Read Online Everflame by Dylan Peters - Free Book Online

long night.”
    Eveneye, Whiteclaw and Evercloud sat at their own table in th e dining hall. Many citizens of the Kingdom were taking their meals in the dining hall this night, creating enough noise as to allow for private conversation.
    “Do you think I overstepped my bounds?” asked Evercloud.
    “I don’t think so,” said Whiteclaw. I think you were assertive, yet respectful. I’m sure that the others understand your feelings.”
    “It remin ded me of when you were younger,” began Eveneye with a smile.
    “Oh, her e comes another Evercloud story,” said Whiteclaw.
    “What?” quipped Eveneye. “Do I tell many of these?”
    “No, of course not,” Whiteclaw said with sarcasm, and then winked at Evercloud.
    “How about you eat your meal and be quiet, so that I can talk to my son, you old grouch.”
    Whiteclaw chuckled and Eveneye began again.
    “It reminded me of your first day in school, Evercloud. I was so afraid that you might hate it and that the cubs might give you a hard time. When I came to collect you later that day, I asked your teacher how it went. I’ll never forget how proud I was to hear what she told me that day. She told me that you had stood up to some cubs that were bullying a weaker cub. Oh, what was that little cub’s name?... It doesn’t matter. Anyway, she said that the bullies had left and then you stayed and helped the weaker cub with his work that day. She told me that you were a natural leader and that I had done a very good job with you.”
    “ I think I sort of remember that,” said Evercloud. “But why did today remind you of that?”
    “You aren’t afraid to take a stand for what you feel is right. You did it then and you did it today. It’s a good thing.”
    Evercloud nodded and continued to eat his meal, thinking on his father’s words.
    “I think we’d better finish up,” s aid Whiteclaw. “Firerock’s starting to shoot us daggers from across the hall.”
    “Is he always like that?” asked Evercloud.
    “Unfortunately, yes,” said Whiteclaw. “Can’t really blame him, though. I’d be angry all the time if I looked like he does.”
    Evercloud smiled and Eveneye rolled his eyes.
    “We’d better go,” said Eveneye.
    As they all returned to the advisors room , Eveneye briefly took his son aside, just outside of the room.
    “These conversations can get ugly sometimes. Do what you can to not take anything too personally. The beginning to our plan for peace is convincing those bears that do not believe in it to agree to its merit. In a way, your actions here will go a long way to convincing certain bears that humans can be beneficial allies. If you were to act inappropriately tonight, it might be difficult to counteract the repercussions. You have to remember, at our core, bears are as afraid of humans as humans are bears.”
    “I won’t fail you, Father.”
    Eveneye smiled at his son and they entered the room. Evercloud worried that it might be his father who might not remain collected. Everyone took a sea t and Eveneye began the debate.
    “So , tonight we need to come to a decision concerning the rumor of the Ancient and what action should be taken. As we usually do, we will go around the table and state our positions. After we have all spoken, we will debate. I’ll begin.” Eveneye shuffled in his seat and gazed around the table. “As you all know, I do not necessarily believe in the tales told by our elders. It is my charge to make decisions that protect the interests of the Kingdom. So my position is quite simple. Without greater proof than mere rumor, I believe it would be foolish to give this possibility our attention until we are presented with further information. Furthermore, I believe it is time to explore our options concerning our plan for peace with the humans.” Eveneye smiled. “It would seem our boy has become a man.”
    The bears nodded in agreement of the final statement and the f loor now belonged to Whiteclaw.
    “Thank you, King. As