CHAPTER 10: A LITTLE STORY ABOUT A BEAR-CUB NAMED URSURA

**Ursura**

I’ve been feeling guilty.

“…”

Listening to Kuro’s story, I just couldn’t believe how humans have treated him. I mean, he’s one of their own, right? Basically, they threw him away when he finally lost his usefulness, and didn’t even let him live the life he deserved.

“…”

And here I am, always suspecting human kindness at every opportunity, thinking of it as deceptive…

Well, based on what I experienced before, it is really deceptive. Will anyone blame me if I think like that?

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***The Western Mountain Ranges of Cherwind, many seasons long ago…***

“After a long and careful deliberation by the tribal council about your case, Ursura of West Ursus, we decided to lower your punishment from death by stoning, to banishment. This is because of consideration to the pleas of your sister and mother; remember this. From now on, you are not a part of this tribe!”

I still remember that dark past of mine. They never let me defend myself. According to the tribal council, the elders of the tribe were faultless, their wisdom formed by seasons of experiences, and passed down from our esteemed ancestors.

How dare me I bravely questioned it!

But, where’s the wisdom in that? One elder of our tribe, that accursed Ciriacus, made my sister and mother break their oaths to their mates because he simply wanted to mate with them. And for us beastfolk, a promise made was as important as chastity to humans—we couldn’t simply ignore it! Of course, I had to defend their honor by challenging him to a duel, and though I won, he had the tribal council on his side.

They accused me of breaking those stupid tribal customs. What? Just because Ciriacus was a tribe elder, he could do as he pleased? That’s bullshit!

And, because of that incident, I was banished from my tribe. My sister and mother—though they did everything they could to help—couldn’t do anything other than to plead. I was virtually alone. The warriors of our tribe dragged me from the gates of our village, up to the borders of our land, then symbolically ‘threw’ me out. As if to put further insult to me, they gave me a small bag of food and a half-wineskin of water.

“As the tribe of West Ursus is merciful and kind, law-breakers like you get food and water even as you are banished,” Ciriacus’ words cut through me like a blade. Deep inside, I wanted to kill him with my own hands, but I was only a bear-cub back then; he surrounded himself with strong warriors so that I couldn’t get to him.

That coward…

I sincerely wished they just killed me instead of kicking me out of the village. That’d be easier for both of us. But since he let me live, I’ll make sure he’d regret that moment he let me go…

“…”

I took one last look at the place where I grew up, spat on the ground, and told myself that in the forthcoming seasons, I’d make sure these people would be sorry for banishing me.

And that became my goal as I reminded myself of what the West Ursus did to me. Anger and bitterness grew in my heart as I made my way down the Western Mountains, through the wilderness, and into the human city of Telessaria…

----------

When I was still living with my mother, she would often tell me stories about how the humans came to Cherwind. According to her, they were from the land called Chersea, and in their bloodline flow the blood of heroes and champions that saved their realm from the monsters and demons of the past. She also said that they were invited here by the ‘benevolent’ saint, Ruro of the Wolf, to help us defend from the monsters plaguing our own land.

Honestly, among all her stories, I was particularly fascinated with that human heroine Cassandra David. Hers was a tale of being summoned from another world, and saving Chersea from a mighty army of demons and dark creatures that invaded the human lands many seasons ago. One of her companions was the powerful beastwoman archer, Terebia of the Bow…

“Ursura, we beastfolk were brought forth by the Almighty Lord Gaius through his daughter Tehmon. We must always remember to serve as a faithful ally of men, for that is his will,” my mother would always tell me, “If they gain glory and fame, we surely are not forgotten. Lady Terebia was one fine example of such a reward for faithfulness. She and her bow fought alongside Cassandra David, and because of that, every tongue now praises her name!”

As a young bear-cub, Lady Terebia of the Bow has always been an inspiration for me and my fellow young beastfolk. We all dreamt of becoming like her when we grow up, and become the champion of humans and beastfolk alike…

“…”

So, in search of that glory, fame, and a human to serve, I traveled to the human lands, hungry for those things…

“And what do we have here? A bear-cub, fresh from the mountains?”

The two sentries at the gates of Telessaria laughed as I tried to enter the city. I wonder what’s so funny about me coming down from the mountains?

“Tell me, cub, what do you want to do in our city?” one sentry asked me.

“I’m trying to follow the footsteps of Lady Terebia and become famous!” I honestly told him.

The sentries exchanged amused looks. The one who was talking to me then continued, “Ah, we get a lot of young beastfolk here whose goals are the same as yours. What makes you different from them?”

“I am strong!”

“Uh-huh.”

“And brave.”

“Yeah, they told me that as well.”

I’m getting annoyed by the way this sentry was talking to me. It’s as if he’s not taking me seriously. Not wishing to create trouble, I told him, “Well, I got no place to return to. So, I’m sure I can travel around freely. I do not plan to stay permanently in the city if that’s what you’re trying to ask.”

Once again, the sentry and his friend exchanged glances. Then, after a few minutes of silence, he said, “Alright bear-cub, we’ll let you in the city. But first, you need to grab some clothes; our lord would never want someone naked walking around the streets—human or beastmen.”

“Where can I find those?”

The sentry nodded to his companion, and they gave me a cloak, “Here kid, wear this. Don’t take it off unless you’re in a private place or something like that.”

I tried it on, and it’s larger than my body. Also, the cloak was hot! I couldn’t understand why the humans would prefer to torture themselves with such things as clothes…

“Remember…” the sentry reminded me once again, “Do not take it off.”

I nodded, before asking, “Now that I’m wearing clothes, where do I find glory, fame, and a master to serve like Lady Terebia?”

“Hmm…bear-cub, if you’re that excited, you can always check the city’s news board, at the square. You can find lots of job requests in there.”

“Oh! Thank you!”

“And hey!” the sentry called out to me as I walked further into the city, “About a master to serve, better be careful not to let others dupe you!”

“I will!” I answered back. Satisfied, the sentry went back to his post with his partner.

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Telessaria was said to be the largest human city in Cherwind, and I’d say the rumors were correct. The city proper was surrounded by tall and thick stone walls, interrupted at regular intervals by huge and imposing towers manned by human soldiers. The gates were richly-ornamented, and on its walls were the carvings of various human heroes of the past.

“…”

Even more impressive were the streets, which were made of cobblestones. Stone buildings of various heights were on each side of the road, and humans in their brightly-colored clothes walk around minding their own businesses. It was noisy and lively…a far cry from the backward village of the West Ursus where I hailed from.

“…”

And speaking of clothes, the cloak I’m wearing was really hot. Well, it’s not that I’d take it off completely, but I raised it for a while, trying to cool down my body…

Now, where is that news board the sentry is talking about?

I found the city square soon after that, and the news board as well. It was easy to spot because the news board was being swarmed by people looking for something, like myself.

“…”

Squeezing my way unto the crowd, I finally got myself in front of the news board. But then, I suddenly realized, I had a big problem…

I can’t read what the signs say.

Well, reading was a human invention, and so our tribe didn’t bother to learn nor teach us about it. For the West Ursus, strength was all that we needed to survive, for one couldn’t hunt for food with reading. But I knew something that could solve my problem.

“Excuse me!” I tried to call someone’s attention, “Can someone please read the signs for me?”

However, no one answered. A man even told me to stay quiet; seemed like he’s getting irritated while looking for something in the signs. In any case, I didn’t pay attention to him; I just walked away for a little and continued looking for someone who’d lend a hand.

“Hey bear-cub, I heard you’re looking for someone who’d help you read?”

“!!!” I was surprised when I heard that deep voice spoke from behind me. Turning around, I saw an armored man with a huge sword on his back. He removed his helmet to reveal his bearded face.

“My name is Levist, and I’m a mercenary,” he said with a smile on his face, “I’ve seen you at the gates earlier. Looks like you just came from the mountains?”

I only nodded. I don’t know what to say to him…

“Would you like me to help you read the signs on the board?”

“Y-Yes, please!” I answered, “I’m looking for glory, fame, and a master to serve, see?”

I could tell that the mercenary was taken aback when he heard my words. He just laughed and went towards the news board, effortlessly shoving those who stood in his way. A few moments later, he returned with a wooden sign on his hands.

“Here’s one quest that should fit you,” he said, “It says that the owner of some house in the merchant quarters wanted a helping hand in exterminating pests.”

“Would I get the glory, fame, and a master if I do that?”

The mercenary chuckled, “Well, aren’t you one impatient bear-cub! You see, it doesn’t work that way. If you’re looking for those things, you should diligently earn that yourself!”

“Huh? Are you playing jokes on me?”

Levist smirked, “No! But you see, before you earn glory and fame, you’ll start low. Then slowly increase the jobs you take, which would give you fame. Once you become famous, you may now earn glory for your name.”

“And how about a master?” the fire of excitement burning within my heart was dampened by the realization that I still have a long way to go to achieve my goals.

“A master, eh?” the mercenary patted my head, “You don’t need to look further. I can be your master for now, if you want to earn fame and glory faster!”

“Ooh…”

“Don’t be so down, bear-cub,” Levist consoled me, “Fame and glory really take time to earn, and in my mercenary company, you have the chance to get to your dreams quickly. You’ll learn about the ways of fighting in battles, and you’ll be famous in no time.”

“A mercenary company?”

He nodded.

“Really? You’d teach me once I joined?”

“Yes, but let’s be clear. You won’t be staying with my mercenary company for free. Of course, like the others, work your way up. Earn you keep if you wanted to come with us.”

With sparkles in my eyes and chest puffed-out, I proudly declared, “Then this young bear-cub would do her best to be of use to you and your men!”

“Great!” Levist reached out and offered his hand in a handshake, “Welcome to our group!”

Since then, I became a mercenary. And never did I think back then that it was one of the biggest mistakes I ever did in my life.

----------

Levist’s mercenary company took me in as one of their members after ‘testing’ my skills in that ‘extermination job’ he picked for me. Soon, as the youngest mercenary, he and his men would often assign me in the most dangerous jobs and missions, like monster extermination, or fighting in the frontlines against the armies of a rival lord.

Of course, I didn’t miss the chance to learn everything that I could; from fighting human battles to killing monsters, I honed my strength as a beastfolk in the mercenary company.

“…”

However, with everything I learned, I paid it with my body. Levist explained to me before that kindness was something I should expect with an equal exchange. As they were teaching me the aspects of the battlefield, so I was expected to pay back by ‘relieving the men of their stress’.

And that’s what I zealously did. At every end of a battle, they would always mate with me. I guess the humans really love to do this thing. What I’m curious about back then was that, even though the human males enjoy such activities, human females seemed to avoid them. Even in times of their frustration, they would let it out on me.

“…”

To be honest, I can’t understand why this thing would be enjoyable to both humans and beastmen. It’s painful, and sometimes, when my partners get carried away, they’d hurt me.

But I carried on like it’s normal…until one time, we went to battle—one that was our company’s last…

“Abandon the baggage trains and retreat to your positions!” Levist shouted orders amidst the heavy downpour.

“But captain, our supplies—”

“Don’t mind that, unless you wanted those filthy beastmen to slaughter you!”

Confusion and death hounded our company as we trudged our way into the inner walls of the city of Telessaria. A beastman slave revolt suddenly erupted, and the human soldiers were ill-prepared to counter it. One by one, the humans were ambushed and killed, and the survivors were forced to retreat into the inner city when the gates were sealed by the beastmen warriors outside.

Our mercenary group has prided in the fact that we didn’t retreat in all our battles before, but much to our surprise, we’re being pushed into a corner. Little by little, we had to give ground to the enemy, until we had our backs against the inner-city walls.

“Damn those beastmen slaves!” I heard Levist mutter, “To think they dared to plan this rebellion all along!”

“Levist…” I asked, “…what should we do?”

“We’ll stay as the rearguard,” he replied, “We’re being paid to protect the keep of Telessaria. If the keep fell, then we had no one to pay us for our services!”

“Captain!” another mercenary called out to him, “We could still break out of Telessaria. Just give the order!”

“No!” Levist insisted, “My company has never retreated in any battlefield, and I’m not starting now!”

“But we’ll be massacred here!” the mercenary pleaded, “The others who stood their ground were annihilated by the beastmen warriors and slaves!”

“Well, if you wanted to retreat, then go ahead!” our captain blurted out, “But I will shoot anyone who deserts their position with this crossbow!”

Seeing that Levist won’t budge, our men fell silent. However, they also stood their ground against him.

“What are you waiting for?” Levist brandished his weapon, “I’ll really shoot you, you cowards! Get back to your damned posi—GUH!”

“!!!” Much to my surprise, our captain didn’t even finish his threats as a crossbow bolt pierced his skull. He fell backward with a thud.

“What have you done?” I shouted to my companions, “You killed our leader!”

“Well, if we’re going to die in this city, we might as well kill him!” they told me, “We never liked Levist, anyway; we’re only here in this stupid company so we can fuck you!”

“W-What are you saying?”

“You’re as clueless as ever, Ursura!” the other mercenaries surrounded me while they aimed their crossbows towards my head, “And since we don’t know if we’re still going to get out of this alive, how about we do it now?”

“Huh? You want to mate here? In the middle of the battle?”

“I believe you can’t say no!” one of them reiterated, “Now, you better start undressing!”

However, sensing that my life was in danger, I did not give in to their demands. Instead, I prepared myself to fight back, if ever they attacked me and Levist’s corpse.

“What, you’re still loyal to that bastard?”

“What do you know of a beastfolk’s loyalty?”

“Hah! You’re really naïve! Don’t you know Levist recruited you because he wanted a personal slut for his company?”

The words came like a smack to my face; I felt like my heart stopped beating upon hearing that, “W-What…did y-you just t-tell me?”

“Damn right, you’re our personal slut!” he replied, “I’m really amazed that you just realized that now when I tell it to you. You think you’re someone important? Hell no! You beastmen are so stupid with your oaths, you’re easily fooled! That’s why Levist took you in; no human female—even a prostitute—would allow the things we did to you! So that’s what you are, a slut—”

At that moment, I believe I blacked-out. I never listened to the other words that mercenary told me, and just attacked him in a blind fury. I did not mind the crossbow bolts that pierced my body. In my mind, there’s only one thing that remained…

Kill them all! Kill every human! Kill every single one of them that abused me!

----------

When I regained my senses, I was shocked to see the destroyed landscape before me. The walls behind our positions were already breached, and human gore, guts, and limbs were scattered around the area where I stood.

Did I…do this myself?

“!!!”

Pain suddenly shot through my shoulders as I attempted to move. It was the first time that I noticed that my body was bearing multiple crossbow bolts, which fortunately missed the important parts. I was bleeding, though not that heavy.

“Hey, don’t move so much! We’re coming over there to help you!”

“!!!”

Close to where I stood was a group of beastmen warriors. At their head was a big bear-man, and he was the one who was trying to speak to me.

“Let me remove those bolts and take care of your wounds!” he offered, “Just don’t attack us! We’re your allies.”

Realizing that he was a bear-man, my instincts told me to back off, which I did. I’m really suspicious of people from the Ursus tribes, because of my experience with them.

“Don’t worry!” he smiled, “I’m a member of the East Ursus! My name is Banu, and I’m the leader of the Telessaria rebellion.”

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Ah…those memories came back to me once again, after hearing Kuro’s story. Like him, I was also thrown out by my people, and like him, I was also betrayed after doing my best. I guess that’s how my disillusionment and distrust towards humans began…

However…

This human, Kuro, has helped me multiple times, even though he hasn’t asked for anything in return. What’s the deal with him? I’d often ask myself. I always suspected his intentions before, but…

“…”

Aaahh!!! I hate this! This was the first time I was treated with true kindness by a human! What should I do? What can I give him back?

‘Ursura, we beastfolk were brought forth by the Almighty Lord Gaius through his daughter Tehmon. We must always remember to serve as a faithful ally of men, for that is his will.’

Should I do it again, mother? Should I trust humans once again?

“…”

Nah. I’m already alone after I was banished from my tribe. I should learn to solve this myself…

Alright! I’ll test him later…I could always stop short of swearing my oath should I deem Kuro to be unworthy of my loyalty…