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Feyrahl, SoFurry Edition

So it Begins, Ch 1.1

After he was dismissed, Mac was shown to his room by Khosk. The Lion had offered no input, walking stoically behind him, with only an occasional shove to direct him down a given hall any time he was supposed to turn. The third time it happened Mac turned around to regard the Lion. "I can understand you now, you know... no need to push."

Khosk offered a casual, shrug. "Force of habit, Sir. Taking you from the shore to the capitol built up some habits... you still respond to it. Besides; there's no telling how long that Wind Spirit will hang around, so no sense getting used to you understanding."

Mac continued walking, but he wasn't done speaking. "What do you mean? Are you saying that eventually I won't be able to understand everyone again?"

The short-maned Lion snorted, but his demeanor remained otherwise unchanged. "Now's your chance to actually learn how to speak it yourself. Seeing how you like talking so much it's not that big of an ask... is it? Especially since you're in the Empire-- the least you could do is learn how to communicate."

Despite his gruff point of view, Mac realized that Khosk wasn't entirely wrong. "So... do you have any idea how long whatever-this-is will last?"

Mac hadn't noticed it at first but, gradually, Khosk had increased his pace so he could walk beside the Human. There was no reason why the Lion couldn't continue speaking to him from behind except that Mac had to twist his head back to speak with him; was it possible that Khosk was being courteous? The Lion's follow-up answer didn't offer any support to that theory. "Hard to say. Depends on your natural aptitude with mana and, judging from the way your eyes bug out every time you see it, I assume you're not a very capable caster."

The Human slowed, and was surprised when Khosk slowed too. "Mana? What's that?"

The Lion grunted. "I suppose that confirms it. Based on that, I expect that you have a day with it... two at the most. That Wind Spirit is fueled by your natural mana reserves... when those run out it'll disappear."

Mac blinked. "Mana reserves? Is... is that another way of saying 'life force', or some other metaphysical energy?"

Khosk shrugged. "I'm no sage or magus... best I could do would give you a working understanding. Mana is something that flows around and through us all. It fuels spells and allows those who know how to cast them to use their magic. If you want any more of an explanation you should probably check in with the court Mystic."

It was more than he expected, and was earnestly surprised that the Lion was being so helpful. There was something to be said for being able to communicate. "I understand. Thank you, Sir Khosk."

Mac was surprised when he heard himself say the word 'Sir' since he'd meant to say 'Roon', which led him to believe that even his own words were being translated for him; the Wind Spirit really was an interesting.... Creature? Being? Effect? His musings came to an end when he realized that Khosk had stopped. When he offered the lion a quizzical glance the animal man simply replied "This is your room, Sir."

Khosk left Mac to explore the room alone; the Human stepped inside and was astounded to see just how impressive it was. His accommodations were easily the size of a small house and included a large living area, a sitting room, a bedroom, and a wash chamber. He spent a fair amount of time exploring it but, ultimately, ended up in the bedroom, taking a seat on the comfortable bed and, before he knew it, he was laying on his back, blinking once... twice... a third time--- and then, after his eyes had closed for what felt like a few seconds, opened them and realized that the afternoon sun was shining through the window onto his face; he'd fallen asleep and, he noticed, his bedroom window apparently faced west.

Mac opened up his room's door and poked his head out, looking right, then looking left-- and he saw Khosk leaning against the wall. The Human was honestly surprised. "You're still here, Sir Khosk?"

The Lion grunted to the affirmative. "The Sage King assigned you a Bodyguard, Sir. Since I'd already traveled with you and am more than qualified to keep a Human out of trouble, he thought a familiar face would help you grow accustomed to the palace."

The Human slowly exited the room, closing the door behind himself. "So... the king assigned you to be my bodyguard?"

Khosk grunted, reaching out to smack him lightly on the ear. "The 'Emperor', and yes. You are to call him 'The Emperor', or by his title 'The Sage King'-- calling him just 'King' would be a sign of disrespect."

Mac reached up and rubbed the side of his face. "O...kay... so, he has a title... is that something like what he called you in the throne room? He called you 'Firemane'."

The Lion stepped away from the wall, resting his paws on either side of his sword belt. "Close enough. Yes-- you can call him 'The Sage King' like you could call me 'Firemane'."

The Human smiled a little at that. "Wow... I bet there's quite a story behind earning a title like that."

Khosk nodded, rolling his shoulders, which resulted in a set of very powerful pops. "Yes. There is."

Mac waited for several seconds, expecting the Lion to relate the story but, after the continued silence he understood that Khosk wasn't about to provide him any further reference. "So... what am I supposed to do now?"

His Bodyguard adjusted his uniform before turning to address the Human; as he spoke to Mac he also fussed over him, smoothing out the Human's shirt as he'd done before entering the throne room. "First, you should consider presenting yourself better. You are a guest of The Emperor; you should not look like a vagabond." He then leaned forward and sniffed him overtly. "Yes... a bath would do you some good."

Shrugging off the judgmental statement, Mac forged on ahead. "Okay... and, after that? What am I supposed to do as a guest? What are the rules? The conditions? How am I supposed to behave? Where can I go? What can I--"

Khosk reached out and repeated the gesture he'd used early that morning, gripping Mac's head with his entire paw, fingers atop his head, palm beneath the Human's jaw, and used his paw to clamp Mac's mouth shut, silencing him. "First, if you are going to ask questions, Sir, you should probably wait for answers before you ramble onto the next."

Mac felt his cheeks flush. He waited until Khosk released him before starting again. "What rules do I follow as a guest?"

The Lion offered a curt nod. "Much better, Sir. First, you do not enter anywhere you are not implicitly permitted without permission. Second, you do not leave the castle grounds without announcing your departure and obtaining permission. Finally, you should learn more about the Empire and its people so you do not continue to make social mistakes like calling His Imperial Majesty by the wrong title."

Despite how much help Khosk was being in the moment, Mac was still not sure the Lion was the best choice for providing him any great assistance but, as he thought about it, the Human figured that he honestly didn't know many people in the Empire. His Bodyguard was right about one thing: he needed to get a better understanding of the Empire, and, based on his limited introduction to the Captain, Mac realized that the Rhino was probably the most amicable person he could turn to. Hopefully, he reasoned, Commander Stonewall would have some time to spare for him.

The Lion must have been watching his expression. "You've something in mind, Sir?"

Mac nodded. "I'd like to speak with Commander Stonewall."

Khosk motioned to the hall, pointing over the Human's shoulder. "That direction... presuming you're certain that you wish to go now rather than cleaning up first."

It was obvious based on the Lion's tone that Khosk had an opinion on the matter but Mac was more concerned about what he'd been told first: there was no telling how long he'd be able to continue understanding everyone. "Now's good."

Sighing, the Lion gestured him onward and stepped into formation behind and to the Human's right. Khosk was surprisingly perceptive. "You are concerned that you will lose the Wind Spirit's blessing..."

Mac nodded. "Well... you DID say that it wouldn't stay forever."

His bodyguard grunted. "There are a good number of magic users familiar with Wind magic, but only a limited number of them could summon one. Still... if it is that big of a concern you will not be left without resources. At some point you will need to consider first impressions, and wandering around the keep like a homeless beggar is not the best way to provide a quality introduction."

Mac paused at that. "So... you think I should probably get cleaned up first?"

Khosk offered a succinct nod. "You are dealing with nobility, Sir, not dirt farmers. Your appearance accounts for a lot. Either way, the Commander is still on his shift; you could take some time to give some much needed attention to your appearance, pick out some clothes that will improve your presentation, and still have time for a casual stroll to where he spends his evening when he is not on duty."

Finally pausing long enough to take stock of his situation, Mac realized that he really didn't look very presentable: his clothing had dried off but remained wrinkled due to the saltwater; his hair was a mess, and he could only imagine how much road grime he had on him from the travel with the Lion brothers. Still, he reasoned, the Commander was a soldier first and foremost; surely he wasn't as stuck on ceremony, pleasantries, and cleanliness as the nobles of the court. There were other ways Mac could prepare himself for meeting someone of such importance... perhaps in a way that would improve his chances of a good reception.

His bodyguard folded his arms across his chest, tapping a foot paw on the carpeted floor. "Well? Where am I bringing you, Sir? Or did you want us both to stand in the hallway like a pair of goons?"