„The king lives there,“ said the bear to Arthur „just behind those birch trees.“ Sure enough, Arthur came across the sleeping form of a huge deer with the most majestic horns he had ever seen.
„Hahahaha“ laughed the bear „that old sovereign is good for nothing but sleeping now. Once upon a time, he wouldn‘t have let himself be surprised like this. He had the hearing of a sentinel... Wake up sleepy head!“
he then shouted. The deer didn‘t move. The king had glassy eyes and was breathing
heavily. „What‘s wrong, your highness?“ asked Arthur with great concern.
The king just managed to whisper: „The Viper...“ Immediately, Arthur
remembered the miraculous ointment given to him by his friend, the bear. He found two small holes on the paw of the great deer, which he began to suck and spit out the poison, as he had seen in a documentary.
Then he applied the ointment to the wound, closing the dressing with intertwined blades of grass.
After two hours the royal deer finally opened his eyes and uttered a marvellous growl: „I‘ve never felt better, I owe you my life, my young friend.“ „I‘m looking for the forest demon,“ said Arturo with reverence „he has something that belongs to me.“ „No sooner said than done, little hero, I know that scoundrel‘s hiding place, I‘ll gladly accompany you, but first I have something for you. This cloak can make you invisible.
But take care, it only works in the forest.“ „Thank you very much, your Majesty, I will treasure it,“ Arturo said, bowing „Good, now jump on my back. From now on I‘ll carry you.“