Phoenix Maplewood b is for basil assaulted by bears

Gideon was deafened by the sound of water splattering on the bank and his own heartbeat in his ears. Then there was the static rush of weakness that came along with emptying one's stomach. He heard nothing of the man's approach. Feeling worse than he had before he stopped to drink, the boy reeled back and turned, only to find himself face-to-face with a stormy cyclopean stare set in a grim black face.

His first instinct in his vulnerable state was to quail, but his mother's voice came to him. They wouldn't try anything against how brave you are. It was terribly difficult to feel brave when his legs were shaking and his breath was still coming in huffs and puffs and he felt weak from vomiting, but he got to his feet all the same and gave his tails a little lash.

You better not mess with me! he said as boldly as he could, fixing Yikaas with a stare that would make Anselm proud. If he had only said that to Isra, then maybe she would have left him alone too. This guy was even more frightening than her, his stare hard and cold as mountain stone. Gideon's throat trembled with a nervous gulp.