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Feyrahl, SoFurry Edition

Introduction to the Kingdom, Ch 1.3

Looking up at the massive commander of the Feyrahlian Empire's military staring down at him, Mac spoke up before he could lose his nerve. "Commander, I was hoping I might have a little bit of your time. This empire is new to me, and I can't think of a better source of information about it."

He heard a grumble from Khosk behind him, but the human ignored the lion, waiting for the rhino to answer. The commander stared at him for several long seconds before a smile spread across his huge mouth. Taking a step back, the massive warrior dipped into a bow as graceful as anything he'd seen from Khosk or Vihas. "It would be my pleasure, Master Millman, but I would prefer to dress down after my shift. Perhaps we could meet up shortly, once I have had the opportunity to make myself more presentable? At the moment, I am afraid the best I have to offer is a day-end soldier stewing in his own scent."

There was something strangely charismatic in the way the rhino managed to pull off the self-deprecation, without actually seeming to come across as disingenuous, or devaluing himself; it was as if it was presented as a mere statement of fact. Mac found himself smiling, though he wasn't sure if it was because of Joren's smooth manner or because the commander had said yes. "Oh... of course! I alread--"

Khosk interjected. "The commander can tell you are clean, Millman; there is no need to state the obvious."

Joren's gaze shifted to the lion. "Firemane."

He immediately went to attention, slamming his chest twice with his paw. "Commander?"

The rhino gestured to Mac with his head. "Escort Master Millman to the Garden. I'll be along shortly to relieve you."

Khosk's brows furrowed. "Sir?"

The commander turned back to his chamber door. "I will be setting some time aside to speak with the emperor's guest."

The lion shifted his weight from one paw to the other. "But I am on duty for three more hours, Commander... and when my shift is up, Viha--"

Joren interrupted. "And I am relieving you early, Firemane. You and your brother only just returned from your trip to the eastern shore. Once I arrive at the Garden then you are relieved, and you can report for duty at the normal time tomorrow morning."

Khosk bowed his head and struck his chest again. "Yes, sir."

The Commander stepped into his room then turned about, looking back down at Mac. "In that case, I shall see you in short order, Master Millman. Until then, fare you well."

Once the door closed behind the rhino, the lion grumbled a little more audibly. "Relieved of duty?"

Mac turned back to look at his bodyguard. "That isn't a bad thing, right? It means you get the rest of the night off."

Khosk snorted, reaching out to grab the human by the shoulder and give him a shove forward. "This way to the Garden, Millman."

Heading in the direction indicated by the lion, Mac wasn't ready to conclude the discussion. "You seem REALLY pissy all of the sudden."

His bodyguard grunted dourly. "I never drink on duty. I am completely sober."

Realizing that perhaps the magic that allowed them to understand one another didn't handle turns of phrase very well. "I mean you seem angry."

Khosk's next words were accompanied by a low growl. "I am not angry; I am being relieved of duty early."

Mac continued down the hall, but he didn't do so silently. "Sure... and that seems to bother you."

The lion grunted dejectedly. "I am a guard, but I'm being taken off duty. Of course it bothers me. The emperor assigned me to protect you, and now I am being relieved of duty."

The Human shrugged. "Well... if I'm going to be around the Commander, I figure he'll be able to keep an eye on me, right? Why not take some time to rest and then you can guard me again in the morning fully refreshed?"

Khosk's growl returned. "Do not treat me like a cub, Millman. I understand the commander's reasoning, but it does not mean I have to like it."

Something else the two had said caught Mac's attention. "Vilhas is also my guard?"

The lion grunted. "My brother was assigned to protect you at night while I see to your safety during the day. A guard can protect a charge around the clock, but not as successfully as when they get some rest."

Before Mac could ask another question the lion grabbed his shoulder and turned him physically down another hall. The human was about to object, but his words got caught in his throat as he stepped out through an archway and into the sun. Although he'd only seen the Garden once, he recognized it right away. "Hey... this is where we met Mister Rolin, isn't it?"

The human paused; he had said 'Roon', which he'd used before and the word came out as 'Sir', but something was different because he heard it as 'Mister'. Khosk didn't seem to even acknowledge it. "It was. When the emperor's rangers are at the palace, it is not uncommon for them to spend their time at the stables, the Garden, or out in the fields... most rangers do not do well in court and Flat-Paw is no exception."

A voice spoke up from off to the side a few seconds before the cat-like bear came into view "That's because we understand what many don't: despite how dangerous most think the wilderness is, court is easily twice as deadly."

Khosk nodded. "We all have our strengths and our failings, Flat-Paw. I'm surprised you're still here... I thought the Emperor was dispatching you."

The bear-like cat nodded. "I'll be leading a team into the field in a few days but, until then, the sage king requested that I remain close at paw. I see you're doing well with your new ward, Firemane. Are you enjoying the palace, Mr. Millman?"

It took a second before Mac understood that the Ranger had seamlessly transitioned from addressing Khosk to speaking to him. "Oh... it's one of the largest buildings I've ever been inside... really amazing."

Khosk gave Mac a little shove toward Rolin. "If you're here for awhile longer you can keep an eye on the emperor's guest. Commander Joren will be along shortly to handle his well-being himself."

Mac wasn't the most socially adept individual, but he was perceptive enough to see that most of the animal folk of Feyrahl felt as uncomfortable around him as he felt around them, but that didn't seem to be the case with the ranger. The bear-like cat bowed his head and pressed his closed paw to his chest. "I will do just that, Firemane. He'll be safe until the commander arrives. Moons shine upon you, guardsman."

Khosk was already on his way, calling over his shoulder. "Emperor's blessing, Flat-Paw."

The human waited until the lion was back inside the palace before turning to Rolin to ask "Okay... is it just me, or is he just impossible to understand? Earlier he was angry that he was being relieved of duty and now, suddenly, he just dumps me off on you."

The bear-like cat chuckled from deep in his chest; it almost sounded like a growl. "Khosk is not always the easiest to read, but he regards you positively, Mr. Millman. I can tell."

Looking around, Mac found a small bench, and he took a seat before sighing. "I have so much to figure out, that I can't really add him to the list, while I'm trying to understand where I am and where I'm going."

Rolin strolled over and sat down beside the human, resting a large paw on Mac's shoulder. "Take it from an expert woodsman, Mr. Millman: there are many ways to forge a path, but it can be helpful to have a guide. You COULD do far worse than Khosk Firemane."

There was a faint smirk on the ranger's thick muzzle and it helped Mac feel at ease... enough so to joke. "He IS very good at shoving me where he wants me to go, I'll give him that."

Rolin's hearty chuckle rumbled through Mac's core; he could feel it in the stone of the bench and in his bones. "He is well known for... being direct."

The discussion died down for just long enough that Mac felt compelled to fill it. "Your family name is Flat-Paw?"

The ranger offered a humorless 'ha', and shook his head. He lifted up a leg which ended with a boot-covered foot. "No... it's because I walk like my mother."

The statement didn't make a lot of sense to Mac. "Like. Your mother?"

Rolin nodded. "Yes... my feet... they're flat... like a bear's.. most Feyrahlians have paws at the end of their legs shaped differently than mine. My mother was a bear, and my father a lynx."

Mac nodded despite still not completely understanding. "I DID notice that your species was a little hard to place... that's... that's not an insensitive thing to discuss, is it?"

The lynx-bear smirked, and offered a chiding wink. "Incredibly... but I'm used to it and, honestly, I do not feel insulted when YOU comment on it, being a human and all."

The human lilted slightly at that. "I didn't mean to offend... I'm still learning about... uh... everything. Like, that magic you did. That was... IS amazing."

Rolin chuckled warmly. "Ah... the wind spirit? There are a number of ways to accomplish different effects if you have a little know-how and a lot of creativity."

The statement had a certain invigorating encouragement to it, and Mac immediately felt at ease once again. He opened his mouth to speak, but the discussion was interrupted by Commander Joren's voice calling from the archway leading into the palace. "Ah! Master Millman... Mr. Shadow Star... I was not aware that the two of you were acquainted."

The lynx-bear quickly stood, turning to regard the rhino. "I had offered to sit with Mr. Millman until you arrived so that Sir Firemane could see to his own needs."

The commander inclined his head to the ranger, who glanced toward Mac and winked with the eye the rhino couldn't see. "I shall take my leave. commander. Mr. Millman."

Joren reached out and placed a huge hand on Rolin's shoulder. "You're welcome to stay, Mr. Shadow Star; I had not meant to run you off."

The Ranger waved away the concern. "That is quite alright, Commander. I imagine that Mr. Millman has a plethora of questions for you and he doesn't need a woodsman lingering around to complicate matters." He glanced back to Mac and offered another wink. "Perhaps we shall catch up on another occasion, 'foot-cousin'."