Chapter 7: Who Let the Bear Out?
Story by PapaDelta on SoFurry
Malik, a novice mage, travels to the far end of the civilized world on a mission to learn from a mysterious druid known as Nella. While under her tutelage he's torn between acting like the fine upstanding mage he was brought up to be and giving into his more base desires, Nella's way of life being far more liberated than what he's used to. All the while Nella seems intent on teasing the poor mage to his breaking point.
~28,500 words
Note: Tags apply to the work as a whole.
>Three figures make their way through the pitch-black streets of the capital city
>The two leading figures, a grizzled older human and his younger she-bear partner, are wearing uniforms of the capital's police force, dark blue cloaks with silvery swords at their sides
>The third, a middle-aged human, is wrapped in a hastily thrown on mage's robe, arms held against his chest as he struggles to keep warm in the icy winter air
>"Thank you for agreeing to come out so late professor, I know the situation is strange." Says the older officer, a swinging lantern held in his hand
>"No worries, when you told me what happened I had to investigate. My curiosity has always gotten the better of me."
>"We still aren't sure where he came from or why he asked for you specifically. One of our patrols found the lunatic wandering the college's stables earlier tonight so we think he may have been trying to steal some of their horses. At the same time, we also found him wearing a strange wooden mask similar to the masks worn by the cult of the violet flower, one of those foul necrocults run by rogue wizards."
>"Do you know what species he is? Beast folk? Human? Satyr? Elf?"
>The officer shakes his head
>"Unknown. He refused to take his mask off and he was clothed head to toe in furs so we haven't gotten a good look at him yet. Rest assured professor, all will be found out after his interrogation."
>"But before that let's see what he has to say."
>"Of course, of course." Repeats the officer
>The trio enter the capital's prison and slink through its maze like stone corridors, the dank smell of mold and despondent voices filling the air
>They pass rows of cells until descending a short staircase and venturing into a far quieter section of the prison
>"We weren't sure if he was associated with any of the other prisoners so we locked him up in this block, away from the others until we could properly identify him. His cell is just up ahead." Explains the older officer
>As they approach the cell their eyes fall upon something hanging from the lock on its door
>The officers rush ahead and the she-bear takes the object in her hand
>It's a wooden mask in the visage of a bear's face, and it was hanging on the key to the cell's lock!
>She quickly scans the cell and sees no occupant
>"He's gone, and this is all he left." She says, holding up the mask
>The older officer stamps foot on the ground
>"Damnit! I bet he left that mask as a kind of calling card, intending to intimidate us. He won't be free for long if I have anything to say about it! Officer Gothella!" The she-bear snaps to attention. “I need you to head to the guard station at the main gate and tell them to lock everything down, no one enters or leaves the city, in the meantime I'll-“
>"Oh, hey guys." Says a man stepping into view from around a corner, he's soon joined by one of the prison's guard dogs chewing on a large bone
>The man's clothed in animal skins and his hair is long and unkempt, he holds a bowl of gruel up to his mouth and takes a spoonful of it, he continues
>"I hope you don't mind me getting some food. It was a long ride back to the capital and I was absolutely starving."
>The trio stare in shock at the sudden turn of events
>Eventually the older officer picks his jaw off the floor
>"How did you…" He trails off, eyes flicking down to the traitorous dog
>"Escape? It was simply really. I told one of your guard dogs that if he gave me the keyring off of the wall over there I would reward him with a nice big bone from the kitchen. I'm a man of my word."
>The dog lays down and cracks the bone in half, as if to emphasize its ill-gotten gains
>The older officer finally shakes his head and unsheathes his short sword, pointing it at the man
>"Back in the cell with you then! I can't have prisoners sneaking about my-“
>"Wait! Just wait!" Yells the professor, lowering the officer's sword. He looks back at the strange man, whispering a single word. “Malik?"
>"Hey dad."
>"Malik!"
>They rush towards each other and embrace
>"It's been so long since we've seen you! We were beginning to think you may never return!"
>"I've been fine dad, I've been fine." Malik replies with a laugh. “Nella taught me much."
>His father backs away slightly
>"Ah yes, Nella, the druid. What did she teach you? Have your magical skill progressed beyond when you left?"
>"Yes! Very much so!"
>His father pauses, waiting for him to continue
>"Well? What did you learn? What is your area of expertise?"
>"It's uhh…" Malik glances towards the two officers. "Dad, I'll tell you everything later. We'll need to set aside some time for us to catch up."
>His father pats him on the back
>"Definitely! You can tell us everything tomorrow, when the others have woken up. In the meantime you need to come home and get some sleep, you look awful."
>"Not so fast." Says the older officer. “The proper paperwork needs to be completed before he can be released from our custody. Should only take an hour, maybe a little longer."
>"Very well." Malik's father sighs disappointedly. “I'll prepare your room at the house until then. I look forward to hearing about your time among Nella, Malik. The head mages at the college have heard a great many rumors about her abilities. Some could be true, but others are surely fantasy."
>"You might be surprised father. See you soon."
>They wave goodbye and Malik's father leaves
>"Wait here, I'll go the prison's main office and begin the release process. Make sure he doesn't leave this prison block." The older officer orders his subordinate.
>"Understood." She replies
>He walks away and the two are left alone outside the cell
>Malik leans against the bars and takes another spoonful of gruel, casually eyeing up the she-bear
>She notices, and turn to him with a scowl
>"What are you looking at?" She spits
>He smiles shyly and shakes his head
>"Oh, nothing, you just remind me a little bit of someone I know. What's your name again?"
>"I'm Officer Gothella. And I gather you're Malik?"
>"Correct. It's been a while since I've been to the capital, but I don't recall seeing any beast folk in uniform before."
>She glances down at the badge pinned to her cloak
>"They recently loosened recruiting requirements. Officers of the furred variety are now allowed within the ranks. There aren't many of us around the capital in the first place so don't expect to see furred officers become a common sight."
>"Believe me, I know how you must feel, I spent the last several months among a beast folk village to the far East. I was the only human around for miles."
>Her eyes widen
>"You've been to the frontier? Where the forest tribes live? Where they speak in the old tongue?"
>"Yes, and I've lived to tell the tale! Then again, I did have a guide of sorts helping me learn their language and customs. Without her I'm sure my time among them wouldn't have been nearly so pleasant."
>Gothella leans against the bars next to Malik
>"Gods, I've always wanted to visit one of the forest tribes. My family's lived in the capital since I was a cub so I've scarcely had a chance."
>"Well Gothella, I don't intend to stay in the capital forever. I'm not sure exactly where I'll go when adventure calls, but it may be close to another forest tribe. I could serve as your guide if you wanted."
>"I don't know." She says, her gaze falling to the ground. “It would be a long and arduous journey, I would have to find some way to pay you, and it may be difficult to find time off work, not to mention the risk of injury. And what would happen if they don't like me?! I've lived in the capital my entire life, totally isolated from the ancient traditions of my people. What if they think me as some kind of imposter?"
>"Don't be so negative! It might not be as bad as you think. Despite being an outsider, I had plenty of fine experiences among the villagers I was visiting. And they're very forgiving as well, very forgiving. They didn't even complain when I messed up a ritual and they had to redo all the prep work for it."
>"Oh really?" She says, crossing her arms. “What's the best thing you experienced there then? The single most memorable moment? Convince me to go."
>Malik nervously rubs his chin as his eyes trace the ground
>"The single most memorable moment? Well, this may sound a little strange…" His eyes flick up to hers. “…but have you ever made love under the stars?"
AN: Congratulations! You made it to the end, thanks for reading.