The reforms from the emperor spread quickly throughout the land of Chetz. Many other
traders either left the country or changed their ways living; and the once reject truth of
God was beginning to flourish more and more. The Hand of the Lord was with them and
within the span of two months nearly every child that was used in the Child Trade were
taken care of. Pogisa and Esta were adopted as royal children; and Sisera,to his
dismay, was outnumber with two sisters. Esta did not forget about Charm and mention
to the king of his kindness to her. The chameleon was ordered to the palace without any
further delay and made head chief in absence of the prior cook who quit. The royal
family that was made of of three leopards, a elephant, and dog enjoyed many days
together. It was a month of peace, but one day the queen received a letter that troubled
her.
“And who is this from?”
“It came by way of a messenger, my queen. Its Ursus High Judge of Shavron. He is
currently in the country.”
The letter was taken to the emperor who read it immediately. Ursus, who had traveled to the country, was requesting a dinner with them. Although, cautious the emperor sent a
reply to have Ursus as their guests for dinner. Dinnertime arrived and the children were
at their place awaiting the arrival of the bear. The private dinning room door was opened
with the announcement of Ursus.
“High Judge of Shavron and friend to the Chetzians, Ursus.”
The asian black bear came in smiling, receiving the proper greeting from the queen and
emperor. He espied the young elephant and leopard, but the moment he caught sight of
Esta, his smile; for just a brief moment, disappeared. Ursus quickly regained his
composure and thanked the emperor for accepting his request. Everyone took their
seats as the meal was served. Once everyone has their fill, Ursus brought out what he
had come for.
“I have been most curious by this new wave of among the Chetzians.” replied Ursus,
“Your history denoted you as haters of anything concerning the Shavronites, and a
nation of heathens. What has made you trust in the Holy One?”
Dorain took note of Ursus’s insulting tone, but before he went to speak, the queen
interjected.
“Our little storyteller,” said the queen embracing Esta. “She told us something we had
never heard before. Its was the Gospel--we needed to hear it.”
“Oh, really,” replied Ursus looking directly at Esta, “So she started this, eh? I would love
to hear her little story.”
“Go ahead, Esta.” said the queen encouraging her.
Esta briefly looked at Ursus, and saw in the bear something that made her afraid. He
vacant stare held a deep loathing. She shook her head in refusal.
“Esta, that’s rude of you.” said the queen. “Your better than that.”
“Please do not scold the child,” replied Ursus, “I already know it, as much as I know of
the rash decision to abolish the Child Trade in Chetz. You’re losing some much money
and I find it quiet hypocritical of you.”
This comment took out whatever harmony was in the room. The emperor,
understanding the shift in the conversation, boldly spoke on the matter.
“It is good that you know this, Ursus. For it is God who has opened the heart of my wife
and I--even many in Chetz already. It is the Holy One’s son, Glory, that has showed me
the truth. I have a new life and a new way of living. You can have it too, my dear High
Judge, if you will only---”
Ursus held up his hand to stop the ending.
“I’m hear to convince you not to be convinced.”
“The child trade is wicked, barbaric, and ungodly,” said the king. “I’m ashamed that I
allowed it for so long.”
“Barabaric? Wicked? Ungodly?” said Ursus slightly smiling, “Such harsh language.”
“There are harsher words to use,” said the queen, “but young ears are among us.”
Esta, Pogisa, and Sisera snickered. Ursus turned his gazed at the children; the
snickering immediately stopped.
“Besides,” said the emperor again, “Other leopards have become believers; and with
the help of the Lord, they have adopted many of the children involved. My wife and I
have done so, loving Esta and Pogisa as much as our own son Sisera.”
Ursus listened nodding his head whenever he felt the need to show any interest in the
speech. Once the emperor was complete, the bear took his cup raised it to his lips, and
before taking a drink said:
“That’s all good and well, but it is very unwise to be alone in this. Safety in numbers is
something you need to consider.”
The emperor sat agape for a moment taking into account what Ursus was hinting at.
Although deeply angry, the leopard asked the queen to remove the children from the
room and leave him alone with the high judge of Shavron. Once the emperor was alone,
he made it his duty to put Ursus back in his place.
“I guess its time for the kids to go to bed,” said Ursus wiping his mouth, “I was hoping to
that they would stay to see their daddy make a fool of himself.”
“Get out.” said the emperor coldly.
Ursus stood from the table. He towered over the leopard.
“You leopards are so touchy. I’m the one that should be angry: I came to you nearly ten
years ago and you agreed to the Child Trade, and after some silly child gives you a
story you take it upon yourself to break away! You have no right to be angry, leopard!”
said Ursus whacking the table, “The money that I have lost is in the tens of millions!”
“I don’t care what you lost.” said the emperor. “You’re a demon fit for the lake of fire and
If you’re looking for me to follow you again into that darkness, then you better look
elsewhere. Chetz no longer will acknowledge the evil of the Trade and will do what it
can to bring other nations to realized the evil of the Child Trade.”
Ursus smiled.
“You can’t fight the world.” he said softly, “I have the whole world at my beckoning. No one will side with you. I’ll remove Chetz off the map. Do not test me.”
The emperor walked directly up to the bear. His glare at Ursus was unrelenting and
showed no signs of trepidation.
“Make sure your out of the county before daybreak. If my guard finds your tomorrow, I’ll
tie a bolder around your neck and throw you in the sea.”
Instantly Dorian called for his guards. They arrived promptly ready to obey their leader.
Ursus grunted and proceeded to the door. Before leaving he pointed and said:
“War.”
Once the bear was gone, Dorain sat down with a heavy heart. His stance against Ursus
was to ensure war, but at what cost, was the true question on the leopard’s mind.