[Mkguild] MMRR: Precursing Jitters

[Indagare]

June 20, 708

Arcas stood a good head above most of the people of Metamor keep, with only
some of the larger lions being able to match his formidable size, strength,
and mane (his red hair and beard might not be a mane, but it rivaled
theirs).

He was a bronzed man with golden-copper eyes and he wore the livery of
Whales. On his side hung a rune-scribed Hammer, and she was Henbi-shnut.
Besides him were three others from Whales (having come north with Prince
Philip, Princess Clover, and the four royal children for the wedding of
Misha Brightleaf) but each was more typical of a man of Whales: bronzed
skin, dark hair and eyes. They were a bit shorter but no less well-muscled,
being sailors and soldiers, and the royal guard. While he looked excitedly
about the Keep and Euper, they kept in his wake, looking nervously at the
various zoomorphs and women in pants or wielding weapons and wearing armor.
They still hadn’t gotten over the arrival of Brian Brightleaf, brother to
Misha. He’d come two days ago in what could best be described as a magical
circus. One of the first things he’d done on arrival was create a series of
rainbows that produced colored, flavored candy. Arcas still had a bag of it.

“I wish Prince Phillip had just sent his regards,” said one.

“Why’s that George? asked Arcas. “King Tenomides himself practically
ordered him and the Princess and their children here, ill as he is.”

“He doesn’t need us!” said another. “Or, I should say, doesn’t want us!
We’re supposed to be guarding him and his family, but they’ve all opted to
stay in that dreadful Keep!”

“Keep a civil tongue in your head Alexander!” Arcas growled. “These are
fine folks and those who Prince Philip feels most at home with. He and
Princess Clover both ordered us to look around, and it would behoove us to
do so anyway.”

“Ain’t you afraid of the Curses?” asked the last.

“What’s to fear Lukas? These folks are just like any others and happier
than some!”

“Ain’t you afraid of becomin’ a woman?” asked Lukas.

“HA! I’d make a fine ginger lass! A bearer of children, should that be my
fate! But I know what you fear Lukas: you’re a fool who thinks women weak
and soft!”

“Well, what of the child curse?” asked Alexander. “Surely you’d not wish to
be a brat in diapers the rest of your life! And how would you even wield
your Hammer?”

“HA! I was no scrawny youth! And Henbi-shnut has just informed me she could
change to match, so there’s no fear of that! But I know what you fear
Alexander: you’re a fool who thinks children little better than witless
animals!”

“There’s the third curse, the animal curse, surely you’d not want to end up
some beast!” said George.

“HA! What do humans have that animals have not the better? One might argue
we are in the image of Eli, but I do not believe that Eli could be so
limited as our imaginations! But I know what you fear George: you’re a fool
who thinks animals completely witless and credit them not with thoughts and
emotions and souls of their own, different though they be to ours!”

He glared at his companions as if to challenge them, but all three backed
away. “In any case your fears are foolish indeed. We shall be here but
seven days, and the Curses–if I understand them aright–take ten or a
fortnight. Even were that time to get nigh, we could just go south and, I
have heard, the time would reset. But it would be worth being Cursed to
talk with Misha, and I know Henbi-shnut longs to speak with her sister.”

The other three just shook their heads and went back towards the Keep. They
had rooms there and enough humans around to feel comfortable until the
royal family chose to leave. Arcas looked at them leave, huddling together
each time they saw something strange as if they feared it would hurt them.

He, however, went around and smiled. The Keepers, especially those who’d
heard him rebuke the others, seemed a good deal friendlier. One, a sow,
approached him. “Good sir, I heard you wished to meet lord Misha. Well, he
and the lady Caroline will be at the Jolly Collie this eve to celebrate
their wedding eve after spending this day meeting those who have arrived. I
work there and can see if I can get you an audience.”

He smiled at her. “That would be kind of you, my good woman. What is your
name, and what can I do for you in return?”

“I am Penwyn. I have nothing that I need right now sir, but your words are
reward enough.”

“Still, here is some coin, and if you don’t need it now you may at some
time. Don’t thank me! Even if you don’t manage it, I’m still glad you will
try.”

She nodded and trotted away and he chuckled. He was pretty sure she
wouldn’t be able to manage it, but then again the Keep was full of
surprises!

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