Ketti was a docile beast. She had offered no struggle when the soldier had led her away by her lead to the newly erected stables.

They smelled of timber and plastics, needing to hold the village's strong beasts of burden. But clean all the same. Her stall was filled with new hay and a trough full of water. After the long day of hauling a full cart, she swiftly fell asleep.

She awoke in the later afternoon to the scent of sweet melons and a kind voice, deep as a cavern of crystal.

"Ah, there's a good fellow," it chuckled in response to a loud crunching noise. "No need to be greedy. I'm not going to take it away."

She stretched her sore limbs and slowly rose in time to see one of the caretaker folk pat the head of a young pekiki bull in the next stall before stepping towards hers, an army of melons rolling after him in their strange way of holding things.

He was a strange one. He had many eyes, and a horn, with wings he wrapped about himself like a cloak, and he wore odd bits of twisted cloth. She leaned forward to sniff him.

"Ooh, there's a beautiful girl," he said as he raised a sharp hoof and stroked her beard as gentle as velvet. "You know, that young fellow in the next stall has his eyes on you. Have a treat."

He pierced a melon with one of his hooves and held it up to her. She didn't hesitate to take a great bite out of it. It was sweet, and such treats were not given often.

"Good jaws," he commented as he returned to stroking her. He looked at the sign on her door. "Whoever is in house 221 surely loves you. I'll bet they shall visit soon to make sure you're alright."

His noises were easy on her ears, and a few she recognized. She continued at the offered treat.

Then a new one arrived.

One of the two-legged ones wearing a pointy hat. He had a female beside him, one she recognized in passing.

"Sir Dehoby, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Mayor Quid said smartly, standing as straight as possible.

"Max is fine," he responding gently before moving to the next stall to feed its beast. "I would hate to stress out an expectant jest. The fact I am a nic is stressful enough."

The jest visibly relaxed, but she gave him a frown. "Sir...Max... No one in Dunee harbors any animosity to you for what you are."

That seemed to give him pause, but he continued feeding the beast. "I thank you for the kind words. But, to the matter at hand. How are the villagers fairing?"

"They are well," she said. "Perhaps a little sad for leaving home behind. And tired for the journey. But they understand the situation."

"I hope to have them returned home as soon as possible," he commented, another melon gone. "I intend to remain close by until then. Unless other urgent matters appear."

"That would do their hearts much good," Quid smiled. "Though many have questions as to their current freedoms and support lines."

"As of now, you are all free to come and go as you please in the general area," Max said, turning to face her. He towered a good three heads above her, a giant for his kind. "Supplies will be brought in on a weekly basis via airship. Dunee and its surrounded area are quarantined until further notice. If you must leave the camp, please fill out a form of where you will be going and how long. That is after the medics ensure everyone has a clean bill of health. Shouldn't take more than a couple days."

Quid nodded in satisfaction. "I got mine just this morning. I've never felt so healthy in my life."

The nic nodded. "Seems to be so for many."

"Excuse me?" Mayor Quid asked, tilting her head.

"Nothing to be alarmed about," Max said as he passed out the final melon. "But it seems everyone in Dunee is of unquestionable health. Don't spread that around. I will be relying on you and your staff in this interesting time."

"You have our full support," she assured him with a small bob of her head.

"I've no doubt," he said sincerely with a bob in return. "Now, I suppose I should leave before anyone notices."

"Thats why you're here in the stables isnt it," the mayor asked with a frown, giving him pause again. "You didnt want anyone to see you. Do you really think we hate you as our leader?"

"Mur seem to like the idea of my leadership," he said softly, ears drooping a little. "They just don't enjoy the sight of me leading."

The mayor was quiet a moment. "I understand, Max. I have heard the stories of your varient."

"Then you..."

"And I have also heard the stories of you," she interrupted him, voice gentle and caring. "How you lead armies against the ancient savages centuries ago. How you slowed the fall of the moon so that life might persist on our world. How you gathered together tribes and families, and rebuilt civilization to form our Medley. How you dug wells, how you healed wounds... How you cared for us. Do you think there are not a few... Nay... Many, multitudes even, who love you?"

Max did not say anything as he departed with his wizard bodyguards. Leaving a saddened Mayor Ess Quid behind with her thoughts.

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A new chapter featuring Max, and Mayor Quid. More mysteries! More questions?

I Hope you're enjoying the story.