FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Tranquil Waters: The Lead Crown

Ch 9.6, Malcom

Rhys had never spent any amount of time in a nice hotel, least of all one in Lehsunia's capitol. Graddin was often the focal point of any discussion of culture in Newport but to the Rat all it did was bring back memories of the past-- the past and loves lost. Sitting next to Runs-on-Air at a fine breakfast table in a well-appointed private dining room helped dull the pain of the latter but it wasn't entirely gone. His dining companion didn't fail to notice either.

The young Buck copied the priest in laying a napkin across his lap as servers came by to provide them with water, milk, and a morning ale. Once the hotel employees exited the room Runs-on-Air reached under the table and took hold of Rhys' paw. "What is wrong?"

Rhys didn't reply but he realized that the Tribal noticed when his free paw went to rest against his chest where his necklace hung. When he took stock of the subconscious action he quickly spoke up. "Nothing... just... thinking..."

Although Runs-on-Air was very skilled at pressing the issue past Rhys' will to resist the Buck thankfully let the discussion go, choosing instead to look across the room to the only other table occupied; Malcom was seated with a beautiful, cream-colored Wolf: Princess Noriene. It was a surprise to Rhys when she came in to join them for breakfast since all he had heard about the siblings suggested that none of the three got along and yet the two were laughing and chatting as if they were the best of friends.

Runs-on-Air put it best. "They look happy."

Rhys had to agree but he couldn't help but think of the other side of possibilities. "Looks can be deceiving. They're royalty."

The Buck glanced his way, an appraising look in his eyes. "Royalty? Why is important?"

The Priest took a sip of milk. "I do not know if there is a word for it in your language, but we use a term called 'courtly intrigue'."

The two of them fell silent when the Princess stood up. Prince Malcom did likewise and the two Wolves shared an embrace before Princess Noriene showed herself out. As the Prince made his way to their table Runs-on-Air asked for clarification in a most inopportune way. "Wild-Wolf, what is 'courtly intrigue'?"

Prince Malcom's eyes shifted from the Buck to the Rat then back again. An easy smile came to the Wolf's muzzle. "Saying and showing one thing and meaning or doing another."

It was an oversimplification as far as answers go but Brother Rhys couldn't exactly contest the basic definition. Runs-on-Air did a fine enough job of further quantifying it. "So... lying."

The Wolf laughed and it took him some time to calm down enough to be able to speak again. When finally he did, Prince Malcom spoke in the Tribal Language, providing what sounded to Rhys to be a much more in depth answer. The Rat was able to decipher some of what was said and through the most basic understanding of what they were discussing he managed to figure out that Malcom did INDEED know all about courtly intrigue and probably did a better job at explaining it than the priest could. It very well might have been a frightening prospect if not for the fact that Brother Rhys felt comfortable around the man who very obviously earned his Tribal name in many ways.

Breakfast continued for the three of them for a span of time the Rat did not track but as he neared completion of his meal the double doors opened again. In addition to Princess Noriene, Brother Rhys spied several individuals following her in and he was not alone in recognizing someone. Runs-on-Air jumped up from his seat (napkin falling to the ground, apparently forgotten) as he exclaimed. "Oani, Hamani!"

A few steps behind the Princess the two Tribal Bears each held up a paw and denoted in unison and the Rat recognized the Buck's name spoken in the Tribal Tongue. "Oani, Ulit Amih-Hama."

Princess Noriene offered a pleasant smile. "Oh! They know each other. That is so quaint."

Malcom's tone was suggestive of having no appreciation for his sister's levity. He motioned to each of the Bears as he spoke their name in turn before motioning finally to Runs-on-Air. "Gift-of-the-Earth and Roaring-Flood helped Runs-on-Air's tribe when they came under attack by the Church's hunters. They are growing bolder... which is the very reason why we had to meet."

Princess Noriene nodded, taking a seat at the original table she had shared with Prince Malcom. "Very well, brother... and now we are meeting." She motioned to the chair across from her. "I have told you since this began that the Church is interested in more power than it now has. Shall we finally discuss it?"

Brother Rhys felt a smile spread across his muzzle when he saw Kesst lingering near the doorway. He motioned for the Dragon to join him at their second table. "Kesst! Thank God you've recovered. When we parted ways I--"

The Dragon took a seat and his forwardness surprised the Rat. "Was worried I was broken beyond all repair?"

Sanmer reached over and rested an arm across the Dragon's shoulders. "It wasn't easy but we got him somewhere safe and sound and now he's good as new."

Roaring-Flood, the large black Bear Brother Rhys remembered from the battle at the Yew Village leaned over and spoke something 'quietly' to the Fox... or at least the Rat ASSUMED it was supposed to be quietly but the Bear didn't seem completely capable of being subtle. The Priest wasn't able to catch the entirety of what he said since it was in the Tribal tongue but apparently the Fox didn't have much better luck either. Sanmer turned and pressed his muzzle to Roaring-Flood's. "You're just SO CUTE when I can't understand you."

The public display of affection earned the Fox a few glances from the gathered parties but everyone seemed more than content to let it slide. Gift-of-the-Earth managed to fill the silence. "We came with the Princess to put a stop to men who are trying to take over your Tribe."

Brother Rhys raised an eyebrow; he'd heard rumors and something about what Bishop Fulgaré had told him some time previous came to mind. "Mechanists?"

The white-furred Ermine scholar Brother Rhys hadn't had much of a chance to get to know nodded in agreement. "That's what she said, yes. We've had some run-ins with them and we lost some good people to their... schemes."

Enarork nodded, eyes downcast as he spoke something in the Tribal Tongue. "Shi-Pani."

Runs-on-Air provided condolences in the same language and then turned to whisper quietly to Brother Rhys. "Their Shaman."

Theo continued unabated. "The Mechanists.. right. They have people in the Church and the University. The Princess is worried that they may have someone influencing the Prince-Regent."

Kesst folded his talons on the table in front of himself as everyone else began to divy up breakfast but his eyes went to the Ermine. "She didn't say that specifically, Theo."

The Scholar nodded, glancing to a plate of eggs coming his way. "Royalty doesn't always come out and say what they mean but it's possible to read between the lines."

Runs-on-Air nodded thoughtfully offering up simply "Courtly intrigue."

Theo motioned to the Buck with his fork. "Exactly. Thank you."

Brother Rhys barely managed to avoid laughing out loud at the self-satisfied expression on his lover's face.