| Cousins, human and Manimal, stare at each other for a second, and then
Willian begins to speak.
"Fred, we've got problems!" the crowned king of Aqualaria begins, without preamble. "Somebody is after the analogs back in Walants!" Fred feels his tail drooping, and he shakes his furry head as
his cousin explains how a old woman who had the appearance of the Oracle-a
wise woman of great respect and social stature in Aqualaria-had paid the
Queen a visit, and then had hastily excused herself after a bit, saying
that the "message of the gods" wasn't actually meant for the Queen, but
for Astra 2. The crone had left for Walants as quickly as possible, but
not without leaving a feeling of unease in Queen Astra and Will.
"And to make it even more interesting," Willian explains. "Right before
the old biddy started to speak, I swear she almost changed mental gears
or something. I also swear she was giving the place the once over before
deciding what to do next…..almost like she was accessing the defenses."
"And soon after that, we sent a man to check out the place where the
Oracle came from," Will explains. "And the young boy came back babbling
about a slaughter…..and the corpse of the Oracle! We're scouring the countryside
for the imposter, but….."
"You can't find her," Fred says, guesssing. "Have you contacted Walants
to warn them? Tell them about possible Phantoms?"
"Phant….what?" Will asks, flummoxed at the turn of subjects. "Fred what
are you….."
"Will, we don't have much time here," Fred says rapidly, between hollaring
for a sword and for those nearby to gather what weapons are available (not
much on such short notice, but….). "The short of it is that the Alliance
has a few rats in it. The Golem's society isn't as monothic as it first
appears, because some of it's police force just tried to betray the Alliance
and US in the process to the Enemy. The stated reason was that it was to
prevent an upcoming war between the Company and the Military…..two factions
who don't really like each other…..and will now face each other….IF the
magic users back in Ethiopia ever find that cure for the Phage…..which
looks more attainable if Manbear Sym is right…..
"Look, cousin," Fred says as he straps on a sword and one of Alicia's
newest toy….something she called a "repeating" rifle. "Stay put where you
are. You and Astra are safe right now. We're going places….out!"
Fred breaks the connection before Will can protest. The manfox then
turns and sees the gathered Packmembers with him, and nods.
Alicia, who's pregnancy was starting to begin to make itself obvious
to the world by way of a slightly enlarged furry belly, is armed with revolver
and cutlass. Fred looks deeply into his soulmate's eyes, and sees that
his mate will not be dissuaded from coming along in this dangerous mission.
The manfox reaches out and hugs his wife, and then turns to see the rest
of the group.
Carradene stands there, sorting out various pouches and scrolls.
"No, Carradene," Fred says gently. "The Pack needs a magic user here
in case something like that ghostly Dr. Vincent who managed to get the
drop on the mages back in Ethiopia comes our way. Between you and Padre
Fin…..that ghost won't stand a chance. You're the acting Pack Leader until
I return." Carradene's muzzle forms a frown, but the grey furred wolf nods
and stands back.
"So I need you, " Fred says, looking up at the seven foot tall silver
furred wolf who'd become his friend and brother. "It looks like this little
adventure calls for you to come along…..this time."
"I suppose so……" Loam sighs as he makes an adjustment to the strap that
his ax was strapped. "Adventure seems to always follow you around, old
friend."
"Yep," Fred says simply, a foxy grin suddenly graces his vulpine face.
"It makes life interesting, no?" There's a twinkle in the manfox eye's
and the Pack laughs, releasing nervous tension.
|
