“Uh, what?” asked Rudy, staring up at the immobile bear king.
Jambavan still didn’t move. Aiden, who still had one scimitar outstretched, lowered it slowly. He stepped forward cautiously and poked the bear king in the side.
Nothing.
“I KNEW THAT THING WAS BROKEN!” called a voice in the distance. “Stupid robot.”
Aru craned her neck around Jambavan to see…Jambavan. He looked almost identical to the frozen, murderous bear king looming above them. Almost. For one, this Jambavan’s belly happily protruded, and where the automaton stood tall, the real bear looked stooped and tired. He wore a red knit scarf around his neck, thick beige socks, and a pair of sandals. The biggest difference, however, was in his eyes, which shone with warmth and alertness.
“Ah, human children!” he said, clapping his paws in delight. “You must be cold! I don’t know why my fireplace didn’t alert me to guests—perhaps I slept through the alarm. Sometimes that happens.” He shrugged, then tilted his head. “Why, you remind me of my own cubs when they were your size….”
Aru, whose heart was still racing, tried very hard not to think about bear cubs that were five feet tall.
“Come in, come in, get out of the cold!” said the real Jambavan, yawning and squinting at the desolate, frigid land outside his cave. “I was rather in the mood for hot chocolate. Anyone else interested?”
Jambavan’s cave palace was surprisingly cozy. The floor was polished rock, accented with woven rugs. From the main hallway, the cave opened into a spacious chamber. At its center was a huge, unlit floating fireplace, its rock funnel disappearing into the ceiling. Soft emerald-colored moss studded with small purple and pink wildflowers covered the right wall of the chamber, while the left had a panel of glass overlooking the vast, desolate tundra. Aru frowned. In the distance, she saw something that looked like massive gray tree trunks. She’d never seen trees like that.
“Must remember to dust those photos,” said Jambavan, aiming a critical eye toward the large frames that dominated the back wall.
“Are you from the Council, hmm?” he asked, tottering around in an old bathrobe. “Some kind of interns for the census, perhaps? I do hate traveling to the Otherworld. Hanuman and Urvashi deeply disliked that I only sent my facsimile, but what of it?”
He waved an indifferent paw, not bothering to wait for the Potatoes to answer. “Have you ever added salt to hot chocolate?” asked Jambavan as he strode ahead of them. “It’s my secret ingredient for the most exceptional cup of cocoa, if I do say so myself.”
Aru glanced nervously at Brynne. Normally when any sort of recipe-related talk came up, Brynne would bellow about the superiority of her ingredients. But she hadn’t had an appetite lately. She hadn’t even bothered making any snacks before they left. Instead, the Potatoes were relying on some kelp-and-algae protein bars that Rudy’s older brother ate “strictly for the gains.”
They tasted like salty old socks.
When Brynne didn’t respond at all, Aru and Mini exchanged worried looks.
“Make yourselves at home by the fire!” said Jambavan, extending a paw toward the massive couches. A single cushion looked like it could comfortably seat a family of five. Jambavan glared at the craggy ceiling overhead, which had a chandelier of bleached antlers. “Music! Lights! You know the drill!”
Instantly, a fire coughed and sputtered in the fireplace. The scarlet flames cast huge shadows on the mossy wall, and the smell of burning wood and the gentle crackling of sap eased the tension between Aru’s shoulders. Soft music filled the air, broken only by the occasional sound of Aiden’s camera shutter. Aru looked around the room, but there was no sign of the Syamantaka Gem. And there weren’t any obvious halls, doors, or archways leading to other rooms in Jambavan’s cave palace.
The bear ambled toward a table set against the back wall. Aru watched as his furry arm went straight through the rock. There was a slight clattering sound, as if he was rummaging around on a shelf they couldn’t see. When he withdrew his paw, it held a golden tray with six steaming mugs of cocoa and a platter of cookies.
Part of Aru rejoiced. CHOCOLATE!
The other part despaired. Where was Jambavan keeping the Sun Jewel? What if Agni was wrong and the bear king didn’t have it? Then what would they do?
“Ooh, what is this couch made of?” asked Rudy, rubbing the soft, ruby-colored leather. “I like it!”
Aru studied the pattern. It had odd grooves in it that looked somewhat familiar.
“Oh, the usual,” said Jambavan happily as he made his way over to them. “The skin of an enemy, I can’t remember which….Was it a naga, or some kind of winged thing? I’ve lost track of my victories.”
Rudy immediately stopped petting the couch.
Jambavan handed them each a mug, then plopped into a comfy armchair and let out a huge yawn. “Well, we might as well get started, since you came all this way!” he said. “I’m due for my nap any time now.”
“Get started?” asked Mini, confused.
The great bear smiled in a warm, pitying sort of way. “I understand. It can be overwhelming to be in the presence of a legend, but if you came all this way for an interview, I don’t wish to disappoint such enterprising youngsters!”
Aiden lowered his camera, looking from Brynne and Mini to Aru.
“You think we’re journalists?” asked Aru.
“Journalists!” echoed Jambavan, chuckling to himself. “That’s a mighty grand word. Who would trust the voices of children? You’re census takers, right?”
Aru felt a little prickly. Jambavan reminded her of one of those uncles who was good-hearted and genuinely well-meaning but nevertheless couldn’t imagine anyone being remotely as important as himself.
“I thought only heroes come all the way out here,” said Aru. “That’s why you’re called the Hero-Maker, isn’t it?”
“Oh sure, sure. Many have come to my home thinking that if they can throw me off-balance in a wrestling match, they’ll earn everlasting fame and renown,” said Jambavan, clearly bored. “But, I mean, look at you lot. You don’t strike me as particularly heroic.”
Aru’s face grew warm. Beside her, Brynne lifted her eyes from the ground and frowned at the bear king.
“I’m used to warriors striding into my cave!” thundered Jambavan. He slapped his thigh for emphasis. “Why, take a look at my wall of fame here!” He smiled indulgently at Aiden. “You can take a picture of it for your school project, if you want. But do be careful with that camera, child. It looks a little beyond your skill set.”
Aiden opened his mouth to respond and Brynne gave a small shake of her head. Not worth it.
“What does that wall tell you about me?” asked Jambavan, sipping his cocoa.
Aru studied the framed items. There were trophies and ribbons, awards that declared Jambavan the “best wrestler of all time,” and tons of photos taken with men who looked like they could crush a block of cement just by sneezing. Each photo was signed by the loser, with some variation of It was awesome to be vanquished by you. And there were about a dozen pictures of Jambavan pointing excitedly at a snowcapped mountain.