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Needless to say the journey back to Shavron was horrific for Esta. She cried so much
that she ran out of tears. Even the sorrow of a child was not enough to bring Caleb to
his sense. He only consoled Esta by saying,
“The High Judge has great plans for you. You will understand soon.”
It did little to help, and the youngster barely looked at her uncle the entire journey. When
the ship arrived at Shavron, it was a foggy morning. Visibility out into the sea was
difficult if not impossible. Ursus was waiting on the dock as the ship parted through the
wall of fog, docking safely at the seaport. He glanced at every passenger that got off.
Ursus bodyguards escorted the returning passengers away from the scene. By the time
Caleb and Esta began to descend, the port was vacant of any witnesses. When he saw
Caleb there was no change in his mood, but when Esta was spotted, a wicked smile
came across his face. With an air of pride he waited for Caleb to bring her to him. Esta
shuttered as she was brought to Ursus; his large robust figure and arrogant smile
seemed to mimic King’s.
“Uncle Caleb,” Esta nearly crying, “please don’t do this.”
“Quiet child.” he said with a trembling voice.
“Well done, Caleb,” said Ursus with open arms. “See, I knew you could do it. I’ll
remember this--I can count on you.” Ursus turned his gaze at Esta. “The little storyteller.
I waited a long time to deal with you.”
“Deal with you?” Caleb said, “but..”
“Oh, shut up.” Ursus said growling, “You’ve fulfilled you purpose. GIVE ME, ESTA!”
Fearing that she would be taken, she bite her uncle’s arm. Caleb shouted and released
her hand. Her flight was fast but temporary. Ursus stride was longer and she was barely
able to get hundred yard before he caught her.
“NO, STOP LET GO OF ME!”
“Let see how well you tell a story in a grave.”
A great boom came from the fog and a canon ball struck one the building in the port,
shattering parts of it to pieces. Ursus, Caleb, and Esta stared into the mist and another
boom came again. The result was another cannonball blasting into another edifice. Two
more came after ripping through the pavement, leaving long trails of destruction until
coming to rest. Ursus fearfully as the fog vanished revealing one of Shavron’s war
ships.
“YOU IDIOTS!” shouted Ursus at the vessel, “YOUR FIRING ON YOUR OWN LAND!
I’LL HAVE ALL OF YOU HANGED!
A cannon fired sending its projectile right over Ursus’s head. Another warship slowly
approaching, its cannons were not revealed and it came to port touching the edge with
a great dud. Ursus waited, the hull was opened, and what came out brought a frown to
the bear, but a smile to Esta face.
Dorian came from the hull running down the platform with his royal guard. Ursus’s
soldiers came forward to meet them and there was great clash of weapon on both
sides. Ursus took flight with Esta in his arms. The emperor fought through the crowd
with little effort giving chase.
“My daddy’s going to get you!” she said.
Ursus ran with all his speed, not caring how far or how long. His heart throbbed rapidly
in his chest. He dared not to look back in fear of finding Dorian on his heels. He entered
a small wood, and from behind him he heard:
The bear turned and there was the emperor with his sword pointed at him.
“Let her go.”
“No.” said Ursus with a slight smile. “I wasn’t really going to hurt her you know, but you
had to ruin everything.”
“Put her down now, or I’ll put this blade in your heart.”
“Emperor,” said Ursus was a blank stare, “this is very simple: I’m going to count to three
and someone’s going to have an unhappy ending. One.”
Dorian stood poised, not flinching even once. Esta watched as Ursus and Dorian kept
their gazes on one another.
“Two.”
Esta looked up at the massive head of the Asian Black bear; his mouth ready to utter
the final number. She felt his claws moving under her and his free hand moving over to
her head. The sword in the emperor’s hand was not the only weapon available, and
Esta used her’s.
“The Holy One wants you to repent Mr. Ursus.” she said quickly. “He wants to forgive
you like He did my daddy. All you have to do is ask. He doesn’t treat His children like
you’ve treated kids. Let Glory love you.”
For a moment (a brief moment) the words seemed to penetrate the bears iniquitous
heart, but he shook his head quickly to remove any ounce of conviction that came on
him.
“I’m telling you the truth.” said Esta.
“I DON’T WANT IT!” said Ursus.
The distraction was enough to give Dorian time to lunge at the bear. The act caught
Ursus off guard and before he had a change to assault Esta, the leopard brought his
blade down. Ursus released Esta and swatted the emperor before the death blow was
given. Dorian hit the ground, but was back on his feet instantly. The High Judge charged
with a horrific growl finding as he presented his razor sharp claws. He threw blows with
such speed that any other animal would have been sliced into pieces, but the emperor’s
reflexes were much sharper and the High Judge never landed a blow. The futile effort
gave the emperor a change to follow up, but instead swing his blade, he swung his fist;
landing the blow squarely on the bear’s nose. A trickle of blood ran quickly down Ursus’s
muzzle, which only infuriated the bear even further.
Ursus tried the same tactic again, but with the same results; and the bear soon found himself out of breath as he dropped to his knees. What Ursus received next was a most
appropriate finish. Dorian came quickly with a clinched fist and brought it upward under
Ursus’s jaw. The upper cut not only brought the bear to his feet, but laid him out on his
back. The High Judge tried to recover but was presented with the tip of the emperor’s
blade. By this time the royal guard had come to their emperor’s side.
“I don’t much about your culture, Ursus.” said Dorian taking hold of the three crest, “but I
know that your not worthy of these.”
The crest were torn from Ursus’s neck. Esta ran to her father’s side giving him a hug.
Under the the careful watch of the royal guard, Ursus was taken away and the rescue of
Esta was complete.