There were clusters of trees inside the complex, but Puff moved outside, making his way along the perimeter, navigating toward a ring of evergreens surrounding a circle of granite boulders at the rear. There was a stretch of open grass between the last tree and the pines, so Puff made a mad dash for it and stopped underneath a fir tree, panting heavily.

  Once he regained his breath, he scanned the area. There weren’t any obvious dangers, so Puff crawled on his belly, hidden under the needles of the evergreens, over to the edge of the stones encircling the enclosure. Inside were two mammoth animals covered in brown fur.

  “Psssst,” said Puff in hushed tones. Neither creature heard him. He said it again, but louder. Still nothing. In frustration, Puff raised his voice. “HELLO!”

  “Did you hear something, Veronica?”

  “No, Betty. Are you sure you’re not imagining things?”

  “I’m pretty sure.”

  “Maybe it’s the wind?”

  “I’m not the wind!” insisted Puff.

  “The wind almost sounds like a squirrel, Veronica.”

  “It’s higher pitched than normal, if it is indeed a squirrel.”

  “I am a squirrel,” replied Puff. The two Confined lazily turned around and looked up. They spied Puff, who was perched on top of a large rock. The one named Veronica stood up on her hind legs to get a better look.

  “Well, hello there, Mr. Squirrel. What are you doing loitering around the grizzly bear pen? It’s certainly no place for a squirrel, especially one that doesn’t have a name.”

  “My name is Puff. I’m the squire to Sir Pattercloud. I met you one time, very briefly.”

  “Do we know any squirrels?” asked Veronica to Betty. “Besides Puff here, supposedly?”

  “No, we don’t,” replied Betty to Veronica. She scratched her chin with a very mean looking claw. “Wait a moment, on second thought, I think we may know one. He would come when he was a bit down. What was his name?”

  “Sir Pattercloud?!?” yelled down Puff, not believing Sir Pattercloud could have ever felt down. “Are you sure that’s him?”

  “Oh, well this one certainly was. Had his moments, that one. Would worry about his squire or something. Unfortunately, we don’t know any ‘sirs’ I’m afraid,” said Veronica.

  “Although we do know a ‘Patter-something. Forgot the rest of the name,” added Betty

  “Pattercloud! His name is Pattercloud!” Puff was exasperated.

  “Was that the gentleman with the sword?” asked Betty to Veronica.

  “Yes, I think it was,” replied Veronica.

  “YES,” said Puff. “And he’s missing!”

  “Tut-tut. Missing. That’s not good. Maybe it’s because he’s a squirrel? Hard to spot one, nowadays. Probably gets lost easily.”

  “This isn’t a joke,” insisted Puff. “I need to find him. You haven’t seen him?”

  “No, we haven’t,” said Betty.

  “Sorry,” said Veronica.

  “Not recently, mind you,” added Betty.

  “He needs to fight in The Tournament of Oaks, tomorrow,” said Puff. Betty, squinting, joined Veronica on her hind legs.

  “You look a lot like him,” said Betty. “Just a lot smaller.”

  “Maybe you can fight?” asked Veronica.

  Puff shook his head in protest. “I’m much too small.” The panicked feeling began to rise inside him again.

  “You think size matters? Look at us,” replied Betty. “We’re big and brown with these big, meaty paws.” Both grizzly bears showed Puff their incredibly big paws, which sported rather impressive claws. “But between the three of us,” continued Betty, “only you have your freedom.”

  “They do feed us alright,” said Betty. “I think I’ve gained some weight since I’ve been here. Lots of fish.”

  “Good for the heart, it is,” responded Veronica. “At least that’s what I hear the keepers say. It’s better than sifting through someone’s garbage, like we did before we were trapped.”

  “Look, if you don’t know where Sir Pattercloud is, I’ll need to be going,” interjected Puff.

  “Off so soon?” chided Veronica.

  “Don’t even want to know the moral of the story?” asked Betty.

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  Veronica sat back on her haunches. “Well, you see, little squirrel that’s also a squire, when we would speak to your friend, he was often here to talk about you.”

  “Wait, what?”

  “That’s true,” said Betty, turning to Veronica as she spoke. “He worried that he may have failed.”

  “Sir Pattercloud never failed at anything!”

  “Oh my dear child, it’s not like that,” said Veronica soothingly. “He feared that if you didn’t end up trusting in yourself, that somehow it was his fault.”

  Puff didn’t know what to say. He refused to believe Sir Pattercloud was afraid of anything.

  “Sir Pattercloud is our champion. It doesn’t matter what I think.”

  “Everyone needs a certain amount of belief in themselves, silly,” said Betty. “Even little gray squirrels like you.”

  “I believe I was the best trash picker where I grew up. Even better than those trash pandas we call raccoons,” boasted Veronica. “No offense to any panda.”

  “That’s what got you locked up here,” replied Betty. “Anyway, Puff the squirrel, we wish we could be of more help. We’re not sure where your Pattercloud is, but he was a thoughtful fellow. We always told him our view on the truth of things, and we’ll grant you the same. Even now, you’re looking for what you need in the wrong place.”

  The bears could see the look of confusion on Puff’s face.

  “You’ll know what you’re looking for when you find it,” said Veronica,

  “But searching for Sir Pattercloud won’t help,” added Betty. “Not in the long run, anyway.”

  Puff was confused. He didn’t understand what they were talking about. All he knew was he still needed to find Sir Pattercloud, and the Knight Champion wasn’t here.

  12

  Bodega

  Puff ran into Nibbles coming back from the bridge. Unfortunately, Sir Pattercloud was not with her.

  “Did you look everywhere?” asked Puff.

  “Not only did I look everywhere, I looked everywhere twice. He wasn’t there. I talked to many squirrels too, and even an opossum.”

  Puff was dejected. “Okay, let’s hurry over to the bodega. I’m hoping we find him there, otherwise I have no idea where else we could look.”

  “You’re putting too much pressure on yourself, Puff.”

  “I’m the squire to the Knight Champion! Of course I’m putting pressure on myself,” said Puff, raising his voice. “He’s missing!”

  Nibbles fell silent. Puff was immediately sorry for his outburst, but he was stressed. And he didn’t feel like apologizing at the moment.

  “C’mon. Let’s go.” Puff bounded off and Nibs hesitated, allowing for space to develop between them before she trailed behind.

  The bodega was on the other side of the park, on the outskirts before the expanse of smooth stone and tall, angular mountains. It took both of them a good bit of time to get over there. Normally talkative, the chipmunk and squirrel traveled in silence.

  Puff and Nibs had to wind their way through the noisy, wheeled metal horses who neighed and beeped angrily if anyone got close, including squirrels. Quietly biding their time on the edge of the short grass, they made a mad dash for the other side when it was clear. The pair headed for a maple tree, seeking safety in its branches. It was the spot most squirrels would choose to spy from, outside the bodega, for dropped treats and things. You could also see the grate from which the Rat Guild operated. They used it to move their contraband1 in and out of the bodega.

  Luckily, there were no other creatures in the tree when Nibs and Puff climbed into its branches. They looked down at the bodega, but there was no sign of Tinderbug. Suddenly, there was a rustling of leaves, and Puff’s friend from Clan Brown jumped over from an adjacent tree. She had tears in her eyes. Puff’s stomach knotted.

  “What? What’s wrong?” asked Puff, alarmed.

  Tinderbug sniffled. “It’s Sir Pattercloud. He…he’s not well.”

  “What do you mean he’s not well?” Puff was panicking inside.

  “I think he’s dying.”

  Nibs, upset, squeaked and covered her mouth in shock.

  “Wait. What? No. No. No.” Puff’s mind couldn’t process the thought.

  “You have to hurry, Puff. I don’t think he’s going to last much longer. I stayed with him for as long as I could, but there was nothing I could do.”

  Puff’s grief silenced him. His mind was racing. Nib’s lips began to quiver.

  “Hurry, follow me,” was all Tinderbug said as she proceeded to climb down the trunk of the maple quickly. Puff and Nibs immediately followed after.

  A narrow, dark alleyway opened up next to the bodega. Tinderbug, Puff and Nibbles cautiously made their way to the base of the maple. When it was clear, all three scurried for the alley. Set a little ways back down the alley was a large metal bin on wheels. The rear corner was pulled away from the wall on the side close to the bodega. They slowly made their way around it. Puff steeled himself for what he might see. And then he saw him.

  There, curled up and lying on the ground on his side, was Sir Pattercloud. His mouth was agape and his eyes were half open. He blinked slowly when he saw the three approach. Puff rushed to his side.

  “Puff…” Sir Pattercloud said, quiet as a whisper.

  “Yes,” managed Puff, choking back emotion.

  “I need you…to be strong.” Pattercloud’s breathing was labored.

  “I don’t need to be strong. You’re going to be fine. Everything is going to be fine. You’re the strong one, not me. We just need to get you back to your home. You just need rest, that’s all. We’ll get help and ask them to push back the tournament a bit…” Puff’s throat tightened and his voice failed him.

  Sir Pattercloud spoke again, his words halting. “I’m glad you’re here. I knew you would find me. You’re a smart squirrel.”

  Puff tried to speak, but his voice cracked.

  “Puff,” continued Sir Pattercloud, his breathing becoming shallow. “You need to defend the honor of Clan Gray, my squire…don’t you ever give up.”

  Tears were streaming down Puff’s face, wetting his fur and falling to the ground.

  “You’re our best hope now. And I need you to know…no matter what happens…I’m proud of you…”

  Sir Pattercloud’s words trailed off.

  “What??? No…I can’t! I’m not ready…I may never be. I can’t fight now. It can’t all be up to me!”

  Pattercloud’s eyes grew distant. Then empty. He sighed. It was his last breath.

  “Wake up!” Puff insisted, visibly upset. “Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!” Puff shook Sir Pattercloud’s body, but he didn’t move.

  “He’s gone,” said Nibs simply.

  Puff collapsed and buried his face in his paws. Nibbles patted his back gently as he cried. Both Tinderbug and Nibs stayed quiet as they let their friend grieve. It was awhile before anyone spoke.

  “I think…I think he was poisoned,” said Tinderbug cautiously.

  Tinderbug pointed to a suspicious substance on the ground near Sir Pattercloud’s mouth and a half-eaten cherry. It was bright green. Puff, wiping tears from his eyes, bent down sniffed. It smelled sickly sweet.

  “Who could have done this?” asked Nibs, still in shock.

  Puff began to feel an anger inside of him. Deep down, rage burned. ‘You’re next’ Scratchclaw had said to Pattercloud just the day before followed by ‘you won’t be long in this world!’ And there was one area of the park that had cherries so sweet no squirrel could resist.

  “Scratchclaw did this!” Puff yelled, his face hot with emotion.

  Neither Nibs or Tinderbug had ever seen Puff this angry.

  “He did it! I know he did!” Puff snarled and wiped his nose with the back of his paw.

  “Puff, I know you’re upset about Pattercloud…” began Nibbles.

  “Don’t try and tell me otherwise! It was that terrible squirrel Scratchclaw!”

  And then, without warning, Puff ran off. Both Nibs and Tinderbug were stunned by the outburst. And they were worried about their friend.

  13

  Argument

  “I’m too small!” yelled Puff. He was upset and agitated.

  Tinderbug had been the one to climb up to Puff’s nest, since Nibbles just wasn’t in the best shape to do it. Now, standing next to him, the brown squirrel was doubting her decision.

  “You always use that an excuse when it suits you,” said the brown squirrel.

  “I do not!”

  “You do, Puff,” insisted Tinderbug as nicely as she could. “You do.”

  “Well, what does it matter anyway? Sir Pattercloud is dead!”

  “It matters because you’re his squire.”

  “Well, I’m the world’s dumbest squire. I mean, why did he even pick me?”

  “Sir Pattercloud was intelligent. He knew what he was doing.”

  “I disagree. You know why? Because I know me,” said Puff, his thumb jabbing at his chest. “Better than anybody else. And there’s no way I can beat Scratchclaw. End of story. They win. We lose. Game over. And you know what the worst part is? All those stupid squirrels will blame me!

  “That’s not true,” said Tinderbug.

  “It’s not?”

  “No. You’re feeling sorry for yourself.”

  “Don’t tell me how to feel!” said Puff hotly.

  Tinderbug was trying to be nice, but now she was starting to get angry.

  “You know what? Fine. Sit here and feel sorry for yourself and hide. Forget about everything Pattercloud did for you. No one else is the squire for Clan Gray. Just you. A scared, little squirrel who would be better off in the company of black squirrels—cowardly creatures just like you!”

  Puff was so angry, his paws balled up into fists.

  “Shut up!” he shouted.

  “Oh, you want me to be quiet now?”

  “I want you to leave me alone!”

  His outburst created a heavy silence between the two squirrels.

  “All right. But I’m going to say one last thing before leaving. What are you so darn afraid of that would make you throw away everything Sir Pattercloud and Clan Gray mean to you?”

  The question stunned Puff. He could feel his bottom lip start to quiver.

  “I can’t be a knight! I’m too small, and too weak! Look at me. We all know it. Everyone knows it. I’m better off just being a squirrel! At least I won’t be dead that way!”

  All the feelings Puff had pushed deep down inside were coming out. He was ashamed and turned away, hiding from his friend’s eyes out of embarrassment as he cried.

  Emotions were welling up in Tinderbug too. She felt for her friend. Puff had always put a lot of pressure on himself. She carefully climbed into Puff’s nest and put her arms around him. He turned towards her and buried his face in her shoulder. Tinderbug rubbed his back awhile and let him sob. Eventually, after a long cry, she pulled back. Her eyes were watery just like her friend’s.

  “You have to do what’s right for you, but remember this. It’s not just about you. It’s bigger. It’s about your clan. It’s about Sir Pattercloud. It’s about what it means to be a squire and a knight. I can’t force you to do anything and I’ll always be your friend. But if you don’t face this, you will regret it. Forever.”

  Tinderbug gave him one last hug. Then she turned around without looking back, disappearing from Puff’s view as she made her way back down the tree.

  Puff was alone and stayed still for a long while. He felt like an empty shell, but his nest felt even emptier than that. He inhaled sharply, taking a few staggered breaths, and sighed. Puff wondered why his body did that after crying.

  No one else came to visit Puff or talk to him. Not even the birds landed near his nest today. He wondered if he had scared them off with his shouting.

  14

  Reflection

  The Greatsword of Clan Gray hung over the fireplace in Sir Pattercloud’s home, with the knight’s portrait directly above it. The sword had been passed down for generations. And now, as the squire of the former Knight Captain, it was Puff’s—except he couldn’t reach it. And even if he could, he wasn’t sure he could hold it. So he did what any good squirrel would do. He took an acorn out of his pouch and began to nibble on it.

  After Tinderbug’s lecture, Puff had slunk out of his drey and made his way here, being careful to avoid any squirrels. He found the key that was stuffed in the small nook next to the door and let himself in, locking the door behind him. But no one came. He was alone here too.

  “I don’t know what to do,” Puff said out loud, half expecting Sir Pattercloud to answer. But silence was all he heard. The trophies of the Knight Champion lined up on the mantle under Truthseeker only made his sadness heavier. That’s when he spied a stepstool in the corner.

  Puff retrieved it and placed it in front of the fireplace. He climbed up, extending his fingers towards Sir Pattercloud’s weapon but could barely touch the hilt with the tips of his fingers. He pushed up on his tiptoes, extended both his front paws and managed to grab it for a moment, only to lose his balance. As Puff began to fall, he fumbled with the sword and dislodged it. He tumbled to the ground, the step stool clattered away, and the pointy end of Truthseeker plummeted after him. Time seemed to slow, and Puff rolled out of the way just as the tip of the Greatsword embedded with a ‘thunk’ into the polished wooden floor where Puff had been a mere moment before. Stunned, the young squirrel just lay there as the sword swayed slowly, side-to-side.

  After a few tense moments, once he had his wits about him again, Puff stood up. The cross guard on Truthseeker came up to his chest. He took a few breaths, placed his hands on the hilt and pulled. It didn’t budge. Puff tried again with the same result. The sword was most assuredly stuck in the floor. He was flummoxed. The squire put his hands on his hips and looked up.

 

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