Elsewhere

“You speak the tongue of the people?” A particularly small beastkin responded to Duke. This beastkin appeared to be a humanoid mouse, standing only as tall as Duke’s waist. It had human-like grey eyes set in a face that struck Duke as an odd mix of human and mouse. It seemed more human than the others surrounding it and they all seemed deferential to the diminutive beastkin.

Duke’s reply was even-toned and careful. He could sense a significant amount of tension and did not want to spark an incident. “I speak whatever language is most comfortable for the listener to hear.”

“He speaks in the tongue of the wolf!” Once voice rose up over the crowd.

“No, he speaks the words of the owl!.” Another exclaimed.

“I hear him clearly in the voice of the lion!” Yet another added.

Duke spoke a bit louder. “I speak in my language, but I have an Ability that allows you to hear me in your own. That is all that is occurring here. Nothing divine. Nothing untoward.” This was the first time his enhanced XENOGLOSSIA might be a problem for Duke.

The mousekin spoke again. “Well, Duke, I will welcome you for now. But I must bring you before the Council before any decisions are made. Please come with me.”

Duke decided that it was the best diplomatic action to follow, so he did. After they had moved away from the group far enough to be out of earshot, the mousekin paused and addressed Duke. “I am known as Nibblesworth. I am a Councilor here in the Wildheart Refuge and I, for one, welcome you to our settlement. The others may not be as welcoming to a stranger, especially a furless human. The last one who came here wound up killing a Council Member. I do not believe you are like she was. Do not prove me wrong.”

Duke smiled at the mousekin’s candor. “I can assure you that I don’t mean to harm you and yours. I merely was intrigued by how your fields were laid out as I passed by and decided to stop down for a visit. If it turns out that I am not welcome here, I will leave.” He projected as much earnestness as he could as they walked between the hedgerows that defined the fields.

Some time later, they arrived at the central hub of the community. Along the way they passed various buildings, many had been homes but there were some that served the farming community as storage for equipment or food. They passed numerous different beastkin of all ages and types. Most seemed to congregate by base animal, but a few mixed groups were scattered throughout.

“Nibblesworth, why does it seem that everyone is largely segregated?” Duke inquired.

“Old prejudices have yet to fade. You would think that being together in a single community for five centuries would have changed that but apparently, we are still too set in our ways.” The response was simple but carried enormous emotional weight for the mousekin. Duke assumed that the mousekin was often on the receiving end of this prejudice of which he spoke.

“What are the prejudices against my kind?” Duke asked as they approached a large round building with a single tower. It was the tallest and largest building that Duke had seen yet and he assumed it was the Council’s place of business.

“Humans are known as violent aggressors who regularly try to take what we have built. It will be difficult for you to find allies amongst the Council Members, but it is not impossible. You won me over rather simply, but I am far better at reading others than any other Council Member.” Nibblesworth paused, reaching up and placing a hand on Duke’s wrist. “When we enter, please allow me to speak, at least at first. You will know when it is your time to speak.”

Duke nodded. “Heard, understood, and acknowledged.”

Nibblesworth cocked his head inquisitively in response to Duke’s statement. He took a moment to step through what the human had said, then nodded and led Duke through the pair of large, ornately carved double-doors. Duke took special note of them as the doors were the first sign of anything beyond utilitarian decoration with their scenes of beastkin life and struggles.

Passing through the doors, Duke saw that the building was almost entirely comprised of the Council Chamber. There were guards of all manner of beastkin along the perimeter of the chamber. Duke was able to discern the base animals for most of them quickly but there were a few that he didn’t recognize right away. He figured that they might be based on some creatures native to the planet that he had yet to encounter.

The chamber itself had a balcony surrounding the entire inside wall with stairs leading down to ground level at various points. The ground floor had a railing running around it with stairs interspersed at regular intervals that led down into the Council Chamber itself. All the wood in the building from the balusters to the railings to the columns holding up the elaborate ceiling were masterfully carved with depictions of animals and beastkin. Many carvings depicted scenes of battle but there seemed to be nearly an equal number of erotic depictions as well. Duke took in as much as he could in the short time he had before being led downward into the chamber.

All discussion ceased in the chamber as Duke was noticed. The chamber held nearly 50 beastkin in five rows of seats and a single catkin stood behind a podium at the front of the chamber. She looked up at Duke with the gaze of an alpha predator assessing its prey. Duke felt her presence palpably and knew when his MENTAL FORTITUDE kicked in to bolster his Psyche. Her presence was strong, and most would have been at least taken aback by her gaze. He felt Nibblesworth stiffen beside him and freeze in place. He glanced down at the mousekin to see him trembling in fear, which prompted him to return his gaze back to the catkin with even more steel in his eyes. Neither flinched for quite some time.

Finally, their contest of wills was interrupted by a shout from the chamber floor. “That is enough, Emberclaw. It is clear that the human is not going to bow down before you. Cease your games before you cause us actual diplomatic harm. We do not know who this is or why they are here.”

The catkin’s gaze snapped to the beastkin speaking who appeared to be some sort of tortoise as his shell was prominent on his back. Go ninja go! Freaking Ninja Turtle. Awesome! Duke was smart enough to keep his thoughts to himself, but it was rather close. He turned from his thoughts as the slight tug on his sleeve told him that Nibblesworth wanted him to come to the front of the chamber with him. Duke obliged.

“Fellow Councilmembers, allow me to present Duke, a human to you all.” Nibblesworth spoke clearly and with confidence that Duke had not been expecting.

“What kingdom does this Duke represent and how did he get past our walls without our hearing of it? Is he some sort of spy sent to test our defenses, find a way though so that they can attack us?”

Nibblesworth spoke again. “Duke descended from the sky to stand among us. I do not know what kingdom he represents but I felt it best that the entire Council hear of his arrival before any rumors or panic could spread.”

The tortoisekin spoke up before anyone else could raise their voice. “There is wisdom in that decision, Nibblesworth. I would hear what this Duke has to say for himself and his kingdom.” He turned slightly to direct his words at Duke. “What kingdom do you represent and why have you come to our lands?” Nibblesworth nudged Duke indicating that it was time for him to speak.

“First let me clear something up. My name is Duke. I am not a Duke of any kingdom.” He paused to let that statement settle in before continuing. “I was simply flying by and saw how ordered your fields were and decided that I wanted to come down and see who you were.”

“How is it that you speak with the cat’s tongue?”

“Cat’s tongue? He dares to speak in the words of the wolf!”

“Nonsense, the divine language of the Great Rhinoceros resonates in his words!”

“How can you not hear the wisdom of the Great Owl in his voice?”

Duke held up a hand to try and forestall the arguments over languages. “Councilors, you are all correct and also not correct at the same time. It is true that you hear me in your own language but the truth of the matter is that I am speaking a language of my own. I have an Ability that allows me to be understood by all in their own language.”

This revelation got him some approving looks from various members of the Council. Duke could see by the aggressive stance of most of the predator-base beastkin that he still had a long way to go to gain their recognition or respect.

“So, you just decided to invade our home unbidden and didn’t even have the common decency to come to the main gates and present yourself. You are just as arrogant as every other human I have met. We should kill him and be done with it.” It was a wolfkin that spoke up this time.

Duke responded, trying desperately to walk the line between presenting a strong front and still maintaining a measure of respect despite his patience rapidly wearing thin. He had, after all, just stopped in by casual whim and he had an actual conflict to get back to. “Do you greet all your guests with such aggression and threats? If I had come here to cause trouble, death would have followed in my wake. Do not mistake my politeness for weakness. I came to this Council Chamber because Nibblesworth asked me to come here. He did so politely and with respect. I, in turn, have come here also with politeness and respect. But if you continue to posture and threaten me, my civility will be revoked, and you will personally face my full ire.” Duke realized that his Diplomacy Skill was failing dramatically as his words came out, but he just couldn’t stop himself.

He saw the wolfkin’s hackles rise and eyes narrow. “You are not welcome here, human.”

“That is not your decision to make, Snarlheart.” This was the catkin at the front of the Council Chamber speaking up again. She seemed to have suddenly shifted in favor of Duke for reasons he couldn’t fathom but he couldn’t help but believe it was a cats and dogs thing – another thing he didn’t dare say out loud.

“This human has threatened me personally!” The wolfkin shouted. “I demand he leave or prove his right to stand in this chamber by the ancient rite of combat!” The excited murmured arguments flashing around the chamber showed Duke that there was likely something to this declaration more than just a heated response from Snarlheart.

“So, you invoke the ancient ways again, do you, Snarlheart?” The catkin could not hide the predatory smile in her eyes. “So, you accept the consequences of the rite you invoke?” She practically purred the words, knowing she had trapped him.

The wolfkin set his long jaw and turned to face Duke full-on. “I, Snarlheart, Councilor of the Clan of the Great Grey Wolf, do invoke the ancient rite of trial by combat. This human invader, Duke, has insulted and threatened me before the Council and I will have blood for an answer.”

Nibblesworth whispered under his breath. “What trouble have I brought onto my new friend. Oh bother and worry!”

Duke could feel the eyes of all the Councilors on him, waiting for an answer. “Please clarify the rules of this challenge before I answer it.”

The catkin’s smile broadened, showing off her fangs rather well. “It seems that the human has more wisdom than some others in this chamber.” Her gaze was fixed fully on the wolfkin as she spoke, further irritating him. “Duke, the rules of the challenge are simple and as old as the Council itself. Snarlheart has challenged you to single combat. Claw and fang to be tested against each other. The winner’s position and argument are upheld. The loser, should he or she survive, is banished from the Council Chambers for life.”

Duke smiled. “Is that all? Let’s go to whatever space you have for this kind of fight. I’m eager to let off some steam. I accept your challenge Snarlheart. And I want you to remember that this was your choice. I want all here to remember that I came here in peace with no ill will in my heart. But I will tell you all this – do not mess with the Duke.”