Lord Fred No More

The Never Ending Quest - Episode 1275

The rivalry between the different clans was put aside as a small group of the were- people made their way to higher ground so that they could spy upon the activities of the bizarre Golem that had invaded their island. When Fred joined in with the group he was curtly told to go away. This was official Tribal business and he was not invited. Fred protested and began to explain who he was, but his exhortations were cut short when two large bears grabbed him by the arms and dragged him away. They threw him to the ground and explained that New Comers who didn't learn to obey would be taught to obey. The past was dead, they said. He was a fox now and had better learn to deal with it.

Alicia came to him and helped him up. "You aren't a Duke's son anymore, Fred," she said. Fred turned to her with anger in his eyes, "I AM who I am, and I'll be damned if I let some cursed were-men take my identity from me!" Alicia frowned at those words. "You are a cursed were-man now, Fred." Fred turned away from her, anger and frustration filling his heart. Alicia reached out and grabbed his arm. "I understand what you feel, Fred. I was once a princess. Now I'm just another were-fox. I have no authority, no deferments, no special luxuries. Taylor is the leader of our Clan, and when he gives me an order I must obey." She sighed, and Fred looked at her. "I am of royal blood but here I am no better than a serving maid. It took much time for me to adjust. You will adjust too."

Fred set his face and answered, "I will not be ordered about like a stable boy." Alicia shook her head, "You will be no one's stable boy. There are rules here to be sure and there is the chain of authority. You are at the bottom of that chain, have no doubt about that. But you will not be abused or ordered about like a puppet. For the most part we do what we will. Most of the people on this island were commoners before Minestus brought them here. Royal prerogatives and aristocratic decorum do not sit well with them. Remember that and never try to pull rank on them because you have no rank or honor here. If you do, they will either throw you to the bears for a few days of 'readjustment conditioning' or else they will simply banish you to the territory of the Forsaken." Alicia bowed her head and added in a low whisper, "I was lucky, they gave me over to the Bear Clan. It saved my life, but I'll never stop hating them for it."

Fred stared at Alicia and a new respect for her filled his mind. He had thought that she was happy with being a werefox. And in a sense she was. But now he saw that she had struggled over it, and had finally decided that she would do the best she could with what fate had dealt her. A lesser woman would simply have given up. But Alicia had an inner strength that would overcome even the bestial curse of lycanthropy. She was what she was, she could not change that, but she would not let it defeat her.

"I will remember your words, Lady Alicia," Fred said with chivalric honor. She smiled. "But if I cannot aid the Tribe as they seek to discover the truth of those demonic Golem, perhaps there is something else I can do." Alicia raised a questioning eyebrow. Fred smiled, "Follow me, there is a pirate ship anchored not far from here. I'm more than a little curious to see what they are up to."

  1. Seeking Knowledge

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree


WolfRun

4/6/1999 11:23:00 PM

The Never Ending Quest Home

Extend-A-Story Home

21379844 episodes viewed since 9/30/2002 1:22:06 PM.

Do not click me.