He can see only light. The only sound, the chant that calls to him. His home of several years had faded away, and now he waits for his new one to appear. He is excited, wondering what is in store for him when he gets there. He is confident, determined, and the peace inside him keeps his excitement in check. Slowly the light fades and he stands in the middle of a magic circle. His head whips this way and that, curious. 'I am still outdoors. I can smell the dew on the grass, it is morning. The trees here are short, not too old, but not too young either, the trunks are thick. . .' His thoughts trail off as he smells something new on the breeze. Small black eyes zero in on the tree line and after a moment there is a movement.

A human steps forward, or so he assumes. It looks like the way they were described. Standing on two legs, no curve to the back, and hung with colors not their own. The man, for it is indeed a male, walks forward and as soon as he is but a handful of paces away he drops to one knee. The small ratel looks up, seeing a human for the first time, he examines it thoroughly. The mas stays silent as the beast moves around him, waiting for the right moment to address his country's last hope. 'Smells odd, like flowers and plants, and so many other things. It's odd. I wonder why. . .Maybe, it is that magic my mentor spoke of. They need the blessing of the earth through use of the things it provides to work their magic. Interesting. Well, even with the herbs, this human must be powerful on his own to summon me'

Stopping in front of the man the ratel sits and waits. He has been trained to recognize a lot of human speech so he waits to be addressed. It takes a moment for the man to understand what the beast is waiting for, but once he figures it out he offers a small bow of his head. “Welcome Master Beast. I have summoned you for a special task. I am Allurian, the king's mage, the lord of this country. His highness grows older, and his son, the prince. . .He is not suited to take over this land.” The aged man's voice is low and rough, like stones tumbling over one another. The ratel is not completely positive on most of what he has to say, but he gathers that the man summoned him for something perhaps more difficult than he was expecting. None the less, his confidence does not wane.

'I do not understand the human ruling system, but I suppose a king would be a pack leader, like the wolves have. My species does not move in packs, but I understand the concept' Lifting his head he nods his understanding.

The man bows his head again. “I thank you for coming. The young man needs a guide, he needs to learn responsibility, and. . .And he needs a friend. He has grown so spoiled, so use to getting his way. I fear that without learning to care for anyone other than himself, when it is his turn to rule, the country will fall.”

'A bad leader. I get that' He nods again, standing. The man stands along with him, his aged frame surprisingly sturdy. The man bends over, holding his arms out, and after a few seconds the beast figures out what he wants. 'Well, this should be interesting. I've ridden the backs of other beasts, but I've never been carried' Careful to keep his claws from the humans delicate skin he puts his front paws on the man's arm before being scooped up, the sensation intriguing him. His head rotates this way and that, the light overhead indicating that the sun will soon rise. He takes in everything he can during the trip, his nose going a mile a minute as he tries to catch every last new scent.

Once they leave the woods, appearing on a hard packed gravel road, the beast's head arches up further and the man whispers from him to be careful. Shying his head back down he loosens his grip on the man's arm not having realized he'd done it. 'I have to keep in mind they are far more delicate than I am use to dealing with. They may have this. . .Cloth? That is the word? They may have this cloth, but it is a poor protector of their delicate skin' It is an hour before the castle comes into view. His first time seeing one all the beast can think is that it is a beautiful mix of colors and designs, the newness of it all making him quite content to just stare.

He has little time to observe the grounds themselves as the mage picks up his pace with his goal in sight. The beast draws a lot of attention, his exotic look and somehow unanimalistic actions making the palace guards and staff curious. A few guards stop the man on his way through the palace, but as the ratel seems quite tame, and of course the man's standing in the court, they let him pass with little trouble. The many paintings and flowers adorning the hallways make him swivel his head rapidly, but as soon as they enter the main dining hall his focus goes to the humans rising from their morning meal. He looks from one to the other, the cloth they are wearing much different from the man carrying him, and that alone fascinates the beast to no end.

'Those two look older, smell like parents to the others. Definitely a family here. If the pack leader analogy works here, then the oldest male would be the king' He sniffs in the man's direction and as several sets of eyes turn to him, his ears arch up curiously. The man holding him approaches the king respectfully and the beasts decides to just settle and watch, wondering which of the others he is to be bonding to. 'If I understand, a prince is a child of a king, and becomes king when the king is king no longer. So, the man said young man, so one of the boys. . ' His neck rotates over to look at the children as the mage speaks to the king.

Alexander sat on the throne looking at his subject. His father's crown was on his head and he was looking down at the people around him. He smiled the people bowed down to him. He laughed and pointed to two of his subjects. they looked up at their king. "Entertain me my subjects. The winner will be rewards with a purse full of coins and the loser will be sent to hard labour. If you do not entertain me enough both of you will be sentenced to hard labour." He laughed as the two men started fight each other. He could not believe how easily it was to get his people to entertain me.

As he watched he felt someone touch his shoulder and start to shake him. He looked over his shoulder,but saw no one there. "Young prince, wake up. You don't want to be late to breakfast again." He was greeting annoyed that someone was bothering him. After a couple moments he opened his eyes and found himself staring at the ceiling of his room. It had been dream. Now that he thought about it it was too good to be true. He sighed. One say he was going to have want he wanted. He would be king and people will so what he wanted them to. For now he just had to be patient until his father was no longer fit to rule. He had no idea when that would happen.

He looked at the person that had woken him up. It was his aid, the only person that came to get him in the morning or assist him when something that needed to be done. He looked at the man. He had been enjoying the dream and the man had interrupted. He sat up in his bed. He did not want to get out of his bed just yet. "I was having a good dream before you woke me up. How many times have I told you not to wake me up when I am having a good dream." He had expected the people to know when he was having a good dream. He rolled his eyes at the man and got out of bed. It was time to get ready for breakfast. He hoped that today was going to be good day.

He made his way over to the other side of his bed. It looked like the man had at least done something to help him. He looked at the man. "You can leave now. I can dress myself." He waited until the man left the room, before he started to dress himself. The man had prepared his favorite outfit to wear. It was a good thing he kept him around. He always knew what he wanted to wear that day. Now if only he would stop waking him up in the morning. Once he was done he made his way to meet his parents. The would be expecting him for breakfast soon. They would not be angry at him if he was late, but he did not want his food to be cold or wait for more food.

He took his customary spot to the right of his father. His mother always sat on the left. The order of the rest of the children was based on how old they were. He smiled at his parents and filled up hid plate with the food that he wanted to eat. While his parents often told his siblings what they had to eat, he was allowed to put whatever he wanted on his plate. He was glad that he did not have to eat the things that the rest off them did. He ate his meal in silence until he saw Allurian enter the dining hall. He was not expecting company.

He watched as Allurian made his way to them. He seemed to have some sort of animal in his hands. He kept his gaze on the creature. He had never seen a creature like that before. It seemed like the creature was looking at them doe some reason. Maybe it was interested in the food on the table. The one thing that he was sure of was that he was not going to share any of his food with the creature. What ever was on his plates was his and he was not willing to let anyone else have it. He had put all of his favorite food on the plate.

The mage speaks at length, using a lot of words the beast could not even hope to understand, however at the end of it his attention is drawn to the king who reaches out and touched his head gently. Many of the reports sent back tell of human's fascination with toughing the head, scratching behind the ears, and stroking the body of furred animals so he is prepared for his. He closes his dark little eyes and presses against the hand, accepting the touch and making the man smile. One of the children, a little girl by her scent, slips out of her chair and toddles over to see the new animal.

The mage is unsure at first bit the ratel looks at him and nods. The king spots the gesture but passes it off as coincidence as the man kneels to show the beast off to the little girl. She giggles as he sniffs at her, blinking his eyes and turning his head. She reaches for him and he snuffs at her hand, she withdraws it with a squeal and a giggle then tries again. Many of the siblings look on with either amusement or annoyance, however when at last she pets him on the head, quickly followed up with a hug around his thick neck, half of the table is no longer paying attention.

It isn't until the mage pardons himself from the princess and moves over to the crowned prince that all eyes return to the two of them. Standing at his side he waits for the king to explain the situation. The king returns to the table while his wife walks off to deal with personal matters. Looking to Alexander he clears his throat to get the young man's attention. “Alex, I would like you to meet your new pet.” He motions to the ratel who looks to the one next to him carefully, wondering what he will do at the announcement. “Allurian here has brought it specially for you. It's a rare beast from another land and apparently it is quite intelligent. This beast is really special Alex, I want you to take good care of it!” His tone implies he will take no argument.

Alexander watched his father talk with Allurian. He was a little annoyed that the man had shown up for breakfast He had already gotten up to eat and now there was an interruption. He continued to eat his meal wanted the man to leave. He was not interested in anything that was going on, Why could he have not waited until the meal was done and everyone had gone their way. If he stayed there to long it could mean that he was stuck here until his father's business was done. He sighed as the attention was shifted from his father to his younger sister going up to pet the creature. Maybe the creature should just be given to her and leave.

He returned his attention to his breakfast as his sister played with the creature. He was already bored with all this. He would rather have gone to his first class already. When his father returned to the table he looked up and saw that Allurian was standing in front of him. He looked at the creature as his father spoke. He wanted nothing more than object to this. He did not want a pet to care for. He did not care how intelligent the creature was or how rare it was. Why should be be the person responsible for caring for it? There were plenty of other people in the castle that could do it. He got up and was about to refuse when he reconsidered it,

He looked at the creature again that at his father. "Fine," he said defeated. He walked around the table and stood in front of Allurian. He took the creature from the mage without even asking for permission. He left the hall and made his way to his room.When he got there he tossed the creature down onto his bed. He really was not interested in this creature at all. "I don't think you'll understand this, but I don't want you and I don't really care if you accidentally run away." He then looked at the creature. He might as well name the creature so if his father asked he would at least have an answer. "I guess I'll call you Darcell." He sighed as he thought about what he could to to get this pet to run away.

'Well he's upset. I figured he would be, seeing as the one who summoned me said he was not fit to care for the rest of the pack. Part of that must be that he does not like caring for things. . . .' The beast rolls it's head around, trying to get a better angle on the prince, however he stops when the man stands, making his agitation all the more pronounced. 'I hope he is not the violent kind. I am sturdy, but I do not like the idea of fighting with the one I am suppose to be helping. . . .' A moment after thinking this he is unceremoniously taken from the summoner and swept out of the room. Turning his head around he looks up at the prince, a little uneasy because the boy is letting his feet dangle. Not a pleasant way to be carried.

He tires to bring his paws up but the boy seems too intent on something else, ignoring him completely. With a defeated grunt he hangs loose, just waiting for the ride to end. When it finally does end it is just as unpleasant as the ride itself, if not more so. Ratel are not jumpers, and flying through the air is not something he's done very often. However landing on the surprisingly soft surface is a little more pleasant. With a huff he sniffs at the bed, pawing at it here and there before smacking it a few times just to see what will happen.

His small ears perk up at the sound of the young man's voice and his exploration is put on hold. Turning towards the youth he tilts his head. 'Doesn't want me? Well, I figured as much. I would say it is odd he is saying it to my face, but then again, I am still just a beast to him, so that idea does not carry through in this case' Walking to the edge of the bed closest to the prince he sits down, tilting his head in the other direction as he listens. One they they have observed from humans over the years is that it's considered polite to look at someone when they are talking to you, so the beast endeavors to do so.

His head comes up a little higher as he hears his name for the first time, blinking his eyes slowly. 'Darcell. I like it. Sounds strong. Like an ancient hero or something. Darcell. . .I am Darcell. . . .' He rolls the name around in his head for a second before bowing his head low in thanks. Letting out a little growl bark the newly named Darcell rolls onto his back playfully, wondering if the man is still young enough to be taken in by what the beasts have come to call “The cute factor.” He highly doubts it, but it doesn't hurt to try. 'Come on. At least give me a chance. I am sure I am fun to play with!' Though the man can not hear his words, it doesn't stop him from trying to voice them. His paws peddle in the air,t he sharp claws tucked back to he looks less threatening.

Alexander looked at Darcell. He swore that the creature was looking at him while he was talking. He shook his head. There was no way that this creature was able to understand what he was saying. It was probably just interested in the noise that was coming out of his mouth. There was no way that is beast would be able to understand human words. Even dogs were able to understand words, but it was nothing close to understand the human language. Maybe he should have just tossed the creature on the ground. Maybe then it would not be looking at him.

It bothered him more when it looked like the creature looked like it was bowing to him. He definitely did not like this creature already. He did not even know what kind of creature it was. It did not look like anything that he had seen before. He watched as it rolled on its back playfully. He realized that the creature had sharp claws. It was not a good idea to place the creature on the bed. It could rip something. He liked his current bed linens and he did not want to find a replacement for them. He took his two paws and dragged it off his bed. He was not going to let it on the bed anymore.

He made his way to the room next door and found a cage. It was just large enough to fit Darcell, but just barely. He did not even remember why he had this cage, but at least it was serving a purpose now. "You can sleep in this. I don't want you on my bed again," He placed it in a corner of his room. He moved away everything that was around the cage. He then sat on his bed. He already knew how much he was going to feed the creature. He wondered how the creature would respond to that.. He chuckled as he planned more things.

After a couple moments he got up and picked up Darcell again. He held him in one arm as he made his way outside.He made his way over to the pond near his room. He placed the creature on top of the water so it's feet were touching the water. After a couple second he let go and dropped the creature into the water. He stood there watching to see what the creature would do. He would save it if it got close to drowning, but not until then.

Dar manages to flip his lower body around before he is dropped unceremoniously on the floor by his new owner. He shakes it off carefully, wondering what he'd done to deserve the treatment. 'Well, that was uncalled for. Unless I did something. . .I can't think of anything. . . .I know humans do not like dung on their things, or pee, but I am very clean! Oh, perhaps it's my fur. . .'[/u] While the beast tries to figure out what he did wrong he ignores the prince for the most part. When the prince spoke again however he turned respectfully to look. [i]'My space I suppose?' He wanders over to check out his small little home, snuffling at it curiously.

'If he wants me off his, bed did he call it? Then I am content here' Pawing at it lightly he looks back over at the man, cocking his head to the side. 'Well, he's laughing. I know that's a good sound' Noticing some funny smells on his paws from where the boy grabbed him Dar begins trying to lick them away. However he is interrupted from his task by once more being hoisted up into an uncomfortable ride. Soon he find himself dangling over a pond, his paws barely touching the water, the warming air sending him many different scents from around the area.

He doesn't have long to appreciate the smell though as after a moment he is dropped into the water. Dar is a very good swimmer so he is in no danger of drowning, however the suddenness of it does send him under water for a moment. Once he's above the water again he shakes his head hard and snorts out the water from his nose. His dense fur allows him to float rather easily and soon he begins paddling around the small water source. 'He must have thought me filthy. Well, I was cleaning my paws. Maybe that's why he pulled me off the bed? He thought I was dirty? Anyways, this is nice. . . .' The cool water does feel good on his skin and after a few circles he turns back to the price and yaps happily.