So I look like a dog…I'm getting used to the stares. My name is..er….was… Brian Murdoch. I was once a software designer in Midwest USA. After my human body was destroyed in an SUV accident a while back, I woke up from a deep sleep in the middle of this strange forest. I now inhabit a hermaphroditic, 5' 2", buxom body with golden brown fur. And some of the stares I get me rather nervous. Thank Goddess for Silvermoon. She is the woman who found and befriended me…. I think she's some sort of important person around here, a noble…. perhaps. She has the look of someone who is used to having her way. After watching her make short work of a few ruffians with her short-sword, I feel secure at her side. We approached the gated town together, my mind at ease.
"What's this place Sil?". I looked up at her in query.
" It is, a place of memories, a place of friends and allies. We will find lodging for the night here and I will contact my sisters in the morning." She continued walking without another word.
Her silence as we plodded along further gave me the impression that these words were all she was going to offer by way of explanation. I noticed a shadow moving toward us as she strode along, apparently oblivious. I tensed and touched the jeweled hilt of the Elvin dagger she had given me on the morn after our first night together.
"Sil?" I whispered harshly.
"I see him." She spoke in low tones, not breaking her stride. Her strong hand touched my knife-arm, stopping my draw.
He got closer and gathered speed to intersect our path, reaching into the shabby rags that hung from him like so much garbage.
"Sil??" I pushed against her restraining hand.
"Hush!" she hissed.
He blocked our path and raised one arm as I yelped and hid behind Silvermoon. I took the opportunity to draw my blade, holding it outstretched in front of me. His voice grated the air like a rusty hinge.
"Mistress Silvermoon…Thou art needed. Your sisters request your council." He handed her a sealed parchment and then faded quickly into the shadows, disappearing into the gathering mist. I gazed up at Sil's face and watched as her brow darkened with worry and impatience with each sentence she read. Most of the worry seemed to be directed at me. I sheepishly lowered my knife.
"We must find lodging for you, little one."
I blinked at her, a feeling of dread rising in my throat. " I will sleep by your side, tonight? You know I'm defenseless in this realm…. and this stuff is still totally new to me." I felt my eyelid twitch in a nervous tic.
"No, dear Phae…I have pressing affairs. * Sighs * But you will be entrusted to good and capable hands. This I promise." She continued to stride down the dirt street. Peering off into the distance.
I followed as best I could, resisting the urge to lope forward on all fours (that is frowned upon in "civilized" parts of this realm). We finally stopped in front of a cozy-looking tavern called Callahan's Cross. Sil took my forepaw and led me inside.
A screech from the very depths of hell greeted us as we entered, and a formidable red-head came dashing up to Sil grabbing her up and tossing her about like so much fluff.
"Mistress Moon!!!! Ye are back! My poor heart sings again with joy!"
Sil allowed herself to be hugged and kissed by this force of nature in a barmaid's apron, now holding her fast. She grinned down at me in slight embarrassment.
"Phae…meet Mare. She is to be your guardian and company for tonight." Her grin widened a bit.
I stared up at the plump but shapely woman just now releasing Sil and turning her bright green eyes toward me. Her broad, lovely face broke into an even wider smile as her eyes traveled up and down my furry body. She laughed and scooped me up into her arms and held me against an ample bosom. I noticed the softness of her fiery braids against my cheek as she pulled me to her shoulder, an aura of innocent affection radiating from her.
"And who might this be, Mistress? Is this your new familiar? What's her name?" Her deep green eyes gazed at me intently as she suspended me from her strong hands at arm's length. I tried to smile as friendly as possible at her.
"Does it talk and everything?" Mare exclaimed.