As Thaddeus passed through the gatehouse, his anger transitioned into wonder. Walking about before him were various species of Bears, Rabbits, Gorillas, Goats, Bulls, Cats, Dogs, Birds, and Snake people. He was also surprised to see Black Bearkin, Sloth Bearkin, and Panda Bearkin. Never in his imagination did he think he see such a kaleidoscope of people. Especially, new species of Bearkin.

Ursa was surprisingly large, nearly twice the size of Redwood, the capital of the Akkadian Empire. The massive towers enclosed the city from all sides and twelve large stone towers surrounded it from all directions. Next to the towers were massive barracks filled with Bearkin warriors while warbands patrolled the city. Large houses were made of stone, and the cobblestone roads were filled to the brim with players and merchants. It was a bustling city that housed several hundred thousand beastmen. At the center of this city was a massive coliseum where a tournament was taking place.

Thadeus and Sabrina didn’t have long to take in the site before Armstrong grumbled, “Let’s go!”

As they walked to the City Hall, Thaddeus could tell something was wrong. Several people had worried expressions on their faces. Banners hung down from the walls encouraging citizens and refugees to join the army. It reminded him of when Felix the Fraud attacked Woodhaerst.

The unnerving atmosphere put Thaddeus on guard. Turning to face his escorts, Thaddeus asked “Who would be so bold as to attack the Bear Kingdom?”

The question caused Armstrong and the other Bearmen to pause and look at each other. Sighing the eldest Bearman turned to Thaddeus and replied, “The Pantera Kingdom.” His sad face depicted his frustration and resignation. “That mad tyrant wants to reestablish the Beastmen Kingdom. Already he annexed the Avian, Goat, Rabbit, and Gorilla kingdoms, and is at war with the Bovine Kingdom. If they win, the Canine Kingdom will be wide open for the taking.”

The more he spoke the angrier he became. “In my opinion, it’s those detestable Snakes to blame. Those cunning fiends filled that egoist with dreams of being Beast King. While the Lion King dueled with the Gorilla King for the Gorilla Kingdom, those vicious Naga attacked the pacifist Goat and Rabbit Kingdoms.” Each utterance of the Naga Kingdom was filled with venom.

Transitioning from anger to sadness, he explained the effects of the war. “The Bear King sent reinforcements to bolster the minotaur forces. But the Pantera Kingdom has fierce warriors comparable to our own. The entire kingdom is preparing for a long-drawn-out war. In the interim, the Bear King has granted sanctuary to war refugees. Worse yet, the influx of refugees caused a rise in food shortages and crime.”

Now it was Armstrong’s turn. Behind his fierce gaze, Thaddeus could sense great shame. “Every day, there are frequent skirmishes in the street between refugees and Bearkin. The food crises and crime have caused great hunger and poverty. Some families are forced to sell their young to human slave traders to survive. We are in a death spiral and can do nothing until the tyrant is dead! And to our great humiliation, the Bear King was forced to kneel and beg support before your human emperor!”

Neither Thaddeus nor Sabrina expected to walk into a potential war zone. For the first time on the trip, he rethought his decision not to bring Sergeant Ulysses' and his knights. Ultimately, he decided it was best to leave them in Woodhaerst to bolster the town’s defenses. With the number of players living and visiting in Woodhaerst and Ironwood, he needed Sergeant Ulysses’ knights to help maintain the peace. Whether for ransom or to own a guild town, player coups were a common occurrence. Thaddeus felt his cities were more than safe in his absence. It was an open secret; he was allied with the Mythical Guild and agri-business group.

“We’re here,” Armstrong announced, leading them past a bazaar and into City Hall.

As they walked past the market, Thaddeus saw stalls bustling with activity and brimming with the exotic aromas of distant lands. The booths were filled with Beastkin merchants from all corners of the world, offering wares that ranged from rare spices to magical artifacts.

“We should go check it out later,” Sabrina mentioned, after checking out the intricately embroidered quilt and the soothing sounds of minstrels.

“Once we finish inside, let’s find an inn and then head out to explore,” Thaddeus agreed.

“This way!” Armstrong barked.

The City Hall was a large administration building, with massive doors that welcomed guests and city officials. The main hall housed a regal fountain of with a heroic Bear King holding a raised spear. It was clear, the fountain stood as a testament to the martial prowess of Bearkin Warriors. Water cascaded from the back of a stone-carved bear like a cape, into a crystal-clear pool below.

To the right, a grand staircase spiraled upwards, its steps worn smooth by the passage of countless feet, leading to the Magistrate’s Office where Thaddeus was meant to be questioned.

Walking up the steps, Armstrong and his troop stopped outside the Magistrate’s Office. There two large Bearmen in dæmons stood guard.

“State your business!” a guard ordered his voice a mix of baritone and irritation.

“This is Baron Thaddeus Brown and his mate. He claims to be the missing Bearington heir,” Armstrong explained.

“Another pretender to the Bearington heirship. Hey Buddy, how many does this make, 34 or 35?” the guard asked his partner.

“I don’t know, I think 36?” replied the second guard, his voice a bit congested.

“We’ll take him in for questioning, you’re free to go now!” Explained the first guard.

Thaddeus and Sabrina were led inside to a waiting room. Soon after, a tall Barwoman was tall with light-brown fur opened an office door, dressed in fine silk clothes, and with an annoyed voice, sharply yelled for them to “Enter!”

The interior of the interview room was a small box with thick walls and was uncomfortably hot. The only furniture in the room was a wooden table and three chairs. Waves of heat emanated from the back of the room. All Thaddeus could come up with was that it was some sort of interrogation tactic. After all, discomfort often led to tactical errors. Next to him, he could see Sabrina’s discomfort.

“Sit,” she said, pointing to two seats, not bothering to rise from hers.

“Why don’t you leave the room, I’ll be fine,” Thaddeus said sympathetically.

“Alright, I’ll be just outside if you need me?” She said getting up, clearly distressed from the heat.

“Alright Mr. Brown, I’m going to ask you a series of questions,” pausing she pointed to the ceiling. “Above us is a lie detector, it can tell whether you are lying or not,” pausing again, she looked Thaddues in the eyes and explained, “The penalty for impersonating the missing Bearington heir is a grave offense. The penalty ranges from 10 months in jail to 10 years. Do you want to renounce your claim to be heirship? If you do, I’ll ask the Council of Judges for a lighter sentence,” she said her voice full of accusation.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

“Look, I just came here to find my mother,” Thaddeus said fed up with accusations against him.

“I must say, you’re one of the better ones,” she said opening his file. “According to the empire, you are indeed related to the Brown family. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean David Brown in your father. Can you read and write?”

“Of course,” Thaddeus responded.

“Good,” she said, sliding over a packet of forms. “Fill these out. Be sure to write what you remember about your parents?”

Thaddeus looked down at the forms and laughed at the absurdity of filling out paperwork. To his surprise the forms asked for his name, address, occupation, education, and locations for both Earth and Xenia. Thaddeus spent several minutes describing his memories of his parents. He wrote so much, that sweat began pouring down his face.

Once he finished, she snatched them from him and read over them, somehow managing to stare at both the forms and Thaddeus.

After checking the documents, she smiled facetiously. “We’ll send these over to the Bearington Family Patriarch to review. In the meantime, you’re welcome to stay in an inn and enjoy the city’s hospitality,” she said, stamping her seal on the papers before carefully rolling them up into a thick scroll.

“What happens after it goes to the Bearington family,” Thaddeus asked causally, but the possibility of meeting his mother weighed on his mind. He also wondered if this was a fool’s errand. He felt like a lost child in a supermarket trying to find their parents, only to discover they never existed. His fate swung like a pendulum swinging between hope and despair.

The investigator looked at Thaddeus suspiciously. Her eyes were filled with doubt and mistrust. “After the family responds you go before the Council to either reinstate you or sentence you for fraud.

Thaddeus and Sabrina exited the City Hall, with the freedom to explore Ursa. The brief vacation felt like a chance to immerse themselves in a new city. Although the city was teetering on the brink of war, they walked to the bustling market.

The marketplace was in a frenzy, and the advent of war caused food prices to skyrocket. The panic led to people hoarding food and water. People fought over a six-silver loaf of bread. In Woodhaerst that loaf of bread sold for six coppers. Even shop owners sold expensive cauldrons, tools, and weapons for steep discounts to secure enough currency for basic needs.

Thaddeus and Sabrina took advantage of the situation and bought several otherwise expensive skill books, tools, alchemy ingredients, and home goods. They did their best to be discreet, so as not to incentive others to rob them. They were doing a good job until someone pointed out the buying spree. At once, a mob gathered around them begging for money for their children and families. Others shouted obscenities at them for being insensitive and taking advantage of the situation to splurge.

Despite the growing crowd, Thaddeus was strong and fast enough to escape. Pulling Sabrina by the hand, he evaded the mob. As they fled the marketplace, Sabrina yelled out promising to donate to the Church of Earth.

Alone, and back on the main boulevard, they decided best to keep a low profile and search for an inn. After asking around, they finally found an inn near the City Hall right off the street. Walking into The Thirsty Goat Inn, they were surprised by the low-key atmosphere and upscale furnishings. It appeared the panic outside did not affect the inn whatsoever. The inn was a sturdy, welcoming structure near the edge of a major intersection, its sign depicting a jovial Goatman holding a tankard aloft.

“Greetings, how much for a large bedroom with a bath and three hot meals?” Thaddeus inquired.

The bartender looked at Thaddeus and Sabrina suspiciously. “What’s a half-Bearman and human woman want a room for?”

“We’re together,” Sabrina informed him.

“This isn’t a whore house, find another inn,” the bartender complained.

“…”

Both Thaddeus and Sabrina were momentarily stunned. However, Sabrina was the most surprised. Her mouth hung open and her emotions swung like a pendulum between anger and shock. Eventually, anger won out and she tried to attack the barkeep. If not for Thaddeus holding her back, she would have rained down all kinds of disastrous potions on the man.

“She means we’re married,” Thaddeus clarified.

“Oh, sorry for the misunderstanding,” the barkeeper said, his voice apologetic and sincere. “Crazy times all, it’s hard to tell what's in people’s minds these days. Names, Barry, and we have plenty of rooms if you got the coin. Things are expensive nowadays, a room with a shower and food is going to run 60 silvers, is that okay?”

“That’s fine,” Thaddeus said handing over the coins.

Seeing the coin, the innkeeper’s eyes widened, and his lips curved into a welcoming smile as he passed the room key to Thaddeus.

When Thaddeus opened the guestroom door, Sabrina ran and jumped into the bed. While Thaddeus knew she didn’t mind camping, he knew she desperately missed sleeping in a bed. They quickly bathed and settled into the room, before falling asleep.

Yawing, Thaddeus woke up. When he sat up, he could see Sabrina was already awake and looked worried. Wrapping his hand around her, he asked, “Did you have a good sleep?”

“I had trouble falling asleep,” Sabrina said her eyes filling up with tears.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Thaddeus asked cautiously, as his stomach urged him to eat.

“Thaddeus…are you the least concerned this may all be for nothing?” Sabrina asked Caringly.

“Even if this turns out to be for nothing, at least I can feel good knowing I tried,” Thaddeus explained. “Now about that food.”

“Thaddeus take this seriously! Everyone already suspects you’re a fraud and they are planning to imprison you! What about us? What about your towns? You’ll be stuck here for who knows how long. Maybe it was a mistake coming here?” asked Sabrina worriedly, as tears streamed down her face.

Thaddeus momentarily wondered if she was right. But he soon rejected the idea, “No, we’ll be fine. Together, we can overcome any challenge and face tomorrow!”

“I’m glad you feel that way too! I love you,” Sabrina said, wrapping herself in his encouraging arms.

“Now let’s eat and check out the nightlife! We only have a day, so let’s make the most of it,” Thaddeus said getting dressed.

After having a quick dinner of meat pies, cream corn, and mashed potatoes they head towards the massive coliseum in the city's center. The sounds of the armed combat echoed through the streets. To take the residents' and refuges minds off the impending war, the king ordered a combat tournament to relieve stress. They arrived to find the stands filled with spectators, a sea of faces from across the capital, each drawn by the promise of spectacle and glory.

The tournament was a display of skill and valor, with combatants from various races and players competing for the tournament champion. Amidst the fervor of the tournament, a Bearkin player, his fur, a rich shade of umber, motioned them over. Thaddeus and Sabrina exchanged a glance.

At first, Thaddeus wondered if the player wanted to challenge Thaddeus to a duel in the coliseum, but when they arrived, the player chided them for being late. “What are you two doing, you’re going to miss the meeting!” he boomed, his voice carrying over the din of the crowd.

“Late?” Thaddeus asked unsurely.

“Yes, late. It’s a good thing I was late too, or I wouldn’t have spotted you,” he said, weaving through the throngs of spectators.

Confused and curious, Thaddeus and Sabrina followed the Bearkin player. When they arrived in a large chamber, they were surprised to see a room full of Bearkin players. Men and women sat on benches while a player spoke in the middle.

The speaker spoke in a soft Russian accent, and explained, “The Bear King has called upon all able warriors. It's not just a call to arms; it's an opportunity to earn experience points.” His eyes, gleaming with a warrior's zeal, scanned their faces for a sign of warrior spirit. “The highest-ranked player will be granted a rare bloodline,” Hearing that the crowd became excited. “Second place earns skill book. Also, there are other awards for third through tenth place. So, the question, we must answer is do we fight, or do we sit out the war?”

No sooner had he finished, than another person stood, “Before we decide we need to know what the Lion King is offering.”

As the meeting continued, strategies and alliances formed amidst the fervor of preparation. Thaddeus too felt the desire to fight. The benefits alone were just too good to sit out the war.

Finally, after hours of conversation, the first Bearman stood up. “It’s time to decide. But as players we must decide, do we join the war, or do we sit this war out? Of course, every person can choose for themselves what they’ll do. Let’s vote, all in favor of in joining the war, raise your hand.”

Slowly hands crept upwards…and in the midst, were Thaddues’s.