Dawn crept in, dulling the luminous plants and insects outside the bears' cabin. Oswald slept on the floor atop a Japanese-style futon, snoring lightly through his nose.
"Wake up!" Percival called out, shaking him. "Wake up! It is dawn, and we must take our leave after breakfast."
"Mm… But Father… it's Saturday… No school on Sat—"
STOMP!
"WAKE UP!"
"WA!"
Oswald jumped to his feet in a karate stance, arms raised, ready to strike.
"Where are they?" He spun in place, head swiveling. "Show yourselves!"
"Haaah. Your sole adversary is your indolence. Come now—breakfast awaits, and we shall depart thereafter."
Oswald dropped his arms, looking at Percival. "Huh? Oh, okay."
Rubbing his eyes, Oswald followed Percival out of the son's room.
The female bear stood by the stove in a pink hair cap and apron. Aelindor and the male bear were already seated at the table, their attention drawn to the newcomers.
Oswald raised his hand. "Good morning!" he said in Russian.
The bear gave a nod. "Good morning to you too."
Oswald and Percival climbed the scaled-up chairs. Once seated, Oswald turned to the bear, who sat across from him at the table's end.
"Thank you for letting us stay the night and for the food—both yesterday and today."
"No, no, we thank you for coming. Our days have been the same before your arrival. We appreciate you liking our hospitality."
He translated the bear's reply for the others. They bowed—Percival with a hand over his heart.
The bear acknowledged their bows, returning his gaze to Oswald.
"Now, for the directions to the kingdom." The bear nodded and pointed a claw toward the entrance. "From here, go straight until you see a bush bearing blue and red fruits. Keep moving straight until you reach the pavement of the kingdom—the entrance will be on your right."
He relayed the directions to the two.
"Doth the path we are to tread hold any peril?"
Oswald, the mediator, mediated to the bear.
"No, but I can't guarantee you won't encounter dangers in the surrounding forest."
Oswald translated the warning.
"That is good enough. We can take care of ourselves through the path."
Yep. No bout a doubt it.
The group finished their breakfast and left the cabin. Oswald and the others waved at the bear family standing by the cabin entrance.
"Goodbyeeee! Thank you for letting us stayyyy!"
The bear waved back. "Have a safe journey!"
The female bear smiled back. "I hope we see you again soon!"
The trio turned and followed the bear's instructions, passing the bush laden with red and blue fruit as they headed deeper into the forest.
* * *
Leaves drifted down as the three trekked deeper into the forest. Birds sang overhead, and twigs snapped beneath their feet.
"Never in my life have I thought about eating breakfast with a comically large spoon."
"Neither have I, although I should prepare beforehand if and when we dine in the Bestial Dominion. In case they don't have normal-sized tableware."
Wait, you intend to practice eating with a large spoon? The heck?
"Thou mayest do so; yet would it not be mere waste of time, should they already possess a spoon of common measure?"
"He has a point. If they already have normal spoons, the training would be for nothing."
Percival shook his head. "It does not matter whether or not they have normal spoons. The goal is preparation."
Oswald and Aelindor stifled a laugh, then burst out laughing.
"I just… I just can't get the image out of my head—you trying to eat everything conceivable with that enormous silverware."
Aelindor placed his hand on his stomach. "The struggle… I behold the struggle, and it doth greatly amuse me."
Both gasped for air between fits of laughter as Percival's face reddened.
When the laughter subsided, Oswald placed a hand on Percival's shoulder. "Hey, when that happens, do call me. I'd like to take up the challenge."
"Heh." Percival scoffed, feeling a bit better. "Consider it done."
Their banter about oversized cutlery ended, and silence fell over the rest of their journey.
* * *
ns216.73.216.247da2
and then Add to home screen.