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"https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/large/5150/5150537_GrimmHund_k_l_the_mark_part_2.jpg", "submission_left_thumbnail_url_medium": "https://nl1.ib.metapix.net/thumbnails/medium/5150/5150537_GrimmHund_k_l_the_mark_part_2.jpg", "submission_left_thumb_huge_x": "300", "submission_left_thumb_huge_y": "300", "submission_left_thumb_large_x": "200", "submission_left_thumb_large_y": "200", "submission_left_thumb_medium_x": "120", "submission_left_thumb_medium_y": "120" } ], "description": "Inspired by [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2766539]The Amulet[/url] from @BetaCanumVenaticorum\nIf you haven't yet, go read [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2929396]The Mark, Part I[/url] & [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3151125]The Mark, Part II[/url]\n\nTranslated, Edited, and Proofread by @GrimmHund with Permission from Viridian's Author.", "description_bbcode_parsed": "Inspired by The Amulet from \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBetaCanumVenaticorum\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBetaCanumVenaticorum\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

If you haven't yet, go read The Mark, Part I & The Mark, Part II

Translated, Edited, and Proofread by \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrimmHund\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGrimmHund\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
with Permission from Viridian's Author.", "writing": "[center][u][b]Disclaimer:[/b][/u] This is Chapter III of Kubbi & Leu. If you haven’t yet, go read The Mark, Part I & The Mark, Part II.[/center]\n[center]Just Punishment[/center]\nThis was the second-worst day of his life! Not only was Leu without any of his toys or his shiny uniform for that matter, but he also wasn’t by his papa’s side! Instead, the little lion stood at attention in front of Sir Cornelius Brodwin, Majordomus to Prince Viridian. Standing beside the newly-purchased slaves, he didn’t consider himself to be one of them while he waited for the old gray owl to address them. Leu wasn’t sure what the hooter wanted from them since he’d just woke them up and he frankly didn’t care. His paw still hurt where Viridian had made the super-stupid thieving fox and now worst-enemy brand him. Kubbi had kicked Leu so hard, that darn black eye still hurt.\n\n“Good morning, Troopers!”\n\nLeu snapped to attention when the owl finally spoke, those vibrant green eyes thoroughly scanning the room, eventually locking gaze with the little lion.\n\n“As of today, you are part of Prince Viridian’s household, with all the duties and benefits that entails. For those of you that had a prior owner, you’ll soon find that we do things differently in this family.”\n\nLeu noticed that the owl hadn’t looked away from him. What did this guy even want? He was well-aware that the majordomus and his papa didn’t get along; they were always shouting when the owl visited the barracks. Viridian’s brats always caused trouble and Leu hated them for taking away valuable cuddle time.\n\n[i]“Papa will get me out of here… I’m sure of it.”[/i] Leu thought to himself. There was no way the mighty lion would let his own son become another one of Viridian’s brats.\n\n“On a week-to-week basis, you’ll receive a small amount of money which you can save or spend on whatever you desire. On a monthly basis, you’ll receive a more significant amount of money that’ll eventually pay off your own freedom. That, of course, entirely depends on how much you were bought for in the first place…”\n\nLeu yawned, looking around at the others as they listened intently. He already knew what an allowance was, so why should he listen to Sir Important-Feathers? In letting his bored eyes wander, he noticed Kubbi standing next to the younger foxes once more. Was the thief so dumb to think he wouldn’t be found so easily, being much older than the rest?\n\nThen again… Leu took a second, closer look at Kubbi. Said thief was so short and skinny, it’d be hard to believe he was over ten-years-old. The little lion conceded that since his nemesis looked closer to nine, he was still right. \n\n“LEU!”\n\nThe owl screeched, snapping the daydreaming lion to seize attention. Out of habit as a trained little lion guard, Leu quickly clicked his heels together and stood upright with his paws crossed behind his back.\n\n“Pay attention to me, Kitten.”\n\nLeu let out an annoyed little growl, having been called out in front of everyone. He begrudgingly turned his attention back to the owl, scowling silently.\n\n“... I know all of you are still hurting from getting branded with Viridian’s Mark. You’ll come to realize that it was a necessary evil in due time.”\n\nLeu wouldn’t accept this. According to Papa, Viridian only marked them so he could flaunt his harem around for all to see, …whatever a harem was.\n\n“Sir… My Papa would say that you’re lying.” Leu retorted, hands still behind his back as he stared up at the owl.\n\n[i]“Of course he would…”[/i] Sir Brodwin groaned, shaking his head slowly. “Your father had to hurt you when you got into trouble, correct? So… Think of Lord Viridian as if he were your father…”\n\nLeu clenched his good hand, averting his gaze to hide his anger despite his fur puffing up involuntarily. How dare he? He only had one papa and it wasn’t the green prince. Papa was second to none! No one was as just, as fluffy, as strong, or as beloved as him, especially not some stupid green guy who protected the super-extra-stupid thief!\n\nHis gaze shifted to Kubbi; there was a villain. Yes, he refused to brand him, but it was his fault that his big day was ruined. If it weren’t for this scheming little fox thief, Leu wouldn’t be here right now! The little lion grinned to himself as imagined Kubbi dangling limp just like the other thieves his father strung up. Now that is a necessary evil!\n\nBut…\n\nPapa wouldn’t be proud of him if he were to burst out into a barrage of insults… No, that would be a deserved paddling and he had been a very good boy so far! No, Leu didn’t need insults to get back at the owl. What was that name someone gave the prince the evening before? Ah! Yes.\n\n“The green guy is NOT my father, Sir.” Leu hissed under his breath, glaring daggers at both Kubbi and Majordomus Sir Brodwin. The latter narrowed his eyes and stood tall, puffing up his feathers. This anger was not directed at him, however.\n\n“Which one of you uttered that nickname in front of Leu despite Prince Viridian’s explicitly ordering you not to?”\n\nLeu’s ferocity deflated into a head-tilt as he looked up to the owl in confusion. Why was Brodwin so angry about ‘green guy’? Why did the prince make such a fuss over a simple description of himself?\n\nThe little lion watched as the rest of the cubs stared down at their feet with heads dropped low. He tried to remember who said it, but all that came back to him was the searing pain in his palm. Having watched his father grow angrier the longer his men held their tongues, Leu knew someone had to break the silence, but he didn’t want to be the one to do it.\n\n“I don’t know…” Leu timidly looked back up at the owl. He’d surely get beaten now for his unhelpful answer.\n\nSir Brodwin turned his head away from Leu, glaring at the others present one-by-one as he spoke up. “Is that truly so, Leu?”\n\n[i]“He doesn’t believe me…”[/i] The little lion thought, scrambling his brain for the actual answer.\n\n“Do any of you have something to add?” The majordomus ignored Leu, who turned his head towards Kubbi. Perhaps the oldest of the troop had an idea?\n\nKubbi didn’t wait for Brodwin to address him directly and spoke up, meeting the lion’s gaze before turning towards the owl. “Sir. I did. I was angry with Viridian after the branding… I am sorry. It’ll never happen again.”\n\nLeu’s jaw dropped. Why in the Nine Hells did he admit to it? Kubbi could’ve said nothing and would’ve never gotten into trouble.\n\n“Kubbi, you recall that the prince gave you a direct order to not refer to him as ‘green guy’, correct?”\n\nLeu couldn’t keep the little evil thoughts out of his mind, a smug cheshire grin across his face. His father would be disappointed in how much he was enjoying this, but this was too good not to resist! Finally, the fox would get a just punishment! The evil thief couldn’t escape justice forever!\n\n“Well, Leu… Seeing you so happy about the prospect, how would your father punish Kubbi?”\n\nLeu bit his lip. The owl got him there. He knew exactly how his father played this game. Too lenient a punishment and they’d both get twice his call; too harsh and he’d get double the difference. Leu figured this was his punishment for breaking this rule now; even if he wasn’t aware of it, that’s how Papa would’ve done it. The majordomus patiently awaited Leu’s response, silently glaring with a judgemental gaze. Leu clenched his good paw, now realizing that he’s been set-up! He’d be the one to blame regardless of his choice. This was so unfair!\n\nThe little guard steeled himself before he hissed at the owl.\n\n“A paddling of twenty, Sir. Five since he’s over the age of ten, five for doing so in front of others, five for setting a bad example as their leader, and five for deliberately disobeying a direct order.”\n\nLeu heard the gasps and could feel the daggers being glared at him. \n\n“What?! That’s what my father would’ve said!” He roared at the other cubs.\n\nStaring right into those deep green eyes, Leu glared at the majordomus defiantly.\n\n“Happy, Sir?”\n\nSir Brodwin didn’t acknowledge the snarky little lion, no. Calm and collected, he turned his head towards Kubbi and gestured to a nearby stool.\n\n“Disrobe and get into position.”\n\nIn trying to hide his feelings about this from the others, Leu bit his lip to prevent that cheshire grin from forming. They didn’t understand why this was justice! Kubbi had kicked him in the face and escaped Papa’s wrath. This little fox was probably the reason why the king swooped in and snatched him before dumping him here!\n\nMeanwhile, Kubbi had shed his tunic and handed it off to the blind hawk, Thirteen. Welts and bruises covered his back, abrasions from the shackles were visible on his wrists and ankles. All of this, in Leu’s mind, conflicted with the fox’s recently-bathed coat as it gleamed in the morning sun. The little lion’s stomach started to knot up, his resolve wavering. Kubbi the Thief stood there like one of those saintly statues; not unlike a hero or martyr and an example to all. Was it really fair? Was it really just? There was something incredibly uncomfortable about seeing Kubbi naked and awaiting punishment. Witnessing the older cub that had carried him like a father in his time of suffering and cradled him until he’d fallen asleep.\n\nThe little lion guard steeled himself again with his stance upright, taking deep and slow breaths. Papa always said that caring about criminals was a weakness. Papa warned about how a criminal’s pitiful appearance was all a ruse to gain sympathy. Just yesterday, before Kubbi had ruined everything, Leu managed to prove that he was stronger than that!\n\nA thundering clap shook him out of his thoughts. Sir Brodwin had landed a decisive first blow. Kubbi sprawled out on the stool in front of the majordomus, whimpering and quivering from the hit. Leu clenched his butt and teeth on instinct just as Papa taught him, eyes locked on Kubbi. This wasn’t the first time he watched another’s punishment. He would not let his feelings betray him!\n\nThe second strike landed and Kubbi cried out in pain. Leu could even make out the imprint of the owl’s claw on the fox-butt, the majordomus holding back nothing. This glistening twice-red fox rump had Leu’s full attention.\n\nKubbi howled and bawled when the third hit landed harshly. Leu’s tummy was giving him all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Papa would’ve hit him with all his might and beaten the bad boy out of him, just as Brodwin was doing, just like a real guard should! But now? Now Leu wasn’t so sure anymore if he liked hurting bad boys. He instead wanted to run over there and hug Kubbi, maybe rub that soft little butt so he’d feel better. Leu’s gaze lingered on those bruised red cheeks before a hint of pink flesh poking from the fox’s sheath caught his eye.\n\nBy the time Sir Brodwin’s claw came down a fourth time, Kubbi was sobbing so much that he had trouble breathing. Having yet to recover from the torturous week, the young thief was pushed well beyond his limits. Noticing this, the fifth and final was a gentle tap before the gray owl scooped Kubbi up and embraced him in a feathery hug.\n\n“It’s over now, Kubbi…When you’re ready, we can talk about why this was necessary.”\n\nAt first, Leu was somewhat envious. He found himself wanting to hug Kubbi and assure the thief that he forgave him. Then a realization hit. The little lion took a cautious step back, his eyes growing wide in terror.\n\n[i]“No, no, no, NO!”[/i]\n\nLeu shuddered visibly in fear, pressed back against one of the bunkbeds as he stared towards the owl pleadingly. Sir Brodwin looked over at the rest of the scared-stiff troupe, still cradling the sobbing Kubbi. Leu didn’t get as much as a side glance from the majordomus. \n\n“Any of you want to take a guess as to why Leu is afraid now?”\n\nAll heads now turned to the little scaredy-cat. He felt their hateful glares and winced as if their looks could kill. This wasn’t his fault!\n\n“But I was right!” He mewled, taking a defensive stance with his little mittens balled up. “That’s what Papa would’ve done!”\n\nSir Brodwin nodded solemnly. “I never said your answer was wrong.”\n\nThe feisty little lion cub now tilted his head in utter confusion, but the majordomus had already turned to address the others.\n\n“If I were his father, Guard Captain Shishi, Leu would now be on the receiving end of thirty strikes. This is double the amount by which he misjudged Kubbi’s punishment.”\n\nSilence fell in the room, the troupe aghast at what the majordomus just said before he turned back to Leu: “Have you yet to consider how many of our boys I retrieved from your father more dead than alive?”\n\nLeu thought about how Papa was quick to grab and discipline misbehaving youths right on the street. Even Leu had been disciplined in much the same way, but that was before he became a proper little lion guard and good son! Papa went without hitting him for a whole year, well, until yesterday’s slap… Though Leu reasoned that it shouldn’t count since it was Viridian’s fault!\n\n“But they were being bad boys! That’s what guards do to bad boys! That’s what Papa said he did to your owlets!” Leu hissed.\n\n“Don’t you test me, you sniveling hairball. I remember each and every time you paraded by your father’s side as his loyal little snitch.”\n\n“So that’s why you looked at Kubbi! You’re a tattletale!” Crowley, the wingless raven, blurted matter-of-factly with an accusing point at the little lion.\n\n“N-No, I…”\n\nLeu couldn’t get his thoughts out in time before the mute robin lunged at the now-mewling lion. He raised his arms to defend himself, expecting those sharp claws to tear right into him. The robin flapped his wings and rose high to the ceiling before diving at the lion, missing him only just and tumbling into the nearby pillows. The vengeful little avian let out a muffled high-pitched squeal, clutching his branded claw in pain. Leu trembled, his knees buckling before he eventually slunk to the floor. That was way too close…\n\nThe troupe’s attention returned to Sir Brodwin; the majordomus’ wings were unfurled and he held out his palm towards the writhing hatchling. Thereon, glowing a familiar shade of bright green, was Viridian’s Mark.\n\n“I expected better of you, Primo. No… I know you’re better than this.” The majordomus set Kubbi down carefully, clearing his throat. “If I catch any of you boys trying to throw punches again, I will use the Dragon’s Mark. Understood?”\n\nShaking his own hand with a muttered curse under his breath, Sir Brodwin addressed the robin.\n\n“Consider the pain as half of your punishment. I also expect these beds to get moved back to their proper place after breakfast.”\n\nThe troupe awkwardly avoided the owl’s stern gaze by looking down at their own feet.\n\n“Come on, boys… I really don’t like punishing you.” The majordomus sighed, relaxing and lowering his wings back down. “I meant what I said before that Viridian’s Mark is a necessary evil…”\n\nThe owl switched gears and boisterously marched to the door, opening it up wide before turning back to the troupe.\n\n“Now head on down and get yourselves some breakfast. Pretty sure the older boys have been waiting for you.”\n\nThe troupe shuffled past Leu, deliberately avoiding him as they left towards the promise of food. Only Kubbi dared to approach the lion, offering a hand to help him to his feet. Leu glared at the fox, ferociously batting the paw away with his own.\n\n“I can walk on my own.” However, when the lion forced himself to stand, his legs were still very wobbly.\n\n“At least hide your stiffy before anyone else sees it, alright Leu?”\n\nThe lion cub felt his heart skip a beat, slowly looking down to confirm that he’d pitched a tent. He scrambled his own head for answers for why it happened, but when he looked back to see Kubbi’s exposed red sheath, that only made things worse. Confused and embarrassed, Leu quickly covered himself with his paws and hissed back.\n\n“Shuddup! Shuddup! Shuddup!”\n\nKubbi had already backed away from the angry lion, slipping his tunic back on to wipe away his tears with it when Brodwin approached the two stragglers with a solemn sigh.\n\n“Sir?”\n\n“Kubbi, you do understand why I had to punish you, right?”\n\nLeu, annoyed that it wasn’t him getting the attention in the moment, snarkishly interjected.\n\n“You should’ve started with explaining, not hitting.”\n\nThe owl gave a disapproving look to Leu, turning his head back to Kubbi for his response.\n\n“Yes Sir, I disappointed Lord Viridian-”\n\nAs if on cue, the prince promptly rushed into the dorm in such a hurry that he nearly tripped on the doorsill on his way in.\n\n“Sorry Cornelius, but I need these two right away. I am to meet Ash and he requested by name that I bring Kubbi and Leu with me.”\n\n------------\n\nLeu knew not where the carriage was headed, but the bored little lion did not care to find out. Seeing people tending to their duties, Leu decided to cheer himself up by waving at them as the carriage rode by. At first, they seemed puzzled when they looked back towards the waving lion cub, but that quickly turned to laughs and pointed fingers at Leu’s expense.\n\nThis was unfair! He didn’t do anything wrong! Why did none of these people confront Viridian and tell him that he was wrong? Why wasn’t everyone showering him with praise when they were usually so nice to him and Papa? Even the guards pretended not to notice him as the carriage passed by. That really hurt… Was he not their little lion guard that they’ve been so proud of?\n\nIt wasn’t until he pulled his paw back into the carriage did he realize that he was waving with his marked hand. Worse even, he saw sorrow and sympathy when their eyes fell upon a sulking Kubbi. He wasn’t even waving! The little lion retreated into a grumbly little ball of fluff, his mood soured even further. Stuck between a stupid thief whom everyone pitied and a fidgety older lynx that couldn’t sit still. Why was he even here? \n\nWhen the carriage came to a halt, they were greeted by the oldest dragon prince that still resided within the city. Ash’s garbs of immaculate gold-trimmed white silk contrasted the ebony skin of his human guise; as a proud black dragon, he mirrored his true form in this one. Unlike Viridian, Ash didn’t show a single scale, for it was his twin prominent horns and slitted reptilian eyes that revealed his draconic nature. Even the bandages that currently covered his nose did nothing to slight his imposing appearance. \n\nLeu had heard about him; Papa had warned him that he was the most talented shapeshifter among the king’s offspring. Though, Leu surmised, after over 800 years, Ash simply had plenty of time to practice his trick. Papa had often briefed his men about this Prince, the little lion acutely aware of his reputation for his cruelty and cunning.\n\nOut of reflex, Leu stiffened his tail and bared his claws when the older prince approached the carriage with arms spread wide. Even Kubbi was frozen stiff with fear as if the large man’s arms could swallow them all whole. Of the three slaves, the lynx was the only calm one, stepping out of the carriage to kneel to both nobles. Viridian, on the other hand, stepped down from his carriage to accept a full-strength dragon hug.\n\n“Dearest Brother!”\n\n“I assumed this is an urgent matter? Usually you’d just land on my roof to pester me.”\n\nAsh silently pulled away from the hug and approached the carriage, the smile immediately replaced with a sneer. It wasn’t at Viridian, no; he stared right into the carriage at the little lion. Leu let out a timid mewl as those eyes narrowed and fixated on him with a hateful glare. Why did his eyes burrow so deep into the little lion’s soul? All he ever did was whatever Papa ordered him to do! This wasn’t his fault!\n\n“Good… You brought both of them.”\n\nThe older prince’s scowl immediately softened when his eyes fell upon Kubbi. The damn dragon even bowed down to him and reached into the carriage to give the fox a little head-pat. It all made sense to Leu now; cruel and evil people like other cruel and evil people!\n\n“My sincerest apologies, young fox.”\n\nKubbi yipped as the dragon prince leaned in for what seemed to be a surprise hug. However, Leu could see that Ash was whispering something for only Kubbi to hear, to which he nodded. \n\n“Say, ‘Brother Dearest’, who managed to break your nose?” the visibly-annoyed Viridian interjected.\n\nAsh responded with an embarrassed laugh; a sly smile this time. “My son did. We were sparring as part of his training and I let my guard down at the wrong moment. The welp has my strength after all. Talking about cubs, are you sure you can handle these two?” He looked down at both slaves once more, focused specifically on Leu.\n\n“Shishi isn’t going to let this slide, even if it was his mistake to complain to the king. Also, Kubbi is older than you usually start them out. Focus on the others and leave these two here with me.”\n\nLeu noticed more of Viridian’s scales emerging from his humanoid form, flaring up slightly before the younger prince shook his head.\n\n“I’ll consider it as an option should they actually cause problems I can’t already handle. Mentioning problems, though, is there actually a reason you’ve called me here or do you just intend to keep wasting my time?”\n\nAsh took a step back, his gaze now focused towards the plaza in front of the main gate. “It will become clear once these two see it. Though, I am sure you’ll want to witness this disgrace too.”\n\n[i]Disgrace? No, this is justice![/i]\n\nLeu gritted his teeth as Ash led the four onwards. This had been his big moment!\nMarching behind Papa the previous dawn on this very same street, he was to become a real lion guard! That was, of course, until the stupid fox had ruined everything!\n\nForty guards had formed two lines as he and Papa led the ringleader up the wooden steps. The stag shivered and sobbed as they ripped the tattered rags from his body. The crowd cheered, roared even, when he stepped onto the stool. Papa had raised Leu up so he could get the noose around the convict’s neck. It’d been a hassle to get it past the juvenile’s antlers. The captain of the guard had taken his time and calmly instructed him on how to widen the noose before Leu managed to secure it in place.\n\nHe’d remembered hearing the villain pray, something about protecting them, but the large lion just sneered at him. Papa had meant for only the prisoner to hear these words, but Leu was close enough to remember what was said:\n\n“No one can save them now. They’re already loaded onto the cart for the mines. My men are already expecting them.”\n\nOnce he’d lowered Leu back down to the ground, Papa turned to address the crowd and read the verdict aloud. For the crimes of thievery, robbery, assault, attempted murder, and high treason against the king, the sentence was death. Once he’d finished reading out the verdict, Papa turned back to the prisoner and asked for any final words.\n\n“I want to meet my Mom.”\n\nThe crowd roared in anticipation. Shishi watched on proudly as Leu had kicked the stool out from under the stag. After a brief struggle, Caleb the Thief was no more.\n\nBut that was yesterday. A different crowd surrounded them today, a gathering of the city’s dirty and poor. In front of him, Kubbi’s legs buckled and finally gave out. Well-beyond sobbing now, the fox cried silent tears.\n\n“Well… you can still look up to him.” Leu grumbled, crossing his arms.\n\nViridian delicately scooped up the devastated fox and carried him up the wooden steps of the gallows, glaring at Leu coldly as Ash did the same on his way up. Yesterday, rotten eggs and vegetables littered the area, but now? A lot of flowers had been placed here instead.\n\n“He just couldn’t help himself, could he?” In the interim, Viridian had shifted into a half-dragon form by the time he ascended up the steps with Kubbi in his arms. Two guards that had been protecting the morbid display hastily backed away.\n\n“That’s odd.” Leu muttered, looking up at Caleb’s corpse as it dangled on the rope. The antlers that had given him so much trouble were now missing, clearly hacked off. Leu was also sure the legs weren’t bent like that the day before, nor was he even sure he could bend his own legs like that. It took the little executioner a moment to realize that Ash still loomed over him.\n\n“Still proud of your work, Leu?” The elder prince whispered down to the little lion, kneeling closer without looking at him. “Look at the fox. That could’ve been you. It could’ve been your ‘Papa’ on that rope. Do you honestly call that justice, boy?”\n\nLeu stayed silent, clenching his good paw. He wasn’t so sure anymore. All these people that were here today seemed angry at him. Not at all like the celebration from the day before!\n\n“I won’t tell Kubbi, but you should. Think of how long the two of you will live under Viridian’s care: how long until someone else tells him?”\n\nLeu inhaled sharply and hissed at the Prince: “If you two were better rulers, Papa wouldn’t have to clean up the trash you leave behind!” What else did he have to lose now, anyway? These stupid dragons were so distracted comparing their castles that the rest of the city got messy. Thieves, beggars, rebels… All trash for Papa to put down!\n\n“Repeat that… Slowly.” Viridian descended the gallows with Caleb’s broken body in his arms. Leu could feel the Earth tremble with every step, smoke slowly billowing from his fanged maw and nostrils.\n\n“If you, green guy, did a better job as a prince, Papa wouldn’t have had so much trash to take out!” Leu glared up at the fuming dragon but a small fox cried out with a voice larger than himself to end the tirade.\n\n“He wasn’t trash! He was so much more than your stupid ‘Papa’ will ever be!”\n\nLeu hadn’t expected to see Kubbi that angry. To him, the little thief seemed more furious than both dragons combined, but the little lion stood his ground. With his blood boiling, he roared back.\n\n“Yes, he was! He was trash that Papa took out! Just like your gang in the mines! All of them trash for the guards to take out! JUST LIKE YOU!”\n\nLeu was so focused on Kubbi, Viridian’s sudden slap took him and the entire crowd by surprise.\n\n“Enough!” The green dragon prince bellowed. “I was more than willing to let Sir Brodwin deal with you later, but you make that impossible. Leu, if you insist on acting like your father, then have it his way. Right here, right now, in front of everyone!”\n\nLeu trembled. This wasn’t fair! This wasn’t what he wanted!\n\nViridian turned away from Leu, nodding towards Kubbi now.\n\n“As his leader, this is your-”\n\nKubbi didn’t wait for Viridian to finish. With a scream of rage and despair, he pounced at the opportunity and came in swinging. The kit who had previously defended him and offered him a hand, even after getting punished for Leu’s own mistake, was now attacking him.\n\n\nThis time, it was Ash jumping between the two in the blink of an eye that saved Leu from getting his face clawed and punched, and he was incredibly grateful for it. Kubbi had managed to put enough force into the punch that stopping it winded Ash momentarily.\n\n“Calm down, he’s not worth that.” Ash wheezed as he wrapped his arms around Kubbi. He ignored Leu for the moment and turned towards Viridian.\n\n“As much as you dislike disciplining the boys yourself, my dear younger brother, I implore you to handle this yourself. He dishonored us both in front of the crowd. Such a transgression requires your firm palm to correct it.”\n\nAsh let go of Kubbi once the fox had calmed down a little, then gently encouraged him to go back to the carriage before taking Caleb’s dead body from Viridian. Wrapped the remains in his own silk cloak. Leu didn’t have much time to think about the scene. Viridian lifted him off the ground and over his own lap, pulling the tunic up and the underpants down in front of the crowd:\n\n“No, you can’t do that!” Leu protested.\n\n“Look again at that paw of yours. I very much can. No… Sadly, I must.” \n\nViridian coldly retorted, but he didn’t hit the little lion yet, he looked over at the people in the square, bellowing again:\n\n“Since this young man is familiar to almost all of you. Do you agree with him receiving a just punishment for running his mouth right here, threatening the life of another?”\n\nLeu felt the blood drain from his face as the crowd cheered just like they did when he had kicked the stool out from Caleb.\n\nOnly then did Viridian strike. People formed a circle and gawked at the once proud little lion guard getting punished, his bare butt raised visibly to them.\n\nLeu howled immediately, Viridian struck him just as hard as his father would. Why were these people cheering this on? He was right! He was right!\n\nThe second strike landed just as hard, then a third. Leu howled and bawled, his claws trying to dig into Viridians scaled leg as he arched his back, struggling in vain to fight his punisher.\n\nThe fourth and fifth hit, cheers from the crowd on every single beat. Leu felt incredibly humiliated, these people didn’t care if it was just, they just enjoyed the show of someone getting hurt. His bare backside burned more when strike six and seven landed. Why, why was he supposed to be wrong now?\n\nEight. Nine. The pain overwhelmed his mind, all Leu could think about was how much it hurt, blurted out:\n\n“I want my papa!”\n\nHe whimpered at first then bawled loudly, just like the little kitten that disappointed his papa.\n\n“Please, let me go home to Papa!” he begged, as ten and eleven struck.\n\nLeu eventually noticed that his father was already here, unmoving and uncaring as he stood at the gate’s furthest corner. He wasn’t rushing through the crowd or begging the prince to stop like other fathers have for their sons. Captain Shishi hadn’t made a single effort to try and save him from Viridian, instead giving the little lion a cold shrug.\n\n“W-Wait! Where are you going? Come back!” Leu whimpered weakly at the twelfth strike. Viridian followed his victim’s gaze as the Captain of the Guard turned and left with his men to patrol. Leu suddenly understood it; this is what the owl meant. Shishi wasn’t Papa anymore. The little lion was now the one thrown away like trash.\n\nThere was no thirteenth hit. Viridian pulled up the lion’s underpants and straightened out his tunic, picking the bawling little lion up.\n\n“Never again threaten the life of one of your brothers.” Viridian still sounded angry with a softer tone, but held him tight just as Papa would have.\n\n“Why didn’t he come help me…?” Leu whimpered as he was placed into the carriage next to dead-silent Kubbi and across from a very uncomfortable looking lynx.\n\n“Because all you’ve ever been to him was a trophy.” Ash answered from outside the carriage. For once, Leu didn’t argue against it. Ash stood back with a smirk on his face, looking down at Leu in the carriage, before Viridian climbed on the carriage roof and unfurled into his dragon form. \n\n“I’ll have to make a detour.” Viridian announced to his coachman. “Take the horse back to the stables and inform Cornelius. Thanks to a certain someone blurting out that Shihi has men waiting at the mines, I need to arrive there before the thieves are ambushed.”\n\nThe coachman quickly decoupled the horses and locked the carriage doors before the green dragon hoisted the carriage into the sky using the large hook on its roof.\n\n“I’m sorry, but you three will have to ride along.”\n\nKubbi had moved away from Leu and leaned against the Lynx, both cubs curled up in silence.\n\n-------------------------", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Disclaimer: This is Chapter III of Kubbi & Leu. If you haven’t yet, go read The Mark, Part I & The Mark, Part II.

Just Punishment

This was the second-worst day of his life! Not only was Leu without any of his toys or his shiny uniform for that matter, but he also wasn’t by his papa’s side! Instead, the little lion stood at attention in front of Sir Cornelius Brodwin, Majordomus to Prince Viridian. Standing beside the newly-purchased slaves, he didn’t consider himself to be one of them while he waited for the old gray owl to address them. Leu wasn’t sure what the hooter wanted from them since he’d just woke them up and he frankly didn’t care. His paw still hurt where Viridian had made the super-stupid thieving fox and now worst-enemy brand him. Kubbi had kicked Leu so hard, that darn black eye still hurt.

“Good morning, Troopers!”

Leu snapped to attention when the owl finally spoke, those vibrant green eyes thoroughly scanning the room, eventually locking gaze with the little lion.

“As of today, you are part of Prince Viridian’s household, with all the duties and benefits that entails. For those of you that had a prior owner, you’ll soon find that we do things differently in this family.”

Leu noticed that the owl hadn’t looked away from him. What did this guy even want? He was well-aware that the majordomus and his papa didn’t get along; they were always shouting when the owl visited the barracks. Viridian’s brats always caused trouble and Leu hated them for taking away valuable cuddle time.

“Papa will get me out of here… I’m sure of it.” Leu thought to himself. There was no way the mighty lion would let his own son become another one of Viridian’s brats.

“On a week-to-week basis, you’ll receive a small amount of money which you can save or spend on whatever you desire. On a monthly basis, you’ll receive a more significant amount of money that’ll eventually pay off your own freedom. That, of course, entirely depends on how much you were bought for in the first place…”

Leu yawned, looking around at the others as they listened intently. He already knew what an allowance was, so why should he listen to Sir Important-Feathers? In letting his bored eyes wander, he noticed Kubbi standing next to the younger foxes once more. Was the thief so dumb to think he wouldn’t be found so easily, being much older than the rest?

Then again… Leu took a second, closer look at Kubbi. Said thief was so short and skinny, it’d be hard to believe he was over ten-years-old. The little lion conceded that since his nemesis looked closer to nine, he was still right.

“LEU!”

The owl screeched, snapping the daydreaming lion to seize attention. Out of habit as a trained little lion guard, Leu quickly clicked his heels together and stood upright with his paws crossed behind his back.

“Pay attention to me, Kitten.”

Leu let out an annoyed little growl, having been called out in front of everyone. He begrudgingly turned his attention back to the owl, scowling silently.

“... I know all of you are still hurting from getting branded with Viridian’s Mark. You’ll come to realize that it was a necessary evil in due time.”

Leu wouldn’t accept this. According to Papa, Viridian only marked them so he could flaunt his harem around for all to see, …whatever a harem was.

“Sir… My Papa would say that you’re lying.” Leu retorted, hands still behind his back as he stared up at the owl.

“Of course he would…” Sir Brodwin groaned, shaking his head slowly. “Your father had to hurt you when you got into trouble, correct? So… Think of Lord Viridian as if he were your father…”

Leu clenched his good hand, averting his gaze to hide his anger despite his fur puffing up involuntarily. How dare he? He only had one papa and it wasn’t the green prince. Papa was second to none! No one was as just, as fluffy, as strong, or as beloved as him, especially not some stupid green guy who protected the super-extra-stupid thief!

His gaze shifted to Kubbi; there was a villain. Yes, he refused to brand him, but it was his fault that his big day was ruined. If it weren’t for this scheming little fox thief, Leu wouldn’t be here right now! The little lion grinned to himself as imagined Kubbi dangling limp just like the other thieves his father strung up. Now that is a necessary evil!

But…

Papa wouldn’t be proud of him if he were to burst out into a barrage of insults… No, that would be a deserved paddling and he had been a very good boy so far! No, Leu didn’t need insults to get back at the owl. What was that name someone gave the prince the evening before? Ah! Yes.

“The green guy is NOT my father, Sir.” Leu hissed under his breath, glaring daggers at both Kubbi and Majordomus Sir Brodwin. The latter narrowed his eyes and stood tall, puffing up his feathers. This anger was not directed at him, however.

“Which one of you uttered that nickname in front of Leu despite Prince Viridian’s explicitly ordering you not to?”

Leu’s ferocity deflated into a head-tilt as he looked up to the owl in confusion. Why was Brodwin so angry about ‘green guy’? Why did the prince make such a fuss over a simple description of himself?

The little lion watched as the rest of the cubs stared down at their feet with heads dropped low. He tried to remember who said it, but all that came back to him was the searing pain in his palm. Having watched his father grow angrier the longer his men held their tongues, Leu knew someone had to break the silence, but he didn’t want to be the one to do it.

“I don’t know…” Leu timidly looked back up at the owl. He’d surely get beaten now for his unhelpful answer.

Sir Brodwin turned his head away from Leu, glaring at the others present one-by-one as he spoke up. “Is that truly so, Leu?”

“He doesn’t believe me…” The little lion thought, scrambling his brain for the actual answer.

“Do any of you have something to add?” The majordomus ignored Leu, who turned his head towards Kubbi. Perhaps the oldest of the troop had an idea?

Kubbi didn’t wait for Brodwin to address him directly and spoke up, meeting the lion’s gaze before turning towards the owl. “Sir. I did. I was angry with Viridian after the branding… I am sorry. It’ll never happen again.”

Leu’s jaw dropped. Why in the Nine Hells did he admit to it? Kubbi could’ve said nothing and would’ve never gotten into trouble.

“Kubbi, you recall that the prince gave you a direct order to not refer to him as ‘green guy’, correct?”

Leu couldn’t keep the little evil thoughts out of his mind, a smug cheshire grin across his face. His father would be disappointed in how much he was enjoying this, but this was too good not to resist! Finally, the fox would get a just punishment! The evil thief couldn’t escape justice forever!

“Well, Leu… Seeing you so happy about the prospect, how would your father punish Kubbi?”

Leu bit his lip. The owl got him there. He knew exactly how his father played this game. Too lenient a punishment and they’d both get twice his call; too harsh and he’d get double the difference. Leu figured this was his punishment for breaking this rule now; even if he wasn’t aware of it, that’s how Papa would’ve done it. The majordomus patiently awaited Leu’s response, silently glaring with a judgemental gaze. Leu clenched his good paw, now realizing that he’s been set-up! He’d be the one to blame regardless of his choice. This was so unfair!

The little guard steeled himself before he hissed at the owl.

“A paddling of twenty, Sir. Five since he’s over the age of ten, five for doing so in front of others, five for setting a bad example as their leader, and five for deliberately disobeying a direct order.”

Leu heard the gasps and could feel the daggers being glared at him.

“What?! That’s what my father would’ve said!” He roared at the other cubs.

Staring right into those deep green eyes, Leu glared at the majordomus defiantly.

“Happy, Sir?”

Sir Brodwin didn’t acknowledge the snarky little lion, no. Calm and collected, he turned his head towards Kubbi and gestured to a nearby stool.

“Disrobe and get into position.”

In trying to hide his feelings about this from the others, Leu bit his lip to prevent that cheshire grin from forming. They didn’t understand why this was justice! Kubbi had kicked him in the face and escaped Papa’s wrath. This little fox was probably the reason why the king swooped in and snatched him before dumping him here!

Meanwhile, Kubbi had shed his tunic and handed it off to the blind hawk, Thirteen. Welts and bruises covered his back, abrasions from the shackles were visible on his wrists and ankles. All of this, in Leu’s mind, conflicted with the fox’s recently-bathed coat as it gleamed in the morning sun. The little lion’s stomach started to knot up, his resolve wavering. Kubbi the Thief stood there like one of those saintly statues; not unlike a hero or martyr and an example to all. Was it really fair? Was it really just? There was something incredibly uncomfortable about seeing Kubbi naked and awaiting punishment. Witnessing the older cub that had carried him like a father in his time of suffering and cradled him until he’d fallen asleep.

The little lion guard steeled himself again with his stance upright, taking deep and slow breaths. Papa always said that caring about criminals was a weakness. Papa warned about how a criminal’s pitiful appearance was all a ruse to gain sympathy. Just yesterday, before Kubbi had ruined everything, Leu managed to prove that he was stronger than that!

A thundering clap shook him out of his thoughts. Sir Brodwin had landed a decisive first blow. Kubbi sprawled out on the stool in front of the majordomus, whimpering and quivering from the hit. Leu clenched his butt and teeth on instinct just as Papa taught him, eyes locked on Kubbi. This wasn’t the first time he watched another’s punishment. He would not let his feelings betray him!

The second strike landed and Kubbi cried out in pain. Leu could even make out the imprint of the owl’s claw on the fox-butt, the majordomus holding back nothing. This glistening twice-red fox rump had Leu’s full attention.

Kubbi howled and bawled when the third hit landed harshly. Leu’s tummy was giving him all sorts of uncomfortable feelings. Papa would’ve hit him with all his might and beaten the bad boy out of him, just as Brodwin was doing, just like a real guard should! But now? Now Leu wasn’t so sure anymore if he liked hurting bad boys. He instead wanted to run over there and hug Kubbi, maybe rub that soft little butt so he’d feel better. Leu’s gaze lingered on those bruised red cheeks before a hint of pink flesh poking from the fox’s sheath caught his eye.

By the time Sir Brodwin’s claw came down a fourth time, Kubbi was sobbing so much that he had trouble breathing. Having yet to recover from the torturous week, the young thief was pushed well beyond his limits. Noticing this, the fifth and final was a gentle tap before the gray owl scooped Kubbi up and embraced him in a feathery hug.

“It’s over now, Kubbi…When you’re ready, we can talk about why this was necessary.”

At first, Leu was somewhat envious. He found himself wanting to hug Kubbi and assure the thief that he forgave him. Then a realization hit. The little lion took a cautious step back, his eyes growing wide in terror.

“No, no, no, NO!”

Leu shuddered visibly in fear, pressed back against one of the bunkbeds as he stared towards the owl pleadingly. Sir Brodwin looked over at the rest of the scared-stiff troupe, still cradling the sobbing Kubbi. Leu didn’t get as much as a side glance from the majordomus.

“Any of you want to take a guess as to why Leu is afraid now?”

All heads now turned to the little scaredy-cat. He felt their hateful glares and winced as if their looks could kill. This wasn’t his fault!

“But I was right!” He mewled, taking a defensive stance with his little mittens balled up. “That’s what Papa would’ve done!”

Sir Brodwin nodded solemnly. “I never said your answer was wrong.”

The feisty little lion cub now tilted his head in utter confusion, but the majordomus had already turned to address the others.

“If I were his father, Guard Captain Shishi, Leu would now be on the receiving end of thirty strikes. This is double the amount by which he misjudged Kubbi’s punishment.”

Silence fell in the room, the troupe aghast at what the majordomus just said before he turned back to Leu: “Have you yet to consider how many of our boys I retrieved from your father more dead than alive?”

Leu thought about how Papa was quick to grab and discipline misbehaving youths right on the street. Even Leu had been disciplined in much the same way, but that was before he became a proper little lion guard and good son! Papa went without hitting him for a whole year, well, until yesterday’s slap… Though Leu reasoned that it shouldn’t count since it was Viridian’s fault!

“But they were being bad boys! That’s what guards do to bad boys! That’s what Papa said he did to your owlets!” Leu hissed.

“Don’t you test me, you sniveling hairball. I remember each and every time you paraded by your father’s side as his loyal little snitch.”

“So that’s why you looked at Kubbi! You’re a tattletale!” Crowley, the wingless raven, blurted matter-of-factly with an accusing point at the little lion.

“N-No, I…”

Leu couldn’t get his thoughts out in time before the mute robin lunged at the now-mewling lion. He raised his arms to defend himself, expecting those sharp claws to tear right into him. The robin flapped his wings and rose high to the ceiling before diving at the lion, missing him only just and tumbling into the nearby pillows. The vengeful little avian let out a muffled high-pitched squeal, clutching his branded claw in pain. Leu trembled, his knees buckling before he eventually slunk to the floor. That was way too close…

The troupe’s attention returned to Sir Brodwin; the majordomus’ wings were unfurled and he held out his palm towards the writhing hatchling. Thereon, glowing a familiar shade of bright green, was Viridian’s Mark.

“I expected better of you, Primo. No… I know you’re better than this.” The majordomus set Kubbi down carefully, clearing his throat. “If I catch any of you boys trying to throw punches again, I will use the Dragon’s Mark. Understood?”

Shaking his own hand with a muttered curse under his breath, Sir Brodwin addressed the robin.

“Consider the pain as half of your punishment. I also expect these beds to get moved back to their proper place after breakfast.”

The troupe awkwardly avoided the owl’s stern gaze by looking down at their own feet.

“Come on, boys… I really don’t like punishing you.” The majordomus sighed, relaxing and lowering his wings back down. “I meant what I said before that Viridian’s Mark is a necessary evil…”

The owl switched gears and boisterously marched to the door, opening it up wide before turning back to the troupe.

“Now head on down and get yourselves some breakfast. Pretty sure the older boys have been waiting for you.”

The troupe shuffled past Leu, deliberately avoiding him as they left towards the promise of food. Only Kubbi dared to approach the lion, offering a hand to help him to his feet. Leu glared at the fox, ferociously batting the paw away with his own.

“I can walk on my own.” However, when the lion forced himself to stand, his legs were still very wobbly.

“At least hide your stiffy before anyone else sees it, alright Leu?”

The lion cub felt his heart skip a beat, slowly looking down to confirm that he’d pitched a tent. He scrambled his own head for answers for why it happened, but when he looked back to see Kubbi’s exposed red sheath, that only made things worse. Confused and embarrassed, Leu quickly covered himself with his paws and hissed back.

“Shuddup! Shuddup! Shuddup!”

Kubbi had already backed away from the angry lion, slipping his tunic back on to wipe away his tears with it when Brodwin approached the two stragglers with a solemn sigh.

“Sir?”

“Kubbi, you do understand why I had to punish you, right?”

Leu, annoyed that it wasn’t him getting the attention in the moment, snarkishly interjected.

“You should’ve started with explaining, not hitting.”

The owl gave a disapproving look to Leu, turning his head back to Kubbi for his response.

“Yes Sir, I disappointed Lord Viridian-”

As if on cue, the prince promptly rushed into the dorm in such a hurry that he nearly tripped on the doorsill on his way in.

“Sorry Cornelius, but I need these two right away. I am to meet Ash and he requested by name that I bring Kubbi and Leu with me.”

------------

Leu knew not where the carriage was headed, but the bored little lion did not care to find out. Seeing people tending to their duties, Leu decided to cheer himself up by waving at them as the carriage rode by. At first, they seemed puzzled when they looked back towards the waving lion cub, but that quickly turned to laughs and pointed fingers at Leu’s expense.

This was unfair! He didn’t do anything wrong! Why did none of these people confront Viridian and tell him that he was wrong? Why wasn’t everyone showering him with praise when they were usually so nice to him and Papa? Even the guards pretended not to notice him as the carriage passed by. That really hurt… Was he not their little lion guard that they’ve been so proud of?

It wasn’t until he pulled his paw back into the carriage did he realize that he was waving with his marked hand. Worse even, he saw sorrow and sympathy when their eyes fell upon a sulking Kubbi. He wasn’t even waving! The little lion retreated into a grumbly little ball of fluff, his mood soured even further. Stuck between a stupid thief whom everyone pitied and a fidgety older lynx that couldn’t sit still. Why was he even here?

When the carriage came to a halt, they were greeted by the oldest dragon prince that still resided within the city. Ash’s garbs of immaculate gold-trimmed white silk contrasted the ebony skin of his human guise; as a proud black dragon, he mirrored his true form in this one. Unlike Viridian, Ash didn’t show a single scale, for it was his twin prominent horns and slitted reptilian eyes that revealed his draconic nature. Even the bandages that currently covered his nose did nothing to slight his imposing appearance.

Leu had heard about him; Papa had warned him that he was the most talented shapeshifter among the king’s offspring. Though, Leu surmised, after over 800 years, Ash simply had plenty of time to practice his trick. Papa had often briefed his men about this Prince, the little lion acutely aware of his reputation for his cruelty and cunning.

Out of reflex, Leu stiffened his tail and bared his claws when the older prince approached the carriage with arms spread wide. Even Kubbi was frozen stiff with fear as if the large man’s arms could swallow them all whole. Of the three slaves, the lynx was the only calm one, stepping out of the carriage to kneel to both nobles. Viridian, on the other hand, stepped down from his carriage to accept a full-strength dragon hug.

“Dearest Brother!”

“I assumed this is an urgent matter? Usually you’d just land on my roof to pester me.”

Ash silently pulled away from the hug and approached the carriage, the smile immediately replaced with a sneer. It wasn’t at Viridian, no; he stared right into the carriage at the little lion. Leu let out a timid mewl as those eyes narrowed and fixated on him with a hateful glare. Why did his eyes burrow so deep into the little lion’s soul? All he ever did was whatever Papa ordered him to do! This wasn’t his fault!

“Good… You brought both of them.”

The older prince’s scowl immediately softened when his eyes fell upon Kubbi. The damn dragon even bowed down to him and reached into the carriage to give the fox a little head-pat. It all made sense to Leu now; cruel and evil people like other cruel and evil people!

“My sincerest apologies, young fox.”

Kubbi yipped as the dragon prince leaned in for what seemed to be a surprise hug. However, Leu could see that Ash was whispering something for only Kubbi to hear, to which he nodded.

“Say, ‘Brother Dearest’, who managed to break your nose?” the visibly-annoyed Viridian interjected.

Ash responded with an embarrassed laugh; a sly smile this time. “My son did. We were sparring as part of his training and I let my guard down at the wrong moment. The welp has my strength after all. Talking about cubs, are you sure you can handle these two?” He looked down at both slaves once more, focused specifically on Leu.

“Shishi isn’t going to let this slide, even if it was his mistake to complain to the king. Also, Kubbi is older than you usually start them out. Focus on the others and leave these two here with me.”

Leu noticed more of Viridian’s scales emerging from his humanoid form, flaring up slightly before the younger prince shook his head.

“I’ll consider it as an option should they actually cause problems I can’t already handle. Mentioning problems, though, is there actually a reason you’ve called me here or do you just intend to keep wasting my time?”

Ash took a step back, his gaze now focused towards the plaza in front of the main gate. “It will become clear once these two see it. Though, I am sure you’ll want to witness this disgrace too.”

Disgrace? No, this is justice!

Leu gritted his teeth as Ash led the four onwards. This had been his big moment!
Marching behind Papa the previous dawn on this very same street, he was to become a real lion guard! That was, of course, until the stupid fox had ruined everything!

Forty guards had formed two lines as he and Papa led the ringleader up the wooden steps. The stag shivered and sobbed as they ripped the tattered rags from his body. The crowd cheered, roared even, when he stepped onto the stool. Papa had raised Leu up so he could get the noose around the convict’s neck. It’d been a hassle to get it past the juvenile’s antlers. The captain of the guard had taken his time and calmly instructed him on how to widen the noose before Leu managed to secure it in place.

He’d remembered hearing the villain pray, something about protecting them, but the large lion just sneered at him. Papa had meant for only the prisoner to hear these words, but Leu was close enough to remember what was said:

“No one can save them now. They’re already loaded onto the cart for the mines. My men are already expecting them.”

Once he’d lowered Leu back down to the ground, Papa turned to address the crowd and read the verdict aloud. For the crimes of thievery, robbery, assault, attempted murder, and high treason against the king, the sentence was death. Once he’d finished reading out the verdict, Papa turned back to the prisoner and asked for any final words.

“I want to meet my Mom.”

The crowd roared in anticipation. Shishi watched on proudly as Leu had kicked the stool out from under the stag. After a brief struggle, Caleb the Thief was no more.

But that was yesterday. A different crowd surrounded them today, a gathering of the city’s dirty and poor. In front of him, Kubbi’s legs buckled and finally gave out. Well-beyond sobbing now, the fox cried silent tears.

“Well… you can still look up to him.” Leu grumbled, crossing his arms.

Viridian delicately scooped up the devastated fox and carried him up the wooden steps of the gallows, glaring at Leu coldly as Ash did the same on his way up. Yesterday, rotten eggs and vegetables littered the area, but now? A lot of flowers had been placed here instead.

“He just couldn’t help himself, could he?” In the interim, Viridian had shifted into a half-dragon form by the time he ascended up the steps with Kubbi in his arms. Two  guards that had been protecting the morbid display hastily backed away.

“That’s odd.” Leu muttered, looking up at Caleb’s corpse as it dangled on the rope. The antlers that had given him so much trouble were now missing, clearly hacked off. Leu was also sure the legs weren’t bent like that the day before, nor was he even sure he could bend his own legs like that. It took the little executioner a moment to realize that Ash still loomed over him.

“Still proud of your work, Leu?” The elder prince whispered down to the little lion, kneeling closer without looking at him. “Look at the fox. That could’ve been you. It could’ve been your ‘Papa’ on that rope. Do you honestly call that justice, boy?”

Leu stayed silent, clenching his good paw. He wasn’t so sure anymore. All these people that were here today seemed angry at him. Not at all like the celebration from the day before!

“I won’t tell Kubbi, but you should. Think of how long the two of you will live under Viridian’s care: how long until someone else tells him?”

Leu inhaled sharply and hissed at the Prince: “If you two were better rulers, Papa wouldn’t have to clean up the trash you leave behind!” What else did he have to lose now, anyway? These stupid dragons were so distracted comparing their castles that the rest of the city got messy. Thieves, beggars, rebels… All trash for Papa to put down!

“Repeat that… Slowly.” Viridian descended the gallows with Caleb’s broken body in his arms. Leu could feel the Earth tremble with every step, smoke slowly billowing from his fanged maw and nostrils.

“If you, green guy, did a better job as a prince, Papa wouldn’t have had so much trash to take out!” Leu glared up at the fuming dragon but a small fox cried out with a voice larger than himself to end the tirade.

“He wasn’t trash! He was so much more than your stupid ‘Papa’ will ever be!”

Leu hadn’t expected to see Kubbi that angry. To him, the little thief seemed more furious than both dragons combined, but the little lion stood his ground. With his blood boiling, he roared back.

“Yes, he was! He was trash that Papa took out! Just like your gang in the mines! All of them trash for the guards to take out! JUST LIKE YOU!”

Leu was so focused on Kubbi, Viridian’s sudden slap took him and the entire crowd by surprise.

“Enough!” The green dragon prince bellowed. “I was more than willing to let Sir Brodwin deal with you later, but you make that impossible. Leu, if you insist on acting like your father, then have it his way. Right here, right now, in front of everyone!”

Leu trembled. This wasn’t fair! This wasn’t what he wanted!

Viridian turned away from Leu, nodding towards Kubbi now.

“As his leader, this is your-”

Kubbi didn’t wait for Viridian to finish. With a scream of rage and despair, he pounced at the opportunity and came in swinging. The kit who had previously defended him and offered him a hand, even after getting punished for Leu’s own mistake, was now attacking him.


This time, it was Ash jumping between the two in the blink of an eye that saved Leu from getting his face clawed and punched, and he was incredibly grateful for it. Kubbi had managed to put enough force into the punch that stopping it winded Ash momentarily.

“Calm down, he’s not worth that.” Ash wheezed as he wrapped his arms around Kubbi. He ignored Leu for the moment and turned towards Viridian.

“As much as you dislike disciplining the boys yourself, my dear younger brother, I implore you to handle this yourself. He dishonored us both in front of the crowd. Such a transgression requires your firm palm to correct it.”

Ash let go of Kubbi once the fox had calmed down a little, then gently encouraged him to go back to the carriage before taking Caleb’s dead body from Viridian. Wrapped the remains in his own silk cloak. Leu didn’t have much time to think about the scene. Viridian lifted him off the ground and over his own lap, pulling the tunic up and the underpants down in front of the crowd:

“No, you can’t do that!” Leu protested.

“Look again at that paw of yours. I very much can. No… Sadly, I must.”

Viridian coldly retorted, but he didn’t hit the little lion yet, he looked over at the people in the square, bellowing again:

“Since this young man is familiar to almost all of you. Do you agree with him receiving a just punishment for running his mouth right here, threatening the life of another?”

Leu felt the blood drain from his face as the crowd cheered just like they did when he had kicked the stool out from Caleb.

Only then did Viridian strike. People formed a circle and gawked at the once proud little lion guard getting punished, his bare butt raised visibly to them.

Leu howled immediately, Viridian struck him just as hard as his father would. Why were these people cheering this on? He was right! He was right!

The second strike landed just as hard, then a third. Leu howled and bawled, his claws trying to dig into Viridians scaled leg as he arched his back, struggling in vain to fight his punisher.

The fourth and fifth hit, cheers from the crowd on every single beat. Leu felt incredibly humiliated, these people didn’t care if it was just, they just enjoyed the show of someone getting hurt. His bare backside burned more when strike six and seven landed. Why, why was he supposed to be wrong now?

Eight. Nine. The pain overwhelmed his mind, all Leu could think about was how much it hurt, blurted out:

“I want my papa!”

He whimpered at first then bawled loudly, just like the little kitten that disappointed his papa.

“Please, let me go home to Papa!” he begged, as ten and eleven struck.

Leu eventually noticed that his father was already here, unmoving and uncaring as he stood at the gate’s furthest corner. He wasn’t rushing through the crowd or begging the prince to stop like other fathers have for their sons. Captain Shishi hadn’t made a single effort to try and save him from Viridian, instead giving the little lion a cold shrug.

“W-Wait! Where are you going? Come back!” Leu whimpered weakly at the twelfth strike. Viridian followed his victim’s gaze as the Captain of the Guard turned and left with his men to patrol. Leu suddenly understood it; this is what the owl meant. Shishi wasn’t Papa anymore. The little lion was now the one thrown away like trash.

There was no thirteenth hit. Viridian pulled up the lion’s underpants and straightened out his tunic, picking the bawling little lion up.

“Never again threaten the life of one of your brothers.” Viridian still sounded angry with a softer tone, but held him tight just as Papa would have.

“Why didn’t he come help me…?” Leu whimpered as he was placed into the carriage next to dead-silent Kubbi and across from a very uncomfortable looking lynx.

“Because all you’ve ever been to him was a trophy.” Ash answered from outside the carriage. For once, Leu didn’t argue against it. Ash stood back with a smirk on his face, looking down at Leu in the carriage, before Viridian climbed on the carriage roof and unfurled into his dragon form.

“I’ll have to make a detour.” Viridian announced to his coachman. “Take the horse back to the stables and inform Cornelius. Thanks to a certain someone blurting out that Shihi has men waiting at the mines, I need to arrive there before the thieves are ambushed.”

The coachman quickly decoupled the horses and locked the carriage doors before the green dragon hoisted the carriage into the sky using the large hook on its roof.

“I’m sorry, but you three will have to ride along.”

Kubbi had moved away from Leu and leaned against the Lynx, both cubs curled up in silence.

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