<span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 15px">Alrick Torold rose from his throne and descended the three stone steps to get a better look at what the slavers had brought for him. It had been over a week since he sent the letter requesting something exotic. All he'd gotten in response was a simple sentence; </span><i><span style="font-size: 15px">I know just what you need</span></i><span style="font-size: 15px">. Alrick's personality made him inclined towards skepticism and he'd almost canceled the request on several occasions, but he was suddenly glad he hadn't as he paced around the creature. <br/>
<br/>
"What is it?" he asked, glancing briefly at one of the slavers before returning to his scrutiny of the creature. <br/>
<br/>
"A kitsune, sire," the man answered, bowing again. "Little is known about them, except that they are somehow in relation to the fox. We don't know if they are indeed part fox in their physiology or if they simply have fox-like features. Their abilities are in relation to lightning, as well, but again the extent of this is unclear. We do know how to suppress these abilities, however, hence the iron collar. He will make a fine gift for your son."<br/>
<br/>
Alrick hummed noncommittally. "And you're certain the things gender is male?"<br/>
<br/>
"Yes, sire."<br/>
<br/>
Alrick nodded. "Very well. Have him chained to the floor. There is a hook in the center of the room. You will have your payment at the gate. Now, someone fetch my children. And make sure Astor is here, lest I cut of your head."<br/>
<br/>
One of the servants lining the far wall bowed deeply and then hurried from the room, leaving out a door on the back wall to the left of the throne. The slavers complied with King Alrick's orders, linking the kitsune's chain to the thick iron hook in the floor before bowing deeply and making their own hasty exit. King Alrick was known for his violence and mercilessness. They didn't want to tempt fate with their lives by lingering longer than necessary. <br/>
</span></span><br/><div style="text-align: center"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 15px">***<br/>
</span></span>​</div><span style="font-family: 'Georgia'"><span style="font-size: 15px">Astor Torold was awoken violently to a burst of light, the ruffling sound of his curtains being thrown open. He flinched away from the sudden appearance of the sudden, squinting through it to see his sister's silhouette against the window. <br/>
<br/>
"Rise, brother. Father is requesting our presence in the throne room."<br/>
<br/>
Astor groaned and burrowed his head back into his pillow. He wasn't certain how his sister had managed to enter the room without waking him - he was a very light sleeper, and rightfully so - but he tried not to question things too deeply where she was involved. The ceaseless round and round and the lack of answers always left him with a headache. <br/>
<br/>
"Up!" she shouted, yanking his covers back and flinging them to the floor. <br/>
<br/>
Astor rolled slightly to glare at her. She stared haughtily back, unphased. Astor inevitably gave in, sighing and dragging himself from the bed. <br/>
<br/>
"What time is it?" he asked, catching the bundle of clothing his sister had thrown at him. <br/>
<br/>
"Just before noon. You've had plenty of sleep." <br/>
<br/>
Astor could have argued with that, but he decided against calling upon his sister's ire. He dressed carefully in each article of clothing she tossed at him; a beaten pair of brown leather pants, a form fitting pale tunic, his scuffed leather boots, and so on. She then assisted him in climbing into his armor. <br/>
<br/>
This was apparently a formal affair, as Sigrid was also dressed to the nines and even wearing a spot of makeup. It wasn't exactly rare, but it meant she cared about impressing someone, and that was a big deal for her. <br/>
<br/>
"What does he want?"<br/>
<br/>
Sigrid shrugged. "He has someone he wants us to meet. You, in particular. He threatened to cut a slaves head off if you were not present, so of course they came to me."<br/>
<br/>
"I do find it difficult to tell you know," he agreed. Sigrid smirked, though he hadn't meant it as a joke. <br/>
<br/>
In the throne room, Edda Torold casted a nervous glance in her son's direction, clearly disapproving of the events that were unfolding. Alrick was not smiling, but there was something in his countenance that spoke of smugness. It made Astor's gut roil to see it, so he turned his gaze away. <br/>
<br/>
It instead locked on a creature that by all rights appeared to be a man, if not for the pointed black fox ears and the pushy black tail. The creature was chained to the floor with an inordinate amount of iron. Astor felt one eyebrow rise towards his hairline. This was...unexpected. <br/>
<br/>
"What is this?" Bjorn asked, trotting in behind them to stand at Astor and Sigrid's side. Astor reluctantly looked back to his father in waiting for his response. <br/>
<br/>
"It is a kitsune. A rare and illusive creature from far off lands. And it is a gift."<br/>
<br/>
Dread coiled low in Astor's belly. He did not want to hear what his father had to say next. <br/>
<br/>
"Astor," he began. "Eight years ago, I fear the two of us parted on uneasy terms. I could not understand the decisions you were making about your life and you could not understand why it appalled me as it did. But you return home to us an injured war hero who has saved countless lives and taken many more in the name of your countries safety. <br/>
<br/>
"So, I offer you an olive branch; a pleasure slave, for you to use however you like." Alrick's words may have sounded pretty, but his grin was full of malice. <br/>
<br/>
This was an insult of the highest esteem and Astor could do nothing but grit his teeth and take it. Sigrid nudged him in the side and he knew what she wanted. Bile climbed his throat at the thought, but he swallowed it back. "Thank you, father," he growled out through his gritted teeth. <br/>
<br/>
"Of course, son. The slaves will linger, but the rest of us shall take our leave so that you can become acquainted with your new pet."<br/>
<br/>
Astor stared at the far wall as everyone rose to leave. Sigrid patted his shoulder as she left, but Astor paid her no mind. When the room was once again empty, Astor turned a baleful look on the creature. He wanted to cut it down where it knelt, but knew he could not. He was trapped in a corner. Astor hated nothing more than being trapped.</span></span>