Inner thoughts

I feel strange, Fred thinks as he lays besides his wife upon the deck, his tail entwining hers as she slept. He looks up at the full moon overhead and shakes his head sadly. It isn't like I feel like I'm turning into something hideous.....or I'll change into a beast because of the Moon. It's something to do with the way things have happened. What has happened to me? What has happened to the relatively sane world I lived in? What will we actually find once we arrive upon the land near Allaria? Most important of all is what can I do to save my cousin's life? The strangeness I feel is that I know that no matter WHAT happens, my and everyone's life will never be the same again. It's a creeping, semi-frightening/semi-thrilling feeling.

Fred blinks his presently amber colored eyes, and shapes his furry head in frustration.

I do fear for my cousin's life, Fred continues as he gazes upon the Moon. He tries so bravely to keep a positive face on things, but Synizn's been keeping me updated on his condition...... I just wish that I COULD have given him this curse......that as time goes on......seems less and less of a curse! I walk upon two feet more akin to paws than human feet. My fingers end in blunt canine claws instead of fingernails. I have the tail and features of a fox. I'm swifter, stronger, and more agile than I ever was as a human. I still can recover fully from any injury that doesn't kill me.....eventually. I AM a human fox! But......I'm also still a person. I'm still Frederigo D'Honaire......still angry at his father and still wanting to ride off and right all the injustices in the world! Yet, I'm also.......Swift Foot now. I love a lovely vixen who carries my kits. I share a bond deeper and stronger with her than I would ever be able to achieve if I had never became a manimal! I'm......now torn between wanting to be human again ......and hoping that I stay a manfox!

Now THAT sounds as crazy as Charles near the end, Fred continues. I think it's actually acceptance of what I've become we're talking here. That is actually a core thing that was....and is still scaring me. Thing is, I don't want to accept this, and the idea of just giving up and accepting this smacks of......dishonor and disgrace. Those are two things that I will NOT accept! Whether a human being or a member of the Pack, I live by honor or I don't live at all. Another part of the equation to my fears was echoed and magnified by that chase through Gilgil! Monsters in the ruiins due to Minestus. Fear that since Minestus is responsible for the Pack and me.....that I was a monster. At least now I know that I'm not.....a monster. God, Whoever or Whatever god or goddess each member follows, still seems to smile upon me and the Pack.

Honor. I just.....I get an eerie feeling that that might become a important factor later, Fred thinks as he looks around. One thing for certain, whether I and my children walk with or without a tail for the rest of our lives will be determined by this trip......because quiet frankly this quest is the only reasonable thing I can see that has a hope in Hell of success!

Alicia murmurs something, and twitchs.....as if she's chasing something. Swift Foot/Fred smiles fondly and brushes the furry cheekruff of Leaping Stream/Alicia. The manfox snuggles closer to his vixen wife, and let's the rocking of the boat lull him to sleep.

"Perhaps if we divert to this rumored place of demi-animals we can find something that can help Will? Something those Golems or the Lizards left behind? Something in Minestus' cave?" Fred whisper to himself as he drifts off to sleep.

Under the panorama of the night sky, the silent stone faces carved into the Channel Walls seem to smile upon the boat. The night watch keeps a weather eye out for any trouble as the boat sails on.....and on.

1. At the same time.......a few countless universes away and a few hundred miles above the manimal's ship.......

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