Ahhhhh what a wonderful nap. Cats really know how to sleep. During my dream, I consulted with Rubert and he helped me decide what I was going to do. I need to tell these guys a shortened version of the truth. No need for a full depth of my abilities just that I can help and such. It's up to them to decide what to do though. I will say I think they should capture Harris and bring him to the Marquis of Port Zoon. Someone is going to try and have him released or even assassinated. But the most important part is that journal. That needs to be put in the hands of someone with enough power to actually enact some change. I went ahead and checked up on Alamads. He seems like a good soul and will do what's right with this information. He is a former shore warden himself so I know he is invested in setting that part of this conspiracy right. Other than that Rubert reported that the raven, cat, dog, and rat have all been trying to get into the memory warehouse. I don't know how but they seem to have a desire for sapience. If they are this driven then I can honor that request but not tonight. I need to be focused on this and not four new voices in my head.

Either way, it seems some of these guys are starting to rise. Folis looks dead tired still. Must of had a tough time sleeping. I don't blame him. Abaxis finished his meditation hours ago so he has been reading Zenix’s cheesy novels. Carmilla and Lupine have a don’t talk to me till I have had my coffee vibe. Zenix definitely is a morning person. Already all smiles and a bundle of sunshine. And Devin has that dad vibe on lockdown. He has already left and came back with food. A+ dude. It's a nice morning that I am about to ruin. I hop over to Folis and tap his feet. Time to break the news buddy.

“Ugh, what.” He said. I gesture to the group. I try to signal, you start, I will follow. It's not easy with a cat body but I think he got the message.

“Alright, fine. Hey guys, I need to say something.” Folis said.

“It better be an apology,” Lupine said.

“I want twice the normal amount of groveling,” Carmilla said.

“No, it's not that. This is important.” Folis said. That got their attention. They shifted uncomfortably anticipating some kind of talk. I don’t know the full history of this group but they seemed close. “All right I will just come out with it. The cat isn't a cat.” He said. There was a small silence before someone spoke up.

“What do you mean the cat isn't a cat? What is it?” Devin asked.

“I don’t know. I will let him explain.” Folis said, looking at me. My turn then.

“Yes, he is correct. I am not a cat.” I said. This time there was a longer silence. Zenix looked confused. Lupine and Carmilla got really concerned. Devin and Abaxis both got tense, ready for a fight if it came to it. “Allow me to introduce myself, I am Edsom Lewis and I work for the Zhelezo here in Feolinn. I can shapeshift myself into animals. I saw you all breaking into the Golden Hand yesterday and followed you all to investigate. I was informed that Harris had called a lot of guards away and we found it suspicious that was happening at the same time as you all breaking in.” I said.

“You fucking lied to us! I gave you like an hour of belly rubs!” Yelled Zenix and the sting of guilt hurt my heart.

“I’m sorry. I was afraid of being caught and honestly, it felt really nice.” I said.

“We need to see what you really look like. You are still manipulating us by being a cat.” Abaxis said.

“You are right. That is fair.” I said. With a flash of silver, the orange tabby disappeared and the 23-year-old 5’5’ ish dark-haired man was revealed. I was still in my Zho armor as I hadn't had a chance to change that. I had been a cat since I went into the Golden Hand yesterday. “Now before you all start questioning and/or threatening me I would like to say I know what is in that journal. The ramifications of that book could destroy this town. I would like to help you all place it in the proper hands.” I said.

“Why would you want that?” Lupine said.

Find this and other great novels on the author's preferred platform. Support original creators!

“That journal has blackmail that could be used against quite a few of the local Zhelezo. I knew there was corruption but not that it was that bad. The concord has laws for a reason and when the people that are supposed to enforce those laws break them for their own gain, the hammer will come down hard. I have only been a Zhelezo for a week and I won’t be caught up in this trouble.” I said.

“A very practical mindset. I take it that there is no love lost after seeing this.” Carmilla said.

“None. Being a Zho was simply a means to an end for me. I planned on leaving at some point and depending on how this goes it might be sooner rather than later.” I said.

“How did you know he wasn’t a cat Folis,” Devin said.

“Yes, how long too? And why didn't you tell us sooner?” Zenix asked.

“I had a feeling about it when I saw him but I didn’t know who or what he was. When you all were drinking last night I confronted him. He told me the same story he told you. I decided to let him give his peace before you all decide what to do with him in the morning.” Folis said.

“Give us a minute,” Devin said and brought the group into a huddle. I could eavesdrop with dog ears but I figured that was untrustworthy. There were at least 6 minutes of hushed whispers. Some raised voices and a small amount of yelling but I couldn't really tell how it was going. Folis was there looking both guilty at them and mad at me. Sorry dude I was doing my job. Eventually, Devin said, ”Alright. We have decided not to kill you.” They thought about that!!

“We also decided to take the journal to the Marquis of Port Zoon Alamads Haddou. He was the one who hired us in the first place. You may come with us to deliver the journal and then we are done. You can go your way, we will go ours.” Devin said.

“That's more than fair,” I said.

“Good. We will leave in a couple of hours by way of magic. You probably already know this since you heard us talking yesterday.” Devin said.

“Yes, I believe you mentioned that Abaxis has portal magic. That's fine by me.” I said.

“Good. You are going to stay here in the meantime. No offense but he can not let a known shapeshifter out of our sights.” Devin said.

“I will stay in the building. It's probably for the best that the Cherryfoots don't know I am here. I am friends with them.” I said.

That got a few surprised looks. They will probably confirm that themselves in a minute, but that's okay. I imagine they will hear nothing but good things. And it will give them a chance to learn about my past from someone other than myself….. Oh shit, I am manipulative. They probably would have taken this information to Alamads without me interfering. I have now inserted myself into this, why? Personal gain? I now have a connection to a powerful group of adventurers and they are taking me to meet the marquis of Port Zoon. I feel even worse about this now. I need to help them.

“Thank you all for trusting me. I am sorry about the deception but I needed to know what was happening. If even half the things in that journal are true it's going to be months to sort through it all. From arresting everyone to making sure people aren't spooked, to dealing with the fallout of businesses failing, etc. I just became a Zho and I am already wrapped up in a conspiracy. I am grateful for this help. Is there anything I can do to help you all?” I said.

“We accept your apology and are happy to accept the offer for help. We don't have anything we need right now but we will let you know.” Abaxis said.

“Come on Zenix, we need to get some stuff,” Lupine said. She and Zenix then left. Carmilla and Devin left as well leaving just Folis, Abaxis, and I to sit in awkward silence.

I decided to break the ice. “So who are you all? I know your names but not much else.”

It was Folis who actually spoke. “We are a group of adventurers from Taldori. We aren't all from the same place but we met in Emon. Did a few jobs together and eventually things kept growing from there. We came to the Menagerie Coast as a sort of vacation, but people always need help.”

“We have been investigating a leak in the Shore Wardens. For the last few months, ships carrying supplies have been attacked almost as soon as they have left port. It was assumed to be normal pirate attacks at first but it became obvious that someone was leaking the supply routes. Alamads hired us to figure out who was leaking the information. Now that we have it, we are going to bring him that information.” Abaxis said.

“I see. That is definitely bad.” I said.

“Why is a shapeshifter working for the Zhelezo?” Abaxis asked.

“I am not something like a monster or a changeling. I am actually a human. I have the ability to take the forms of animals I have killed and then eaten. I offered the use of my powers to the Zhelezo in exchange for the opportunity to learn some combat and survival skills. In the last week, they have prepared several new animals for me to turn into.” I said.

“So like any animal?” Folis asked.

“So far, yes. I have several crabs, a rooster, a cat, a dog, birds, and a rat form. I am working on increasing my skills so I can get something like a wolf or a bear. I have practiced using a spear so I might be able to kill a wolf on my own. After that, it will be simple as I only need to practice new forms until they let me get something bigger or better. I can also combine forms to do things one form usually can't. It was how I could speak as a cat. I shifted the vocal cords around and gave myself the ability to speak. Cats are already pretty vocal animals so it wasn’t hard.” I said. I am trying to speak as much of the truth as possible. They seem experienced enough to not trust shape changers. Especially ones that have no traceable history.

And like that, I spend the rest of the morning in the master suite. I tell Abaxis and Folis about my training with the Zho and about my time here with the Cherryfoots. I tell them the story about my mother and the bandits. The others can confirm if my story matches what they learn later, but for now I simply wait. Once we get to Port Zoon and speak with the Marquis I can see about making this up to them.