Going Home
The countryside around Bruce simply blurred. That’s the only way to describe it. Bruce could make out far distant objects but they seemed to move past him as close objects would if he were moving at high speed. The nearby objects, those no farther away than about 2 miles or so simply moved too fast to even be recognized. It was also odd that there was no sensation of movement. Bruce had expected to be jerked back when Neeka started, but it didn’t happen.

Bruce looked at Neeka and his head and neck moved as though he was at a trot, and yet they were moving far faster.

“You alright Bruce?” Neeka thought at his friend, feeling the confused thoughts.

“I’m doing fine Neeka. You’re not at top speed?” Bruce asked amazedly as the landscape flashed by.

“No, not at all. I wasn’t sure how you would be affected.” You want me to go all out?”

“Sure! It’ll be fun! Go for it!”

Bruce held on out of anticipation when everything in the world around them blurred. Even the distant mountains seemed to blur. Suddenly everything came back into sharp focus. Like coming up out of water and clearing your eyes.

“We’re here Bruce.” Neeka said matter of factly, and indeed they were. Right at the gate of the castle where it had all started. An Orangutan and Zebra guard snapped to immediate attention, spears held at the ready, obviously shaken.

“Halt! Who goes there?” demanded the Zebra.

“I am Bruce, on an errand for the Empress Anara. She is expecting me.” Bruce replied and wanting to laugh. The guards had been on duty, but to them Neeka and he suddenly appeared out of thin air right in front of them. They were scared almost senseless.

“Where did you come from?” asked the Orangutan, obviously shaken. “We did not see you approach, and heard nothing.”

Bruce smiled and said, “We came up quietly. Now, take me to the Empress, she is expecting me.”

The guards nodded. They had been instructed to expect Bruce, but had no idea whether it would be within days or weeks. The Zebra guard went to the guardhouse and pulled on a cord. A distant bell chimed in answer.

“Someone will be here shortly Sir Bruce.” The Zebra informed him, “We have been expecting your return. People are just now…” and then he saw the figure on the litter behind Neeka.

“It’s him! The one who caused all the suffering!” the Zebra exclaimed, throwing down his spear and pulling his sword from its scabbard. “He’s the cause of all of this. I’ll make sure he does not have the opportunity to do so again!”

Bruce dismounted immediately and moved quickly to get in the guard’s way. “You’ll do no such thing!” Bruce stated. “He’s now helpless and under my protection. You would not cut down a helpless and defenseless opponent would you?”

The guard stopped for a second, thinking, then replied, “Under normal circumstances, no. But you do not know what he has done to me and my family. My mate is still having nightmares and wakes screaming in the night. My son is scared to death to go to sleep and sleeps only fitfully. This one deserves to die and die now!”

As the Zebra moved closer to Bruce a voice behind him said, “You touch anything or anyone under Bruce’s protection and I guarantee what you have gone though the last week will seem like paradise compared to what I will put you through!”

The guard spun in defiance to the challenge, sword out ready to strike, and when he saw the speaker dropped to his knees and immediately placed his sword on the ground, “I beg your forgiveness Your Highness! It’s just…”

Empress Anara placed a hand on the guard’s shoulder, interrupting him, and said, “You are forgiven Delane. We have all suffered. Too greatly. And at the hands of the beast there. But you are better than striking a foe when they are helpless and defenseless. I know this.”

The guard nodded, “I’m sorry Your Highness. You are right. It would have been a cowardly act.”

The Empress smiled and told both guards, “Go back to your posts. I need to talk to Bruce.”

Delane stood and he walked with the Orangutan back to their stations and again took up duty. Empress Anara walked over to Bruce and hugged him happily. “Bruce! Good to see you. We were so worried! A few days ago the draining of my people stopped. When you did not show up right away we became concerned. We feared the worst.”

Bruce smiled and enjoyed the hug, and hugged the Empress back. He knew he was probably breaking every rule of protocol but he didn’t care. Finally Anara released him and he stepped back smiling and said, “I had some things to do. I couldn’t start right back. Someday I will tell you the story. Your people, are they alright?”

Anara nodded, getting a little somber. “There were some deaths, not many but some. There are others, caught in terror I suspect, that will never recover. They were driven mad and are now no more than snarling beasts.” Fortunately they are few also. Most everyone else is recovering nicely. Thin and dehydrated, but mending. But how about you? How did you stop Macor?”

Bruce shook his head back and forth, “That’s too long a story right now. I need to get back home.”

“Bruce!” a voice from behind them called excitedly. “Bruce, and Neeka!” Narin came running up and almost fell over, losing his balance in trying to stop too quickly. “I am so happy to see you again. I was so worried!” The look of relief was evident on the face of the young Fox, and then he realized his interruption.”

“Excuse me Your Majesty! I did not mean to interrupt, I was just so glad…”

Empress Anara laughed and it carried a sound like music, “Quite all right Narin. I’m also glad to see Bruce and Neeka of course.” She rubbed the great horses muzzle and Neeka bowed his head slightly in deference to the Empress.

Bruce thought at Neeka, “Showoff!” and felt a horse like mental chuckle in response.

The Empress and Narin both stared at Neeka and, not wanting to give himself away, Neeka kept his head low and nuzzled the side of Narin’s overcoat. The scent gave away what the young Fox was carrying.

Narin laughed and said, “Ahh, I know what you are looking for boy! For a second I almost thought you were bowing.” Narin reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a large ripe apple. “This was what you were smelling, wasn’t it?”

Neeka snorted and whinnied lightly. Narin offered him the apple and Neeka crunched on it happily.

“Got yourself out of that one, didn’t you old friend?” Bruce thought at Neeka.

“Hey, I thought it was pretty smooth. And I got an apple in the deal. Sweet!” Then Neeka chuckled again and Bruce almost did too. Trying to carry on one verbal and one mental conversation at the same time was going to take work.

“Good to see you too Narin. I was just listening to what happened here. I guess it could have been worse.” Bruce said to Narin.

“Oh, absolutely Bruce!” The Fox replied giving Neeka the remaining pieces of the apple, “Much worse. Another day or two would have made it ten times worse.”

The Empress walked over to the litter where Macor lay and placed a hand on his head. “Is he still alive Bruce?”

“Yes, quite alive, but catatonic. I don’t believe he will ever come out of that state. I had some hel..ummm, his spell backfired on him and left him like this.”

The Empress looked at Bruce and realized there was more to the story but didn’t press him on it. She asked, “What should we do with him? He can’t stand trial here. First, I don’t think we’d ever be able to find a jury that would want to do less than hang him, but second, he can’t defend himself. What do you suggest Bruce?”

“I have a place for him to stay Your Majesty. He will be cared for and safe. He won’t be able to ever bother you again.”

“Sounds reasonable Bruce. What about food and water though? How will he survive without being able to eat and drink?” Anara asked concerned.

“He’s a powerful mage Your Majesty.” Bruce replied. I believe him to be beyond such needs. I expect this state will last until the end of time.”

Anara shook her head, “Poor soul. Trapped in a cell of one’s own body forever. Perhaps there is justice in the universe after all.”

The empress looked at Bruce, “Will you stay the night Bruce? I’d like to hear your tale if you’d be willing to tell it.”

Bruce thought for a few seconds then shook his head. “I really need to get back home. I have been away too long and my own bed is very inviting after having been on the road for the last few days.”

The Empress smiled and said, “I do understand Bruce. Once again you have my thanks and that of my people. If there’s anything we can ever do for you please just ask.”

Bruce bowed deeply and said, “It was my pleasure, Your Highness. Always glad to be able to serve. Now, I really must be going. Getting home and getting Macor comfortable has to be my next priority.

The Empress hugged Bruce tightly and said, “Please come back soon Bruce.”

Bruce again enjoyed the hug and said, “I will Your Highness. I promise.”

Bruce walked over to Narin and shook the young Fox’s hand. “You take care Narin. Glad you came through this in one piece.”

Narin shook Bruce’s hand and said, “Thank you sir Bruce, and thank you for what you did. I will ever be at your service.”

Bruce turned and remounted Neeka and thought to his big brined, “Let’s go home my friend, normal speed until we’re out of sight though.”

Neeka thought back, “Right Bruce! It will be good to be home again soon.”

They turned and Neeka set out for home and Bruce waved goodbye for the last time. Empress Anara, Narin and the guards waved back. Things were going to be settling back to normal, as they should be.

When they were out of sight, Neeka picked up the pace, and for only a few seconds the view around Bruce blurred. When things swam back into focus Bruce realized they were on the road back to town and only a few miles from home. They continued on at a normal speed and when they reached the edge of town the spotted Otto, holding up his hand and bidding them stop once more.

They came to a stop next to Otto and he looked up at Bruce and asked, “You didn’t run over any Manatees, did you Bruce?”

Bruce started an answer that was to include why he never could have even seen a manatee, then decided against it. He answered simply, “No Otto. I didn’t run over even a single Manatee.”

“Good!” Otto said, “My warning worked. Glad you listened. However, I have to give you a ticket.”

“What for?” Bruce protested. He was tired and close to home and this was beginning to get on his nerves.

“Speeding, like always.” Otto replied. “Speeding.” Otto scribbled on a piece of paper and handed it to Bruce. He then reached into the pouch at his belt, took out a copper and handed it to Bruce.”

“What’s this for? Bruce asked bewildered.

“It’s your fine of course Bruce. You know speeders are always fined!”

“Yeah, but, last time I had to give you a copper for my fine.” Bruce explained.

“Right you did Bruce. But you’re going the opposite way this time.”

Bruce did not even want to question the Otter’s logic. He shook his head and asked, “Can I go now?”

“Sure.” Otto said happily. “As soon as I inspect your litter.”

Bruce watched Otto as he looked down at the Lion. Otto was quiet for a second and then Bruce watched as the Otter’s pupils opened completely wide, as if he were staring out from some totally black void.

Otto spoke, but it was a different voice, one very cold but with command authority dripping from it. “Level 18 mage. Feedback loop. Level 47 loopstrength. Not seen in this world before. Checking…. Nothing of that level ever recorded within 3 quadrants.”

Then Otto turned those large black voids on him and Neeka and said in the same strange voice, “Power grid tap. Level 22. 7 abilities, 3 acknowledged. Reboot within the last 48 hours. Stage 3 lifespan. Checking….Confirmed. Fariefur.”

Bruce watched and listened and then Otto’s eyes changed back to normal. He looked at Macor and said, “Lion’s! Don’t trust them! Don’t like ‘em either.” Otto took another piece of paper and scribbled something on it and placed it under Macor’s head.

Bruce watched and asked, “What’s that for Otto?” Bruce wasn’t sure whether this was still his friend or that other presence.

“It’s a ticket of course Bruce. Loitering. No fine this time.”

Bruce nodded, it was his friend.

“See you later Bruce!” Otto said walking away. “Many things to do today.”

“Take care Otto.”

Neeka and Bruce continued on their way home. Bruce mentally asked his friend, “What did you make of that?”

Neeka snorted, “I didn’t understand any of it. But once, he actually changed.”

“You mean his eyes, yeah, I saw that too.” Bruce responded.

“No, I mean he changed! After that. When he mentioned FairieFur, for just a second he was one, well at least close to one. He glowed like one, but it was different and it was only for a second. That’s when he saw me and recognized me as FaerieFur. Then it was gone.”

“Interesting.” Bruce said. “I don’t think that was Otto.”

Neeka responded, “Oh, it was Otto, but I think Otto is much more than we have given him credit for being.”

As they talked silently they made their way home. Bruce unstrapped the litter from Neeka and unsaddled him. “Thanks my friend. Go find some sweet grass to eat. You’ve definitely earned it.”

“Will do Bruce. What will you do with Macor?”

Bruce said, “Well, after I clean him up a little I have a place for him.”

Neeka wasn’t sure he understood but he trusted Bruce and walked off to the pasture in search of grass. He was quite hungry.

Bruce carried Macor into the house and took a brush to him, removing the accumulated dust, dirt and small twigs that managed to get into the Lion’s mane from the journey. When he was completely done Bruce walked to his fireplace and pressed one of the stones. The fireplace pulled back into the wall and revealed a set of stairs leading under the house.

Bruce carried Macor down into the cool darkness and when the reached the bottom there was a very long, wide hallway. Along the wall there where glass containers taller than Bruce. Most were empty but some held figures. As Bruce carried Macor he looked into the containers he passed and saw the familiar figure of a Tiger, a Leopard, a Cheetah, a Wolf, a Dragon, and several others. As he passed Bruce greeted each one by name as though they were old friends. Finally he came to where a container used to be, but have been removed, leaving a recess.

“You won’t need a suspension chamber Macor. You’ll also be safe here. I couldn’t let them kill you back in the village and I couldn’t just leave you to the mercy of the elements and insects. I’m truly sorry it has come to this, but this is the best I can do.”

Bruce placed Macor upright in the alcove, standing in a position just as he was when the feedback loop claimed him. He looked at him for a few more seconds and then turned to go. On the way back to the stairway Bruce again said hello to those in the canisters.

Bruce ascended the stairway and pressed the stone in the fireplace again and it moved back into place, hiding the stairway once more.

Bruce, exhausted, started a small fire in the fireplace and when it was going sat in his chair in front of it and put his feet up on the nearby stool as let them warm by the crackling fire. So many things had changed in the last few days. Neeka had died. Then reborn as something else. Macor defeated and resting in the continuum. Otto. What to make of Otto? He had known the Otter since childhood, but never, never had he seen anything like today. Otto had always been a simple child, well, childlike in his innocence anyway, yet today, cold, calculating and authority in his voice.

The thoughts were tumbling around in Bruce’s mind and he was beginning to doze as he exhaustion claimed him when a small candle on the mantle started blinking on and off, on and off. Bruce started at it for a few seconds, almost asleep, his mind working slowly, and then he swore.

“Aww crud! Not now Dad!”

But that is a story for the next time.