Chapter 4 - The Empress' new Clothes
The mid-morning light filtered through the Stained glass windows of the council chamber. Dominating the room was a large round wooden table surrounded by twenty chairs. In a high-back chair set a large kitzen feline with midnight black pelt. Fingers intertwined before his snout, he looked across the table at the kneeling solder, "Tell me again." he said with an even tone."My Lord, King Werukot is dead. The soldiers sent to retrieve his daughter were all found in the dungeon chamber slaughtered." the soldier recounted without lifting his head from the ground."And the girl?""Gone, no trace of her or the Beast could be found. My trackers say there is no path to follow.""And what of the weapon he was guarding?""Again my lord, we found nothing in the chamber save to remains of those first sent in."Slamming his paws into the table as he stood, "FIND THE GIRL AND THE WEAPON AND BRING THEM TO ME! if there is no trail and the gate guards live they must still be in the stronghold." he turned his back to the kneeling soldier, " Mist I always deal with incompetent soldiers?""My Lord," the shaking soldier spoke, "We have searched the stronghold, every inch, by more than two-hundred guards. Every servant has been accounted for, Every entrance and exit sealed. Perhaps she made their escape through secret means, or magic they may be beyond the wall. to ignore this would be foolish, my Lord."Snapping around to face the soldier, he shouted, "YOU DARE CALL ME A FOOL!" drawing an auto-piston, the Dark-furred Kitzen fired two shots into the soldiers head. "But, perhaps we should expand the search. BRING ME MY GENERALS!" He commanded. "I will have that weapon."---Walking bare-pawed through the forest, Assilsasta watched the ground, looking for sharp rocks and twigs. Draped over her body, shielding her from the early autumn breeze, was the fur covered skin of the feral bear that made their earlier meal.She hummed softly seemingly oblivious that of the Gore that shrouded her body. Noroscureil had taken great care as to remove all meat and blood from the flesh; they had allowed the skin to dry out as they eat. She now wrapped the skin about her as an old blanket."You will need real clothing, child. I can pass as a feral beast, even your pet. But, you are too delicate to be a product of the wilds, even an abandoned kit that managed to survive." He sniffed the air as he spoke. "I don't know much of the world outside the stronghold. Only what I have heard from my attendants, but won't we need money or goods to barter with?" She glanced over at him from underneath the flesh hood that used to be a head. "where will we get this, you a feral beast and me but a child?" Stopping to face him, "Also, stop calling me child." Turning his head to meet her gaze, "And what would you have me call you... my Queen?""I have always hated that, and your
majesty, I despise being called by those titles. My name is Assilsasta, call me by that." "My upbringing and loyalty to you forbid such familiar names, master. If I must call you by a name, may I call you mine Unsessy?"Frozen in her tracks she asked, "What does that name mean, Unsessy? I have heard it before." her vision and dream echoed in her mind as her father called her by the same word."Locking his eye on her, not quite making contact with her eyes." Where did you hear that name?""My father called my by it... in a dream.""Usessa was not always a clan name, it was once an ancient word for master, lord, or god, Unsessy was the female derivative..As you are my master, and I your servant, you are mine Unsessy." he said looking down at the ground. Turning and continuing to walk, "I will not stand for such titles; they are part of a past I wish to forget. Call me by my name or call me nothing."Feeling the power and command in her voice he simply replied, "As you wish... Assil." He saw a smile in the corner of her mouth under the hood of her makeshift cloak, the innocent child still just under the hardening surface of change."And I will call you Noros." She said, claiming her new name for him.Grabbing the loose end of the chain the hung from his collar, she began to skip forward, "Let us find a place to get clothes then, my Noros." Without though she began to lead him forward, as a pet dog.---Messengers were dispatched in all directions from the ages of Lamenthra with edicts announcing a reward for the kill or capture of the Feral Beast the Killed the King in his sleep and stole the Young Queen from her kingdom."I don't care if she is unharmed; just bring her and the weapon to me." He looked around the at each of the Generals of the Lamentran army. "And the One of you who brings me both will be well rewarded handsomely."--- The midday suns hung high in the sky as she stepped through into the open field, cut from the forest. Before them stood a tall corn field, ready to be harvested, brown silks hanging from full ripe ears. The stokes towered over her as she marveled at the sight. "What is it?" "This is what your corn looks like before it is harvested and cooked. there must be a farm camp nearby." Noroscureil perhaps we can Stood to look over the field, pulling at the chain still in Assilsastsa had. "Perhaps we can barter the fur you wear for clothes." He reached down and lifted her to his shoulder with one hand, pointing to the small village beyond the field. Perched high on his shoulder, Assilsasta pulled the skin blanket tight across her as they made their way to the small village. The wide street was teeming with life as small children ran about playing games and chasing one another, while their mothers tending to weaving and milling grain. The village with inhabited by Lutra people, kin to the
feral river otters, with thick, short , oily fur, webbed feet, splinter elongated bodies, and thick tails.Noroscureil looked down as a small lutra pup ran into him at a full sprint. The pup looked up with an expression of horror as he staggers backward from the giant vilk. Like a flash of lightning the lutra's mother sprang from her seat milling corn, into the street scooping up the pup, "Forgive him sir, he is only a child." she begged while backing away. He moved to place Assilsasta and the ground before him, "We have come to trade. She need proper clothing." He stopped as the residents of the village fell silent. All toil had ceased as mothers frantically gathered their young to safety. Following the frightened gaze of the villagers, he looked down at the cub completely obscured by the cloak of feral bear skins. Lowering himself to all fours and bowing his head, he slowly backed away from Assilsasta, and the cuffs and collar began to glow lightly. Assilsasta felt the Stone in her left eye socket begin to roll faster as an ethereal voice invaded her mind. They are afraid us. Have not dealt with people beyond her attendants, guard, and servers, she looked out from under her hood, confused and uncertain of what to do. Show them your face, let them see the Child that stands before them, not the haggard beast that stands behind her. the voice spoke, directing her to act.With one hand holding the skin around her nude form, she reached up with the other to uncover her head and face. One you lutra pup, with wooden sword in hand, walked forward fearlessly toward the well groomed kitzen now revealed under the furred cloak. He stood before her, barely half her age and a third her size, and looked her over as if a guard inspecting a prisoner. craning his neck to look up at her face, he thrust a hand out, "I am Isaiah." he blurted out as she looked down on him confused. Tilting his head he continued, "Any well-mannered breed would shake my hand and introduce themselves." Kneeling to his eye level, still holding the furs around her, "I am Assilsasta, Forgive me if I seem rude, as I am not aware of your customs." She looked him in the eye as she spoke, "My Clothes were ruined and lost in the wilds. My escort and I have come to trade for new clothes. Can you help us?" He looked into her face, mouth agape, "What happened to your eye?" With her free hand she reached up and gently touched the left side of her face, a dull throb radiated from the contact. Slowly she moved her hand up, her finger meeting the smooth, moist stone that now occupied the pace once taken by her emerald green eye. Jerking away slightly at the feel of it moving beneath her touch, "I don't remember." was all she could manage to say. Without second thought, the lutra pup reached up and grabbed her free hand, spinning on his paws he begins to drag her toward a corner house, "My mother is a
dressmaker. She has beautiful things for girls to wear." As her arm was pulled down from her face, it knocked the other hand from the skins that shrouded her body. Gasps could be heard from the villages as the furs fell from her shoulders revealing her nude frame. Noroscureil raised his head as pup continues to drag Assilsasta into the nearby house without even looking for the cause of the commotion. Shocked at what bursts through her door, the dressmaker yells at her pup," What in name of the makers are you doing with a naked kitzen, Isaiah?"Confused hat his mother's scolding words, Isaiah, looks back over his shoulder and instantly slaps his paws over his eyes." She had on a fur cloak when she came into town. She said she needed clothes."Oblivious to the happenings outside, the lutra female walks to the window. Seeing the giant feral wolf beast she yells over her shoulder, "Isaiah, hide yourself." looking to the kit, "is that beast with you? Vilk are not welcome here. I will give you clothing and you must go." Outside the small dwelling, a stone strikes Noroscureil in the head as a voice from the onlookers is heard shouting, "LEAVE DEMON DOG!" the growing crowd gasps as he stands to his full height, towering seven feet over the tallest of the lutra men. The townsfolk readied their pitchforks and crude weapons just as Assilsasta burst through the door and place a hand on his leg,"Noros, stop." He knelt down to place the skins back over her unclothed body. Looking him in the eye, "You will wait from me outside the village, in the field, where we came out of the woods. I will call for you if I need you." Bowing his head, he stands to leave. Pulling the furs tightly around herself, she watched as the cuffs around his wrists began to glow and the Voice invaded her mind, *As you command my queen.*Assilsasta turned to reenter the dressmaker's house. Looking at the stolky lutra woman, "I have nothing to trade for your services aside from these unpreserved furs." She had no concept of value of objects. Everything she had ever needed or wanted was always within reach, never had she thought of trading one thing for another.Looking her her over, the dressmaker said, "come over her child, I will fashion you a dress fit for a queen."Without forethought Assilsasta shouted, "I AM NO CHILD, AND I AM NO ONE'S QUEEN!" After seeing the shocked face of the Lora pair, "I am sorry, that was uncalled for. Much has happened recently. My father was killed and the Vilk Noroscureil saved me for those who killed him." bowing her head slightly,, "Please, I don't know what this is worth. What can I trade for it." She held out part of the fur trying to keep her modesty for the young lutra's sake."Isaiah, go back out and play. I have a customer to deal with.""But, Mah, No one ever plays with me." the pup said as he slouched hanging his head and going back
out the door.Looking back at the kitzen kit, she took hold of the furred skin she wore as a cloke. "This is a fine skin, well cleaned and ready to be leathered. You are not from the wilds, do you have any idea what this is worth?" she rubbed her hands over the thick coarse fur. "I only have one cloke that will fit you for now. Do you need a dress or travel clothes?" she asked trying to avoid looking directly at the stone eye that looked at her.Looking down at the dirt floor, "I guess I will need traveling clothes. things that will last in the wilds.""I will need to make your measures, please take off the furs." Taking out a length of twine she measured and marked Assilsasta's Arms, legs thighs, bust, lengths and neck, "My name is Sarai, what may I call you?'"I am Assilsasta." she spoke softly as the lutra worked."Named after our princess of Lamen.."She froze and looked up from her kneeling position. looking over the thick white mane of hair, "You are..."Assilsasta interrupted her quickly," No, I am not the Princess of Lamenthra, and you will never speak of that to anyone. I am no queen."Bowing her head, "I have finished, you may take that robe to cover yourself while I make you garments, my lady" The robe, made for the much shorter lutra people, fell to her knees and presented like a leisure robe she had often wore to the bath house. Stepping outside, so to leave Sarai to her work, Assilsata see Isaiah digging and beating at the dirt with his wooden sword. "What are you playing Isaiah?" she asked with true curiosity. "I am just digging. There is not much else to do by myself." Looking across the way at a group of children going about at some game of pretend, "And why do you not play with them?" "They say i am too young for their game of kings. Not strong enough t be a soldier, and too small to understand being a noble." Well, let's see, even noble's start as cubs, and soldiers do not start strong. You have a sword, how about you teach me to play this game. I will be your noble and you my soldier." she watched as a smile crossed his face. As they approached, the others turned and ran to the nearby river, One lutra girl turned back, looking at Isaiah with longing in her eyes, "they are done playing kings, now we can go swimming. "Without further comment or contestation Isaiah dropped her hand and ran with the others. As they reached the river bank each striped to their skibies leaving their clothes on the bank. with the look of their feral otter relatives they slid into the water on the bellies and commenced splashing and diving into the river. The joyful screams of the lutra pups filled the air. Suddenly all the sound ceased as they looked at her standing on the bank. One lutra boy spoke up, "Is it true that kitzen fear the water?" Tilting her head, "I don't know any that fear the water, some avoid it
as they see it as unclean. I love the water and often played in the bathing pools for hours when I was younger." "Then come, play with us now." several said in unison. "But I have no clothes, is it not improper for girls to bathe with boys unclothed." An older girl, close to her own age spoke up, "That is proper city folk talk, we don't care. Besides your kitzen and we lutra, I don't think these boys would know what to do with you." A broad grin covered her face as she spoke. She hung her borrowed robe from a tree branch, then followed the lutra into the river. She had always loved the water, taken to it as the feral tigers of the jungles. She splashed and played odd games of tag and dunking with the pups, overwhelmed by the sensation of having others with her. Always she had been alone, the only cub in the stronghold, now with others she had something new, a joy or pleasure beyond anything she had known before. All was forgotten for house as the multitude of pups played with the new kitzen kit. The came to her to be thrown high into the air with her advantage of size. The suns moved slowly to the horizon and fathers returning from the fields came calling their pups from the river. Small groups ran to their progenitor yelling "papa" and other terms of endearment. Each was caught and embraced. She watched as they were taken into the arms of their parents, the loving embraces she could not remember. Her mind was filled with the reminders of the physical contact she never had with her father, and now never could. Only Isaiah and herself remained when the suns sank below the tree tops. "Where is your father Isaiah?" she asked him. With his head hung low, "he died." were the only words he spoke before leaving fro the riverbank. "Mother will worry; we should head to the house." She followed him out of the robe as she went. When she followed the pup into the house her nose was confronted with the scent of freshly cooked fish. The small one room hut was light by a single candle. all the garments and materials had been moved into a corner to make room for the low table and cushions to be place in the center of the room. Kneeling between her and the table, head bowed to the floor, the lutra woman spoke softly, "My lady, I have finished your garments and prepared you a meal, Please allow me the honor of fitting your new garments before you eat." "Get up, Sarai, I am no one to be bowed to."Assilsasta scolded, "Please help me into the clothes you made for me." The hooded dress was a two tone cream and emerald, with a modest square neckline that sat above her young budding breasts.The green sleeves fit tight to her elbows then flared out to a cream colored bell which hung to her mid-thigh. The bodice hugged snug to her sides, pulled tight with dyed green leather cords across her abdomen, emphasizing the feminine curves that had begun to develop. The skirt
of the dress flowed loosely from her waist, the hem stopped just above her ankles. it was unembellished, simple cloth and leather, no embroidery or inlaid jewels. The simplicity of the garment made it the most wonderful thing she had ever seen. All her life she was dolled up in extravagant dresses and gowns, always fit for a noble events. Seeing this dressing the Dressmaker's full length mirror made her feel just as she wished to me, ordinary and common. Upon finishing the laces Sarai dropped to her knees again, "I beg, you to forgive the simplicity. I had not materials for a proper gown." "This is perfect, I could ask for nothing better." Spinning on her paws, dress whirling to life around her legs, with a broad grin on her face she said, "Now let us eat."