Page 6 of Moon Tamed

The wolf bounded off, leaving the faction’s heir lying on the floor. “Are you all right, sir?”

“Never better.”

His effort to preserve his dignity amused me. I placed the tablet on his chest and went into my office to discover what sort of hell waited for me.

TWO

Animals trusted in deeds alone.

Allasandro Stephans, the leader of the Hunters and the long-time ruler of Moonriver, swept into my office, perched on my desk, and asked, “What is your favorite color?”

An entire flock of emerald green hummingbirds flitted around the man’s head. Like his son, I could have mistaken him for a performing artisan, one fit enough to keep up with the Hunters.

I pointed at the birds. “That green.”

Allasandro lifted a finger, and one of the tiny birds landed. “Do you like them?”

“Before today, I’d only seen them in pictures.” It amazed me the bird trusted the man. “I like most birds.”

The bird’s trust told me more about his nature than any news article could, too. People could be swayed with pretty words.

Animals trusted in deeds alone.

“This floor is dedicated to seven species of hummingbird. They’re all imported from Earth. These guys went extinct on their home world due to habitat loss.”

“I don’t know much about Earth, but Mr. Calden mentioned the tigers from the lobby.”

“Earth is struggling to survive and won’t last much longer, but we’ve managed to rescue some species. Also, there’s no need for formality with me. Calden can handle it, although I believe his pride has been thoroughly crushed for today. What’s your favorite food?”

“Rabbit.” While classed as an Earthen invasive species, rabbits showed up in the grocery store often, cost less than most other meats, and could be hunted in limited quantities without requiring a license. I made use of the licensing rules to hide my hunting activities, delighting in how I could spend five hours on a hunt and come home with enough meat for a week.

Next year, I was guaranteed a license, and I meant to claim mine, even if it revealed my hunting ways.

“Hair color?”

Thanks to meeting Calden, I’d found a newfound appreciation for brown, a common shade compared to my pale silver with darker roots. “Brown.”

“Hobby?”

“Reading.”

“Fiction or non-fiction?”

What sort of question was that? “Both.”

“Faction?”

I shrugged, “I don’t have one. I know I have better prospects and options in a faction, but I enjoy the challenges of working at my firm.”

He nodded. “That’s part of why we requested you; my faction is the only one you haven’t contracted with before. This makes you the ideal external evaluator. Knowing my son, he’s already made commentary on the angle he wants you to take.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Ignore him.”

I recognized a no-win situation when I saw one. “I will do multiple reports from differing points of view,” I promised.

“Perfect. No matter what he says, I’m prepared to serve my city however is needed.”

---