Feyrahl, FurAffinity Edition

So it Begins, Ch 0.4

Kenzie followed after Victor through the many halls of the large keep. He moved with as much speed as before, only glancing occasionally behind toward her, presumably to make sure that she was keeping up and/or didn't get lost.  Ultimately they arrived at a finely-crafted large, wooden double-door covered in carvings depicting animal people standing amidst a grassy field with a large castle (presumably the one in which she found herself) in the background. On the left stood a thin-looking red-furred Wolf and to the right was a slightly paunchy Black Bear. The moment Victor approached, they both snapped to attention, slamming their gloved paws against their chest-plates in a one-two smack.

Victor offered a return gesture before motioning back to Kenzie. She heard her name included in the statement and she saw two sets of eyes look her up and down until they struck their chests once while facing her, adding in a loudly spoken "Roona!"

After that the Raccoon turned back to look at her. He brushed her shoulder, gave a gentle tug at her blouse, and ruffled her hair slightly with one of his paws; she felt like she was being fussed over, which was even less comfortable since she was on guard against him touching her in any inappropriate ways-- eventually she had to shoe him away and, before he could compose herself, stepped forward; she was earnestly surprised when the guards opened the door for her, allowing the Human woman entry.

The enormous room beyond was as grandiose as anything she'd ever seen. Kenzie slowly entered, eyes meandering around the numerous banners hanging from the ceilings, tapestries hung on the numerous decorative columns (or perhaps load-bearing-- she was no engineer), and the various finely polished, lengthy hardwood tables that framed the room with no less than a dozen seats each to them; the tables were conspicuously empty, however. The gigantic room could easily have accommodated five or six dozen but it was surprisingly empty, save a few people seated and standing at the far end. The room naturally drew her attention that way regardless, as there was a raised dais upon which sat two thrones; each was occupied by a Bat.

She strode briskly toward them, not so fast as to be at a run, mindful of the many animal men in the room with weapons; fortunately none of them seemed overtly hostile, but she remained careful regardless, stopping a good distance from the thrones before pausing, taking in what she was seeing. The slightly smaller throne to the left was occupied by a creamy, brown-furred Bat with hazel eyes adorned by an opulent dress; the larger throne to the right had a Bat of comparable size (looking smaller due to the larger seat) adorned in courtly regalia-- a robe and cloak of fine make adorned in gemstones, and a crown that appeared to be two sizes too large for his petite build.

Realizing she didn't have much time before she lost her nerve, Kenzie offered what she hoped wasn't too stiff a bow before stating "Greetings, your Royal Highnesses."

The male looked immediately confused, glancing to the female to speak quietly but the female responded with a few brief words, her muzzle wearing what almost looked like a bemused expression. The female snapped her fingers, calling to a shadowy figure lurking behind the two thrones. The hidden shape emerged, very nearly making Kenzie step back; looming over the two Bats was what looked like a Lion man except two large, leathery wings were wrapped around his shoulders as if they were a cloak, and a large, scorpion-like tail swayed behind him. The creature struck his chest lightly with a closed paw twice. "I am at your beck and call, my Empress."

The voice was identical to the one Kenzie had recalled hearing while she was in the art room with Victor, and she spoke before she realized the words came out. "You speak English!"

Glancing her way, the strange amalgamation of Lion-plus-other-creatures offered a warm smile, even offering a wink; it landed far differently than one of Victor's... perhaps because of the man's eerily pupil-less, glowing red eyes. The Empress turned to the man and, after the Bat woman spoke, Kenzie heard that one of the words sounded like a name: Gregor.

Gregor bowed his head. "She believes that I speak her language, your Imperial Majesty. It is evident that she must be an other-worlder, and, as was reported by Ranger Silas, she saved the life of one of your subjects."

Kenzie went to speak again, but Victor stepped up beside her, moving a finger in front of his muzzle and shaking his head pointedly; she resolved to at least listen to his guidance in a court setting since she had little to no experience in proper etiquette when dealing with royalty. The Empress took a few moments to speak to Gregor, and so did the Emperor. Both then turned to look at Kenzie.  

Gregor's smoothly baritone rumbled with cordial welcome; the Human woman was almost certain that he spoke with an Italian accent, but she was VERY sure that she was not in Italy. "No... I do not believe she has the knowledge of the finer points of courtly behavior..." at which point he turned to her. "My Lady..." he placed his paw on his sternum, palm up, and offered a short, genteel bow at the hip, "Presumably you do not have a page, and, if that is the case, it is customary to introduce yourself to the ruling Emperor and Empress of the Feyrahlian Empire when you are presented at court."

Kenzie felt a blush come to her cheeks, but she powered through, maintaining the 'power stance' she perfected for dealing with the owners of patients brought into the vet clinic she would one day have, and, maintaining an even, professional tone, did exactly as the creature suggested. "My name is McKenzie Fuller. It is a pleasure to meet you."

Gregor turned to the Emperor and Empress and spoke quite a few words, including her name, preceded by 'Roona', as she had come to expect. The Empress then turned to the Emperor and rested a paw on his arm; Kenzie noticed, despite the fullness of the dress, that the 'arms' were, in fact, wings, as she had membranes trailing from her wrist and up into the clothing. The Emperor looked back to Gregor and nodded, saying a few brief words; unless the Human woman was mistaken, he looked uncomfortable, bored, or disquieted... perhaps all three.

Gregor didn't provide her a chance to further contemplate as he spoke. "Emperor Baldwin Augustus Nightwing, first of his name, and Empress Hilda Seacrier-Nightwing bid you greetings, and welcome you to their domain, the great Feyrahlian Empire. His Imperial Majesty has also bid me to introduce those retainers present."

As the dark-furred, glowing-red-eyed Lion-like creature turned to regard the few other animal folks present, Kenzie saw Silas slip into the room through a back door behind and to the side of the thrones. Gregor introduced Victor first, identifying him as a Commander of the Feyrahlian military; Kenzie was flabbergasted, finding it hard to believe that such a flippantly casual man could be someone so important. Still standing beside her, the Raccoon leaned over and murmured something in her ear; she couldn't understand it, but the suggestive tone was certainly sufficient to further reinforce her disbelief.

Stepping up just in time to be introduced, Gregor then motioned to the Fox, introducing him as Silas Longfield, one of the Emperor's Chief Rangers. The Fox offered a bow similar to the one Gregor had given Kenzie a few moments prior, also adding a courteous "Roona Fuller." to his courtly gesture.

Gregor then inclined his head. "My name, my Lady, is Gregor, and I have served the Feyrahlian Empire for many decades as the chief Mystic. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance, and it is my pleasure to serve both as your ears and your voice today at court."

Once he had said his piece, Gregor then turned back to the Emperor and Empress, who had already started talking amongst themselves again. At some point, the two seemed to come to an agreement, at which point the Empress spoke to Gregor, gesturing to the pillar closest to the throne as she did so. Kenzie was surprised when an animal person emerged from behind it, wearing armour similar to the guards who were stationed outside the throne room; she recognized his species right away as a Ferret.

The Ferret was significantly smaller than the other guards Kenzie had seen-- he was, in fact, on par with Victor or, she realized, "Commander" Victor; that thought title still stunned her.  Once the Ferret was within eyesight Gregor nodded to him and then looked back to Kenzie. "The Empress has determined that you should have a bodyguard. To this end, with the Emperor's permission, you have been assigned one of his personal attendants; Cecil Blackguard will be your retainer while you are His Imperial Majesty's guest."

Kenzie glanced toward the Ferret, who immediately brought his gloved paw up to thump against his chest twice; she then looked back to Gregor, trying to hold onto her professional air. "Why... would I need a guard?"

She waited patiently as Gregor repeated her question word-for-word to the Emperor and Empress. The Emperor offered a short reply, at which point Gregor turned back and responded. "His Imperial Majesty is of the mind that you receive due respect as you saved the life of his military Commander. As it is possible that his endangerment may be related to possible antagonistic overtures of another state, he believes it prudent to see to it that you are protected. It is for your safety, you see."

That didn't do a good job of answering her question. "Safety? from what?"

Rather than forward her question to the Emperor, Gregor responded directly. "The Raccoon to your right, and Ranger Longfield were members of a 22 man envoy to the Eastern Islands as part of a routine diplomatic procedure. On their way back from the islands, their ship was attacked under the cover of a storm, and it sank-- the Commander and Ranger were the only survivors and, according to their report, you were responsible for resurrecting Commander Victor. There may be those out there... or perhaps even here in this--"

His statement was cut short by the Empress, who raised her hand and Gregor fell silent; Kenzie had to remember that, for whatever reason, the Mystic was able to be understood by both parties when he spoke. The Empress said a few calm, clear words, and gestured to Gregor, who continued.  "Despite the circumstances, the Emperor and Empress would be greatly dishonored, if they did not take suitable care of a guest for whom they have offered hospitality."

Kenzie blinked, repeating the last word. "Hospitality?"

Gregor inclined his head. "Correct. Due to your heroism in aiding the Commander, you are in the Emperor's favor, and the Empress has acknowledged that she admires your casual, no-nonsense approach to appearing before the court when it comes to matters of state. She does not know of many women of the court who would acknowledge the importance of a report over their own vanity. This is high praise from Her Imperial Majesty."

Kenzie didn't completely agree; to her, it almost sounded like a subtle backhanded compliment that she would probably expect from a frenemy, but she was also smart enough to actively avoid antagonizing someone of such a high station. "I did not understand the specifics, but the Commander made it clear to me that time was of the essence."

Gregor repeated her words for the Emperor and Empress; she heard Victor chuckle softly beside her, but he remained at attention. Off to the side, Silas spoke up, his calm, smooth voice both neutral and unspectacular amidst the other imposing tones, but it still somehow made her want to smile; she imagined that he probably didn't speak much and that meant people listened when he did. Her own musings ended when the Emperor said a few words to Gregor, who turned to Kenzie; she paid attention.

Raising his voice, the Mystic spoke as if he himself were making the decree. "The Emperor has decreed that Lady McKenzie Fuller is officially a guest of the Empire. All present are to show her due respect so as to bring honor upon the court."

It wasn't anywhere near what Kenzie had expected when she entered into the throne room but, then again, she realized, she hadn't really known WHAT to expect. On the plus side, she reasoned with herself, she wasn't being put to death or thrown in the dungeons. The young woman looked around at the numerous eyes on her, re-attesting her understanding of living to see another day with a half-hearted, under-her-breath "Yay."