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Rift (Part 7)

I turned on the spot once Rilen told me he was done, and twisted as far back as I could go to see the tail he had given me. It hung there out of a button loop that was part of the illusion. It was as fluffy as his with a black tip. The member twitched and flicked of its own accord. I found myself longing that for just a few moments, I could be allowed to feel it as if it were real. Rilen smiled a broad, fang-filled smile. He looked ready to bust into fits of giggles, but he didn't.

"You certainly look fit as a fox..." He looked me up and down. I was feeling rather self-conscious at this point. I made to touch my face again, but remembered he told me I can't do that. The thought briefly struck me that I may want to itch my real nose at some point.

"Umm... well you'd know best, wouldn't you?" Rilen's smile did not fade. He seemed to be enjoying this a great deal. I grew thankful in that moment to have my face concealed; because I think I was blushing.

"Give me a turn. Go on." He spun his index claw around in a little circle, crossing his arms matter-of-factly afterwards. I felt very silly as my boots crunched on the dry forest floor. I spread my arms out and gave a twirl with as much sarcasm as I could muster.

"You're ridiculous." I grunted, not amused.

"Heh heh...Very well then. Let's make our entrance. Oh!" Rilen seemed to have forgotten something else.

"What?"

"I haven't given you a story have I? How should I expect you to know what a plausible story is and isn't being from... wherever humans come from?"

"Earth." I stated.

"Oh?" I affirmed it with a grunt. "Alright... well, truth be told, I haven't been thinking too long about your story, but hear me out... You are a mercenary, a bounty hunter of sorts. We met when you saved my life from those House Khandar soldiers. Together we fought valiantly, and you showed impressive skill your blade..." He gestured to my Tech-blade across my back. "And your formidable power as a war-mage." I put my hands up in defense.

"Oh, no no no." I shook my head from side to side, seeing the orange furred muzzle follow. "No, that's not going to work. I can't go around pretending I can... do magic things..."

"Why not?" Rilen inquired.

"Because I can't. How am I supposed to keep that façade up?" Rilen sighed.

"Look... I know it's an awful risk... and from what I've seen of you, I'm guessing all your magic riles on your weapons to channel, am I correct?" I was about to argue, but I found no point, so I simply nodded. "Ah, that's what I thought... so, obviously we can't let anyone see those, but... we can just say... well let's face it. We wouldn't have had a chance against those men if it weren't for my magic, and mostly your piercing wand. What risk do you want to take? The impossibility of you defeating an armored magic division Khandar squad with your sword arm alone, or lie about your ability to use magic without human weapons? Because I must report the attack to my father. It's one way or the other I'm afraid." After folding my arms in thought, I answered.

"Magic sounds fine to me... Ugh..." I clasped the top of my head, wanting to bury my face in my hands, but again restrained by the apparently fragile illusion. "What am I doing?" I found myself in a momentary lapse of hope, gauging the improbability of it all. Taking a deep breath, I attempted to pull myself back together. "Ohhhkay. What's the rest of my story?"

"We talked after that and you decided to travel with me to the capital and look for work there. You are originally from the city of Arkia, north of here. I thought I'd keep your name simple, and use your house name. I'll call you Ritter. It's not so outlandish really. You have a shady past you don't like to talk about. Convenient eh? If pressed, make something up about illegal trade of Musk to house Lornia." Before I could inquire as to what this Musk was, he answered. "Oh, and Musk is... well it's an alchemical concoction that's illegal outside house Escovir."

"Ah... a drug?" It recalled the memories of the many drugs that cycled through the streets of Lakia.

"I am not familiar with this term... Drug?" I thought for a moment on how to best put it, again feeling like the corrupted one.

"As you said, a substance with properties that people use." He nodded.

"Right. Well that's about all I have for you. I'm sure you can fill in some details, and I'll be right by your side every step of the way if I can. Should I become too distant from the spell, or a go unconscious, it will dissipate." As he said this, he moved off though the ferns closer to the walls of the city.

"Wait... You're going to have to sleep at some point, right? Wont the spell go off then?" He turned his muzzle to me.

"Go off? You mean dissipate. Heh, I would think humans would know that... or perhaps your knowledge goes so far beyond ours we can't understand... In any case, yes, the spell with "Go off." once I sleep. That's why we are going to have to stick close together."

"You mean..?" I was still so ignorant of this world, but it sounded like he was suggesting I sleep with him.

"I will have you stay with me tonight. By then, I should have something arranged to take care of you. If not... well... We'll see what our abilities are at the time." He started off toward the city. I was left standing in the ferns, pondering exactly how I would conduct myself once inside. Shaking my head to clear it, seeing the muzzle follow, I jogged to catch up with Rilen.

Once closer and with fewer obstructions, I could see the walls more clearly. We came upon their base and began our trek along their perimeter to the right. My gaze turned upward to inspect it. They were built of stone, but not with small rocks fitted together with mortar like I had seen in pictures. They consisted of huge blocks of off white stone stacked on top of one another. Each one was twice as tall as a person, and just as wide, and they formed a sheer, flat plane, rising up to what I guessed was a hundred feet. At the top, towers of a similar stone where formed with smaller blocks. I thought I saw movement in the shadows of one of them, but it was so high up, I couldn't be sure.

The expanse of the cleared land truly struck me once we rounded the corner to the left. A vast plain of grassland stretched on for as far as I could see. Mountains rose up in front of us in the distance. More fields and pastures could be seen on the hills. Closer to us, small wooden buildings lined a main dirt road. Carts and more of those lizard creatures moved along it. The calls and barks of foxes filled the air. Looking further left, the main entrance of the city stood tall, with a great iron... I pointed at the entrance.

"What do you call that?" Rilen almost stopped dead, and regarded me like I had said something incriminating.

"That's... a portcullis... It lets the guard allow certain people into the city, and keep out others... that is its function. I had thought you would know at least a few simple things from the books you mentioned... didn't you read books in your world? Earth was it?" We approached the road slowly, the stables and stalls filled more and more of my senses. Yips and the smell of those lizards carried over the small distance easily.

"Yes, I did read books, and they did speak of some of these things. I'm a bit shaky though. It's ancient stuff... You're lucky it was me who dropped from the rift." Rilen put a claw to the tip of his muzzle.

"Shh... from here on, you are Ritter of Arkia..." He stepped forward, waving a paw in a grand gesture across the road ahead. "Welcome to Clarius."

My breath became heavy as we neared the throngs of foxes. I could smell them: a musty, unwashed, animal scent.

"Look there!" One barked over the others, pointing at us. I nearly cringed.

"It's Prince Rilen! He's returned!" The foxes, all in plain brown or white cloth tunics and draw-string shirts and trousers, moved aside to let us pass. The street became nearly silent save for indecipherable murmurs.

We approached the gate. The blocks of the wall supported a rectangular opening filled by a lattice of spiked iron. I looked up to see armored foxes casting their gaze down to us. Two more guards stood in front of us. They each carried long swords at their hips, and crossbows at their backs.

"Ah, my Prince." One addressed Rilen. "You seem to fare well. Your father will not be pleased to hear of your absence..." The fox's brown eyes fell upon me though the holes of his half-helm. I struggled to maintain my outward façade of confidence, shifting my stance to straighten myself. "And who is this you bring with you?"

"He is a companion I happened upon in my excursion." Rilen answered. "Without his help, I might not have survived an attack made by House Khandar soldiers." The guard's furred jaw dropped, revealing his long tongue and rows of fangs.

"Gods..." The other said, looking me up and down. "Well... the king must be made aware of this at once. Go straight to him, my lord. I urge you. Your friend should accompany you and give his report. Do you wish us to escort you, sir?" Rilen strode forward with a bit more poise than I had come to expect from him.

"No." He stated in a plain, yet subtlety piercing tone. "We will make our way there." The guards parted for us and I moved to walk beside Rilen under the shade of the gatehouse. He whispered to me once we were some distance from the guards. "Just keep with me and speak when spoken to only. I'll get you to a safe place." I gave a nod.

We walked through the city of Clarius. The buildings here where made of stone as well; most of a greyer hue than the walls outside. The street was made of flagstone slabs and foxes walked about, carrying baskets of fruit and vegetables. Some bore weapons. Some wore more expensive looking clothing and walked at a brisk pace from one building to another. This street was at a slight incline, rising up towards a grand structure. I assumed this was the palace in which Rilen and his father lived. Foxes would stop and call out a greeting to Rilen now and again. I simply gazed about in wonderment. There was a slight pull at my chest; a feeling. I judged it to be a combination of the illusion, making me appear to be a fox, and being accepted into this city. It was akin to guilt, but also to a vague sense of nostalgia. I certainly didn't mind being disguised like this, as a few moments without the illusion, and I would expect to be stoned to death.

Our trek up this street brought us into a series of more open areas. Grass, gardens, and fountains filled the space between larger buildings and the street. A family of foxes where playing a game with rackets that was not unlike badminton in one such yard as we passed by. They stopped their game to wave to Rilen. He returned the wave, almost to say: "Carry on". I looked away from them and back up to the palace. It was indeed a grand structure. It had three towers and a main building at the center that looked like pictures I had seen of ancient cathedrals. It had a polished look about it, like it was fashioned of marble rather than granite or a plain grey stone.

As we approached, the size of the palace struck me; the doors themselves where three times as tall as I was. A foxes head was carved into the door. Its snout had a distinct point to it. I wondered if it was a stylized art form of some great leader. A guard stood at either side of this entry way. These foxes wore heavier, darker armor than the ones at the front gate, and halberds where clutched in their metal clade paws. It was a little hard to take them seriously from my point of view, as their tails stuck out of their armor, hanging behind them in a bushy orange stream. At least they seemed well combed.

"Sir!" They snapped up to attention as Rilen drew close. It reminded me of the inhuman discipline the Enforcers practiced. The two guards opened the door for us, pulling on it with a good deal of effort by metal rings at chest level. I noticed the breeze rolling across us to my left as we waited. I took a breath of it in, and noticed my fox snout move to sniff it. The illusion was good.

"Thank you, soldiers. Carry on." Rilen stated, almost bored. His face showed little emotion now.

The interior took my breath away, and I was again impressed with Rilen's illusion as my fox jaw opened. The entire place, the walls, floor and ceiling, where made of solid white marble with silver and grey flecks mixed in like a solid stone soup. The entrance hall had gold plating on the floor in square and diamond patterns. Columns rose up to the ceiling, topped with statues of what looked like canine gargoyles with leathery wings and fearsome snouts, snarling. A grand staircase lead up, then out to the left and right. There were four doors, two on each side on the ground floor, made of dark wood, leading further into the interior. Rilen didn't slow. He strode right for the staircase, leaving me behind to gawk. He was half way up the first section of stairs when I finally decided to follow, breaking into an awkward jog. I caught up to him on the steps, seeing his green cloak drape behind him, the tip of his tail poking out from behind it.

"I'm going to have to ask you to accompany me to see my father. You must be there to validate my story, and give your own report. I apologize. Just do the best you can." Rilen's voice echoed off the walls, rattling about in the vaulted ceiling.

"I'll try...Whatever you need me to do..." I was not confident. My boots felt a tad heavy now, especially after our long travels. My feeling of alienation only got worse being in this stately place. Golden vases and large, long mirrors lined the walls in the corridor we came upon after the stairs. I looked in one mirror to see myself, unable to help myself. I saw a fox wearing my own leather suit looking back at me with amber brown eyes. Its tail swished back and forth as it walked, much as Rilen's did behind him. The light of the chandeliers dappled the glass. I saw Rilen look back at me though the reflection. He smiled.

"Don't get too vain. I can't do this for you all the time." I stopped looking and returned my gaze to the corridor in front of me. The carpet was a deep red, a stark contrast to the white and gold everywhere. I felt odd walking on it with my boots, but Rilen didn't seem to care.

Soon we approached a large double door with ornate golden handles set to look like leaves. Another guard stood to one side in the same heavy, dark armor. He did not bear a halberd however, but a long sword.

"Sir!" This one also came to attention as Rilen neared. He opened the door for us. "Your father will be waiting for you, my lord." He spoke in a deeper voice than I was used to hearing from the foxes.

"Humph." Was Rilen's only reply.

We walked though into a grand throne room of sorts. Red banners embroidered with golden swords and stalks of wheat hung from columns running down the length of the long room. The rectangular shape of the room ended in a curved marble wall, adorned with many smaller columns and relief carvings of foxes in battle. In front of this sat the throne. I half expected it to be made of solid gold at this point, but it was simple marble carved right out of the floor. An elderly fox sat upon it, although age was a trait I was just learning to pick up on in their form. The stark contrast between Rilen's youthful, bright fur and toned muscles helped me to see the washed out orange and fading black of the fox king that sat on the throne. The king wore robes of the deepest red. Belts of gold set with sapphire and topaz ran around his middle, and even up across his shoulders. He wore a crown that went over his ears, not behind them (as I was curious to note). It too was gold and set with gems as his belts where, but it wasn't as heavy looking a crown as I had expected: a simple filigreed band with spikes going around the top pointing straight up.

My gaze eventually shifted from the king to my surroundings. There where at least ten more guards in this room, all in full plate, wearing long red capes. They lined the edges of the red carpet, each carrying a halberd. I barely noticed at first, but I could not see their ears or tails although their helm's allowed room for their muzzles. Rilen paid them no mind, but approached the throne without breaking his stride.

"My boy!" The king called, his voice echoing through the halls. "You left town again without an escort, did you not?" We stopped but a few feet from the throne. I couldn't fathom what to do with myself, so I simply stood as still as possible.

"I did. You didn't have to set up an audience for me on my return..." He said, looking around him.

"I was in audience already, do not concern yourself with me." The old fox said, waving a paw to dismiss his comment. "Who is this common fox with you? What strange armor he wears..." The king's paw gestured to me. "You man, speak up, what is your name?" I was stunned to be addressed so quickly, but a look from Rilen told me I had to say something. My mind flew back to the role I was supposed to be playing.

"I am Ritter of Arkia, good king." I bowed, looking at my muzzle dipping to the floor. I followed it back up to meet the king's eyes. "I had the good fortune to run into your son on my way to this fine city." This piqued the king's interest.

"Oh? And what is a wanderer from Lornia doing here, if I might ask? You're strange garb and your weapon states you are more than a simple peasant."

"Ah..."Think of something... "You have guessed it well enough. I am but a wanderer. A mercenary of sorts, sir." I winced internally. Were mercenaries even allowed in the palace? I suppose I will see soon enough. Rilen spoke up.

"That's correct, father. However, he is no common sell-sword. He saved my life in fact." The king sat up in his throne.

"Hm? How is this so?" Rilen continued.

"I was making my return from the woods beyond Westfarms." The king made a low growl, but allowed Rilen to continue. "When I was beset upon by none other than Jeal of House Khandar."

"What! What was he doing there? Page!" The king called that last word behind him, and a young fox trotted up to the throne dressed in colorful court finery.

"My king?" The page bowed.

"Fetch the councilmen. They must hear what my son has to say."

"Your will..." The page scampered off into a room behind the throne though a heavy wooden door.

"Please wait while the councilmen assemble." The king said in a dry tone. Rilen spoke again.

"Can't you relay this to them later?" I remained silent, glad to be forgotten for the moment.

"No. If this is true, it is a matter of national importance." Rilen folded his arms and turned to me with an annoyed expression.

"We must wait then." I nodded. He looked me up and down, maintaining his furrowed brow. I tried to act disinterested, aloof. I folded my own arms and shifted my weight onto my right leg, resisting the urge to draw circles in the velvet carpet with the toe of my left boot. What was I to do under such scrutiny? The Council? My mind flew back to the Council back on Earth: the faceless corporation that controlled the government, ruling from on high. This council could not be similar. Even so, I had little to compare it to other than absolute authority backed up with insidious technology and violence. I would soon see just how different our worlds where.

After what must have been several minutes, the door behind the throne opened once more.