner."
Buddi nodded, "I know, I know."
Buddi looked at Gritty, "did you just come out to lecture me?"
Gritty shook his head, "No, you looked depressed."
Buddi shrugged, "Maybe I am a bit. But I'm okay, I just want some time to think."
Gritty nodded, "Well, if you just wanna think, fine. But don't forget you have to train in a few hours. If Ursa has to come and get you, it won't be pretty."
Buddi nodded and headed over the bridge and over to the furthest edge of Gordian Gulch. The Gulch was most noticeable in the back of Ursalia but it stretched completely around the city. The cub walked a ways down. Then his young ears perked up.
Buddi for once was thankful for his training. Once a week Barbics had 'senses training' where they sharpened their senses other than their eyes. It was a sparring training. Buddi trembled and fingered an old bruise on his temple.
Ursa always did the senses' training with him. She promised no one else would. If she wasn't available, the training was postponed until she was available. She would blindfold him and then attack, telling him to use his ears.
Buddi was not an expert at that by any means. The bruises he had were proof. But his hearing was extremely good. He heard those same humans; those that he'd met before. The cub followed the sounds as silently as he could. He found them taking the forgotten path out of the Gulch.
The cub didn't need to hear their conversation to know what they were doing. He turned and ran silently but when he was out of their earshot, he broke into a sprint. His feet were pounding against the earth and his breaths began to come in gasps as he tore through the gate guards as fast as he could.
The cub unfortunately did not have grace and went sprawling into Ryo as he ran. The adult growled in disgust and said, sternly,
"Buddi! Watch where you're going!"
"Where's Ursa?"
"A meeting with Gritty and Grubbi. Don't go bugging her with your childish problems!"
"They aren't-"
"Buddi!" the adult kept a firm grip as Buddi tried to jerk free, "Act like a Barbic and handle it yourself!"
"Let go Nisha!"
Ryo was about to reply to the extremely disrespectable slur with a good backside smack when Buddi kicked the adult's shin with all the strength he could. The adult released him and rubbed his leg as Buddi took off towards the main hall. He wasn't allowed into Ursa's meetings but he knew that with his present information she would excuse an interruption.
Buddi winced, Ryo would tell on him and he would most likely get another paddling but at the moment he gave no thought to that. He tore to the meeting room and plowed through the doors.
Ursa, Gritty, and Grubbi looked up. Ursa rose to her feet,
"Buddi! I told you over-"
"Ursa! Humans are coming up the side path from Gordian Gulch."
"Are you sure?"
Buddi nodded, still panting from the speed at which he had run up. Immediately, Ursa became a commander.
"Gritty, go tell the others. I want guards doubled at all entrances and exits. Grubbi, arm everyone. Make sure every Barbic has a spear and sword."
The two adults ran off to do as she commanded as she started to run out. Buddi called,
"What about me?"
Ursa turned, "You're too young Buddi. Nothing personal but for your own safety and ours. We need to be completely focused on the battle. Stay here."
"But-"
"Buddi, don't argue with me!"
She pressed him down into one of the chairs and said,
"You. Stay. Here."
Buddi sighed but nodded. "Okay."
Ursa ran out and then, knowing how Buddi could be, locked the doors behind her. She heard Buddi protest but shouted,
"Stay there!"
Buddi pouted but stopped his protests. He slumped down in one of the chairs and sighed. He wanted to help, even if he wasn't a fighter. This was his home and family too!
The child heard the battle raging soon and raced to the window. He thought about using the window as an escape route but knew for a fact that he couldn't reach the latch and if he could Ursa had tightened it so only an adult could open it.
Buddi glanced around and finally saw the air vents. The cub grinned.
"I love being little."
That said, he scrambled up the wall, finding footholds easily and slipped into the vent. For the moment, his clumsiness was forgotten.
* * *
Buddi stared down at the courtyard as the battle raged. So far, only a few Barbics were down, none fatally injured. Grubbi, a medic before a warrior, was tending to the wounded. He would aid those he could in a few seconds so they could fight again. Those who were too badly hurt, he carried a safe distance away.
Ursa was in the front line, calling the shots. The men had been easily taken care of. Chelsea had made no move to fight until the men were disposed of but now, with them retreating, she summoned up beings of shadow.
Ursa swung at one but her sword missed it and before she knew it, she was flung to the ground and in a split second her temple smacked the pavement hard. Her eyes slid shut and everything went black.
"Ursa!"
Gritty raced over to his best friend, threw off the being atop her and flung her over his shoulder. He was now leader with Ursa down. He shouted for the others to hold these creatures back.
Gritty raced over to Grubbi and laid Ursa down gently by the medic's side before rushing back into battle.
Grubbi swiftly set to work on his leader and found to his relief that the smack had not been fatal, merely painful. He wrapped her head and rummaged for some herbs to wake her up.
"Grubbi look out!"
A shadow leapt at Grubbi but before it could reach him, a weight plowed through its back, killing it on contact.
"Buddi!"
The cub had bent his knees to reduce the pressure. Now he rose and said,
"Is she-"
"No," Grubbi replied as he broke some herb sticks and waved them under her nose, "Just knocked out."
Sure enough, Ursa grudgingly came to. She blinked twice and then said, "Grubbi!"
"Not so fast Ursa, you smacked your head pretty hard."
Ursa noticed Buddi.
"Buddi! I thought I told you to stay indoors!"
"You did. I just didn't listen."
Ursa narrowed her eyes at him as she rose to her feet. She spoke sternly,
"You stay here with Grubbi and I'll deal with you later, understand?"
Buddi nodded. He was grounded, he could tell. But he also knew better than to argue with her, especially when she got like this. He stood by Grubbi as she tore back to the battle. Buddi looked through the raging battle and saw her, Chelsea.
Grubbi looked at the cub by his side and bit his lower lip. He was staring at the human in charge of the battle, a black haired female. The cub's hands curled into tight fists and Grubbi saw his Barbic temper emerge, a rare event for the young cub. Buddi rarely lost his temper and rarely even got really mad for that matter.
Buddi turned to Grubbi and said,
"They won't win if they don't wipe Chelsea out."
Grubbi nodded, "they have to get through the creature minions of hers first. Ursa knows what she's doing."
"But…but, Grubbi, it's like attacking a snake. You can pound on it all you want but it just doesn't die unless you cut off its head."
"Buddi," the adult held the cub still. "Buddi, you're too young. Leave this to us."
Buddi's shoulders fell in despair. He had to do something. The cub slipped from Grubbi's grasp and ran back towards the main hall. He slipped through the corridors knowing that Grubbi wouldn't follow. He had to tend to the injured.
Grubbi tried to call the cub back but he couldn't leave the battlefield. He had to be there for the injured. He didn't know what the cub would try but prayed that the child thought it through before taking any hasty action.
Buddi honestly had no solid plan. This was unusual as Buddi was one of the Barbics who thought it best to have a plan before taking action. But he was angry. He wanted to do something, anything.
The cub crawled among the corridors, peering down at the battle from the openings in the passages. He saw that this woman never seemed to tire, she released as many spells as possible, some even turning the Barbics' own weapons against them.
But as Buddi watched he suddenly realized:
She never used physical attacks. Could that mean…
Buddi considered. She was physically the weakest of her group.
Shrugging, the cub decided to test his theory. He knew for a fact that those that studied mainly in magic had very little physical skills for fighting. The cub found a small stone and threw it at her, quickly ducking out of sight but still able to observe.
His result was just what he had prayed for. While a stone throw like that would have been an annoyance to him or another, to this woman, her skin bruised and bled as it connected. A wide grin spread over the cub's face.
Everyone had a weakness. That was this sorceress'. Physical attack.
The cub darted to the far side of the main building and grasped the edge of the roof. He hated heights but he had to get where he could move around. Although Ursa would flame him alive for getting onto the roof…
Buddi crept along the roof and saw that the men had either been killed or had fled. He immediately felt ill at seeing how high he was but he ignored that and pressed onward. He spied what he wanted and made a wild scramble for it, knowing for a fact that he could easily be seen and easily lose his balance when going over the top.
Fortunately, Buddi was too preoccupied with his goal to pay any attention to how high he was. He knew if he could get Chelsea to follow him towards the outside bridge he would have an advantage over her. He was swift, despite his small legs. In fact, sometimes Ursa had a difficult time catching him when she wanted to.
The cub managed to get around so he was behind Chelsea. He could see the adults occupied with her minions. The cub gently slipped to the ground and body slammed her to the ground. A thick pool of blood spread over her back.
The adult Barbics noted that the creatures they fought weakened significantly for a few moments, allowing for some to be beaten. However, just as swiftly, they grew strong and fierce again.
Chelsea whirled around to see who had ambushed her. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the cub she had deliberately 'cursed' to get out of the way.
Buddi stood at ready, his reflexes on hair trigger, as Ursa had trained him. Chelsea rose to her feet slowly and spoke in an eerily calm and dangerous voice,
"So, child, you dared emerge?"
The cub visibly winced but swiftly recovered and hissed,
"You lied to me! You didn't curse me!"
"Do you believe that, cub? Or do you merely try to convince yourself that I could not fulfill a threat against a Barbic child?"
Buddi growled and said,
"I seem to have done you some damage. Apparently your curse didn't work."
Chelsea growled at such an insult and tore after the cub. She normally was very reasonable and strategic but she lost her temper easily if her magical skill was threatened.
That was what Buddi desired. He led her out onto the bridge.
Ursa was stunned as the creatures suddenly vanished. She swiftly looked for a explanation and saw the sorceress racing outside. She saw her target as well.
"Buddi!"
* * *
"If you're so powerful then fight me hand to hand, no magic."
Chelsea growled but nodded. She was not talented with fighting skills but knew for a fact that the self-confidence of this cub was extremely low thanks to her spell. But he was very fast. She had been trying to catch him for a few minutes. The cub leapt back and forth, as agile as a cat. Apparently her illusion had not worked as well as she had hoped it would.
Buddi took a breath and readied himself. He had managed to keep her at bay by jumping around but he knew for a fact that that would accomplish nothing in the end. The cub was very close to the edge of the bridge and still believed the curse, despite how he had managed to jump around a few minutes ago. He didn't realize what he was doing, he merely acted. For the moment the curse was forgotten.
Chelsea lunged.
Buddi squirmed and avoided her blow. If he could knock her from the bridge then that would be that. But he had to find her physically weakest point if his small weight would plunge her over.
Chelsea did not like the way this cub was eyeing her.
"Buddi!"
Chelsea jerked her head. She had forgotten to maintain her minions! The adults were racing onto the bridge. She was about to summon up her helpers again when an agonizing pain cut through her belly. She stumbled and the weight knocked her over the edge.
"BUDDI!"
Chelsea saw. The cub. The simple little cub had chosen the one moment her mind was not on the battle to knock her over. She saw for a fact how far the ground was. The cub would die with her! Was he crazy?
She grabbed the cub's shirt firmly as she fell over the bridge's edge.
Buddi's heart was pounding. He had only meant to knock her over. Not go over himself! But…he had lowered his eyes. He had not seen her hand come up to snatch him, a reflex. He…he hadn't listened to Gritty.
Buddi saw the ground rising up to meet him, although it was a terrible distance before he would hit it. Chelsea and he screamed in unison as they plunged downward. Buddi made a desperate attempt for his life and snagged a rock protruding from the side of the cavern. He yelped as his arm was jerked from its socket by the sudden stop.
Chelsea kept a firm grip on Buddi's legs.
"BUDDI!"
Buddi looked up and saw Ursa and the others by the bridge. They…they were so far up. The cub felt sick. He saw Chelsea and he twisted his legs as best he could without losing his grip. Chelsea clung on like bees on honey. The cub swung his foot and snapped her shoulder blade.
Chelsea let go out of reflex. She screamed as she fell down out of Buddi's sight. It was some time later before he heard the splash as she hit the water below. The cub ignored that as he didn't want to look down.
"Buddi!"
The cub dared to open his eyes.
Ursa was close to a panic. Chelsea was no longer a threat. Now she just had to get Buddi out before he lost his grip. She took a breath and said,
"Ryo, Lundi I want you all to get me some rope, the longest you can find, understand?"
The two nodded and took off. Ursa tried to calm her voice and then called,
"Buddi, we're gonna get you out. Just hang in there, okay?"
Buddi called back,
"I'm hanging, I'm hanging!"
Gritty felt helpless until Ursa turned to him.
"Gritty, I'm going down to get him. I want you to pull us up when I tell you to, okay?"
Gritty nodded, "Right."
Lundi and Ryo returned, rope in hand. Ursa tied the end around her waist and turned to Grubbi,
"You stay close by, Grubbi. I think Buddi might be hurt."
Grubbi was looking through the telescope at the cub and then as he turned to Ursa he said,
"Hurry Ursa. That child's scared to death of heights and from up here I can see his breaths are coming faster and he's pale. I think he's going into shock."
Ursa nodded, not surprised as there was not a Barbic who did not know of Buddi's fear of heights when trees were not involved, and handed the other end to Gritty before slowly lowering herself down the rope. She had to get Buddi out. If he had been in trees he merely would have climbed out himself but he hated mountains and cliffs. She didn't doubt he was going into shock. And she had seen pain on his face.
Buddi didn't know how long he hung there. He just knew his hand was getting sweaty and his other arm, the one he originally snatched the ledge with, was throbbing. He had switched hands as soon as he was able so now his left arm hung, useless.
Buddi was suddenly aware of a figure above him and opened his eyes.
"Ursa!"
The Barbic leader let out a sigh of relief to hear his voice. He was still conscious. If shock set in, he would lose consciousness and he would fall. But she couldn't let him know about her worries about his current state.
She nodded as she slowly made her way down,
"Stay calm Buddi. I'm getting you out, just keep a good grip. And calm down."
The cub attempted it. But he was scared and because he was eleven was not shy about boasting it, especially at this moment.
"I'm scared Ursa. Gum, I hate heights."
"I know. Try to keep calm." Ursa was trying her best to keep the cub calm, his eyes were huge and he was starting to breathe faster.
"Ursa…I…I…I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. But Chelsea, she's the one who-"
"Hush, it's okay." She interrupted. "I know you wanted to help. And you did. Although I wish you could have done so without falling down the chasm around the city."
Buddi managed a shaky smile, "That wasn't exactly in my plan."
Ursa got down so she was side by side with the cub. Reaching out with one hand and keeping the other firmly on the rope, she wrapped one arm around his waist and said,
"Okay Buddi, let go."
"No! I'll fall!"
"No you won't, I've got you!"
"I'll fall."
"Use your left arm first."
"I can't. The fall jerked it from its socket. It's limp and useless."
Ursa tightened her grip. "Let go."
Reluctantly the cub did so and just as she promised, she had a firm grip.
"Gritty! Pull us up!"
The black bear immediately began to do so; their weight was very little to him. Grubbi and the others stayed nearby.
Buddi wrapped his good arm around Ursa's neck, clutching her as tightly as she could. He said with a shaky voice,
"Oh Gum, this is high, it's very high!"
"Don't look down."
Buddi looked at her and turned his face into her chest. Ursa bit her lip. He was still breathing too fast and sharply for her comfort. He was sweaty and she could tell his left arm hurt. But he just clutched her, saying nothing.
Gritty grabbed Ursa's hand as he managed to get her up onto the bridge. Ursa got her feet planted and then Buddi gradually let go. Grubbi was already checking vital signs and said,
"You're breathing too fast Buddi and your pulse is too fast. Calm down."
Ursa grabbed Buddi's left arm and then said,
"Not too bad. Grubbi?"
Grubbi nodded. "Maybe a sling for a week but I think his arm'll be fine."
Buddi turned to Ursa. She grabbed his limp limb by the elbow and put her other hand onto his shoulder. Grasping firmly and with a popping sound, she easily slid his arm back into its socket.
It was not without pain and Buddi yelped. It hurt! He rubbed his shoulder and looked at Ursa. Ryo snorted and spoke,
"we always have to bail you out of trouble."
Ursa turned to Ryo with a poisonous glare,
"Funny Ryo, I don't believe it was you who beat Chelsea."
"I also wasn't the one half a mile down."
"Half a mile?" Buddi asked incredulously, his eyes growing wide again. Buddi dared a look down and saw the ledge he had grabbed, sure enough, a good half mile, maybe three-quarters of a mile down.
He fell to his knees, stammering,
"I'm gonna throw up."
Ursa steadied him and turned to Ryo with a look that could kill. Ryo said simply.
"He's a Barbic. Heights didn't bother him in Barbic Woods."
Ursa gave Ryo a look that said clearly to drop it, but the Barbic went on,
"Why does it bug you now, Buddi? Get over it!"
"SHUT UP!" Buddi hissed. His heart was still pounding like a wild horse's hooves. Ryo glared at him,
"You-"
"Ryo, you shut up!" Ursa's voice had a tone of authority that could not be challenged. "Barbics do not fight among ourselves. Buddi isn't a warrior yet, he's still young. Give him time. I saw potential in him from the day he was born. And not anyone would face a sorceress completely alone. He's loyal and that's not something I take lightly."
Ursa helped Buddi to his feet. Ryo and Buddi looked at one another but neither one said anything. Ursa sighed deeply.
"Buddi, I do wish you hadn't taken her on by yourself."
"I…I just felt like I had to do something, after all she did."
Ryo rolled his eyes, "Kid, did it ever occur to you that while you were fighting her you didn't falter once?"
Buddi was stunned speechless by that fact. Ryo's eyes were still hard but they had softened significantly. Ryo was rather disappointed that a child had outdone him. Inwardly, he felt proud of the child,
"Buddi, did it ever occur to you that there was no curse?"
"I told you that several times Buddi," Ursa cut in. Buddi didn't say anything.
"Then," Buddi finally squeaked, "Then why did I screw up so much in the past-"
"Because you believed it," Grubbi said simply. He smiled at the cub. "You believed there was a curse."
Gritty chuckled and ruffled the cub's hair, "You just lost your confidence."
Ursa smiled, "Come on Buddi, let Grubbi fix that arm for you."
* * *
Buddi sat outside, just gazing into the fountain. He still couldn't believe that Chelsea had managed to fool him so easily. Why had he believed her? She was a human. He shouldn't have believed her. His first response to her 'curse' should have been that she was lying.
Yet he had believed her.
The cub fingered his sling. His arm wasn't broken. The sling was more a precaution than a necessity. Grubbi had been more concerned with his heart rate and made him take a hot bath and try different herbs to calm him down.
"Buddi?"
The cub turned. Ursa sat down by his side.
"What's wrong Buddi?"
"I…I can't believe I let her fool me like that. I shouldn't have believed her but I did."
"Buddi, don't distress over it. What's done is done. And you beat her."
Buddi shrugged. "So?"
"Buddi…"
"But I shouldn't have been tricked in the first place."
Buddi pushed his hair back with his good arm and sighed deeply. Ursa smiled at him and stroked his hair.
"Buddi, I came to get you for training."
Buddi turned, stunned. "Training? But I thought-"
"Not physical."
Buddi got to his feet and followed her. She spoke simply,
"Buddi, you believed her because your confidence is low enough that you believe anything anyone says."
"I do not!"
"You do and you know it. Otherwise why did you believe Chelsea?"
The cub could not answer.
Ursa turned around and knelt.
"Buddi, a Barbic warrior is well endowed not just in physical strength but in their strength of will." She lifted the cub by his chin and smiled. "Your physical strength is at the level I expect of an eleven-year-old. But your will, your confidence is far below my expectations. You have to have that sling for a few more days. For those days, I can't teach you physical training but I will teach you in mental. I'm been focusing on your physical endurance. Now I think you need some help in the confidence area."
Buddi watched as she rose and then took his arm.
"Whether you say you can or can't do something, you're right, Buddi. Every action must have a force behind it."
Buddi trotted along beside her and she spoke again,
"I've got you trained on how to do something. Now let's see if I can get you to believe in yourself."
Buddi smiled, faintly. He would love to be able to think something through and know with confidence that he could fulfill what needed to be done. That he could do it. He looked at Ursa with wide shining eyes,
"Now there's some training I just might get used to."
The End