I can’t wait for it to be posted!
This was a surprising episode. Indeed, if one takes a “natural” setting at a pond, it’s tempting to think of the apex predator being benevolent. Poor Leonard learned that the hard (and deadly) way. The heron wasn’t evil, per say. He was psychotic. And had distain towards any non-heron entities.
While I work on clearing brush and deadfalls on our woodlot, I have encounters with Massasauga Rattlesnakes. I never molest nor kill them (while venomous, they control the rodent & insect populations). They’re fascinating creatures. Yes, they (like the Heron King) are beautiful. I would NEVER let my guard down with them. Unlike weirdo Leonard.