Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
The big Hybrid hadn’t repeated his show of emotion, but Penny couldn’t help thinking about it. He had looked so serious when he talked about never forgetting her and for a moment she’d almost thought he was going to kiss her…
“Welcome, to the residence of Chieftain Swift Tail and Lady Bright Coat,” a voice intoned, breaking into her train of thought.
Looking up, Penny saw that a servant Fox’en had opened the door and was bowing them inside. He wore a kind of collar around his neck—a thick black leather band. Hanging from it was a golden tag with the name, “Sure Paw” engraved in flowing script.
He must be the head butler or something, Penny thought as the servant ushered them through the house—which was carved entirely from the natural stone of the mountain. The walls glimmered with streaks of gold and silver and the moss with the natural luminescence covered the ceilings, shedding a soft golden glow over everything.
Penny could certainly see why the royal Fox’ens would have picked this particular house for themselves out of the whole city. It was lovely and so natural—like it had been grown rather than built.
The furniture was all low to the ground and when they walked into the dining room, she saw that instead of chairs, there were puffy red cushions arranged around the low table.
“Please wait for Chieftain Swift Tail and Lady Bright Coat to enter before you are seated,” the servant told them. Then he left the room at a dignified pace, his long tail swishing behind him.
Penny and V’rex stood by the table but they didn’t have to wait for long. Soon enough, Chieftain Swift Tail and Lady Bright Coat entered.
“Ah, Merchant V’rex and Lady Penelope,” Chieftain Swift Tail smiled at them.
“It’s so nice to have you in our home. Thank you for coming,” Lady Bright Coat added. She was still wearing the Eye of Ten’gu on a chain around her neck.
Penny wondered if the Chieftain and his lady were really as happy as they professed to see herself and V’rex. Both of their tails were wagging which seemed to be a clear sign of sincerity, so she decided they must be.
“Thank you so much for having us,” she replied, smiling at them both.
“We have been so looking forward to sharing a meal with you,” V’rex added.
They all sat down at the low table with Penny across from Lady Bright Coat and V’rex across from the Chieftain. As soon as everyone was settled, the servant came in again bearing a tray full of steaming bowls.
When the bowl was set in front of Penny, she examined it apprehensively. Knowing the kind of things the Fox’ens seemed to enjoy eating, it seemed certain that this was going to be an interesting dinner to say the least.
Filling the deep bowl was a kind of bone broth—with actual roasted bones floating in it. There was also a generous amount of blue and green herbs sprinkled over the rich-smelling broth, which was a pale amber color.
Chieftain Swift Tail and Lady Bright Coat immediately put their muzzles directly into their soup bowls and began to lap with their long tongues. Penny wasn’t sure if she and V’rex ought to do the same or not. She was just about to lean over and try to sip from the edge of the bowl when Lady Bright Coat looked up.
“Oh, I do apologize!” she exclaimed. “You’re dressed in such lovely fur outfits, I quite forgot you flat-faces don’t eat the same way we Fox’ens do.”
Flat-faces? Penny thought. But before she could ask any questions, Lady Bright Coat clapped her hands and the servant appeared at once.
“Sure Paw,” she said to him. “Pray, bring Merchant V’rex and Lady Penelope some suckspoons so they may enjoy this excellent bone stew.”
The servant bowed and returned at once with two long, silver straws that had tiny silver spoons at the ends of them. They looked a little like Slurpee straws to Penny, except they were considerably fancier, with delicate filigree carvings all up and down their lengths.
“You can suck up the broth with the hollow shaft and then use the spoon attachment to dig the marrow out of the bones,” Lady Bright Coat explained. “Well, go on—give it a try.”
She was watching intently so Penny was sure they had no choice in the matter. Hesitantly, she put the spoon end of the suckspoon into the broth and took a sip.
The steamy liquid was actually quite delicious. It was warm and salty and meaty and the blue and green herbs tasted like chives and garlic.
“Mmm!” Penny took another sip and looked up at Lady Bright Coat. “This is delicious! I especially like the herbs. They really add to the meaty notes of the broth.”
“Oh, I’m so glad you enjoy it!” Lady Bright Coat smiled, her tail thumping against the cushion she was sitting on. “And I’ll tell you something about those herbs, my dear Lady Penelope—they’re called ‘breedalot’ and they’re extra good for fertility.”