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Mon Jun 21 02:55:29 CDT 2004
the same red fox, morph head, neck, shoulders, arms and
trunk. Below the waist he had the body of a large, pony
sized vulpine. Aside from the size, it was the body of a
male red fox, complete with four legs and long bushy tail.
"There is a way around every problem," Misha commented,
happy to have prompted a response from the Librarian.
"What are you and how did you accomplish that? Shape
changing is impossible without powerful magic to circumvent
the curse."
"I'm a foxtaur," he responded. "And I didn't circumvent the
curse to change. The magic I used WAS the curse."
"How?"
"Every keeper can change from a full animal form to a human
like one," Misha explained. "A taur form is sort of in
between. I think everyone can do it. It's just a matter of
thinking along different lines. I don't believe anyone
changed into a taur simply because they never thought to try
it. If it hadn't been for Varnal and that fetish he used on
me I would have never thought of it myself."
"Interesting idea," Cutter commented. "We knew so little
about the curse and the magic involved with it."
"It's really not very hard to do. I even taught Matthias how
to change," Misha paused for a moment. "I could easily teach
you."
"No," Cutter responded quickly.
The scout didn't respond for a moment but simply starred at
his companion trying to understand what was going though his
mind. The librarian and answered quickly, perhaps a bit too
quickly. "No hurry a taur form can be scary to many. I know
I've scared quite a few people with it. I think you've
walked far enough for today. How about you hop on and I'll
give you a ride?"
"Ride you?" The Librarian said, sounds truly shocked. "I am
capable of walking."
"Why walk when you can ride," Misha said and grabbed the
librarian by the arm.
"I am not some child you can just give orders to," he said
resisting the foxtaur's pull.
"Get on!" Misha ordered.
"Why should I?" Cutter asked in a cast iron tone.
"First," Misha answered. "You'll enjoy the trip. Second it
will show you that being a taur isn't so bad. And third," he
said using his height advantage to tower over his companion.
"I'm bigger then you are. So get on!"
Stunned Cutter simply leaned against the taur's body and
draped himself over Misha's broad back. A few moments of
flailing his limbs around and the librarian managed to get
seated upright on Misha's back.
For Misha it felt odd to have a person on his back but he
didn't mind. Anything beat a long, slow walk. "Hold on Fox,"
he said to his passenger.
Cutter gingerly wrapped both arms around Misha's torso, like
he was afraid of hurting him if pressed to hard.
"Hang on Cutter. I'm going to show you exactly what this
body can do!"
**********
End part 1
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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3D3 FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=
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<BR>
Been too long since ther has been a taur story so Foxeris and I have rectifi=
ed that. Hope you enjoy and feel free to send comments and suggestions to us=
both!<BR>
<BR>
Chris & Foxeris<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
******************<BR>
<BR>
This is set a few days after my Counterstrike story in January.=
It is only a few weeks since Winter Assault happened. &nbs=
p; &n=
bsp; <BR>
<BR>
<BR>
&nbs=
p; Metamor Keep<=
BR>
&nbs=
p; Four Times the Charm<BR>
<BR>
&nbs=
p; &n=
bsp; By:<BR>
<BR>
&nbs=
p; Christian O'Kane<BR>
&nbs=
p; And Fox Cutter<BR>
<BR>
For Misha it was good to be back at the Keep and among<BR>
friends and family. The fox had been away far too long. He<BR>
was tired and his whole body seemed to ache. His side hurt<BR>
where he had broken two of his ribs and the wound on his<BR>
face hurt every time he moved his jaw. At this point in time<BR>
he was happy to just be alive. He should be helping to<BR>
repair the damage or helping to train troops but he was just<BR>
too worn out to work up any enthusiasm. He needed to just<BR>
relax and recuperate so he decided to do research on the<BR>
Giantdowns and loose himself in some books. Let his mind and<BR>
body heal.<BR>
<BR>
Moving past the rows of books and scrolls the fox headed<BR>
towards the desk of Cutter the Head Librarian. Misha was<BR>
glad that the library seemed to have survived intact when so<BR>
much else had been destroyed.<BR>
<BR>
He wondered how the fox was doing. Misha knew that the<BR>
librarian had killed three assassins set on killing the Duke<BR>
but had been badly wounded in the fight. The fact that the<BR>
calm and friendly librarian had killed three highly trained<BR>
assassins so easily hadn't surprised Misha. He had always<BR>
suspected that there was more to him then met the eye.<BR>
Everyone at Metamor seemed to have some deep, dark secret.<BR>
The place seemed to grow them naturally.<BR>
<BR>
The scout found Cutter seated behind his desk his head<BR>
resting in his folded arms upon the dark wood of the desk.<BR>
His right leg was bent under the chair but his left one was<BR>
stretched out straight in front of him. His whole body<BR>
sagged listlessly. For a moment Misha thought that he was<BR>
looking the corpse of someone killed in the recent attack. A<BR>
body that had lain undiscovered till now. Then he saw an ear<BR>
twitch and a hand came up and scratch it. Then the limb<BR>
returned to it's resting place.<BR>
<BR>
"Cutter?" Misha asked softly.<BR>
<BR>
The librarian sat bolt upright in the chair and stared at<BR>
Misha, blinking and rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Misha.<BR>
I didn't hear you come in."<BR>
<BR>
"Sorry to bother you," Misha apologized as he moved closer.<BR>
"I'll come back later if you're too tired."<BR>
<BR>
"Not tired," came the weary reply. "Just worn out. Can I<BR>
help you with something?"<BR>
<BR>
"I'm looking for a few books on the Giantdowns. Particularly<BR>
Dark Keep and the area around it. I can come back later."<BR>
<BR>
"No need," Cutter answered in a sad tone so unlike his usual<BR>
cheerful one. "I don't have anything else to do or think<BR>
about." He stood up in a slow almost listless manner and<BR>
took hold of something that leaned against the desk. It was<BR>
cane made of dark mahogany wood and topped by a handle of<BR>
pure silver.<BR>
<BR>
Leaning heavily on the cane Cutter moved slowly from around<BR>
the desk and limped off down a row of book shelves. Misha<BR>
followed close behind. The librarian moved with a slowness<BR>
that the scout found painful to watch. It took a long time<BR>
to move from the desk and through the stacks of books. A<BR>
time that passed in total silence, the only noise being the<BR>
slow, steady tap of the cane touching the floor.<BR>
<BR>
Finally unable to withstand the monotonous silence Misha<BR>
tried to fill it with conversation. "How are you doing?"<BR>
<BR>
"I'm alive," came the listless answer.<BR>
<BR>
Was there much to cleanup here in the library? Any damage?"<BR>
<BR>
"None."<BR>
<BR>
"I heard you saved the Dukes life by killing three<BR>
assassins. A great deed."<BR>
<BR>
The librarian stopped dead in his tracks. Turned and looked<BR>
at Misha with eyes that seemed full of all the worlds pain.<BR>
"All I did was murder three people."<BR>
<BR>
Misha started to say something but the pain in those eyes<BR>
stopped him. "A lot of good people died in that bloody<BR>
battle."<BR>
<BR>
Cutter slowly turned around returned to walking. The rest of<BR>
the journey was made in silence. A silence that Misha made<BR>
no attempt to fill.<BR>
<BR>
* * *<BR>
<BR>
Misha dropped the three books on the table with a soft thump<BR>
and sat down beside them.<BR>
<BR>
"Those should help you," Cutter said in a bland tone as he<BR>
headed towards his desk.<BR>
<BR>
The scout looked at the books for a moment and made a<BR>
decision. He couldn't leave the vulpine alone, not in the<BR>
mental state he was in now. "Cutter," Misha said without<BR>
looking up from the books.<BR>
<BR>
The librarian stopped but didn't turn around, just stood as<BR>
still as a grave.<BR>
<BR>
"I guess you've heard that Long House got hit pretty hard,"<BR>
Misha said.<BR>
<BR>
"The whole keep has suffered."<BR>
<BR>
"I know but the physical damage is nothing compared to the<BR>
disorganization. The keep fixed the damaged stone and would<BR>
but left we're left reorganizing things and putting them<BR>
back in their proper places. We could use the help of<BR>
someone used to keeping things organized, like you."<BR>
<BR>
"I'll have Merlia help you," Cutter responded without<BR>
missing a beat or looking at Misha. "She's the best<BR>
Librarian at the Keep."<BR>
<BR>
"YOU," Misha countered. "Are the best. We could really use<BR>
your help."<BR>
<BR>
Cutter resumed walking and didn't answer except for the tap,<BR>
tap of his cane.<BR>
<BR>
"In cleaning up we've found several new rooms," the scout<BR>
commented. "One is a library."<BR>
<BR>
Cutter paused for a moment then started walking again. "I<BR>
know about the small library you have there. Just the basics<BR>
you can find in most cheap book markets."<BR>
<BR>
"No," Misha replied, ignoring the implied insult to Long<BR>
house. "This is different. I found a copy of Ternat's<BR>
Articulam, complete and in fine condition."<BR>
<BR>
The librarian stopped and turned his head to look at Misha.<BR>
The eyes that looked at him seemed to burn right through his<BR>
skull. For a moment the pain was gone replaced by eagerness.<BR>
Then the pain returned and he looked away.<BR>
<BR>
"It's the truth," Misha said answering Cutter's unasked<BR>
question. He didn't mention that he had actually found<BR>
Ternat's book several months ago in a basement storeroom and<BR>
had simply forgotten to tell him.<BR>
<BR>
"I really need your help in sorting through all of those<BR>
books. Some of them could be a lot more dangerous," the fox<BR>
said. "Plus we have all sorts of stuff laying around in<BR>
various store rooms. Some of it I believes dates back to<BR>
when the elves lived here."<BR>
<BR>
The librarians eyes widened noticeably. "Well. I could spare<BR>
a few minutes of time to look things over."<BR>
<BR>
Misha relaxed. Delighted to have succeeded. "How about we<BR>
head off now? Do you need anything before we leave?"<BR>
<BR>
"Actually," Cutter stuttered. "I was thinking that perhaps<BR>
sometime later this week."<BR>
<BR>
Misha stood up and tucking the books under his arm walked<BR>
quickly over to Cutter. "Nonsense. No time like the present.<BR>
Besides things are dead..." he paused. "Quiet here." He put<BR>
his free arm around the Librarians right arm and slowly<BR>
pulled him towards the door. Reluctantly Cutter let himself<BR>
be pulled along.<BR>
<BR>
As the two headed for the door a sudden thought occurred to<BR>
Misha. "Kyia," the fox thought silently. "I've never asked<BR>
for anything before but this is very important. Please give<BR>
me a small room of books. Doesn't have to be anything<BR>
exciting, just enough to keep his mind off of his pain.<BR>
Please!" Cutter heard nothing of the scouts silent wish.<BR>
Misha just hoped that the Keep had.<BR>
<BR>
* * *<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
The tap of Cutters cane as it struck the stone floor was the<BR>
only sound to be heard as the two slowly made their way down<BR>
the corridor. For Misha the walk had turned into an<BR>
endurance test. The librarian with him walked at an<BR>
agonizingly slow pace and offered nothing in way of<BR>
conversation. Worse still Kyia seemed to conspire to keep<BR>
all other living beings away from them leaving the two to a<BR>
long, slow, silent walk.<BR>
<BR>
Finally, unable to stand it Misha started a conversation.<BR>
"How is the leg doing?" he asked. "Is the wound healing?"<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"It has healed all that it will," came the clipped answer.<BR>
<BR>
"They couldn't heal the damage?"<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"No."<BR>
<BR>
Misha didn't speak for a moment, trying to decide what to<BR>
say.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"Raven and her Lightbringers can heal you if you are willing<BR>
to pay their steep price. A very steep price but they would<BR>
heal you completely," The scout said calmly.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"Such healing would cost me my immortal soul."<BR>
<BR>
"Too high a price," Misha commented. "Are you a Follower? If<BR>
you don't mind me asking."<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"I follow the teachings of the Twins," Cutter answered<BR>
calmly.<BR>
<BR>
"I see," the scout replied. Misha had heard of the religion<BR>
but knew next to nothing about it. "I must confess that I<BR>
know little about the religion."<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"I just had an interesting thought," Misha commented, giving<BR>
up on getting any information from Cutter about religion.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"Oh?"<BR>
<BR>
"Walking would be a lot easier with four legs instead of<BR>
just two," the scout commented.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"You mean like my animal form?"<BR>
<BR>
"Yes. With four legs you would be able to walk again at a<BR>
good pace and I bet it wouldn't be as painful."<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"True, but an animal has no arms. And I can hardly carry<BR>
books in my mouth."<BR>
<BR>
"Good point," Misha answered. "It would leave too many teeth<BR>
marks."<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
Tap.<BR>
<BR>
"I would need a form with four legs and arms. No form like<BR>
that exists outside of myth."<BR>
<BR>
"Oh?" the scout answered. "I wouldn't say that." He had the<BR>
perfect counter to that last statement. Misha stopped and<BR>
took off his pants. With a flick of the hand he threw them<BR>
in front of the librarian.<BR>
<BR>
Cutter stopped and looked at the pants laying on the floor<BR>
then at Misha with a confused look plain to see. That soon<BR>
changed to surprise. The scout could easily understand why,<BR>
it wasn't every day that someone like Cutter would get to<BR>
see a foxtaur.<BR>
<BR>
>From the waist up Misha looked the same as always. He had<BR>
the same red fox, morph head, neck, shoulders, arms and<BR>
trunk. Below the waist he had the body of a large, pony<BR>
sized vulpine. Aside from the size, it was the body of a<BR>
male red fox, complete with four legs and long bushy tail.<BR>
<BR>
"There is a way around every problem," Misha commented,<BR>
happy to have prompted a response from the Librarian.<BR>
<BR>
"What are you and how did you accomplish that? Shape<BR>
changing is impossible without powerful magic to circumvent<BR>
the curse."<BR>
<BR>
"I'm a foxtaur," he responded. "And I didn't circumvent the<BR>
curse to change. The magic I used WAS the curse."<BR>
<BR>
"How?"<BR>
<BR>
"Every keeper can change from a full animal form to a human<BR>
like one," Misha explained. "A taur form is sort of in<BR>
between. I think everyone can do it. It's just a matter of<BR>
thinking along different lines. I don't believe anyone<BR>
changed into a taur simply because they never thought to try<BR>
it. If it hadn't been for Varnal and that fetish he used on<BR>
me I would have never thought of it myself."<BR>
<BR>
"Interesting idea," Cutter commented. "We knew so little<BR>
about the curse and the magic involved with it."<BR>
<BR>
"It's really not very hard to do. I even taught Matthias how<BR>
to change," Misha paused for a moment. "I could easily teach<BR>
you."<BR>
<BR>
"No," Cutter responded quickly.<BR>
<BR>
The scout didn't respond for a moment but simply starred at<BR>
his companion trying to understand what was going though his<BR>
mind. The librarian and answered quickly, perhaps a bit too<BR>
quickly. "No hurry a taur form can be scary to many. I know<BR>
I've scared quite a few people with it. I think you've<BR>
walked far enough for today. How about you hop on and I'll<BR>
give you a ride?"<BR>
<BR>
"Ride you?" The Librarian said, sounds truly shocked. "I am<BR>
capable of walking."<BR>
<BR>
"Why walk when you can ride," Misha said and grabbed the<BR>
librarian by the arm.<BR>
<BR>
"I am not some child you can just give orders to," he said<BR>
resisting the foxtaur's pull.<BR>
<BR>
"Get on!" Misha ordered.<BR>
<BR>
"Why should I?" Cutter asked in a cast iron tone.<BR>
<BR>
"First," Misha answered. "You'll enjoy the trip. Second it<BR>
will show you that being a taur isn't so bad. And third," he<BR>
said using his height advantage to tower over his companion.<BR>
"I'm bigger then you are. So get on!"<BR>
<BR>
Stunned Cutter simply leaned against the taur's body and<BR>
draped himself over Misha's broad back. A few moments of<BR>
flailing his limbs around and the librarian managed to get<BR>
seated upright on Misha's back.<BR>
<BR>
For Misha it felt odd to have a person on his back but he<BR>
didn't mind. Anything beat a long, slow walk. "Hold on Fox,"<BR>
he said to his passenger.<BR>
<BR>
Cutter gingerly wrapped both arms around Misha's torso, like<BR>
he was afraid of hurting him if pressed to hard.<BR>
<BR>
"Hang on Cutter. I'm going to show you exactly what this<BR>
body can do!"<BR>
<BR>
**********<BR>
End part 1</FONT></HTML>
--part1_150.1c045e4d.2b87060b_boundary--
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