After some time, Mi'Min calms down. She sniffs and wipes away her tears.

I ask, "Ready to go?" She weakly nods in response. "I'll be quick. It's way past your bedtime." Mi'Min giggles softly.

I lift her up and place her on my shoulders. The giggling transitions into a full-on laugh. A wind shield made out of force is constructed in front of her general form, and I start to run. The little beastfolk appears to enjoy the adrenaline-inducing experience, if her cheerful cheers are anything to go by.

When we exit the large park I dropped us into and enter the streets of Lohrin's capital city, my run slows down to a relaxed walk. Beastfolk architecture, and not only the one here, is quite similar to human architecture. Except that most residences are not so bunched up and almost always have some outdoor space, even this deep in the city. Just as in Harthes, the only vehicles inside the city are trams, these ones even quieter compared to the still relatively silent human variation of the transport. There are scarcely any apartment buildings, too. But commercial establishments don't suffer from the same restrictions, enjoying the advantages of being close to one another.

Surprisingly, none of the beastfolk we see give us a second glance. It's still early in the night, so we are just another two faces in the crowd. Not to mention, the overall mood does not leave much room for anything else. And a concealing projection makes sure of it.

Mi'Min starts telling me all she knows about her home. As she recognizes some of the structures around us, what is currently happening finally becomes completely real in her mind. And as Lohrin's royal palace comes into view, her anticipation threatens to explode. The palace in question is more of a big mansion in the center of the city. Though it is still well-protected.

We arrive at the main gate. The guards on duty do a few double takes and then stare at us with suspicion, bordering on anger.

"Delivery," I say. Mi'Min laughs on top of my shoulders.

One of the guards approaches us with extreme hesitancy. He extends a hand. I grasp it and receive a pulse of mana. His eyes widen. Mi'Min and I are very hastily escorted inside, with one of the beastfolk rushing ahead.

When we are a bit deeper in, I set Mi'Min down just as two distraught beastfolk burst through a door. Before she can even take a step forward, the man and woman blur next to her, embracing her in a hug. It's the little princess' turn to console her crying parents.

Sovereign Akt'Wovam looks up at me with tear-stricken eyes and says with a hitched voice, "P-Princess Khi'Na? How... You were—"

Mi'Min elucidates her father, "Big Sis got captured so she could rescue me!"

Akt'Wovam shakes his head in disbelief. "We need to—"

"You don't need to do anything." The unsaid part of my statement registers, and he returns his full attention to his daughter again.

After the emotional reunion, and after both beastfolk have thanked me more than profusely, we relocate to a private room.

I am sitting on a couch and the once again whole family is on another. While I am relaying the significantly altered events that brought us here, Mi'Min wanders over to me and climbs up on my lap. She starts nodding off, and soon, falls asleep. I hand her off to her mother, who carries her to bed.

"What happens now?" Akt'Wovam asks.

"Nothing much. Sha'Myr's already shaky alliance is done for. You can't show weakness if you want to rule."

Akt'Wovam nods and then waves his hand, conjuring a privacy barrier. "Why don't you tell me what really happened?" My expression does not change from neutral, simply studying his eyes. "You saved my daughter. I do not care what the truth is. If you want to slit my throat, I will happily kneel in front of you and hold my head high."

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"If anyone deserves to be Ruler, it's you. Too bad you aren't interested." My shell cycles from a general configuration, to my normal one, and then back to Khi.

Just when Akt'Wovam finally finds his words again, there is a knock at the door. Without waiting for a reply, it opens. A beastfolk motions forward, and an elf walks in. He joins us in the privacy barrier.

"Hello, Sovereign. Apologies for the late intrusion," Councilor Olindir greets a newly mute Akt'Wovam with a kind smile. "Lucius," he unnecessarily greets me too.

Akt'Wovam takes a deep breath and centers himself again. "Lucius? Is that your name?"

"Yes. It is a pleasure to meet you." With no more planned interruptions, I go back to my normal shell.

"The adventurer?" Akt'Wovam asks. I nod. "You had everything planned."

"Not everything."

His gaze shifts to the floor. Then it lifts up. "What do you require of me?"

Olindir answers for me, "I believe there's been a gentle misunderstanding. This is not a meeting of demands, but an introduction."

"Introduction..." Akt'Wovam says, pausing for a moment. "Where's Princess Khi'Na?"

The elf answers again, "In Harthes, and in the know. She is under the protection of Archmage Elisa of Deepgrove. Among other things."

Akt'Wovam moves his gaze back to me and starts to deliberate something. After a time of thought, he says, "I will be back in a moment. Nesh'Mer should be here."

He quickly exits the room, and just as quickly returns with his Consort. She smiles at me without a hint of doubt or any reservations. I guess Mi'Min falling asleep in my hold was convincing enough for her.

Olindir handles the summarized explanation of who I am, what I am after, and how we connected. The two already overwhelmed beastfolk are on the brink of total collapse, only the time spent at their current stations holds them together. But as pieces fit into place, they begin to relax, allowing themselves to once again feel some security in their home, letting some of the wrath mellow out.

When the councilor, with some input from myself, is finished, I snap two tablets into existence. "I would really like it if we could cooperate going forward," I say, motioning to the novel technology.

Akt'Wovam hesitates. "I apologize, Lucius, but I can't give you an answer right now." He appears frustrated with himself. "Even after everything you've done for us, we need to discuss this between ourselves, when our emotions have had time to settle. Cooperation has great ramifications."

He and Nesh'Mer wait for a reaction but receive only understanding smiles from me and Olindir. I wipe away their worries fully. "Entirely understandable. There is no pressure, nor a time limit. Everything you ask will be answered. And Councilor Olindir will be happy to stay. If you are comfortable with that, of course."

"Yes. We would be honored to welcome you," Akt'Wovam says to Olindir. "But it's still early. Why don't we go over the details of the surveillance and interference." Olindir nods in response, pulling out his own tablet and beginning to utilize a visual medium for additional clarity.

I stand up. "I'll let you statesmen practice your trade. There's one final stop waiting for me tonight." I turn to the two beastfolk. "Would you say goodbye to Mi'Min for me, please?"

Nesh'Mer furiously shakes her head. "Come with me." I forget how to move for a moment, not expecting this development at all.

As Nesh'Mer is dragging me away, I hurriedly bid my goodbyes with the sovereign and the councilor. Before we exit the room, my shell changes back to Khi.

En route to Mi'Min's bedroom, Nesh'Mer hushedly asks, "Should we tell her?"

"I... I do not know. She's too young, but... what could she say that would cause anyone to believe her? And she's a smart girl."

Her mother lights up the dim hallway with pride. "If you don't object, then we'll tell her." She then adds, "Gradually."

I am brought to a door in the heart of the palace. The wood is decorated with a mishmash of drawings. Way better than Elisa's sorry excuse for scientific illustrations. I wonder if Mi'Min would be interested in giving her lessons.

Nesh'Mer cracks it open and motions for me to enter. I shake my head, choosing to just take a quick peek.

"Her heart rate is elevated," I quietly say. "Judging by her neural activity, she is having a nightmare." Nesh'Mer rushes in and tries to comfort the sleeping princess. I follow after and ask, "May I give her something?"

The beastfolk is uncertain for a moment, but her restless daughter pushes her to decide. I press a finger to exposed skin and deliver a cocktail of drugs.

"Will this..." Nesh'Mer does not finish the question.

My voice is a whisper. "No. But it will help. I can't say how extensive the trauma is. She'll most likely need professional help. Consult the tablet I gave you for additional information and my recommendations for a specialist." My eyes are locked onto the little beastfolk, looking even smaller curled up under her covers. "I'm sorry I couldn't prevent it."

Nesh'Mer, having calmed down together with Mi'Min, rises and looks at me. She shakes her head. "Don't. I am more thankful than I can ever convey." She shoots one last glance at her daughter. "Now go give another mother the best news she's ever received."

The Royal Consort walks with me to the boundary of the most powerful protective barrier. Right before I go, she starts to deliberate something. With a steeled expression emerging on her face, she comes to a decision. Nesh'Mer collides against me, nearly threatening to bring me down. I see where Mi'Min learned her moves from. A long moment later, the tight hug is disengaged.

With a final—and a little teary—goodbye, I warp away.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.