Part 7: A Journey Begun

During the night, Raina learned to walk. Once she had risen to all fours and begun, walking wasn't that hard, she found. The stairs took a little ingenuity, since she had four legs and had to figure out where to put them all. Eventually, she had taken to moving her front feet, one at a time, to the next step, and then moving her back feet, one at a time, up one step. It had taken her a bit to get up the stairs, and when she reached the top and looked down, they seemed quite treacherous to her. Finally, she had gotten safely back into the room. She wanted to wake Krisr up, but she thought the better of it and instead curled up at the end of the bed to await morning.

When Krisr arose in the morning, Raina didn't stir. She was quite tired from last night's exploits. She watched him hurriedly dress and prepare for the day, peering over the blanket piled in front of her. Finally, she decided to spring it on him all at once. While his back was turned, she slid out of bed on her belly and got all four of her legs under her. Then, she whistled a short phrase to get his attention.

"What is it, m'l--oh ye gods! Raina! Y-you're a shrape! A Terran shrape! Oh, my queen has grown into a beautiful young ruler at last! All bow before her innocence and beauty!" Still with a look of complete shock on his face, he got down on all fours so he could examine her at eye level. He ran his hands along her as he spoke, making sure she was all in one piece.

"Four long, sturdy legs... two perfect toes on each firm foot... yes, you are indeed more perfect than before, dear Raina! Oh happy day! No longer shall we run menial errands and do laundry! Now, my dear, we are adventurers! Let us be off!"

He rose abruptly to his feet, purposefully stumbling but recovering quickly, and moved to the window, where the pale light of dawn was creeping through the curtains. Raina just stared at him for a few seconds, watching the delight and eagerness on his face. Catching his good mood, she grinned and teased him.

*Must you always play the entertainer, dear bondmate? Wherefore do you seek to amuse me with your overwrought praises and your unsteady movements?*

"Praises overwrought?" Krisr demanded with the pomp of a professional actor, immediately playing along. "Never! No praise do I bestow that your goddess-like form does not command! Movements unsteady? Surely not!" He yelled this and swung his arm out, hitting the curtains and tangling his arm in them, causing him to struggle and twist to free himself for a few seconds. He slapped the curtains around in mock anger and then totally regained his noble stance again. "Well... perhaps not... but that is besides the point! I do all to please you, my queen, for when you are unpleased, the sun doth not shine, the wind doth not blow, and the river doth not runneth!" He rushed over to kneel before her, putting his hands on her newly-acquired shoulders. "You are my queen, my queen, and I shall do whatever you command... write no praises... steady no movements... whatever you wish, m'lady!" He bowed his head to the floor, like a peasant begging mercy from a lord. Raina tried to keep a straight face, but finally she chuckled, admitting that Krisr had performed admirably.

*Steady no movements?* She asked, raising an eyebrow. *No challenge there, m'lad.*

Krisr just grinned and rose to his feet. "Today, dear Raina, we depart for Bishen Realm! Come, we must gather supplies and go hence!"