FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chosen

The scorching midday sun beat down fiercely that late summer day in the Aestus Desert, the heat nearly unbearable as the exotic and winding winds blew across the white sand dunes. It was one days like this that the people living in the town of Kaon Landing usually remained inside of their humble stone and mortar homes or close to a refreshing source of water. The weather outside to hot and tiring for them to go through the struggle of any sort of hard labor.

Or at least that how things usually were for the citizens of Kaon, today however was going to be very different for the townsfolk. Today they were to receive a very special guest in the form of King Orsis, the ruler of the Utopian Kingdom and his extensive entourage. The first royal visit the small desert village had experienced in nearly two whole centuries.

As could be expected, the news of such a prestigious visitor coming to their little corner of the world had thrown the entire populace into an uproar. Every single citizen growing excited at the chance to entertain someone as prestigious as the King. Before anyone knew it plans for a celebration were quickly made and the townspeople amassed, everyone expected to aid in pinning up banners and decorations, cooking food for the feast that would be held, and preparing the local inn for his majesty's comfort.

And the man who was coordinating all of these preparations of course was the leader of Kaon Landing, Chief Lenus. A fierce male lion who, given his position and wisdom, stood in the town square on the day of the king's visit, shouting out instructions to all he saw in an effort to smooth over any foreseeable problems that may have arrived.

"No, no no! I didn't tell you two to put that banner up there!" The noble feline commanded before pointing over to the inn. "Place it above the door there you idiots so the King will see it better! Everything has to look absolutely perfect for his majesty! EVERYTHING!"

"Yes sire, Chief Lenus." The pair who had been punning the large banner over the town library sighed and muttered before they descended the ladder they had just climbed moments ago.

"Great! Now all I have to do is get the musicians sorted out then maybe this day won't be a total disaster." Lenus sighed as he brushed back his flowing, graying mane.

Since receiving the letter announcing the King's visit it had been hard work getting everything just right. But now, just a few hours before the arrival, everything was nearly done. The only thing left for him and his people to do was put on the finishing touches on what they has planned and pray to the Gods that nothing went wrong during the celebration.

"Speaking of things going wrong." The Chieftain groaned with sudden realization. "I suppose I should check on those sons of mine."

Seeking said sons, the old lion quickly scanned the town square, his vision eventually landing on his oldest progeny who was a short distance away flirting with a few young females. An increasingly common sight since his son's coming of age ceremony.

Reluctant to spoil his son's fun Lenus hesitantly called out to the youngsters, his voice rising just enough to be heard over the many others milling about the courtyard. "Larous!" He yelled. "Do you have a moment my son? I wish to speak with you."

Hearing his father, Larous turned towards the other lion with a warm, but slightly annoyed grin. "Of course I have a moment father." Looking to his audience the young man shrugged. "Sorry everyone but duty calls." He apologized. "Maybe we will see each other at the party tonight. Especially you Hanaka."

Despite that only one of them got called out the entire group of suitors around Larous all eagerly nodded to the suggestions and watched forlornly as the most attractive male in the village walked off to go speak with his father. To them even the slim chance to spend an evening with the beautiful male was enough to keep them satisfied for the rest of the day.

"I see you've acquired a few more suitors since yesterday." Lenus remarked to his approaching son.

Giving the boy a quick once over as he approached the older man sighed. At twenty-three summers the younger lion before him was strong. His loincloth clad body being one built for combat and his personality being one that would serve him well when the time came for him to lead.

Then there was his many possible courting matches. Almost every boy and girl of marrying age in town wanted to gain his attention. The knowledge that his eldest offspring was so popular causing pride to blossom in Lenus' chest.

Responding to his father's previous statement Larous smirked smugly. "Yes, that makes it over thirty now." He said. "Maybe you'd like to take some of them off my paw for me father? It becomes tiresome dealing with so many."

Lenus gave a small chuckle. "I don't think so, lad." He said as he patted his developing belly, "Ones as young as them would never wish to bother with an old man like me."

"You never know unless you ask." Larous smiled at his father. "And you ARE the chief after all. I'm sure one such as yourself could easily have his pick of anyone he wished." The younger man gave his father a light chuckle. "So... why did you want to talk to me, father?"

Lenus, who had been lost in the thought of a new mate to keep him company, snapped out of his daydreams. "Oh...oh yes. I was wondering if you and the other young males are prepared for your part in the royal visit."

Larous nodded. "Yes father! Every single male of age in the village has been given those special loincloths as you commanded and is ready to present themselves to the King," he answered. "Why is it that we have to dress up again?"

At his son's question Lenus quickly had to bite his tongue. He knew the reason why the males had to prepare themselves for that night. An ancient reason that most did not and could not know about. Not even his own sound could know of what was to come, not until he was the chief of Kaon landing.

Attempting to change the subject so he could avoid answering, Larous chuckled nervously. "I-I forgot to ask you Larous. Do you know where that brother of yours has run off to?" He questioned. "I had ordered him to help the cooks with the feast but..." The lion motioned over to where some villagers who were preparing food. "...As you can see he's gone missing... again."

"Figures." Larous muttered under his breath. Thinking for a moment the young cat hummed. "I think I remember seeing him hauling that stupid sled of his towards the desert this morning."

Lenus let out a long exasperated breath. "I should have known. Off sand sledding again," He growled. "And after I strictly forbade him from doing so today. Now I have to send someone out to bring him back."

"Do you really have to bother with that father?" Larous wondered. "You still have so much to do here. Besides, the little wretch will most likely come back on his own before long."

Lenus thought this over quickly and then sighed with a nod. "Perhaps you are right." He finally said. "But still, I cannot help but worry. He isn't like you. You have a place prepared for you, suitors, friends, and of course, maturity. While he's nothing but reckless and childish. There are times I wish he would just grow up."

Larous gave a playful laugh. "Balkus? Grow up? That, I seriously doubt that father."

---

As the preparations in town for the upcoming kingly visit continued on without pause a young trio of felines atop one of the highest sand dunes in the Aestus Desert eagerly waited to begin their own special task that day. One that unlike the plans Lenus had made were not nearly as well thought out.

Looking down the steep incline before them one of the figures, a young portly Lynx, nervously twitted his thumbs and whimpered to himself. "Are you guys sure we should be doing this?" He asked while pulling at one of the decorative bands on his arm. "I-I don't think we should be doing this!"

"Will you stop your whining for once Aidric?" A similarly aged female panther in a light blue tunic next to him snapped back. "See Balkus!" She huffed, turning to the third member of their group. "I told you we shouldn't have brought the baby here."

The last member of the trio, an energetic looking tawny colored lion with a short dark mane, rolled his eyes. "Come on Dura, stop being so mean to him." Balkus flashed a quick smile as he winked one of his teal eyes at the girl. "Besides, we both know you have a crush on him."

Dura blushed as she punched Balkus as hard as she could in the arm. "No I don't!"

"Yes, you do!" Balkus laughed while rubbing his new bruise. "Saw you staring at him yesterday. Hard to believe my best friend would want to court some tubby kid."

Aidric glared up at the older cat. "Who are you calling names Balkus?!" He shouted, flustered by the thought Dura maybe liking him. "Y-You're only two summers older than me a-an you're almost as pudgy as I am!"

"I'm nowhere near as big as you chubby boy." Stepping back to motion to himself Balkus flexed and presented his loin cloth clad form. Despite his protests he wasn't truly all that much skinnier than Aidric was, his stomach slightly rounded thanks to too many pilfered sweet cakes. "I'm also decades more mature than you'll ever be!" He continued. "Isn't that right Dura?"

Dura raised an eyebrow. "Yeah Balkus, you're soooo mature." She said as she grabbed the bottom Balkus' loincloth, playfully flipping it up to expose his backside. "That's why you still get your mangy hide tanned like a cub every time you misbehave."

His face tinting as his bottom was revealed Balkus quickly hopped out of his friend's reach and glared at her. "Hey, knock it off!" He huffed. "We didn't come out here to talk! We came here to ride! You know unless you two are too scared now."

Not one to back down Dura folded his arms over her chest and smirked. "I am never scared!" She said proudly.

Aidric, on the other hand, didn't seem to be as brave as his two friends. "Are...are you guys sure this is safe?" He said yet again. "I heard the Chief say once that sand sledding down the north dune is really, really dangerous."

"Awe, what the heck does that old gray mane know!?" Balkus snapped back in irritation. His father wasn't someone he wanted to bring up at that moment. The older man had been constantly pestering him to act serious about the king's dumb visit. Something which he didn't care about at all.

Picking up his sand board Balkus placed the large wooden sled on the very edge of the dune they were on and propped up the sail. "Let's just forget about my father and everything else for a while alright?" He said to the others pleadingly. "I want to have some fun for once!"

---

Approaching Kaon landing from the east, a long caravan carrying King Orsis and his traveling party slowly made their way down the dusty winding road cutting through the heated desert sands with great difficulty. Rounding a bend the lead of this convoy, a large elaborate carriage adorned with gold, silver, and jewels creaked quietly, this small barely there sound quickly made inaudible when a shrill, annoyed voice sounded from within, the sudden sharp noise causing the several armed guards surrounding it to cringe as they continued to march forward without pause.

"Your majesty, will you please wake up." Whoever it was inside of the carriage said with a small bleat in his voice. "We'll be approaching the gates of Kaon village soon."

Following the irritated statement there was a gruff sounding yawn, the second person passenger of the wheeled vehicle stirred back into consciousness at the statement. "We will?" Eyes opening only partly the other traveler observed the first with mild annoyance. "But you said it would take us two more days to get to our destination."

"That was before that farmer told us of a short cut King Orsis." Twisting in his seat, an elderly goat dressed in flowing ceremonial robes gave his companion an inpatient look when he failed to move at his words. "I know you are tired my liege but you must awaken. It would be rude not to greet our hosts when we arrive."

"Oh... yes, of course." The second passenger, King Orsis hummed back distractedly. "Thank you for waking me Enchan."

"Think nothing of it sire." The other man replied back stiffly. "It is my pleasure to serve someone as benevolent and mighty such as yourself.

Roused into full wakefulness at his companion's brownnosing Orsis reluctantly shifted from his reclining position into a more upright one, the dignified utopian king then giving his stomach a quick scratch as he opened his mouth wide and yawned once again.

The king a large brown bear, was truly a sight to behold in stature and height. Standing heads taller than most of his kind, he was in possession of a body that was the prefect mixture of hefty curves and pure muscle. A truly intimidating and fierce looking specimen of the Ursidae clan despite his personality being quite the opposite.

His clothes too were truly spectacular. Instead of wearing simple robes like his companion Orsis instead wore a regal looking Shenyi that was made of the finest purpled hued silks and accented with gold borders at its hemlines and sleeves. Most impressive of all though had to be the thick golden breastplate bearing an image of a dragon's fierce looking face covering his massive barreled chest. A very uncomfortable piece of armor which he struggled with as he scooted over to the window to peer outside.

"My, my, this..." Orsis began as he looked over their destination in the distance. "...Kaon Landing certainly is a small place isn't it? The courtyard of the palace could fit the entire thing inside!"

Having been busy looking through a book he had brought with him Enchan glanced up at his charge and nodded. "Aye sire, it's one of the smallest villages in the kingdom." He said. "Barely even worth the trouble traveling here. Not that we have much of a choice in the matter. What with that tradition and all."

Orsis hummed in acknowledgement as he was not really that interested in what the other man was saying. His mind more focused on his upcoming task of playing diplomat. Something which he truly was not looking forward too. The capital had barely even acknowledged the Felidae clan in over a hundred years and now here he was about to intrude upon them and potentially change the life of one of its members. It just didn't settle right with him.

"Is everything alright sire?" Enchan suddenly questioned, finally putting his book down. "Do you wish to postpone our visit? It will be troublesome but it is your decision."

Giving his steward a thoughtful look Orsis slowly shook his head. "No, I will go through with this greeting." He told the advisor as he sat back in his seat properly. "We have been away from the palace too long as it is. Let's just pray to the gods that I will find what I am looking for here, in this simple place."

---

Back in Kaon Landing, several of the townsfolk had amassed atop the large walls surrounding the village to watch the approaching convoy of carriages heading their way. "Someone, quickly..." One of the tiger guards called out to the spectators. "...Go and inform the chief that the King and his party have arrived!"

Heeding the call, one of the villagers quickly took off towards the town square, the panting panicked lion jumping around people in his mad dash towards the chief, who was still conversing to his son. "Chief Lenus! Chief Lenus!" He shouted as soon as he was within earshot. "King Orsis and his caravan are approaching!"

Lenus nearly tripped over his own feet when he heard the man's declaration. The King should not have been arriving for two more days! "Al-Already!!" The elderly man yelped, his voice cracking in panic. "Oh my, we... we're not ready! The musicians haven't practiced their piece! The decorations aren't finished! The food isn-"

Larous grabbed his father by the shoulders, giving the older man a soft shake as he did. "Father... calm down. Everything is perfect. There is nothing to worry about." He reassured calmly. "The King will see all that you have done for him and reward you for your efforts...trust me."

Lenus gave his son a shaky nod. He could always count on his oldest to keep a leveled head. The boy was a gods sent. "Of course, you're right." He sighed before barking new orders to all those present. "Everyone... Finish up what you are doing! King Orsis is here! Those preparing the food... make sure everything's all set! Musicians, make sure your instruments are at the ready! You are to play the town anthem the very moment the King steps out of his carriage!"

---

Passing through the tall gates of Kaon Landing, King Orsis' royal cavalcade rolled down the main street of the town with as much fanfare and cheering as was befitting visitors of their caliber. Looking out of the window inside of the lead carriage, King Orsis and Enchan each observed their welcoming party with different perspectives.

"Ugh, such heathens!" Enchan huffed out scandalized as he observed the people they passed. "Look at them! Most aren't even wearing proper clothing."

It was true; most of the inhabitants of Kaon Landing barely wore anything. Several of the feline men and women they walked by only wearing simple loincloth wrappings, or at best, light robes.

Orsis of course chuckled at the disdain in his companion's voice. Enchan, being a member of the religious Bovidae clan and a noble, dressed in only the most expensive and luxurious of clothing just couldn't imagine the people wore anything less. He however, saw the crowd outside in a much different way.

"Enchan, don't be such a prude." The King told the other man. "It gets very hot out here in the desert, I'm sure. Only makes sense to wear as little as possible."

The bear took notice of a young couple, a pair of leopards, and grinned. A part of him approved of the thin, loose fitting clothes one part of the duo wore, the fabric seemingly just hanging off of their form in the most delightful way. "Besides, such thin clothing can have its advantages."

"If you say so, sire." Enchan said with a dismissive flick of his hand.

"Believe me, I do." Orsis said.

Continuing their short journey towards the center of town the pair of men sat back in their seats until their ride came to an abrupt stop near the edge of a large gaudy looking courtyard. Hearing the murmuring of a crowd gathering outside, the larger of the two sighed deeply. "Well, let's get this over with. Aye, Enchan?"

Not responding to the obvious, Enchan quietly lifted himself out of his seat and bowed to Orsis, his left hand going out to open the door for the royal bear. As soon as the carriage's thin door flung back, loud music erupted from somewhere outside, deafening both man and making them cringe.

"Well, they certainly know how to play music, don't they?" Orsis said laughing at his and his servant's discomfort. "I believe I should give them as big a welcome as they have given us, aye?" Enchan frowned at the other man's amusement but remained silent, moving swiftly to the side so that his King could lead the way.

As Orsis squeezed his way out of the carriage, the crowd surrounding them let out uproarious cheers. All of them excited to see their King for the first time. "Thank you, thank you all for your warm welcome to your lovely village." He proclaimed loudly while raising both his paws in greeting. "I am pleased that I have so many wonderful subjects who are enthralled by my humble presence!!"

"Laying it on a little thick, aren't you sire?" Enchan whispered snidely from the other man's side. "Especially for the likes of these hicks."

"A good King knows how to put on a show, Enchan." Orsis said quietly over his shoulder. "That's the first thing my father taught me."

"Why, of course." The smaller mammal muttered. He still didn't see why someone as regal as Orsis had to lower himself for dullards. If only his clan were the ones leading the kingdom. The Bovidae would show everyone how true kings should act around riffraff.

Speaking of said riffraff, the crowd growing silent suddenly Orsis and Enchan watched as an elderly lion appeared from a doorway on the far side of the area. Looking to them the cat quickly bowed his head as a sign of respect and then strode forward towards the royal and his party, the crowd parting for him as he walked.

Orsis gave Enchan a slow nod before they too began making their way towards the approaching lion. "Hum... Would that be the chief coming towards us, correct?" The King shrewdly asked his advisor in a hushed tone. "Chief Lanat or something?"

Enchan motioned to one of the various guards who had accompanied them. The man instantly knowing what he was expected to do without a word as he handed over a clipboard which the goat took. Reading from it, Enchan spoke. "Yesss sir. But it's Chief... Lenus... I believe, if these papers are right. He would be the eighth generational chief of his line."

"Great." Orsis sighed. "Just great... another one of those lineage type Chiefs. They always manage to make my ears bleed with their excessive talking." He had been through this sort of thing many times before and didn't look forward to another boring visit.

As if on cue, the chief began speaking. "Ah, King Orsis of the Ursidae clan, thank you for coming here, the most humble of towns." Lenus said bowing respectfully once again. "I, as well as every single one of my people, welcome you to our home. I hope your visit is to our--"

Interrupting the official meeting suddenly, a crash rang out from the assembled crowd's right before Lenus could finish speaking. Turning towards the source of this ungodly racket the entire group watched on as a large dust cloud appeared on one of the many streets leading out of the courtyard, the tremendous upheaval heading straight towards them as it grew in size.

Curious as to what was happening Enchan peered around King Orsis' large gut and hummed in thought. "What in Utopia is that?" He wondered. "If I didn't know better I could swear it looks like a--"

Unfortunately for most of the Kaon Landing citizens present they never got to hear exactly what the elderly man thought the oncoming sand storm was, Enchan's assessment quickly forgotten with a shout of terror as a young lion riding atop a speeding sand sled crashed into and raced off with both the royal advisor and King Orsis. The trio of men then quickly ending their short ride together when they flew off down a side street and right into a large house with yet another loud, deafening crash.

In the awkward silence that remained behind in the sand sled's wake a shell shocked Lenus stared dumbly at the spot where the King of their entire country had once been, the only thing causing him to regain his senses being the sight of several of the king's rhino guards as they rushed past him to retrieve their shanghaied charge.

His daze broken Lenus slowly turned to his older son who had emerged from the crowd during the incident. "That was your brother, wasn't it, Larous?" He said while making a half sobbing sound

Staring at the destroyed house down the street Larous nodded, still not completely sure of what had just happened. "Yes, Father... I believe that was Balkus."

Taking that information in Lenus visibly deflated, the usually proud lion dropping his head between his shoulder with a long sigh. "Promise me son that after the king takes my head, you will lead out people well."

The dust clearing within the now wrecked home he had crashed into a bruised and laughing Balkus clumsily poked his head out from under the remains of a half broken kitchen table. "That has to be the best ride I've ever done!" He proclaimed happily. Squeezing out from the wreckage the young lion quickly got onto his feet. "I can't believe I made it all the way from the south dune to the town square. Wonder why there was so many people there though."

It was then that a groan from his right drew the boy's attention away from his handiwork and towards the two hitchhikers he had picked up during his exciting trip. Looking them over he was surprised to see that one of them was a large brown bear, the giant currently on his stomach, draped over an upturned couch, and the other an old goat who was currently hanging from the ceiling mounted lamp by his horns.

'I hope they're alright,' Balkus thought to himself while hesitantly approaching the larger of the pair. 'On second thought, a guy as big of him probably is.'

The first to regain his senses as he hung there in the air a wide eyed Enchan moaned pitifully as his poor old bones ached. Bleary eyes scanning the room he quickly spotted the creature who had caused him such grief and flailed about trying to get at him.

"You! Just what is the meaning of this attack, boy!?" Enchan shouted down as attempted to free himself. "How dare you crash into me and throw me into this... this... this HOVEL!"

Balkus had to cover his mouth in order to keep his laughter at bay as he watched the goat struggle. "Sorry sir. It was an accident." He said unconvincingly. "I lost control of my sled back there and couldn't help it."

Reaching for Balkus again as the urge to strange the boy hit him Enchan made a face that was somewhere between enraged and constipated. "Sorry!? SORRY!?" He all but screeched. "I swear to you child that you will be sorry once I get down from here!"

Giving a pained grunt as he slowly came to behind the feuding pair, King Orsis unsteadily pushed himself off the couch he had landed on and ungracefully landed on his large posterior on the floor with a loud thug.

"Ow!" The bear grumbled as he rubbed his now very sore backside. "I don't believe I've ever gone that fast before."

At that Balkus couldn't help but smile proudly. "Damn right it was fast old man!" He proclaimed, racing over to the ursine stranger. "I bet we were going faster than then the sand runners the warriors ride."

Hearing the excited young voice next to him, Orsis gazed up to see who dared to speak to him so casually and found himself instantly taken aback when he came face to face with someone he hadn't expected. Standing by his side was a rather attractive looking yellowish brown lion, the boy's loincloth clothed body still rounded with youth and his dark mane cut short.

But it wasn't his form that truly caused the royal man to stare intently as his assaulter. No! the thing which had caught his attention so fully was the pair of teal colored pupils the feline had. Two deep, captivating orbs that peered down at him with a spark of barely contained excitement and curiosity that Orsis had not seen in such a long time.

Balkus, noticing the way the odd bear was staring at him, shifted uncomfortable from foot to foot. A strange feeling in his gut causing his face to heat up. 'Why is he staring at me?' He wondered. 'And why do I feel like I want to stare back at him?'

About to ask the big bruin why he was eyeing him so strangely Balkus instead gave a terrified yelp as the front door of the building he had half destroyed burst open with a loud enraged shout, the room they were in quickly filling as several armed rhino guards charged into it and headed straight towards him weapons drawn.

"Oh Gods!!" Balkus exclaimed as he tried to turn tail and run. Unfortunately for the fleeing boy his escape was prematurely cur off when two of the guards easily overcame him and hefted him into the air by both his arms, the two stronger mammals then turning as one to face the two men the lion had barreled into with grim faces.

Dangling off of the ground Balkus tried and failed to free himself from the grip of his captors. "H-hey... let go of me you big jerks!" He cried out. "What the heck do you think you're doing!"

"What they are doing boy is capturing you so we can..." Helped off of the chandelier he had been stuck on by one of the guards Enchan gave a petulant huff as he was gently lowered to the floor before continuing. "... so we can prepare you for your execution!

Balkus' eyes widened in shock hearing the word "execution". Luckily, at that moment, his father suddenly appeared inside the damaged house to save him. Pushing his way through the crowd of large men as they held his son captive Lenus gave his son a stern look before turning to the bear who was currently still sitting on the floor.

"Sir, please have mercy on this foolish boy. I assure you that he'll be punished." The older lion gave his son another censuring glare. "That and then some!"

'So much for saving me,' Balkus thought grimly.

Orsis grunted as one of his men assisted him in getting back up on his feet. After brushing off some dust, he gave the captured boy another look then turned to the chief. "This ang... um..." He struggled to use an appropriate word to describe the intriguing young man. "...boy is your son?"

Lenus gave his King a worried look. As it was, he could deny ownership of the boy. He could say that the boy was just some street urchin. But no... lying to his majesty could make things worse. He had to face what his offspring had done. "I'm afraid so, sire." He admitted. "Though at the moment, I wish to the heavens that he wasn't".

Orsis gazed upon the boy again and watched as an utterly hurt look crossed over the young lion's face. For some reason, seeing the boy unhappy bothered the bear. Speaking up, Balkus tried to explain what had happened. "Father... Look. It was just--"

Lenus held up his paw to silence his son. "Keep quiet, boy! You truly have no idea what you have done, do you?"

Balkus let his eyes roam over the destroyed house. "Ok, so I destroyed this house. I've done it before and I promise that I'll help with the cleanup, honest."

The young man was interrupted yet again. "I AM NOT UPSET ABOUT THIS HOUSE YOU IGNORANT, CHILD!" Lenus shouted at the top of his lungs. Seething for a few moments in silence the chief tried his best to regain his composure as he continued. "The problem is not that you destroyed yet another one of this town's dwellings. It's about who you just crashed into with that stupid toy of yours!"

Balkus nodded towards the bear and the goat who were watching the father and son intently. "Who are you talking about? These two gray muzzles?" He asked, everyone inside the room nearly felling down in shock at his remark. "I know they're both ancient but they're fine, father. Just some scrapes and cuts here and there. Besides, I told them I was sorry."

Orsis raised an eyebrow. The boy had a bit of a disrespectful streak in him. This was quite amusing for the old bear. He had been like that when he was young too. Lenus, however, was not amused. He only pinched his nose ridge and let out a low growl. "Child, these 'gray muzzles' as you so disrespectfully put, are High King Orsis and his royal advisor Lord Enchan!"

Balkus could feel the blood drain from his face as his father pointed to the two men he had bowled off of their feet. Taking this second look, Balkus, for the first time, recognized the larger man's face. It was the same face that was on every single coin in the country. "He... He... He's the King?!" he squeaked. His father nodded in response. "Oh... shi--"

---

Later that night, a huffy Balkus sat alone in his and his brother's shared, his broken sand sled leaning against the wall by his side. "Well, I can't say I've haven't had better days." He complained as bitter memories of what had happened earlier that day filled his mind.

It had been, to say it kindly, one horrible afternoon for Balkus. After discovering, much to his own mortification, whom he had bulldozed into a house, his mortified father has spent their entire trip back to the town square apologizing at length to the king and his advisor for what had happened.

Unfortunately, these apologies only seemed to make Advisor Enchan angrier. The ancient goat, making an earsplitting racket as he complained in length about the indignity of what had happened and how he was going to make everyone involved pay. Thankfully, King Orsis wasn't as upset. Instead, the bear only stated that the whole incident was an innocent accident and that boys will be boys.

Balkus was quick to agree with this point seeing it as a way out of the trouble he was in of course but Lenus didn't see it the same way at all. After he had Larous offer to take the King and his entourage on a tour, he swiftly turned Balkus over his knee and proceeded to whip his backside right there in front of the crowd who had greeted the king when he had arrived.

For the younger lion, to be punished like a small child in front of the whole town had to have be one of the most embarrassing things that had ever happened in his short, nineteen years of life. To make matters worse for Balkus, following the humiliating public spanking, his father had then sent him home without dinner and forbade him from joining in on any of the festivities that would be happening in town the night including the ceremony for the king.

And that's exactly why Balkus was alone in his room right now, bored, hungry, and lonely as he sulkily watched the festival going on just outside his bedroom window with bitter resentment. "Father could have at the very lease let me eat something before he sent me home." He sighed. "At this rate I'm going to starve to death sitting here all night."

When his stomach gave a grumble in agreement to his statement Balkus quickly decided that he couldn't stand being hungry anymore and nodded decisively. To hell with his father's unfair edict! He'd sneak out, steal some food from the festival and then return home before the older lion or anyone else noticed. It wasn't like this would be his first time doing so after all.

Pushing himself off of the window frame Balkus snickered mischievously and quickly padded his way over to the his bedroom door, reaching for the doorknob. However, just before his paw gripped the wooden sphere the door opened up for him, the slab of wood sliding back to reveal a person whom he did not really wish to see again that night.

"Hey, how's your red ass doing pipsqueak?" Larous asked mockingly as he entered, a smug look on his face. "You able to sit down yet?"

Balkus rubbed his sore bottom at the reminder while scowled up at his brother. "Like I'm going to tell you." He barked. "And stop calling me pipsqueak!!"

Larous, amused that he had gotten the smaller man's temper to flare, beamed. "Ok pipsqueak. If it will make you feel better, pipsqueak. I'll stop calling you pipsqueak, pipsqueak." He continued to mock.

Seething at the disrespect flaunted in his face Balkus began to feel his blood boil. Oh how he hated it when people made fun of his height! Especially his brother who was downright cruel about it. Sure he may have been the shortest male among his age group but that was no reason to keep reminding him of that fact.

"What are you doing in here anyway, Larous?" Balkus asked with a huff. "Shouldn't you be brownnosing father and his guests?"

Larous shoved his brother as he walked past him. "Well, I usually would be, but then I realized that I had forgotten to bring the new clothes father had specially made with me." Reaching into his clothing drawer the older boy produced a stark white loincloth lined with a golden boarder. "Pretty, isn't it?"

"Father didn't make that just for you, all the young males in the village got them. Including me!" Balkus retorted. "I even had one before this afternoon!"

His brother's bravado didn't seem to faze the other man. "The key word there brother is "Had"." The larger lion responded as he untied his old loincloth, letting it drop to the floor and quickly putting on his new one. "As in you "had" one until father took it away and burned it so that you could no longer be presented to the king like everyone else."

At that Balkus finally grew quiet, his eyes dropping to the floor as the memory of his angry father throwing his special loincloth into the hearth replayed in his mind. In fact those images were so hurtful to the young man that he suddenly no longer felt like sneaking out for food. He didn't feel like doing anything.

"Just get out of here Larous and leave me alone." Balkus murmured lowly.

"Whatever you want pipsqueak. Maybe if I'm feeling generous I'll sneak you back some food behind father's back." Larous called out as he walked out of the door.

Head snapping up, Balkus stared at his brother, surprised by his offer. "You can have the crusts and fruit cores we have left over!" His brother then added with a laugh as he slammed the door shut.

"ASSHOLE!" Balkus yelled, picking up his brothers discarded clothing he threw it at the closed door and stormed off to his bed, tossing himself upon it with a frustrated growl. "I swear I will never, ever forgive you for that!"

---

Unaware of the drama going on between his two children at that very moment a very pleased with himself Lenus happily ate and drank as he sat at King Orsis' right side watching a group of dancers entertain the crowd.

He was thankful that after all the unpleasantness his younger son had caused that the rest of his well laid plans had gone off without a hitch. The musicians were playing their hearts out, the food his chef's had prepared was wonderful, and even the decorations that still remained in place after the accident looked wonderful. The fears that had plagued his mind slowly ebbing away as the night wore on.

Still, he had to be sure everything was perfect. It wouldn't do for something little to upset the king and ruin everything he had worked hard for. Reluctantly turning away from the dancers performing in the center of the town square the elderly lion coughed, attempting to drawn King Orsis' attention to him.

"They're quite a treat, aren't they my Liege?" The chief asked, waving to the girls. "The best women around!"

Orsis, peering down towards the man from his seat, answered back distractedly. "Hum... oh yes, they are quite good!" He hummed. "Very energetic."

Enchan however, was more courteous in responding to question asked of his kind. "They are truly wonders!" Hoping to get over what had happened to him a few hours ago the old goat had drunk more than his fair share of wine and had become hopelessly intoxicated. "Tell me Chief Lenus, do those lovely, lovely girls have... other talents?"

Lenus gave the man a knowing look. He had been hoping that his guests would ask that. The pleasures of his town were the best in the region, the perfect thing to please any visitor. "Why, yes sir." He grinned. "In fact, if you wish, I can make arrangements for some personal entertainment to escort you back to your rooms later tonight."

Enchan, his mind in a drunken haze, smiled widely. Being the busy royal advisor meant it had been ages since he had proper bed company. "Why, thank you, my most gracious of hosts. I'm sure I will enjoy your gift greatly." He said, poking King Orsis lightly on the stomach. "You know, my King, I think I'm reconsidering my previous assumptions about this small town."

Feeling the sloppy shove at his belly, Orsis finally snapped out of his own thoughts. "What...?" He said in an annoyed growl.

Enchan rolled his eyes and laughed. "I was saying that this little rat hole isn't so bad. I mean, look at those girls over there!"

"Oh yes, of course, it's very nice." Truth was though, King Orsis had hardly taken notice of the group of gyrating women dancing for him, nor to the conversation the two men on either side of him were having.

Instead, the bear's mind kept going back to the young man who had ungraciously knocked him literally and figuratively off of his feet. It was perplexing why the cub was still in his mind. He had seen countless people during the trip he had been on. All much more interesting than that little lion boy. But, there was something about those eyes. Something that haunted him and made him want to find out why they were ingrained into his memory.

Maybe he was just bored? He eventually concluded. Maybe if he hurried along with the real reason for his visit to Kaon Landing he would get his mind off of the strange creature captivating his thoughts. Turning to his host the king motioned for him to listen. "Chief Lenus..." He began tiredly. "...I have a request."

Lenus put down the wine he had been drinking and smiled over to the larger male. "Yes, sire. What is it that you wish from me?"

"As much as I am enjoying all of this..." Orsis halfheartedly waved his hand in the general direction of the feast around them. "... Jubilation. I think it's high time we move this night along and begin the choosing ceremony."

Lenus' mood instantly soured. This was the part of the evening that he had dreaded. "Yes, of course, sire." He said, standing. "I'll get the candidates ready immediately."

Orsis nodded and watched as the robed King left to prepare for the coming ritual. "Enchan..." Turning to his advisor the bear became a bit miffed to see him in the arms of one of the local women, his chin resting on her cleavage. "ENCHAN!"

The harsh shout made the goat snapped to attention. "Yes, my king!"

Orsis sighed. He hated it when the other man got drunk like this. "I wish to inform you that we need to get ready for the ritual."

"Oh, of course." Pushing away the woman he had been flirting with off the elderly advisor snapped his fingers as he had done earlier, the same guard from before appearing at his side again holding a small satchel. "Take out the box with the royal insignia on it for me please." Enchan ordered. "And make sure to be careful as you do it."

Nodding reverently the large rhino guard careful shoved his hand into the small bag he was carrying and produced a small gold plated container from it. "Here you go, master Enchan." He said, handing it over.

"Yes, yes thank you." Enchan said dismissively. Taking the box from his servant the goat quickly transferred it to King Orsis' hands. "Alright, now sire, you do remember exactly what to do if you see a suitable candidate? Or do I have to explain it to you once again?"

"Enchan, please!" Orsis responded with a light growl. "I have done this all before."

"I know you have sire but we do not want what happened at the first time to happen again." Enchan reminded as he took out a small book and a bottle of ink. "It took me quite a while to convince that village that you had just painted the wrong symbol."

"Please, do not bring that up again." Orsis warned.

The incident was still a nasty memory for him. After painting the wrong symbol on the first villager he had looked over he had sent the entire gathering into panic, all of them thinking he was declaring the man to be executed. That certainly had not been a good visit. Even to that day Orsis still sent the village a care package as an apology for his disastrous actions.

"Sire, please don't be upset with yourself." Enchan said, seeing the king's frown. "As we agreed it was a mistake anyone could have made. And even if it wasn't you are king you should not even care abou--"

Before Enchan could finish speaking a loud trumpeting suddenly put an end to any and all talk within the large courtyard. The fanfare only tapering off when Chief Lenus appeared from the doors of the town's meeting house, a large group consisting of nearly every single man in the village following right behind him as he strode forward.

Hushed murmuring rising from the gathered crowd as the procession made their way toward the head table, Orsis and Enchan marveled at the sight before them. Each male was dressed in stark white and gold loincloths, the clean and crisp fabric moving slightly with each step its owner made as they approached.

"Well now, don't they look wonderful?" King Orsis remarked. He began debating whether or not he should make it law for his subjects to all wear such little clothing. "Much better than those robes the last village had."

"I suppose so, sir." Enchan replied, frowning. After giving the dancing girl he had been flirting with one last look then goat raised from his seat and went over to stand before the approaching group. "Ah, Chief Lenus, we... appreciate you presenting us with these fine, young men!" The horned man said loudly, reciting the first lines in an old ceremony. As he motioned for the slightly younger man to bow.

Lenus nodded in acknowledgment and got to his knee, his son helping him. "Th-Thank you, Advisor Enchan." He began. "But it is I who is appreciative. To think that one of my people may be considered worthy enough of our King's attention." The lion finished his line by bowing as low as he could, his forehead touching the ground much to Enchan's delight

Orsis had to repress the disgust he felt from the spectacle before him. Why did everything involving him have to be so proper and precise? But he knew he had a part to play and rose from his seat, grouchily shuffling over to his advisor and their host. "You speak too highly of yourself, Chieftain." He said, reciting the speech he by now knew by heart. "Surely there are none here who are worthy of a king!"

Lenus raised up, just enough to look the taller man in the eyes. "Please, my King, please accept my offering and look over these men. Perhaps there is one among their number who is acceptable."

Orsis theatrically waved his hands indicating that he wanted the men to present themselves. "Fine, I shall, if only to prove that there are none here to my liking." He said, in a bored and monotone voice.

The speech they were all acting out was a word by word recitation of what the first King of Utopia had said during the first choosing ceremony. It was foolish and obtuse but still it had to be said because tradition dictated it. Even knowing this Orsis sighed as he watched the young men, which had been presented to him lineup in single file, every single one of the boy's looking both confused and nervous as they stood at attention for whatever was about to happen to begin.

"Ok, let's get this over with." The king muttered to himself while waving to his guards to bring over the special golden, jewel incrusted throne he was forced to sit in during the ceremony. Falling into the chair once it was in place, the bear placed the small box he had been given onto his lap. "Let the first man be seen!" He commanded in his best, kingly voice.

The first man to be presented was a lion, obviously related to the chief if his looks were anything to go by. The boy stood there with a proud smile on his face, as he waited to be evaluated. "Well, he is strong looking." Orsis remarked, taking in the well-muscled form.

Enchan, who had been seated next to the bear in a less opulent seat, nodded absently while opening the book in his hands. "Your name please, son." He said bringing dipping a feathered quill into the ink bottle also in his possession. "Speak up so I can hear you."

The muscular lion stood straighter if it were possible. "I am Larous, son of Lenus, who was son of Lyonus, Age twenty three summers."

Orsis turned his attention to the town chief for a moment. "This would be your son, right?" He asked.

Lenus nodded slowly. "Yes, sire. He's the pride of this town. Not to mention of my life."

"He is?" The King asked. "What of your other son? The one I "met" this afternoon?"

"He's a trouble maker and a bad seed, I'm afraid." The Chief said snidely. "I'm only thankful that he is at home at the moment, in his bedroom."

"That's a shame." Orsis said with slight disappointment in his voice. Apparently, the boy he had met earlier was too young for the ceremony and had been sent to bed early. Turning back to the younger lion, he quickly addressed him. "Thank you for presenting yourself Larous... show me the next man."

Larous bowed to the bear and stepped aside, a pudgy lynx taking his place. This new boy was a little panicky and shook, his slight paunch jiggling as he did. "Hum... this one is nice. He's got a bit of a belly, which isn't too bad for what we have planned but..." Orsis began.

And so it went on and on, each man in the line before the king getting appraised, saying his name then stepping aside so that the next young man could take his place. It was excruciating, the whole affair, leaving a bad taste in the Orsis' mouth with each new person he dismissed. The whole thing was all just so impersonal to the ursine king. Judging the someone you barely even knew so shallowly.

Orsis would have rather spent time with each man individually, getting to know them, maybe finding out if they truly wanted to be chosen or not. But this was the way it had to be done and despite his distaste for the method at first, the old King did begin to enjoy it after a while. It wasn't often that he got a chance to see such exotic men as these.

The inhabitants of the town were mostly cats, which were rare in the other parts of the kingdom. One or two Lions, several panthers, cheetahs, and leopards, all very strong and proud looking. There were also a few others, visitors to the town like him. A badger, a few horses, foxes, and even to his great surprise a gorilla trader from the Hominidae clan. But no matter how many fine, attractive, young men were paraded before him Orsis still couldn't find anyone he liked for the task he had come for.

Realizing this Orsis sat there sullenly as the rest of the ceremony dragged on for about an hour or so. The bear frowning more and more and spending less and less time on each new man he med. Finally, after the last boy had been presented to him Chief Lenus stepped before him and bowed, an expectant look on the lion's auburn furred face as he spoke.

"Have you chosen, sire?" Lenus asked, fearing that his son had been picked. Why wouldn't he? His oldest was, like he said, the prize of the village. No one else could compare to him.

To the old man's great relief however, King Orsis shook his head solemnly, signaling that he hadn't. "I am sorry, but no, none are to my liking." He said finishing the ceremony. "I thank you though, Chief. Your cooperation in this matter will be duly noted."

Enchan let out an annoyed bleat at Orsis' decision. Once again, they had made a trip for nothing. "Yes Chief Lenus, thank you."

Lenus, while relived that his son had not been chosen, was a bit upset that none of the other young males would serve his King's purpose. He hadn't been lying during his part of the speech, it would have been a great honor to him to have one of his people chosen. "Are...are you sure, sire?" He asked breaking the ritual.

Orsis, un-fazed by the lapse in protocol, sadly nodded. "I'm sorry, but while... strong and healthy, none seem right for what I seek."

Lenus hung his head low, visibly upset. "Well, if you truly say so, my king. But..." He said as he partially gazed up at the King hopefully. "...Maybe you could come back in a few seasons? By that time, quite a few more males will be of age."

Orsis actually liked that idea. "Ah, yes a marvelous idea, Chief Lenus. That is if I am still looking and my advisor says that it is allowed."

Enchan quickly answered the bear. "Yes, my liege. It is allowed. In fact, your own father did the same thing three times."

"Good." Orsis gave chief Lenus a grin. "Maybe next time, your other son will be able join the ceremony."

His head snapping fully back up, Lenus stared the larger man, confused. The King wanted to see his son? Even after what the little idiot had done to him? "I.... I don't think so, sir. He's of age now but he's far from being mature enough for this ritual."

Orsis' ears perked up. The boy was of age? From the way the boy acted and was treated, not to mention his height, he had thought he was too young. "So, your younger son is old enough to be a candidate for the choice?" He asked, and then frowning. "Then why was he not here! One of the conditions of my choosing was that every male was to be presented to me!"

Lenus cringed at the anger the other man was aimed towards him. "As I said, my King, he... he is too childish to take this ritual seriously." He explained. "Even at nineteen summers, he still acts as if he was a child. And to be honest, sire, he is nothing but a troublemaker. You would be better off choosing from the more upstanding stock."

Orsis stood and clenched his fists. "It is I who chooses who is worthy and who is not!!" He seethed. "And I am quite displeased that you failed to uphold the rules of this ceremony by not having every male here!"

"Of... of... of course sir, I am sorry I stepped out of place." Lenus replied fearfully. The Last thing he wanted was to enrage the King, who he believed was already in a bad mood. "Please, allow me to have him fetched for you so-so you can Judge him! LAROUS, COME HERE BOY!"

Larous, who had been watching the whole exchange between the older men, stepped up to his father. "Yes, father?"

"Go and get your brother for me. And please, do it fast." Lenus whispered to the boy.

Larous gave his father an annoyed look. He didn't truly know what this whole choosing ceremony was about but, like his father, he knew his brother wasn't the right choice albeit for different reasons. "But father... you cannot be serious!" He whispered back to the older cat. "Maybe, if you talk to him some more, you can make King Orsis rethink his decision and convince him to choose me?"

Orsis didn't like the disobedience in the younger cat's voice. He was right not to choose the smug man. Growling loudly, he regained both lion's attention. "Enough, both of you!" He commanded. "Forget about bringing him to me! I shall go to him instead. Lead me to wherever you are keeping him now!"

Lenus bowed submissively and wordlessly turned around leading the way to his house. Orsis smiled, his orders being followed. "Good." He mumbled, contently. "Come Enchan, and bring your book with you. I think you'll be needing it."

"Sire!" Enchan called out as the larger man began to follow after their hosts. "Sire this... this is completely unorthodox! The candidates must be evaluated before the populace of the entire town!"

"You know what, Enchan? For once, I don't care about following the rituals to the letter." Orsis informed his advisor. "Besides, this whole event has already been corrupted by the removal of a possible candidate. So, I really don't think procedure matters that much anymore."

The goat thought this over for a few moments. "As you wish sire..." The aging man finally agreed. "Just don't come to me if the nobles back home complain about this."

"Don't worry I won't, Enchan." Orsis said, growing annoyed. "Even if they did become upset I would not care. I believe I have something to fix here in the village."

Peering ahead as they went down a busy street the bear glared at the back of the head of the man leading their way. The way Lenus treated his son was horrible in his opinion. To give the older son such loving praise while treating the younger like trash, it angered him. In fact he was still fuming when, after a good several minutes of walking, their small group had reached the chief's home; a large stone building shaped like a giant honeycomb with five sides and a flat stone roof.

"He's in here?" Orsis asked.

"Yes, my King." Lenus said mutely. "In his room... where I commanded him to stay the night."

Orsis frowned at the man again and swung open the front door of the dwelling, entering with a royal stride. "Bring him out here into the common room, Lenus. I'll inspect him here." He ordered as he took a seat on one of the couches around the hearth. "And be sure that he is wearing his ritual clothing."

Lenus, along with Larous, nodded in obedience and quickly made their way to the many bedrooms at the back of the house, approaching Balkus' door and pushing it open with a great force. Entering, they found Balkus sound asleep on his bed stretched out on his back like a cat in the sun.

"Get up you wretch!" Lenus commanded in a harsh voice.

Balkus awoke from his sleep, falling out of the bed from the surprise of both his father and brother's arrival. "What? Did I do something wrong again?!" He asked frantically, getting to his feet.

"You might as well have" Lenus huffed. "Come here!"

As he clamored to stand Balkus pursed his lips, afraid as to what his father was planning but did as told. He wasn't in the mood for any more punishment.

"Good, now take off your loincloth," Lenus commanded next. "Larous, you take yours off and give it to him."

Larous' nose crunched up in disgust. "But Father... I don't want him touching my--"

"Just do it!" Lenus growled. "Unless you wish to anger our guest... who is waiting."

Larous huffed and unfastened the gold clasp, which held his loincloth in place. "You better not get it dirty." he said, holding out his clothing.

Balkus grinned. It seemed that the older man wasn't punishing him. No, in fact, he seemed to be rewarding him for some reason. "I'll be sure to remember that, Larous." He said, snatching the white loincloth away. Happily, the younger lion removed his tattered clothing and replaced it with his brother's new white one. "Wow... thank you father. This is really nice."

"Yes, yes it's fine." Lenus said offhandedly. "Now come on and get your hide in the other room and present yourself to our guest." He grabbed his younger son by the arm and roughly pulled him out of the room and into the common room.

"A visitor?" Balkus asked as he was pulled. Who on earth would visit them this late? The lion got his answer when after stumbling to the floor his eyes fell upon the surreal sight of the King of Utopia sitting on their couch alongside the goat from earlier and two rhino guards. "K-K-King Orsis!?" He gasped.

Orsis actually took delight at the stunned expression on the face of the boy he had come to see. "Yes, little one. That is who I Am." He answered.

Balkus frowned both at being called "Little" and the fact that the King, being in their house, could only mean trouble. Had the bear changed his mind and had come here to formally deliver his punishment? To have him or his entire family killed? That was a scary thought. But, if it were true, then maybe he could change the older man's mind by trying to apologize about what had happened again.

"Um... King Orsis, sir." Balkus began timidly. "If this is about me running into you with my sled... I am really sor-"

"Quiet, boy!" Enchan hissed. "You are not to speak unless spoken to!"

"Now, Now, Enchan, let's not scare him." Orsis chided. "Please, finish what you were saying."

Balkus took a big gulp and continued. "I am truly sorry sir. It was an accident, like I said. I lost control of the sail and ended up almost hurting you."

Orsis raised a single eyebrow in response before speaking again. "And you believe this apology of yours is enough to make up for what you have done?"

Balkus remained silent for several seconds then finally shook his head. "I was sort hoping it would be but..." He laughed awkwardly. "...But in case it isn't and you do punish me for it, may I at least ask one thing?"

Orsis leaned forward, his hands steepled in front of his nose. "And what is that, cub?"

Balkus looked back to his father, who was trying his best to avoid eye contact with him. "Please, only punish me for what happened. Leave my family and my town out of this. They had nothing to do with what I did."

A small smile crossed Orsis' muzzle. The boy had some honor to him it seemed after all and that simple fact clinched it for him. "Enchan, get ready to write in that little book of yours... I have made my choice."

Everyone in the room, except for the King and Balkus, gasped. "You cannot be serious!" Enchan cried out. A stern glare from the King silenced him. "Of course you are, sire." Motioning to the guard the goat commanded him to hand him the small book he had forced him to carry and the matching ink case. "But, are you sure?"

"Quite sure!" Orsis growled as he opened the small ordinate box he had been holding. "Now little one, come over here, would you."

Balkus gave the man an annoyed then worried look. "C-can I ask why?"

Orsis nodded. "Don't worry, you aren't in trouble."

At that, the young lion took a deep breath and did as told, stepping before the high King. "What...what now?"

Orsis placed a clawed finger against the boys lip, silencing him. "Just remain still." Sitting back he gave the boy a quick smile. "Tell me your name, lineage, and then your age."

Balkus cocked his head. This whole thing was really strange to him. Not wanting to get yelled at though, he hesitantly did as he had been told. "I'm Balkus... um, son of Lenus who was son of... ... ... Lyonus! Yeah, that was grandpa's name. Is... that what you wanted me to say?"

Pausing for a moment to observe the expectant look on the kings face the younger man suddenly remember something. "Oh... and I'm nineteen summers old."

"Such a young one." Orsis commented.

Taking his hands the large grizzly dipped both his thumbs into the box on his lap, the two thick clawed digits becoming coated with a thick blue paint as he withdrew them. "Balkus, son of Lenus, who was son of Lyonus, it is you who has risen above the others of your clan." Orsis began, reciting the final part of the choosing ritual. "I, King Orsis, son of King Ursis, who was son of King Kumsis, have chosen you and only you this day."

Leaning forward the bear solemnly pressed both of his thumbs against Balkus' forehead, creating two large dots, then once those were in place he drew a line down to the boy's muzzle, only stopping when he reached the very tip of the lion's twitching nose.

"There it is done!" Orsis announced to those present. "With these markings, you are officially, now and forever, my consort."

Larous, who had just walked into the room in his usual loincloth, stopped dead in his tracks when he heard what the bear just said. The ceremony he had been a part of was to choose a new consort for the King? "That means if I was chosen, I would have to become mated to that old fat man!" He said to himself quietly.

Balkus, on the other hand, was oblivious both to his brother's reaction and about what the word the King had just spoken truly meant. "What's a consort?" He asked, looking around the room.

The question earned the younger man a chuckle from King Orsis. "Don't let it concern you right this moment boy." he said. "Just go into the other room and collect some of your things while your father and I discuss what I just did."

"Um... Alright, sir." Balkus resounded, still utterly perplexed as to what had just happened. Giving the bear one last look as he turned to go back into his room his footsteps light as he passed by his motionless brother, disappearing down the hallway.

Waiting until he was sure his little brother was gone, Larous quickly stormed his way over to his still shell shocked father, taking him by the shoulder. "Father, what is the meaning of all this!" He demanded. "Tell me it is not what I think!"

Lenus let out a slow breath. "I suppose it is alright to tell you now considering everything is now over my heir." He looked over to a still miffed Enchan, who nodded. "You see Larous, there is a tradition in Utopia that each of its kings must create a harem containing members from the many beast clans living within its borders. It is an old tradition but one we must observe none the less."

Hearing the full details of what was going on Larous suddenly felt his stomach twist in disgust. He had heard many rumors from the traveling merchants about the capital and their sickening habits. How men were softer and less inclined for battle like those living in the rest of the kingdom. But to think they actually bedded other males too! Or worse, that they submitted themselves during the act of sex. It truly repulsed him.

"Why did you not tell me or any of the others of this... "tradition" father!" Larous accused after processing what he had learned. "Of the risk to our very manhood!"

"There is a rule that the tradition must be kept secret from the young men involved." Lenus explained. "It has been that way since the first King of Utopia made his choice during the first era."

Larous frowned. "So you're saying that if I was chosen, would you have allowed him to take me without as much as a single word?"

"Unfortunately, the answer would be yes, my son. There would be nothing I could do." Lenus answered back with a sigh. Going over to his offspring the older man placed a hand on his shoulder, hoping he forgave him for what he had been forced to do. "Every male must be offered up as a candidate, even you, the chief's sons."

"As interesting as all this is." Enchan said, interrupting the father and son. "I suggest that we get this arrangement over with and talk about the dowry. I don't care to spend much more time in this hovel."

"Of-of course my lieges." Lenus said respectfully. At least something good was coming his way because of all this. "How should we proceed?"

---

About an hour or so after his strange second meeting with their royal guests a frightened Balkus paced back and forth on the floor inside of one of the most expensive rooms in Kaon Landing's best inns, the poor confused lion's mind a complete wreck as he tried his hardest to figure out why he had been brought there so suddenly.

"M-Maybe he's still going to punish me somehow?" Balkus muttered to himself as he moved. "That has to be it right? Why else get me in here all alone!"

Thinking back to exactly what happened after he left his house the cat shivered a little as he recalled the how king kept looking at him as they made their way across town. The way the bear's deep brown eyes bore into him with some unreadable emotion that caused Balkus to grow short of breath and blush under his gaze.

It had gotten so back that by the time they had arrived at the local inn and Balkus was more than happy to be led away from the king by one of the rhino's accompanying them, the grunt the giant horned man gave him as he deposited him into the room barely noticed as a swarm of confusing thoughts began rattling around the lions head as the door closed shut with a thud behind him

Growing tired of his endless pacing after several more minutes Balkus sighed weakly to himself and went over to the large comfy bed in the center of the room. "Well at least I have somewhere nice to lay down while I wait to be executed." He reasoned as he flopped down face first onto the blankets. "Let's just hope I can fully enjoy it before its time."

Lifting his head when the sound of the door creaking open reached his rounded ears, Balkus frantically flipped himself over and sat up atop the bead with a look of fear. Staring at the door as it opened the lion flinched as it opened and King Orsis poked his head into the room with a curious look.

"Are you still in here, little one?" The bear asked in a surprisingly gentle voice. "Ah, of course, you are, aren't you?" He stepped inside the room, closing the door behind him. "Are you doing alright in here?"

"I guess I am, sir." Balkus answered stiffly from his seat. It was sort of intimidating being around royalty. "I am sort of hungry though. My father sent me to my room without dinner tonight."

Orsis scratched his chin with a frown. "He did?"

"Yes sir." Balkus nodded. "I haven't had anything to eat since this morning."

Orsis didn't like hearing that the boy's father hadn't fed him. "Well, let's solve that little problem, shall we?" The King turned around again and opened the door. "Guards!" He called out.

Two of the rhino guards appeared at the doorway at the king's command. Both of them bowing swiftly before they stood at attention. "YES, SIR!" They said together.

"Go downstairs and have the chef prepare a meal for my new friend here. Make sure to inform him that there is to be a lot of it and only the finest ingredients are to be used." Orsis peered back to Balkus. "This one only gets the best from now on."

Their orders given, the guards saluted the large bear and raced off down the hall. "Wow, you really know how to boss people around. You and my brother would get along great." Balkus said with a laugh. Then realizing what he had just said, he covered his mouth muttering out. "Sorry."

Orsis only smiled at the casual way the boy had just talked to him. For someone who was treated like well... a King, it was refreshing to be spoken to so plainly. Answering his young charge as he went over to him, he chuckled warmly. "Think nothing of it my dear cub. Someone speaking to me as unabashedly as you are is a rare thing." He said, sitting down as close as he could to his new young charge. "I could come to like It."

Balkus scooted away from the older man, nervous. "Oh, Ok then." He said awkwardly.

Unhappy at the way Balkus had moved away from him Orsis hummed thoughtfully. It was obvious that the King had to try talking to him, break the ice so to speak. "So, your name is Balkus, right?" Orsis asked the lion. He received a slow nod in response. "That's a very strange name. What does it mean?"

"My father gave it to me when I was ten during my warrior's rite of passage." Balkus explained with a sad look. "He said that since I balk at every responsibility I am given that he might as well give me a name that fits me perfectly."

"So, you rather fool around than do what you're supposed to, huh?" Orsis said with a small grin.

Balkus nodded again. "Yes sir. It kind of gets me into trouble all the time."

"I would think it would." Orsis laughed. "I was much the same in my younger days. Once I ended up destroying a one thousand year old tapestry because I wanted to have a new sail for my sea slider."

Balkus' flicked his ears in interest. "Sea slider?"

"Yes, it's something much like that thing you were riding today. Very popular with the younger generations in the capital." The King explained with a pleased expression. Finally he had found a way into the other man's comfort zone. "A small boat which one rides atop the waves of the ocean very much like you did today with the sands"

"Really!?" Balkus said, smiling. The thought of riding on the water like he did on the sands was like a far off dream.

Giving another deep chuckle at the excited look in his companion's furry face King Orsis nodded. "Really." He confirmed. "Back when I was young and still allowed to do as I pleased I often snuck away from the palace to partake in the hobby myself. I was quite good at it."

"Amazing..." Balkus sighed. "I really wish I could try it myself one day."

Orsis took delight at the shine in the boy's eyes while he talked about having fun. It was enchanting. "Well, that shouldn't be too hard to arrange once we all return home little one. I'll even have you a special slider commissioned for you to ride.

"Y-You will!" Balkus asked, growing even more excited. But just as he began to vibrate with joy something the other man said caught the feline's attention. "Wait... we? What do you mean when you say "when we all return home"?

Orsis cocked his head to the side, a bit confused. Obviously, the boy still didn't know what was going on. "Son... you do know why you are here, don't you."

"I'm going to be your consort, right?" Balkus asked, sounding unsure. "Hum... I know I asked you earlier King Orsis. But, what exactly does that word mean?"

Fully turning to his younger company the king exhaled slowly, mind a bit befuddled with questions. What sort of man of nineteen summers didn't know what the word consort meant? Maybe the chief had lied to him and Balkus was younger than he had said. Yet another lie from a man he was increasingly starting to dislike.

"Are you sure you are of age little one?" The royal bear asked. "I will not be upset with you if your father lied to me."

"O-of course I'm of age!" Balkus huffed. "And stop calling me little one! I know I'm short for my age but..." Balkus cursed in his mind he had did it again, talking so harshly to his King.

The King, however, didn't seem to be mad at him for what he had said. "Ok, my boy. I won't call you that again though I was growing fond of it." Orsis laughed. "As for what consort means... well it means you have become a member of my mate today and will join my harem when we return home."

"MATE!!!" Balkus cried out, anything said after that word instantly forgotten as he nearly fell off the bed. "But... but.... But..." The boy frantically waved his hands to ward off the other man. "I didn't agree to a mating!

"True, you didn't, my boy, but you know how our culture works. Marriage is between the interested party and the parents." King Orsis responded gently. "Did you not notice the sacks of money I had left with your father? That was a dowry and now... well now you are mine and you will have to accept that fact for there is no going back."

"Accept it?!" Balkus stood and walked towards the window. "How can I accept the fact that my own father just agreed to sell me into a marriage to another male?!"

Orsis gave the boy a sympathetic look. He had forgotten, with his position, that usually the two to be mated at least had a conversation on the matter. Standing up and walking over to the upset young man, the bear placed a heavy hand on his shoulder. "I know it is a shock, but believe me you will come to accept it in time and given time; I hope you will grow to love me as I am sure I will grow to love you."

Balkus gave the King a slightly sad look. "But, what if I don't want to go with you?" He said.

"Trust me, you will, Balkus." Orsis said while pulling the smaller male close. "Coming back to the capital with me means a much better life for you. Good foods, luxury, and people who will actually care for you. Also, if I might be completely honest, one such as yourself will be spoiled greatly by those in my inner circle."

Balkus couldn't help the small smile which began forming. 'Spoiled?' No one had ever spoiled him before. Actually, he was lucky to any sort of attention from his father or brother.

"Yes... spoiled, absolutely rotten." Orsis said his spirits lifting. At last he was making a little headway again. "I only give the best to those who grace my sheets."

The mention of sharing a bed sobered Balkus' growing good mood. "So... I... I'm really going to have to... go to bed with you." He asked.

King Orsis was taken aback by the tone in the boy's voice. From the sound of it, it seemed that he didn't like the idea. He should have expected this. Most living outside the capital were repulsed by the concept of two males mating. Plus, a strapping young man like Balkus probably had quite a few female conquests already under his um... loincloth.

"Well... I would like you to, yes." Orsis settled on saying after a few good moments of thought. "But I shall not force it upon you. I can wait until the time when you are ready."

"Really?" Balkus asked, honestly surprised.

"Yes really." Orsis sighed. He had hoped that this would have gone better. "But, allow me to say that if you do choose to come to my bed one day, I will show you true wonders."

Thinking that heady promise over as the bear gave him that look again Balkus blushed and turned away from the other man's gaze. Though he would never admit it there had been numerous times since his coming of age where he had eyed other males. Sometimes during sparring sessions, sometimes in the bathes when the only things obstructing his vision was the steam coiling around the nubile bodies of his fellow warriors.

"It's not that I'm not curious about what you're saying." Balkus unrepentantly found himself admitting after a good several minutes of thought. "I-It's just... well there's... something else keeping me from agreeing."

"Is it because you find me unappealing? Is it my age?" Orsis questioned with a worried frown. While happy that his new little lover wasn't entirely against the idea of male on male sex their age difference could still be a hindrance. "I assure you, I might be an old man by your standards but I am no slouch when it comes to my skills in animal husbandry."

"It's not because you're some gray muzzle." Balkus assured, his cheeks becoming even redder. "I mean, yes you are old, b-but it's just that... I've never done anything with anyone before, if you know what I mean..."

Orsis instantly caught what the boy was getting to and was highly aroused by that. "You're still untouched, aren't you." He asked, the excitement in his voice evident.

A grimace from the younger man told the bear he was right. "It's not like I wanted to try." He said, an angry pout appearing on his face. "But I've just never been interested in any of the females and I'm too scared to find out if any of the other males are like me."

"Well, I am like you." Orsis stated with a small titter. "And as you husband I am delighted to find out that I may one day be the one to deflower you!"

"Deflower?" Balkus asked, Indignation running through him and making the tuff of hair on the tip of his tail fluff. "I'll have you know that I'm not going to be deflowered like some virgin girl! I'm a male, remember?!"

The younger man's tirade was halted when Orsis, becoming more and more amused, could not help himself and lurched forward drawing the boys mouth up into a quick kiss. "Yes, I do remember. And if I might say, you my cute one, are a truly beautiful male" He said, backing away.

Balkus, a little dazed from his first kiss, didn't know whether or not to be offended or flattered at being called cute and beautiful. "I am?"

Orsis reached forward and stroked the side of the boy's face. "Yes." He said. The bear's large hand continued to travel downward, trailing a path down a doughy looking chest, down a slightly protruding, and finally coming to rest on a tan furred hip. "And..." He pulled the boy close to him. "If you wish to grant me the gift of your virginity, I would love to show you just how much I desire you this night."

Seeing no protest in his soon to be mate's face, the bear, using his thumb, undid the buckle which kept the younger man's white loincloth wrapped around his body, causing the thin piece of cloth to fall to the ground, leaving the lion naked.

Balkus, instantly embarrassed to be nude in front of royal man, covered himself. "Hey!" He cried out. "Wait, wait, wait a minute."

Orsis let out a playful growl, his nostrils flaring, as he took in both the sight and scent of his new mates nether regions. The young man was even more beautiful without those bothersome clothes marring his form. "I... am finding it very hard not to ravage you right here on the spot little one." he said heatedly. "Ravage you until you scream my name to the heavens!"

"I thought I told you to stop calling me little one?!" Balkus complained then he let what was said sink in. "Ravage?!"

"Yes, ravage!' Orsis said again. "To put you down on that bed over there, shower you with kisses, caress that wonderful body and leave my essence within you making you mine."

Balkus let out a shuddering breath, hearing what the bear wished to do to him. It was the first time ever that anyone had ever said such lustful things to him. "You...you really want to be with me?" he asked. "You do know I'm sort of a mess up, right?"

"I'd be a foolish old man if I were to pass up the opportunity to have you in my bed, boy." Orsis reaffirmed. "As to you making mistakes, we all do that. So, who am I to judge you?" The bear stood up straight, giving a deep sigh as he reigned in his lustful urges. "But... as I promised, we'll only mate if you will allow it."

Balkus gave the larger man a thoughtful expression, considering if he could do this or not. No one had ever shown interest in taking him to bed before and the thought of finally being with someone was arousing. But doing that also potentially meant leaving his home. Could he really do that? No, he didn't think so... but... maybe, maybe he should at least see what the fuss was about.

"I guess I could at least try it once." Balkus began slowly then adding in a serious tone. "But, but if I don't like it then will you let me stay here."

Orsis blinked, unsure if he could promise that. Once they had mated, he had every right to claim Balkus as his own. But then again, he was King. If the boy truly didn't want this, then maybe he could pick another, though he was loath to that idea.

Sighing, Orsis answered. "Alright my dear, I give you my word." He promised. "But I will do everything in my power to make sure that does not happen. I shall show you the joy of being with me."

Finishing, the bear slowly began to unbuckle the breastplate he wore as Balkus watched, a worried look on his face. After getting the hinge undone, the bear then slipped the cumbersome piece of armor off, placing it carefully on the floor afterwards. "You have no idea how much that thing annoys me." He said, scratching his armpit.

"Y-yeah, it looks real heavy." Balkus said shakily. The bear certainly was a large man. He easily towered over him.

Orsis, enjoying the nervousness caused by his undressing, smirked and continued to remove his clothing, pulling the top of his purple silk tunic over his large belly and his head. Eyeing what was revealed to him as the fabric slid upwards Balkus gasped softly. The King's torso, though doughy, had a supremely masculine appearance to it, thick arms on either side with a barrel-like chest between. For some reason, the boy couldn't help but feel himself become excited by the mere sight of it.

"Like what you see, little one." Orsis' voice came gently.

"You said you'd stop calling me that, remember?" Balkus argued back absently.

"I did, but I enjoy saying it so." Orsis ran the tip of his finger across Balkus' cheek. "You are my prefect little one. Only for me to touch and care for."

The bigger man bent over and unbuckled the belt to his trousers, the piece of clothing becoming instantly loose and falling down his thick legs, when they were free leaving him in just a plain fundoshi. "Well, here I am. The great King of Utopia, naked as the day he was born."

"You're still wearing your underwear." Balkus remarked surprisingly. This earned the lion an amused chuckle which the boy quickly huffed at. Did he just complain that the older man standing across from him wasn't naked? "I... what I meant was... I mean... ugh I'm really sounding dirty here, aren't I?"

"Yes, but I like that. To think I am exciting you is flattering to an old man like me." Orsis reached down and pulled his fundoshi off with a hard tug, gingerly throwing it across the room afterwards. The King knew he would not need it again that night. "Does this satisfy you?" He asked, now completely in the nude.

Balkus dumbly nodded, then let his vision slowly drop down the bear's body until his eyes came to rest on the larger mans exposed cock. The pulsing member between the bear's legs was much bigger than Balkus' own shaft. It was thick and covered in bulging veins that pulsed with each beat of the king's heart, but it was the angry red head that drew Balkus' full attention. The way it shone dimly in the room's low light, a single drop of precum forming on the tip and falling to the ground as the lion stared intently at the organ.

Licking his lips as a sudden compulsion hit him Balkus hesitantly reached out and caressed the warm flesh with his fingers gently, as if afraid of it. Feeling the heat and hardness and stroked the hard shaft his mouth began to water with some sort of odd desire that he didn't fully understand yet.

"Wow..." The lion eventually said, awestruck. "It's... beautiful..."

Reveling as his young lover became acquainted with his engorged member, Orsis gave a deep appreciative rumble that filled the small inn room. "Go on, explore it, boy." He said, his words sounding breathy. "Get a feel of the shaft that is yours to play with."

"O-Ok sir." Balkus said continuing to touch. He didn't know why the warm shaft of flesh was so intoxicating to him but he wanted to find out so badly now. Doing as he had been told he slowly ran the tip of his finger across the bulbous head of the Utopian King's turgid cock, the shudder he caused in the organ's owner barely noticed as he went on.

"It certainly is... big. Isn't it?" Balkus remarked after a good while. "I don't think I've ever seen one this size."

"Yes, it is, if I say so myself." Orsis had forgotten how flattering it was to have such a young and inexperienced lover marvel at his body. Deciding to up the ante, he flexed his hips making the now leaking member twitch in response, much to Balkus' surprised.

"But don't worry about its girth though." The bear went on to say. "When I need be, I can make it slide into you as gently as a knife through butter."

"Y-You can?" Balkus growing a little bolder leaned forward and took a firm grip on the King's cock, giving it a series of quick tugs. He knew doing that felt good when he touched himself and reasoned that the bear would like it to.

And appreciate it the King did. The deep rumbling that the feather soft touches earlier had caused evolved into heavy breathing. 'My... my, the boy sure is an eager one, isn't he?' Orsis said to himself as his cock was expertly pumped. It had been many cold night's since he had left his home and his other two consorts and this sort of attention was most welcomed.

But still, he had to keep his mind on the task he had pledged to. This all was to convince this wonderful feline, before him, that he would enjoy being in his bed and to prove that he certainly couldn't be the only one to experience pleasure this night.

Reluctantly, King Orsis pushed the warm paws away from his rigid member. "Not so fast boy. There are much more enjoyable things we could do besides handle one another." The older man walked towards the bed and sat down. "Come here and sit next to me." Orsis said while patting the spot next to himself.

"Um...Ok." Balkus hesitantly went over to the bed and giving the other man a nervous smile. He climbed onto the bed next to the larger male. "Like this, King Orsis?"

Placing his arm around Balkus' shoulder the king chuckled. "Just so you know... from now on, you will be allowed to forgo my title when we are alone. I am just Orsis to you in our private chambers." The bear had always felt for there to be true intimacy between him and his consorts that there should be no titles, no social position, only him and them.

Balkus, on the other hand, didn't know if he was comfortable with the request. "I don't know if I can do that sir." He sighed.

Orsis raised an eyebrow. This wasn't new for him. It often took some time to grow comfortable around him. "Well... if my real name is too much for you, how about you just call me... um... baby bear." He suggested, trying to lighten the boy's mood.

The bear's joke seemed to work because Balkus let out a bark of laughter hearing that nickname, the thought of calling the King by that name amusing him greatly. "Baby bear?!"

Orsis shared in his laughter. "Yes, baby bear." He restated, a slight flush on his face. "My parents always called me by that name even after I came of age. I got it because my favorite story book when I was little was the one with the three bears."

"Man... that really is weird. Calling a big guy, like you, by that name." Balkus stared down at his lap. "You look more like the Papa bear in the book now, in my opinion."

Orsis let out a deep growl at being called Papa. That oh so simple word causing him grow excited in a way he hadn't expected. "Humm... well if I'm a Papa bear now..." He started with a low growl. "...then how about you let Papa show you more about sexual pleasure?"

"Please.... By all means..." Balkus said, his own arousal beginning to grow at the deep tones of his large brown furred companion's voice.

Heeding the request of his lover Orsis made quick work of placing Balkus into a position where he could best have his way with him. One of his clawed hands coming to rest on the boy's doughy chest the larger male quickly eased him down onto his back and descended over him, their eyes locking as he held him in place

Looking into the teal tinted eyes of the one he would soon take as his own Orsis felt his cock give a hard twitch. Oh, how beautiful his new mate was. The way his body still had some softness despite his age, a small little belly he could nuzzle against during and after the act. That alone was almost enough to drive him mad with lust.

"Tonight I am truly lucky to mate with you boy." The bear said breathlessly as he connected their lips and nudged his leg against the mewling lion's thighs.

Kissed for the first time in his life all Balkus could manage to do as he lay there was moan into the mouth ravaging his own and blindly grope at the older man's sides. By the gods this felt so good. Being possessed, dominated like this by the older male. It was just so wonderful and scary all at the same time!

Thankfully though before Balkus came from kissing alone Orsis retreated, a smug, overly satisfied expression appearing on his ursine features as he observed the flushed and panting state his actions had left Balkus in. "You are an intoxicating one, boy, you know that?" He told him with a chuckle. "And just like a fine wine I will taste to my heart's content.

Making good on his "threat" Orsis suddenly dipped his head back down, his mouth this time latching onto the area between his lion's shoulder and neck, nipping and biting the sensitive skin there without mercy.

Eyes rolling back as his neck was nibbled on Balkus let out a strangled groan. "By the gods!!" He moaned. How could someone playing with your neck feel so damn good!? So good that before he knew it the young lion found himself grinding against Orsis' belly unabashedly, his cries rising in volume with each passing second he was manhandled.

"Oh wow... K-King..." Balkus had to correct himself; the bear had said no titles. "...Orsis please, please keep doing that! It feels so, so good!"

"I...I have no plans to stop anytime soon, my little one." Orsis responded in-between bites.

Wanting to taste more of his lover, the man began traveling downward, letting his large body slip off the bed as he trailed gentle bites down his mates collarbone and then onto a lightly colored chest. When he came to his first obstacle, a hardening nipple, the old bear grinned wickedly against the cat's fur and opened his mouth taking that pert peak between his teeth.

Now feeling his sensitive nub being worked over Balkus began to squirm in heat, tossing his head from side to side in maddening pleasure. First there had been the kiss. Then his neck. Now, there was this new type of pleasure presented to him. How could anyone be so well versed in so many ways of driving him crazy with lust!? The boy was both fearful and excited to find out what else the bear had in store.

After playing with the cat's responsive nipples for a full two minutes, Orsis began traveling downward again, kissing a tubby, cream colored stomach a few times before he went even lower, eventually coming face to face with his younger bedmates now hard member.

"My, my, what do we have here?" Orsis asked in a teasing tone.

The bear leaned back onto his heels and took in the sight better. Even here, the boy was beautiful. Balkus had a modest but pleasing pink shaft. A nice meaty organ which sprung up from a thick patch of dark pubic hair in such a delectable way that it made Orsis' mouth water as he eyed it. But what the royal found even more arousing was the furry balls just underneath the pulsing shaft. Two orbs within a tan, silk covered sack that he just had to taste too.

"Hum... I wonder if these precious orbs can fit into my mouth?" Orsis lowered his head and ran his large tongue across the boy's balls, enjoying the faint taste of sweat there before he began to suck on one with a hungry growl.

"Oh, hell yes!" Balkus gasped out. "Do it harder please!"

The mighty King was quick to obey the peasant boy's command, becoming more persistent in his chore. His maw moving to the smaller man's other testy so he could give it the attention it deserved too. 'I had almost forgotten how good it feels to please a lover so.' Orsis thought happily.

His mind reeling at the pleasure in his groin increased Balkus keened wantonly. "I... AHH.... I n-never knew having someone do this could feel so good!"

Orsis, stopping for a moment, gave the younger man a fat wink. "Is that so, my dear?" He asked huskily. "Well, I hate to inform you but there are even more wonders to what we are doing. Wonders like--" He peered down at the boys weeping shaft. "--Like this!" Opening his mouth wide Orsis quickly took Balkus' hardened cock into his cavernous maw, persistently sucking on the heated rod as if he hadn't had a drink in ages.

His manhood engulfed in mind numbing, wet heat, Balkus laid there for a few stunned moments, his toes curling from the feelings coursing up from his cock. When Orsis began humming from his own enjoyment, the daze became blinding and without thinking, the lion suddenly lurched upward, coiling his body over the bears head and drawing the man in a crushing embrace.

Though nearly gagging when his mate responded to his felatio Orsis quickly recovered and growled around the fleshy rod in his mouth. 'Never got that sort of response from anyone before.' But as flattering as Balkus' response was the king still had to breath and gently tapped on his captor's arm, silently informing him to let go.

Feeling the bear trying to get his attention, a still lust blinded Balkus suddenly realized what he was doing. "Oh man! I'm so, so, so sorry sir!" He cried out, letting the bears head go. "Are...are you ok?"

Orsis smiled as he pulled off of the lion's manhood with a lurid sounding, wet pop. "A bit startled but none the worst." The older man gave his companion a thoughtful look and tapped the tip of the boys cock. "I hope you can refrain from choking me in the future."

Balkus scratched the back of his head. "Sorry... I guess I just got a little carried away."

Orsis laughed. "It's fine, my dear." The bear grunted as he stood. "Scoot further onto the bed so I can be more comfortable while we continue."

Balkus nodded then crawled over to the center of the bed on all fours. As he moved, the boy unknowingly gave the older man standing behind him a fleeting peek at his shapely ass cheeks before he got into position in the center of the bed on his back. 'By the sun and the moon, this boy is such a tease and he doesn't even know it,' Orsis thought silently as he lay down next to the boy.

"So... what are you going to do to me next?" Balkus asked, looking over to the bear.

"What would you like to try little one?" Orsis asked.

"Well..." Balkus felt so wanton for what he was about to ask the larger man. "...I was wondering if I could try what you just did. You know... put your dick into my mouth."

"Heh heh, of course you can, in fact, how about we both do it at the same time?" Knowing the boy would agree to his proposal, Orsis shifted himself around so that he was laying inverted to his bedmate's position. "There... now shall we begin this pleasurable act, my cub?"

Balkus, his attention drawn back to the bear's wonderfully large piece of meat, hummed an ok and cautiously stuck out his tongue licking the slightly damp tip in front of his face. 'Wow, this kinda tastes good. No wonder the King was sucking on me so hard.'

Orsis shook his head finding it funny that the boy was so entranced. 'Then again, I suppose I'm having the same sort of thoughts.' He reached out and gripped either side of the younger man's hips, drawing him close enough so that he could return to his own nursing.

The sound of two very aroused males sucking on each other's cocks soon filled the small inn room. Balkus, as inexperienced as he was, tried his best to handle the monster he had been presented with. The boy licking and sucking on its large head with as much gusto and patience as he could muster, his mind set on pleasing the king as much as the older man had pleased him.

Meanwhile, Orsis just lay their enjoying the taste that was coating his tongue which leaked out from the firm piece of meat between his lips. This was one of his favorite things to do with his lovers back home. The act of giving and receiving during love making one of the best things about the act in his opinion. Oh, how he looked forward to showing the boy he was with the full array of pleasures one could experience.

This intense sixty-nine lasted for longer than either man would remember, each of them fully enjoying the feelings of sucking and being sucked as the minutes passed by. But as good as this activity was, eventually it ended when Orsis had let out another one of his trademark rumbles. The Utopian king made when he did so vibrations the sound causing an already over stimulated Balkus to moan around the ursine cock in his mouth like a banshee as he came in the other man's hungry, suckling mouth.

Orsis himself almost joined the boy in his euphoria then and there, the feeling of an erupting cock in his mouth and the taste of thick lion cum threatening to push him over the edge. Unlike Balkus, however, the old bear had a little more control over his body and after swallowing the boys offering, he gently pushed the now panting lion away from his own member.

"Hum-um now that was a treat." Orsis said, rising up so that he could look at his bedmate.

"Yeah... It... It was." Balkus said lazily. He had never had such an intense orgasm in his life. "Way better than handling my own meat." Between pants, the younger man looked back to the cock he had been enjoying, noticing that it still stood proudly pointing at his nose. "Hey... you... didn't...cum yet...did you?"

"Ah, so you noticed." Orsis joked as he sat upright. "I don't think it's quite time for me to finish just yet." He stroked the lion's side. "I was hoping you'd allow me to come somewhere entirely different."

Balkus, rolling onto his back, stared up at the ceiling thinking for a moment as to what the bear was talking about. Suddenly, he realized what he was referring to and when the lion did, his ears lowered meekly. The bear was big and the thought of having that thing pushing its way into his body was a little intimidating. "Are you sure it'll fit?" He asked.

"It will, my little one, it will." The other man reassured. "But for that to happen..." Without any warning, Orsis, using very little effort, flipped a surprised Balkus onto his stomach. Giving his boy a quick pat on the bottom, he finished. "...I'll have to make sure you're ready to handle it."

Putting his index finger into his mouth, Orsis wetted it, slowly making sure to put on a show for his partner who peered at him over his shoulder with curious eyes.

"How are you going to make sure it...? Ahhh!" Balkus began. The question was soundly answered when the young lion felt his tail being grabbed and raised, exposing the pucker underneath. 'Guess that was a stupid question.' Balkus thought to himself as he felt his new lover's thick finger press firmly against his rear entrance.

'My, this boy is tight looking!' Orsis mused appreciatively as he slowly circled his finger around his lion's bud. Oh how he reveled in the fact that tonight, he was going to steal away this boy's virginity and show him the true meaning of being a man; his man: One to be pampered, loved and most importantly bred until he lay exhausted in their bed, covered in his seed and begging to be fucked again.

Letting out a growl, Orsis jabbed his clawed digit forward, sinking into his partner with just a little bit of resistance. Obviously, the boy was going to like this. "Have you put your finger here before, my little one?" He asked. "Tell me the truth. There is no shame here in our bed."

Balkus nodded hesitantly and buried his head into the pillows on the bed, a little ashamed despite the king's words. "Yeah.... I played with myself there a few times." He admitted. "But it was nothing like this. You fingers are so much bigger."

Orsis smirked at Balkus' embarrassment at such a common activity. It was utterly adorable. "Well, well, well you naughty boy." He began. "Did... You... Moan... When... You... Fingered... Your... Little... Hole... Boy?" He jammed his fingers deeper into his pliant consort with every word.

Balkus let out a pleased purring sound and arched his back, parting his cheeks apart as his ass was invaded by that probing finger. "Yes sir! Yes, I did!" He moaned. "Nearly woke my brother because I was too loud."

"Well, you wouldn't want that, would you?" Orsis hooked his finger exploring the lion's cavity. "Tell me boy, do you really and truly like this?"

Balkus moaned into the pillow, biting it as he rode out the pleasure. "I love it... oh, by the Gods do I love it! Please m-more..."

"Anything you wish, my dear." Orsis began rapidly thrusting his finger in and out of his consorts hole, scissoring the boy open even further once he had added another digit. Each inward push, poke, and stretch made the smaller male laying before him grunt and beg for more. As a third finger joined its brothers, Orsis himself began grunting, trying to suppress the growing desire to shove the boy's face into the mattress and breed him like a wild beast. That sort of thing was for later; once the boy was more used to lovemaking.

'This time has to be gentler.' Orsis reminded himself. 'Don't want to scare my mate by being to--'

"Will you please get on with it old man!" Balkus demanded. The young man began pushing back against Orsis' palm trying to get that finger deeper. He had enough of this teasing and wanted to feel that giant the bear had swinging between his legs go inside of him. "I need...I need you inside me... please!"

Orsis blinked down at the boy, shocked at the way he had been commanded to proceed. This was the first time anyone had really spoken to him like that. And truth be told, he only grew more excited by that. This boy was certainly more than he appeared and if he damn well wanted it right then and there, he was going to get it in spades.

"If you insist, my boy." Orsis chuckled. The older man withdrew his fingers, a sound of disappointment coming from his companion's mouth. "Get up onto all fours. It will be easier to mount you that way."

Balkus speedily got into position asked of him, tail raised as high as he could manage as he waited for the bear to mount him. "Ok, I'm ready."

"I can see that." Orsis took a moment to enjoy the sight of that perfect sandy colored bottom presented to him. "I think I shall remember this night till my grave! Laying with you for the first time my beloved Balkus."

The bear remarked as he got onto his knees and moved into position behind the lion. His breath began to quicken as he placed both of his paws on the boy's ass and carefully pried them apart, exposing the winking pucker he had been playing with to his greedy eyes. "Now just relax, it will make this much easier." The bear instructed.

"Alright... I will." Balkus began his breathing exercises that he had learned during his sparring lessons, trying to remain calm. He lost the fight, however, when he felt the tip of Orsis' cock pushing against his loosened hole. "Oh man... here it comes!"

The achingly slow penetration that followed wasn't too bad though. The older man was true to his words earlier. His member simply slid into his younger lover, having prepared the smaller male so well. Orsis peered down at the sight of his manhood slowly disappearing into Balkus' body. His arousal growing with every inch that became encased in that warm, wet, convulsing channel.

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Balkus was relieved to feel the bear's hips press up firmly against his upturned ass. "F-fuck." The shorter man cursed, the feeling of fullness hitting him. He was truly amazed that all of the older man had fit inside of him.

"Are you alright, Balkus?" Orsis said concerned. "It doesn't hurt, does it? Just say if it does and I'll take it out."

Balkus shook his head violently. "No! I mean, no sir, it doesn't." He wiggled his hips showing the bear he was alright.

"I am proud of you, my boy." Orsis said. "Now prepare yourself, because I am about to start moving..." The Bear slowly drew back until just the very tip of his dick remained inside the warmness of the other man. Then, suddenly, he thrust forward driving his meat back into the place, which from now on was his.

The feeling of hard bear cock invading him again made Balkus yowl, his eyes screwing them shut from what he felt. But it wasn't pain that had made him do that, it was pure, unabated pleasure, which surged from deep within him right up to his spine and into his over-stimulated brain.

"Again... again, Orsis... please." He called out finally using the King's name. "Don't stop for the love of the sun and moon, please... don't stop!"

Orsis was immensely delighted that the boy had finally called him by name and gladly did as asked. He swiveled his hips back and forth, each inward thrust increasing in tempo as he fucked the lion. "Like I said, boy, I don't intend to!" The older man shouted as he bred his consort.

The mating, growing more intense by the moment, filled the room with the thick musk of the two horny, male copulating like savage beasts. Frantic moans and dull slapping sounds accompanied this scent, the noise echoing off of the walls as they both drove themselves closer and closer to their inevitable orgasm.

Balkus, his body wracked by pleasure, lowered his chest to the mattress and reached backwards pulling his bruised ass cheeks apart again, allowing the larger male using him better access to his hole. How could he ever think that he would not enjoy doing this sort of thing? Orsis might have been much older than him but by the heavens could he mount someone like a man half his age. The younger man quickly found himself eagerly pushing back against his new lover, trying to get more of him inside of him and shouting a mantra of "Oh Orsis, oh Orsis!" As he was ridden good and hard towards another orgasm.

Orsis had to steady himself as the boy began responding more vigorously to his thrusts, grabbing a hold of his little mates hips, keeping him in place, he doubled his own efforts pounding into him with total abandon now. The boy was just so tight, so palatable to his lusts. It was amazing! It was better than it had ever been before. No other consort had been so agreeable during the first night, so eager to be fucked like this.

It soon became apparent to the king that the male he had chosen this time was indeed the best choice he could have made. So good that the old man could feel the head of his climax tipping over the horizon, something which he still didn't want to come yet. "Boy... damn boy... let's slow down for a moment and try another position." He exclaimed while slowing his thrusting to a crawl.

Balkus, a bit disappointed at slowing down at first, quickly realized that the bear's idea sounded intriguing. After all, everything the bear had done that night had felt good. "Alright, I guess." The lion sighed. "What did you..." He paused to pant "...have in mind, Orsis?"

"Heh, I love it when you call me by name, boy." Orsis said back. The bear pulled himself out of his partner, the cock making a popping sound as it exited nirvana and moved over to the edge of the bed, standing up. "Get over here, cub. On the edge and on your back again." He motioned to the boy. "I want to see those beautiful eyes while I fuck you senseless."

"Senseless, huh?" Balkus quickly rolled onto his back and scooted over to side of the bed, laughing as he did. "You really think you can do that?" He asked as he lifted his legs eagerly waiting for the King to resume.

Orsis gave a playful growl at the challenge. It was good to see the boy being himself and not a meek subject like he had been at the start. "Well... we shall see if I can, won't we?"

The older man spread both of the boys legs apart and got between them. Reaching down, Orsis adjusted himself pushing the now red and angry head of his member back into its sheath. The ridged shaft easily sank back into the worn hole it had been fucking only moments ago. "Hold on Balkus dear." Orsis quickly returned to his previous pace, pounding into his little consort with vigor to match any younger man.

The new position gave Balkus two new mind blowing sensations. One was the surge of pleasure that came from deep within his body as his lover's swollen dick massaged his prostrate again and again, making the lion see stars with every inward thrust. The other came from the look he could now see on his King's face as he fucked him.

Orsis stared down at his boy with the most loving expression Balkus had ever seen, staring right into his eyes as they rutted. It was mesmerizing how much that turned Balkus on to know that this male above him was seeing him and only him while they fucked.

Licking his lips, Balkus reached up and gripped Orsis chest fur, painfully pulling the bear down until their mouths made contact, all heat and wetness. Orsis eagerly responded to the kiss, wrapping one of his arms around the other man's back while he cupped a slightly damp ass cheek. Before Balkus could react to the hands holding him, the king lurched up, bringing the feline up too as he shifted them into a standing position, Orsis holding the boy up against his large chest.

Balkus moaned into the bear's mouth as he was held and driven into. It was right then and there, feeling totally desired and safe in the man's arms as that thick member drove into him, aided by powerful hips that Balkus made up his mind about the King. He could easily see himself falling for this man and that fact alone made what they were doing all the better.

"Please Orsis, harder!" He begged, breaking their kiss. The lion wrapped both his arms around the taller man's back, clutching a furry back and rested his head on a brown furred shoulder, holding on for dear life as he was fucked by that glorious ursine cock.

Orsis hummed a dazed yes and began rocking them harder, lowering both his hands so that he could hold the boy's ass cheeks tighter as he worked. He could not fully describe just how much he was enjoying the feeling of his meat sliding in and out of his smaller partner, making obscene sounds which delighted him greatly. This cub he was holding was so enchanting, so lively, and so... wonderful. The old King could see them being together for many years just enjoying each other.

Continuing without pause, Orsis began feeling his twice repressed orgasm near its head once again but this time, instead of delaying it, he decided that it needed to be heeded. He would fuck the boy longer during their next tryst. Right then and there, he needed to mark Balkus, mark him forever as his mate leaving his building load inside of the boy. And all he needed was that one final push

And one final push is just what he got. After an exceptionally well aimed thrust, Balkus' body suddenly grew rigid in the older man's embrace and his eyes rolled back in his head as he came for the second time that night. Balkus then screamed out a frantic "OH GODS, PAPA BEAR!!" As he erupted between their sweaty bodies, claws digging into his new mate's back hard enough to draw blood as he stained the fur on their bellies with their cum.

With the pinprick feeling of sharp claws working themselves into his skin and the cry of passion filling his ears, Orsis joined his younger mate. The bears face grimacing as he growled and snarled for a few moments until he finally came with an earth shattering roar that made the windows shake from the shockwave he produced.

The silent moments that followed the twin orgasmic howls were heavy. Both men, recovering from what they had done, staying completely still. Leaning back slightly, Balkus gave his ravager a sweet smile, feeling on top of the world. Just as the boy was about to speak about how he felt, the post coital silence they were sharing was instead broken by the sound of light knocking originating from the closed door to the small room.

"Who on earth is... oh, the food I almost forgot!" Orsis exclaimed with amusement. Carefully and tenderly the bear bent over and deposited his consort on their bed. "Wait here, boy, while I fetch it for you." The bear turned and walked towards the door, not bothering to gather anything to cover his hulking nude form.

"Wait, Orsis, you're naked!" Balkus called out after the retreating older man.

Orsis merely chuckled at the distress in the lion's voice. "No one will care, Balkus, trust me." Reaching the door, the bear opened it and grinned when he saw who was on the other side. "Ah, chef Kansiss. How are you doing this fine night?" Orsis stepped to the side, letting an ancient looking raccoon in a chef's uniform, pushing a food laced cart, to enter the room.

"I'm doing well." The man replied. "Though not as well as you have been, it seems. If the sounds that were coming from your new consort over here are testament to that, then you must really be doing well." Kansiss gave a beat red Balkus a coy look, the younger man gaping at the unabashed way the raccoon had just spoken to the King.

For some strange reason, Balkus felt like he had to explain his loudness. "I...I can explain, sir. I was... jus-"

"There's no need to explain, little one." Orsis told the flabbergasted boy. "Kansiss here has been with my family for years and has seen worse than a naked man in my bed."

"Aye, I have child." Kansiss gave Orsis a cheeky smile. "Though I haven't quite heard such joyous cries as those you two made this night." The old man wheeled his cart in front of Balkus, giving the boy a bow before he began to leave. "If you need something more, feel free to have me summoned."

Orsis patted the raccoon's shoulder as he passed. "I will Kansiss, my old friend. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, my King." The man responded. "And goodnight to you too, my new royal consort." He added, nodding to Balkus.

Once the man had left and Orsis had shut the door, Balkus glared at the bear. "Why the hell didn't you warn me you were opening the door?" He asked, tail bristling. "I've never been so embarrassed in my life."

Orsis playfully smirked at the fussing boy. "As I said, little one, him seeing you doesn't matter. Kansiss has seen all of my consorts in similar stats such as yours."

Balkus' attention snapped back towards the larger man. "Other consorts?" he asked. "You have other consorts?"

Orsis gave the boy a confused look. "Why, yes, of course I do."

Balkus was disheartened hearing that. He had thought that he was going to be the King's one and only mate. "Should have known better." he sighed. "Heh... you probably have dozens and dozens of other males mated to you."

"Actually, no, I don't." Orsis said. "I only have two others at home. I believe that love cannot so easily be spread. Those I left back at central are the dearest creatures on earth to me. And you shall join them in this highest of pantheons. I will treasure you with all of my heart, never forget that."

The other man's words made Balkus' worries dissipate. After all, it wasn't uncommon to have more than one mate. His own father had eight, in fact. "Well... that's alright, I guess. Maybe I can make friends with these other "consorts"."

"Of that I have no doubt. In fact I believe they and you will eventually come to love one another." Orsis smiled sweetly. "That is if you are coming with me." The bear's expression turned serious. "Tell me, did I pass the test you presented to me? Did I do a good enough job pleasuring you that you want to leave with me and keep having sex?"

Balkus laughed at the serious tone in his voice. "You're damn right you did old man." He said back. "I'll be happy to become your new consort. No more fuss, promise."

As he laughed at his own declaration, Balkus silently wondered how he was going to survive being this man's husband, subjected to the sort of breeding he had had that night on a regular basis. Then again, on second thought, even if he didn't live through the madness, he could die happy feeling this sort of pleasure.

Orsis was immensely pleased by the lions answer. "Good." He reached over and plucked a grape from off a plate and pressed it to the cat's lips. "Now with that out of the way, how about you have something to eat? It will help you build up your strength for the rest of the night." The Utopian King informed his mate as he popped the piece of fruit into the younger man's maw.

"Why do I have to build up my strength?" Balkus asked around the finger in his mouth.

"Because..." Orsis gave a chuckle that was mixed with a growl and wiggled his trapped finger. "...Oh because, little one, I have not yet finished pleasing you this night." He spread his legs wide apart showing the younger man his cock, which, in the short time since they had finished, had begun to grow hard once more.

Balkus' eyes widened, bewildered that the older man was ready to go again. But then, a sly smile crossed his face, one that made Orsis withdraw his finger wondering what was on the boy's mind. "Well, in that case." Balkus picked up a grape himself and quickly popped it into the king's mouth. "How about you get some food in you too? I'm don't think I'm done with you either, Papa Bear."

---

Three days later, the royal caravan idled outside of Kaon Landing's biggest inn, as chief Lenus and most of the citizens waited for their King to make one last appearance before he left their town. "Thank goodness this whole ordeal is almost done with," Lenus remarked to his older son, who was behind him.

Larous scratched at a bandage on his shoulder for a few moments before he agreed with the man. "I too, father. I'll be a hell of a lot happier once things get back to normal." He looked over to a pair of men who were in the crowd, cringing when he saw the almost sadistic grins they gave him. "Well... at least as normal as things can get after what's happened."

Lenus nodded, thinking his son was talking about his younger brother. It was still a bit strange that the King had chosen that trouble maker. But Lenus was glad that he had the boy, being gone meant no more shame or accidents caused by his foolishness.

Loud cheering from the villagers brought the chief out of his musings, making him look up just in time to see King Orsis followed by grand advisor Enchan exiting the inn. "Ahhh, such a nice day to set off, isn't it, my old friend?" Orsis asked his advisor as they traveled down the stairs.

"Yes sir, it is." Enchan answered. "Though, any day to be leaving the backwater dump is a good one." He continued. "I swear this was the worst diplomatic visit of my entire life."

"Oh-ho, is that so?" Orsis gave the thinner man a sly look. "You certainty weren't saying that last night when I heard you in your room with those two women." He reminded the man.

Enchan coughed embarrassed. "Well... maybe there are some things of worth here."

Reaching the bottom of the steps, the two noble men bowed to the chief and his son. "Thank you for having us again, Chief Lenus." Orsis said out of ritual, not honesty. After what his consort had told him about the man, the bear cared not to talk to him anymore than necessary.

"You are most welcome, my King." Lenus said back. "I just hope you are truly happy with the choice you made." What the old cat had said was another part of the ritual they had performed three days ago. Though the chief had said it in a slightly snide tone, still miffed at what the bear had done.

"Do not fret, Chief Lenus. I am truly happy." Orsis said with an angry growl. "As is your son." Speaking of him, Orsis looked over his shoulder. "BALKUS!! Hurry up love, we're about to leave!" He called out.

The door to the inn opened up for a second time, this time a happy Balkus walking out. The boy was dressed very differently than what he had been before he had been chosen. A long royal blue loincloth, replacing his old, worn one and a pair of golden arm bands proudly displayed on both of his arms. Giving the crowd in front of the inn a quick smile, the boy reared back then raced to the edge of the porch bounding into the air and flying right into the surprised arms of his lover, who was nearly knocked off of his feet by the sudden weight. All of the villagers present and Balkus' family gasped at what the hyperactive boy had just done.

"Heh, you caught me!" An oblivious Balkus laughed as he squirmed in Orsis arms.

"It's a good thing I did, wasn't It." The bear said back. He was as amused by the stunt as Balkus was. It had been several wonderful days and nights since their first mating, the bear and lion only growing closer as the days passed by. It had come to a point where Orsis didn't know how he ever lived without having this young man by his side. "But next time, you better not do that."

"Sure thing Pa..." Balkus remembered that there were people watching them. "As you command, King Orsis." He said, hopping down.

Orsis gave the boy a proud nod then carefully deposited him back on his feet on the ground. "Thank you again for accepting my dowry for this one." He said turning back to the boy's father.

"Think nothing of it my King." Lenus said back. "Like I could refuse you?" Turning to his son, he said. "And I guess this will be the last time I see you, boy. You better do right by our town and please the King."

Balkus frowned, saddened that his father wasn't even sorry to see him leave. "Yes sir, I'll... I'll do my best." he said quietly. Looking over to his brother, he added. "Goodbye Larous." Balkus' older brother failed to respond, his attention drawn back to the pair of men in the crowd.

Not liking the way his little one was being treated, Orsis put an arm around his shoulders and turned them away towards the carriage. "Come on, it's time we left." he said. "Right, Enchan?"

"Ah, yes sire, it is." Enchan strolled past Lenus and Larous, giving them a respectful bow as he did. "There is one thing that I'd like to inform you about though."

Orsis kept walking towards this carriage. "What's that?"

"Two of our men have decided to stay here at Kaon Landing, I'm afraid. It seems that they have found someone to their liking here."

"That's fine. The loss of a few guards won't matter. The roads are safe enough." Orsis said offhandedly. He had a feeling he knew the two who were remaining and if that were true, the old chief was in for a surprise.

As Orsis and Enchan talked about the guards, Balkus peered back at his brother and father again, realizing that might be the last time he ever see them again. And oddly that didn't seem to bother him one bit. Turning back to his mate, who had just finished talking, He smiled. "How long will it take us to get to Central City, Orsis?" He asked as they climbed into the wagon.

"About three or four weeks." Orsis answered. The three men took their seats, Balkus snuggling up to the bear king's side.

"Hum... this is going to be a boring trip then." Balkus remarked. "Riding that long in a carriage with nothing to do."

"Nonsense! We can do all sorts of things to entertain ourselves while we ride." Orsis said with a suggestive tone that caused Balkus' face to heat up a little.

"Sir..." Enchan interrupted as settled himself in his own seat across from the pair. "...would you please refrain from "entertaining" your consort while I am here to see it?"

"Prude." Orsis chuckled. "Well then, if we can't have fun... how about I start telling you about the other consorts you'll meet once we return home."

Balkus nodded. "I'd like that."

Orsis leaned back in his seat, tapping his chin with a clawed finger as their carriage began to move. "Well, let's see... I guess I should begin with my first consort. He's a man named Rowl. I met him when I was around thirty when I was traveling............"

The End?