A Bear's Oath

Sun rays flooded the cave. 

Hitting Uther right in the eyes as he opened them. 

He yawned and stretched. 

Part of his winter fur shedding to the ground. 

A smell like death whipped through the air. 

Uther groaned. 

Assuming it was the smell of coal arrows. 

Used by hunters every season to capture bears. 

Uther being the undefeated, short-face, bear had the responsibility to protect his species from becoming extinct. 

Since humans had an odd fascination with collecting bear claws. 

It made Uther sick to his stomach just thinking about it. 

He stood quickly. 

Marching to the cave edge. 

He stopped in his tracks. 

Catching sight of the reason for smoke in the air. 

On the next mountain over was the human Saigon Kingdom. 

The area was burning. 

Uther ears picked up on several cries for help. 

At first he didn’t want to care. 

But then a blue flag was raised. 

Belonging to the enemies of Saigon. 

A sudden urge to help came over Uther. 

But his paws didn’t move at the fear that he might be captured. 

A branch snapped. 

Uther ears shot straight up. 

His eyes looking down. 

Over the cliff. 

Before him dangling from the ledge was a man. 

A warrior. 

Dressed in the red Saigon armor. 

On his back hung a female infant wrapped up in a bag.

Uther had seen a human infant once before.

But he looked nothing like this one.

For this human cub was a female.

But then again not all bear cubs are the same. 

Ignoring the sight of Uther the warrior finished climbing and sat on the cliff. 

Proceeding to untie the infant. 

With slight hesitation the man finally looked at Uther.

While cuddling the infant in his arms. 

Who was now screaming her head off. 

The warrior sat calmly yet winced with every move. 

Uther could see wounds covering the parts of his unprotected skin. 

Some of his armor was damaged and falling apart. 

A small hole in his side leaked with more and more blood. 

With every passing second. 

Uther took several steps back. 

Trying to process what was happening. 

After a grunt the man spoke. 

“I know you can’t understand me”. 

Uther wanted to laugh at the lack of unintelligence of man. 

Assuming that creatures unlike them couldn’t understand their language. 

But without interrupting Uther listened to him. 

“I’m sorry. All these years we’ve hunted you bears for mere sport. But despite it all I ask that you forgive us for the life of this baby. And protect her for the sake of peace” 

An immense overwhelming of frustration flooded Uther. 

He began growling and pacing. 

He knew what was happening. 

The man was dying and all that will be left is a screaming baby on the cliff edge. 

Uther sighed to himself. 

He didn’t want anything to do with a human. 

Especially a tiny one. 

The man suddenly stood. 

Pushing himself to move closer towards Uther. 

Who pouted in the corner of the cave. 

The man sat the infant on the ground.

Then he made a noise.

Uther could tell that he was in a lot of pain. 

The expression of anguish on his face made Uther’s heart wrench. 

A bear such as himself couldn’t help but feel for him. 

Slowly Uther approached the infant.

Picking her up carefully with his mouth.

And carrying her ever so gently with his teeth. 

As the warrior fell to the ground.

Taking his last breath.

The back of his neck revealed a tiny potato shaped patch of brown skin. 

From his hand fell a rusted and golden shred of cloth. 

With a tiny black flower on it.

With one paw Uther picked it up.

Hobbling on three paws back to his nest. 

Uther placed the infant and the cloth on his pile of bark and dirt.

He began observing the small creature. 

Her cream colored face turned a bright red hue as she wailed and squirmed.

Mouth wide open.

Showing a flap of gums and tongue. 

Her eyes were barely open.

But Uther was still able to catch a glimpse of her light violet irises. 

Her hair was also light.

And just as white as the winter snow.

Part of it was soaked in blood.

Most likely from being pressed against the man’s wounded chest. 

A dark blue cloth was wrapped around her body.

Which Uther found quite strange.

Since the Red Saigon’s he’s only ever seen always wore the color red.

Aside from their bronze amour.  

The back of the infant's neck showed the same potato patch as the warrior.

A warm feeling came over Uther.

As she used the tip of one of his long claws to wipe the infants snotty nose. 

And for only a tiny moment did she actually stop crying. 

Over and over in his mind Uther tried to say her name but it didn’t quite sound right.

Human names were simply just too weird to the ears of a bear. 

Of course he knew what the name meant.

But he couldn't help but think:

‘Why name an infant something just because you want them to be that’

“Instead of Warrior you’ll be called “Pelle Orso”. Or "Orso". Since you don’t have much hair”

Said Uther. 

As the day droned on the infant continued to cry. 

Uther knew that she was most likely very hungry and thirsty as he. 

But he didn’t dare leave the cave. 

Waiting until the fire in the distance was finally burned out and the blue flag was gone. 

The warriors body he had long pushed down the cliff. 

In fear that its stench would soon fill up the cave. 

When evening fell three cubs came running into the cave.

Greeting Uther with the traditional bear head butting. 

Followed by their parents, Nym and Arturo.

Two grown bears who’s sizes are nowhere near as big as Uther’s. 

While Nym dropped the several fish in her mouth Arturo smelled around the cave.

Observing a new smell with Uther’s.

Who was relieved that the infant was now sleeping. 

Her snores a mere chirp to his sensitive ears. 

“Here you are Uther. Eight fish. From Yrone river. We figured you’ve spent all day here watching the human’s fire. Any idea for the cause of it?”

asked Nym. 

As her cubs sniffed around the cave. 

Uther eyeing them and Arturo carefully. 

“Thank you. And yes. They’ve been defeated by their enemies”

Said Uther.

Already eating some of the fish. 

“Well then good riddance to those humans. My twins no longer need to be in fear”

Said Nym. 

“Hold your tongue. Not all humans are the same. If the Saigon humans are defeated eventually more humans will invade. Humans that could mean much worse” 

Uther snapped.

Just as Arturo and the cubs came across the infant. 

With eyes narrowed Arturo eyed the baby.

He sniffed at her hair and face.

As he held the cubs back with his paw.

Uther and Nym were watching. 

“Uther! What is the meaning of this… Have you gone mad?”

Nym asked.

Not truly believing her eyes.

As she pounded her paw against the ground. 

“Do you dare question your king?” 

Uther snorted. 

As he stood up on his hind legs.

Towering them all.

Nym’s eyes shifted downward as she bowed.

 As the cubs ran to her side.

And Arturo marched in front of her.

Bowing as well.

Their cubs whimpered.

Arturo turned around.

Facing Nym.

“Go take the cubs home. I’ll be there shortly”

He ordered her.

With a weak snort Nym began ushering the cubs out of the cave.

“I’m truly sorry for her words Uther”

Arturo said. 

As Uther calmed down.

“Your family is forgiven”

Said Uther as he sat down before the smaller male.

“What may I ask are you planning to do with it?”

Arturo asked.

“Its a she”

Said Uther.

Arturo looked over at the infant.

As she squirmed in her sleep.

“How do you know?”

Arturo asked.

“Instinct. I’ve smelt to many male humans to know that this one is a female”

Uther.

“Well, I’m afraid that many of the others might not be in favor of having a human cub living among us”

Said Artuto.

Uther gave a low growl.

“I’m aware of what the others will say and think. And I’m prepared”

Said Uther.

“What about Doja?”

Arturo asked.

“What about her?”

Uther answered.

“She won’t like this”

Arturo snorted.

“She doesn’t have a choice. I’m the Rednose. Father chose me to lead”

Uther growled again.

With another bow Arturo left.

Taking one last glance at the infant.

When the baby woke up Uther picked her up in his mouth again.

Heading for the river.

At the shore line he placed her on a rock.

Then he began splashing her with water.

At first she she screamed.

And cried.

But on the fifth time Uther splashed her she giggled.

All because Uther had accidently swatted a fish from the river.

Which landed on the shore and flopped around next to her.

Uther then carried her to a tree.

He sat her on a nearby stump as he stood on his hind legs to get honey from a beehive.

The bees attacked him.

But Uther didn’t mind the bee stings.

As he pulled out two honeycombs from the hive.

Then he shook the bees off casually.

“Try this”

Uther said.

Giving the infant a honeycomb.

She held it in her hands side ways and suked on it.

Seeming satisfied.

Uther watched her.

Observing her struggle to hold the comb properly.

From the corner of his eye Uther could see something emerge from the river.

“I knew I smelt a human”

Said Doja.

As she and her cub stepped onto the shore.

Doja headed straight for the infant.

“She’s under my protection Doja”

Said Uther.

Stepping in front of the female bear.

Her cub, Xirsu, hid behind her mother.

But Doja stood her ground.

Eyeing the infant.

“You’re protecting her? After all she’s done to us”

Doja asked.

“She has done nothing to us. That was other humans. They’re not all the same. We bears aren’t the same”

Said Uther with a snort.

“What do you know? Were you tortured by them?Did they kill your mom? Or your cub’s father? Let me eat this one before she grows up to kill us all”

Said Doja.

As Xirsu peeked around her mother to get a glimpse of the infant.

“She will do no such thing. She will become one of us”

Said Uther.

“One of us? How dare you insult our kind. This human cub will never be one of us Uther”

Said Doja.

Pushing Doja back behind her.

“I believe she will”

Uther growled.

“Believe what you want. But no one will take your side on this when we vote tonight”

Said Doja.

As she began walking away.

Shoving Xirsu in front of her.

“You’ll see”

Said Uther.

While Doja angrily stomped away.

When night fall came all the bears of the Zhil Forest gathered near Uther’s cave.

Where the moonlight lit up the side of the mountain.

The crowd was great.

All bears of all kinds were there.

Including pandas and polars.

Which Uther is both from.

With a heavy sigh Uther stood before them all.

“What have you done Uther?”

Said Auberon.

The second oldest elderly bear.

Once he spoke all the bears began shouting at Uther.

Making the infant cry at their roars that echoed down the mountain.

Uther stood on his hind legs.

“Quiet!”

He roared.

Instantly the forest came to a silence.

“The human cub is staying. Unless you all wish to rebel against your leader”

Said Uther.

Narbir, a sloth bear, approached him with a bow.

“Permission to speak?”

He asked.

Uther nodded.

“Why, may I ask, do you insist on a human cub live among us?”

Said Narbir.

“Because I have made an oath. And as you all know when a bear makes an oath he must keep it”

Said Uther.

“But why?”

Asked Nym suddenly.

Arturo glared at her.

But Uther held back his anger and gestured for Arturo to approach.

“I’m sorry but what she means to say is what do you plan to do with her?”

Arturo asked.

“He plans to raise her among us! And when she’s old enough she will kill us all!”

Doja shouted.

Which caused another uproar among them.

Making the infant cry again.

And the trees to shake.

Once again Uther stood on his hind legs.

Then he charged at Doja.

Who quickly bowed to him.

Out of fear.

The rest of the bears quieted.

All of them joined Doja in bowing.

It was according to bear rules that they must all fear their leader.

Uther turned around.

Looking at where he left the infant lying on a rock.

Yuri, a sun bear, was guarding her.

Uther gave her a nod before turning back toward Doja.

“I’m going to raise her like a bear. And she will grow up to protect us. You might not like her now. But I believe that within do time you all will get used to the idea”

Said Uther.

After calming himself.

At hearing his words no one spoke.

Not even the female elder bears who normally voiced their opinion like Nym.

When they all dispersed.

Uther took the infant back into his cave.

Setting it back onto his nest.

Within minutes she was sound asleep.

Snuggled against his paw.

Uther watched over her.

His heavy breathing caused her hair to sway. 

“These bears will not like you. But one day you’ll earn their acceptance. It won’t come easily. But I believe that you can do it. And I promise to always protect. For this is my oath to you”