Author's Notes:

A quick short (Well short for my writing style) chapter for all of you to place in between your gums. Hope you all like this little appetizer.

Bakuss just sighed, watching as the King and the baby drake strolled off to the royal dinner, leaving him, a mare and the bug standing alone in the hallway.

For starters, he wasn’t really keen on openly showing a previous assailant around the Palace grounds. But it was the King’s wish, and he already knew from the accounts of others and from self-experience that trying to argue with the King is virtually impossible. Even if you add common sense into the mix, he would just twist the argument around somehow to still get the same thing that he originally wanted, only somewhat altered in the approach.

But then again, his ideas have pretty much worked so far, so personally he really couldn’t complain about that too much.

It’s just like how the King always used to say “When it’s stupid, but works — it ain’t stupid.” or something like that.

Either way, he now had a job to do, a job that consisted of showing this new creature around and explaining in detail what all of the rules and regulations are for both the Palace and the City Guard.

It was actually somewhat frustrating that the King hasn’t personally informed him about his plans and reasoning for this, otherwise giving this creature a tour wouldn’t sound as frustrating as it does now.
But then again, he could always ask the servant for answers.

“Hey, you.” Bakuss immediately pointed at the mare.

The mare in question perked up, which allowed Bakuss to continue. “Do you perhaps know the reason as to why the King wishes for me to show this… this…” He gestured towards the changeling, which she immediately understood.

“He is a changeling, sir, or so he told me.” She quickly answered.

Bakuss nodded and cleared his throat to continue. “Well, anyway. Do you know the reason as to why the King wants me to escort this “Changeling” around the Council grounds and the barracks? Normally individuals like him should either be cast out or imprisoned for murder and attempted assault on one of the guards. So, again, why is he so friendly with him?” Bakuss clarified, gesturing back the ling.

The changeling in question simply kept to himself despite the somewhat aggressive gestures. Any input or dispute with the one Zebra that managed to singlehoofedly defeat him wouldn’t be the wisest of choices. Plus, he was in good graces with the King, so throwing that out now would also be a really dumb move on his part.

The mare, thought, couldn’t, especially when personally asked by the captain himself.

She scratched her red colored mane, giving her counterpart a quick sideways glance before answering. “His name is Farries, and the King wishes to properly house him in exchange for him helping out to root out more of his disguised kin, which are scattered all over the city. You see, the Hive that Farries here is from is suffering from some serious authoritarian problems, thanks to the ever increasing hostility of his Queen. That in turn is causing a lot of fear, tension and even food shortages, which is also why many of them are escaping the Hive for food and a chance of freedom from their Queen’s slow descent into madness. How many are truly out there is still somewhat unknown, even to him. But the King wishes for him to still try and find some of those deserters in hopes of convincing them to join us and offering them freedom, a place to stay, and, of course, food and protection… or so I have understood from their conversation.” She explained.

Bakuss took this moment to rub his chin in thought, while letting all of this information sink in.

For once, if her account is accurate, or, rather, if the changeling’s presented information is to be believed, then there is certainly a positive interest to be had in tracking down all of those runaway changelings that are hiding among the populace, and judging from his experience with the Bartender, then really anyone could be a changeling in disguise at this point.

A rather unsettling realization when you carefully think about it. If these changelings had any form of malicious intents in their minds, then chaos and confusion they would be able to cause would have the chance to become beyond manageable. Most of the other tribes are still seated out there in their respective regions, which also means that Zebra power to try and contain such a massive insurrection is still very much limited.

So, really, the King was actually pretty much right with his assumption of trying to quickly root out these refugees before things could potentially create a disaster. If not for the sake of possible allies, then for the sake of the national security.

Especially with old enemies taking notice of their slow build up and just waiting for the perfect moment to strike once more.

So, yeah, Bakuss now sees the logic here, but he didn’t have to like it. This changeling still killed one of his kin and assaulted his guards, so as far as Bakuss is concerned he is still dangerous.

But hey, at least he gets to personally escort this changeling around to all the sources he needs to talk to. So, in a way, he can still keep a very wary eye on him while the changeling tries to actually redeem himself.

Bakuss just nodded to himself as his decision was made. He now needed to get this ‘ling up to snuff in regards to standards, while also accompanying him in his given task to find more of his kind.

Peacefully, if possible, of course.

Bakuss looked over at the ‘ling. “Well then, in that case, let us just get started. You, though…” He looked over at the servant. ”…Can go home until your next scheduled shift. Just be safe, and please, do not tell this to ANYONE. The last thing we need is a full-blown panic about shapeshifting equine look alikes within the populace. The time will come when we shall inform the citizenry as a whole about this situation, until then just keep quiet.“ Bakuss instructed.

The mare just nodded before giving the changeling a quick peck on the cheek, which, in turn ,caused the changeling to blush and smile sheepishly at her.

Bakuss just decided to ignore it as there were more serious issues to focus on at the moment.

He trotted past the changeling and gave him a gesture to follow. The ‘ling complied as he tailed Bakuss down the hallway.

Bakuss decided to personally get more information out of him while the two trot. He looked over at the ‘ling next to him.

“So, your name is Farries, then?” Bakuss began, just for the sake of easing him up a bit.

The changeling just nodded, keeping his gaze fixed forward.

Bakuss accepted his rather vague response as he too focused back at the path at hand, or rather hoof in his case. Actually, now that he had the chance, Bakuss went back to observing the Changeling’s features in much greater detail now that the sense of a threat is momentarily quelled. Primarily how such a hard outside shell is capable of equine-like motions.

He personally couldn’t see any division or obvious joints on its chitin, which was strange given his personal knowledge of bugs in general. In fact, he noticed that the chitin around his legs, shoulders and flank was stretching and contracting the same way as skin does. Which, again, is just unnatural given its obvious carapace type look.

Bakuss own curiosity needed to be quenched, so he looked back at the ‘ling next to him. “Say...” He began, which got the changeling’s attention. “How come your joints and legs move and contract the same way as a normal Zebra’s does? I thought that your skin was chitin, similar to a bug. Hard and solid from the outside. So how come it behaves more like normal skin with visible muscle contraction under it?” He questioned, which somewhat surprised the changeling next to him.

He looked down at himself to see what Bakuss was questioning about, before gazing back at the Captain.

He paused at first to collect his words, before starting. “Well, it's quite easy, really.” He said before pointing at his left shoulder with his right hoof. ”In normal situation the chitin on a changeling body is soft and malleable for most of the time. Only when he or she are in dangerous situation, the chitin hardens, obviously, only in areas that are not used for much movement, like our backs or the areas between the joints of our fore- and hind legs. Besides that, it stays pretty skin-like, how most mammals have, though a bit thicker and harder on key areas, of course.” Farries explained before focusing back at the road ahead.

Bakuss, again, just nodded to that as he did the same. Reflecting on this strange biology that his race possesses in comparison to what he knew so far. Having your personal ingrown armor whenever you find yourself in combat or any other dangerous situation is certainly something. Though, the obvious question still stands as to how dense and protective the chitin actually is. If it is on par with either bronze, iron, or steel.

Granted, Bakuss would still trust a hardened plate of steel more than naturally grown chitin. But that is just his opinion.

The rest of the trip was spent in relative silence as both of them just continued on. A few Palace guards here and there to give the unusually looking changeling a curious look, but other than that, they did nothing else.

After a bit of trotting through the marble and mosaic encrusted paths of the tall and expensive hallways are carpeted with, Bakuss and his follower eventually reached their first and closest destination.

The compound of the Palace that houses the Council chambers.

The scene was quickly changed from heavily armed guards to simple servants, personal bodyguards and representatives of the other tribes roaming through the open courtyards that divide the rest of the Palace with the Council halls.

A few representative of the different Temples could also be seen mingling about, with their white and well decorated garments and traditional accessories adorning their bodies, representing whatever deity that they are serving.

One of them was a well-known High Priestess of Tzerath, Susara the High Priestess of the God of knowledge and magic, accompanied by another head figure of their Pantheon, Akadar the Head Custodian of the Temple of Zakahr, the Zebra deity for Warriors and Metalworks.

Both of them immediately noticed the duo approaching as they stepped closer towards the main building of the Council chambers. Susara was the first to react to his presence as she stepped forward to meet Bakuss in front of the main entrance.

She smiled at the Captain. “Greetings, Captain Bakuss. What brings you to the Council on this fine and sunny day? Well… actually, it’s always sunny in the desert, never mind that last part.” She greeted with a small chuckle at the end.

Bakuss couldn’t help but give a small smile before bowing respectively to the High Priestess. “Greetings to you too, High Priestess Susara, I hope your time in both the Temple and the orphanage have been going well for you?” He greeted before rising back up.

Susara just kept her smile before ushering Akadar to come over. She looked back at the Captain. “Well, yes, though my still expected duties to the pilgrims and the parentless foals may have kept me busy outside the Palace grounds, but I have been doing quite well over these past few days after the battle. Though, I do hope that you too have been doing well both mentally and physically since that day. I have heard that you have been somewhat in and out of yourself ever since the Battle. I hope you are coping with the experience well enough, your leadership was phenomenal, same with your fighting prowess. It would be a shame to see such a talented stallion like yourself to succumb to depression in such needing times.” She responded with a more worried tone and look at the end.

Bakuss shook his head. “Do not worry, my lady, I am doing well enough, and I am far from thinking about quitting. In fact, I have never been more dedicated in helping to rebuild this nation than I have been after my first taste of war. I will gladly pick up my sword once more if the need arises.” He responded with pride and full dedication that could easily be heard and seen through his eyes.

Susara just smiled at that, while Akadar, who has just arrived, simply gazed at the Captain with a somewhat curious and critical eye. He obviously knew something, but most of the individuals around him didn’t notice that as they were all busy with their own thoughts. His gaze eventually went up towards the silent and withdrawn looking changeling behind the Captain. His brows raised in interest and quiet recognition as his eyes scanned the bug-like equine.

Again, he knew something, but the others didn’t gave his obvious expression any attention or just flat out didn’t noticed it. Well… except for the ‘ling.

It didn’t take long for Susara to notice the strange looking creature herself, as she gave the cCaptain a curious brow.

“Captain, do tell, what and who this curious looking creature is that you have behind you? Is this one of those… Bug-like equines I have heard whispers about back in the Temple? He does look rather unique, I have to say.” She pointed out, which caused Bakuss to look over his shoulder.

“Well, yes, yes, it is.” He began, looking back at her. “This right here is the very changeling I captured in the lower districts of the city, and by the King's grace, I am instructed to indoctrinate him into our rules and customs, so that he may help us in rooting out more of his kind.” Bakuss explained.

This, though, got Akadar’s attention as he focused back at the Captain. “So, you are saying that there might be more like him? If that is the case, then accounting them all and separating those who are just trouble makers would certainly be a top priority, especially when everything still seems calm and manageable.” He commented, which Bakuss had to nod to.

“Well, yes, that is obviously the idea. Something the King himself firstly proposed. Having an unknown number of shapeshifters living among the population is certainly a path for trouble.” He added.

“Actually…” The changeling spoke up for the first time. “I doubt most of the deserters are really trouble makers. The main reason for their escape was to find a better life, I doubt they would risk their chances in actively causing trouble. They are refugees, not a band of criminals.” Farries clarified.

Akadar rubbed his chin in thought. “Well, in that case, it would still be best to get an accurate number as to how many are out there. If they prove themselves truly humble, then it wouldn’t be difficult to properly integrate them into our society.” He suggested, much to Susara’s surprise.

“But why integrate them so quickly? The city has barely enough to hold the current population, let alone a whole herd of refugees. That’s not even mention the rations and access to fresh water?” She brought up a common concern among them.

Since the recent victory and the appearance of a healthy number of tribe leaders, there has been a slowly increasing influx of Zebras from all the continent, wanting to return to the “ancient capital” for commodities and a new place to call home. And to also help with the restoration, as some openly voiced out.

It really does seem that there is a great desire within their race to rebuild what has been lost, mostly thanks to all those lorekeepers and shamans that are spread out throughout the land and different tribes, keeping their ancient past alive.

Commendable, yes, and also a very strong sign of how dedicated the Zebra race as a whole can be. But it also brought up logistical problems that need to be resolved sooner than later, and if this whole Changeling gist holds any merit, then overpopulation would come sooner than later. Especially when integration is set upon the table.

The fertile river banks outside the city can only do so much. It won’t be long when the city would be unable to independently provide for itself, and soon it would either need to expand or try to import goods from other places, and given that the old trade routes have been neglected since the last Monkey King, it would be difficult to use them again.

First, they needed to be repaired before any sophisticated trade network could be reestablished, which again would take time and resources to do. Time was slowly running out, that much was true.

This was certainly another matter that needed to be presented to the Council, or even to the King himself.

The changeling was about to say something again, when Akadar quickly beaten him to it.

“That is fine, changelings only feed on emotions and love in general. Just give them affection and they shall be good to go.” He explained much to everyone’s surprise.

Bakuss was the first to voice out. “How do you know what changelings feed on? Until now, I personally didn’t know that such a race even existed.” He questioned, which was mentally shared by everyone else.

He just kept casual look as he looked at the Captain. “Easy, I have encountered one as a colt when I used to explore the caves far outside the city. My parents were farmers, so I was living outside the city walls and had easy access into the open sands beyond the river banks.” Akadar explained.

“Also, I have access to the City Archives, too. You won’t believe how old some of those scrolls are.” He added, which overall seems to make sense for all.

Though one matter was still unresolved. Something that Bakuss quickly realized. “Anyway, if you two would excuse me, I have this changeling over here to present to the Council scribe before moving on to the Officer’s wing. I bid you all a nice day.” He announced with a short bow.

“Come, Farries, let’s get you filed up before you are even allowed to actively help us and settle down for residency here. It is tedious, but it’s something that just needs to be done.” He explained to the ‘ling, who just nodded.

Both Susara and Akadar followed their departure, with the changeling giving the equally curious Akadar a quick look before disappearing behind a set of doors.

Bureaucracy, it’s a thing even in a desert-dwelling city.

“Well, what a strange looking race indeed. Kind of reminds me of some beetle species that reside on the edge of the forest in the far south,” Susara commented, rubbing her chin.

“Well, yes, quite.” Akadar casually responded with a bit of a sigh.

This got Susara’s attention, though. “What is it, Akadar? Are you feeling unwell all of sudden?” She questioned with concern in her voice.

Akadar just shook his head. “No, it’s nothing like that, I am fine but… just had a sudden thought cross my mind, that’s all. Nothing too major, in case you are wondering.” He dismissed.

Susara was still skeptical, of course, but decided just to nod and accept the High Priest's answer as it is. It certainly is none of her business anyway.

“Actually, now that this issue was brought up, I kind of remembered something that might find itself useful with all of this. I might just excuse myself, too.” He suddenly announced, which again took Susara by surprise.

Susara was about to question what he meant by that, before he quickly began trotting off, leaving her with nothing but her question to stand in front of the Council hall.

Susara just shook her head before stepping into the building to await the start of the meeting of all the High Priests of the city. She was supposed to convince Akadar to join too, and get him out of his little study back at the Temple. Now she has to somehow explain to the other representatives as to why he wasn’t here to attend the meeting as suggested.

Especially with the ever enclosing Festival of the Flames — a highly important festival of their culture.