After the attack by the goblins and the
Dark Specter, Uni made the rounds in the village healing everyone she
could and grieving with the families of those she couldn’t. At
least a week had passed since the attacks and, although she was not
in the town proper, she brought word that the Smurfy Gnome may have
been spotted in the neighboring town of Lorenia.
“Good Sherrif, would you please
convince him that we will be okay? Nocturnus you must return to your
duties. The Harbour of Rhye cannot be without its Champion,”
pleads Regent Luna.
“And I cannot be without you,”
replies Nocturnus. “Besides, the bear may regret his hospitality
and eat one of the children while you sleep.”
Ursunid the Bear growls, “Grrr. I do
not eat children. They will be safe in my lair, I give you my word.
None shall pass.” The bear’s last words echoed in Nocturnus’
head. None shall pass. He recalls the scene of Ursunid the Bear
grappling with the Dark Specter as it tried to gain entry to the lair
and harm Regent Luna. With a heavy sigh Nocturnus knew the bear
would keep his word.
“I will even allow that blind old
crow to hold onto my club to defend your family in case the need
arises.”
“I heard that,” pounced Minnie Mo.
“I may be blind but I can hear just fine. Who do you think you’re
calling an old crow, you old goat.”
“I am not a goat. I am a bear!”
“I am blind, remember. I don’t see
a bear. I smell a goat, you old goat.”
“Grrr!”
“Enough,” states Nocturnus. I am
convinced, if only to escape these two who bicker constantly. With Sheriff Thornwood’s permission, I shall leave Rathalos and some
men outside the lair if only for my peace of mind.”
“This is not Mishmosh Manor,”
grumbles Ursunid the Bear. “I am not running an Inn.”
“My men are warriors and can take
care of themselves. If an attack comes they will be the first line
of defense.”
“Aye,” agrees Sheriff Thornwood
before another argument begins. “Before returning to Harbour of
Rhye we should investigate the sighting of the Smurfy Gnome at
Lorenia.”
In the few quiet moments while Champion
Nocturnus says farewell to his family Minnie Mo takes the opportunity
to thank Ursunid the Bear. “Thank you for your sanctuary. Luna
has been in my care since she was born. Her mother was left on the
footsteps of Mishmosh Manor. Before the week was out Luna was born
and her mother passed away. Luna’s mother was beautiful and her
manor depicted she was from high society but she never mentioned who
was her family and was always so distant and sorrowful when asked. I
raised Luna as my own but with the respect due to that unknown
family. She ran across the fields into my arms as a toddler; I
tended her wounds when she fell; she cried on my shoulder when her
heart was broken; and I shared her joys as well.”
Still sightless, a bandage covered
Minnie Mo’s eyes as they were still the blue black of the Dark Specter's lightning which struck her. She turned her ear to the
sounds of Nocturnus and Luna with the babies. “I was very proud of
Luna when she became Regent. She has much to offer the Harbour of
Rhye. I was grateful when she asked me to help care for the children
as I had cared for her. She is the light of my life and I would do
anything to keep her and her little ones safe.”
Ursunid the Bear towers above Minnie
Mo, a solemn expression on his face. “I was not born a bear. I
was born a man. As a man I too had a child; a little boy who should
have grown to manhood and battled by my side,” visions of the
handsome baby boy, swaddled in his human arms assail the bear. He
envisions the little boy playfully flailing its arms and legs.
“Alas, he and his mother were taken from me when he was very
young.” He breaks off unable to continue.
Minnie Mo pats his hand resting on her
shoulder. “I do not need eyes to hear the agony in your heart.
Regent Luna has asked you to be the children’s protector. Have you
decided?”
A single tear slowly rolls down from
his right eye, “How can I protect her children when I could not
even protect mine?”
“You are not indestructible and yet
last week you risked all to protect her from the Dark Specter. I
believe you can protect them and so does she or she would not have
asked. Those little ones will need your strength. You can see the
dangers my useless eyes cannot.” Minnie Mo clenches her fist.
Ursunid the Bear sense her frustration.
“You . . . have given much . . . to
keep her safe,” he recalls the image of Minnie Mo charging out of
the lair wielding his club in defense against the Dark Specter. The
Dark Specter struck her with its blue black lighting. It was all Uni
could do to mend her broken bones but Uni could not heal her vision.
“And I would do it again. But what
good am I to her now, blind as I am. I’m useless.”
“It has been centuries since my son
was taken from me. In all that time I have not come across any who
would give so much of themselves, none that were so self-sacrificing.
I can understand the pain and frustration you must be feeling. I
will be their protector but I cannot be with them all the time.
Regent Luna will need my help to protect the little ones and I will
need yours.”
All within the lair prepare to leave
for Lorenia and as they turn they become witness to a most unusual
sight. Ursunid the Bear raises his paw to his right eye. With the
barest grunt of pain he removes his eye and holds it to Minnie Mo’s
forehead. The other paw on her elbow he urges her to rise and
escorts her to the cradle.
Minnie Mo feels warmth on her forehead.
As they swiftly cross the room the eye in the bear’s hand begins
to glow. The pain in her eyes slowly subsides. The bear removes the
bandage covering her eyes. Slowly Minnie Mo opens her eyes to see .
. . .
A tear flowing freely Minnie Mo
exclaims, “They’re beautiful.” She leans over and gently
touches each child’s tiny hand and brushes a kiss on their
foreheads. Elated she turns to the bear just in time to catch a
glimpse of the gaping eye socket as he covers it with a patch.
Stunned she asks, “What have you done?”
“I went off to battle and left my
family alone. I will not make that mistake again. If I must do
battle to protect these two you will be by their side to guard them
against a secondary attack. You have shown you have a heart as
fierce as any animal. I would be honored to have someone so
self-sacrificing fighting by my side . . . old woman. Besides, fret
not, in time my eye will regenerate itself.”
“I am in your debt, Ursunid the Bear.
You have given me back my sight. I can now care for and protect
Regent Luna’s offspring. And who are you calling old woman you old
goat.”
A shocked grin on his face, Sheriff
Thornwood slaps Champion Nocturnus on the back, “There, you see.
Your family will be safe here at the lair with their protectors
Ursunid the Bear and Minnie Mo. Let us be off to Lorenia to see if
we find the Smurfy Gnome and put an end to this troublesome ilk.”
As they leave Nocturnus looks over his
shoulder. Regent Luna stands just inside the entrance with Uni, a
baby in each of their arms. Just outside the entrance is Ursunid the
Bear, staff in hand, and Minnie Mo, the bejeweled club a heavy on her
shoulder; Rathalos and his men standing guard in the clearing.
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