Summary
Charles Matthias enters Misha's office to deliver a letter to Misha, but finds Kershaw and Finbar there instead, playing cards. They tell him that Misha went east to hunt deer, and cryptically comment that he won't be hard to miss.
Charles finds Misha as a fox-taur, and perfectly happy about it. Charles worries that it isn't normal, and Misha says nothing about the curse is normal. He suggests that even Charles could become a taur and back, if he puts his mind to it. Charles reluctantly agrees and asks what to do. First, Misha tells Charles to remove his pants, to avoid ruining them. Second, he tells Charles picture himself in his mind. Finally, he tells him the most difficult step, to shift his mental image into that of a taur.
Charles tries forcing it, and Misha tells him to relax and imagine the shape already inside him, simply being released. Charles imagines his mental image flowing outward, and Misha tells him to open his eyes; Charles has successfully become a rat-taur. After talking a bit about being a taur, Misha suggests Charles try his Sondecki powers. Charles has too much trouble with his non-humanoid body to use them.
Misha suggests he try practicing for a few hours. Charles wants to change back immediately, but Misha takes Charles's pants and tells him otherwise. Charles tells him that there is a messenger at the Keep waiting for Misha, and a letter from Misha's sister in his pants. Misha takes and reads the letter, and learns that she sent him a package. He runs off, leaving Charles stuck in his taur form without pants.
Charles trips and stumbles over himself as he returns to the Keep as a taur. Misha is waiting at the crowded South Gate; he gives Charles some water and his pants back, and apologizes for getting carried away. As he walks through the hall, Charles hears Rickkter make some crude comments about his new endowment. Charles throws the water sack at him and hits.
Characters
Main characters:
- Charles: A rat morph, a Sondeckis, a Long Scout-in-training. While trying to deliver a message to Misha, he finds Misha in taur form, and is encouraged to try it out. After some initial difficulty visualizing it, he is able to become a taur; however, he is reluctant to change back without his pants. Misha runs off with them; Charles eventually returns to the Keep, battered and worn out. He returns to his room to change his pants.
- In his rat-taur form, Charles is at least a foot taller. He estimates he weighs around 300 pounds.
- His Sondeckis practices involve total awareness of his body. Unfortunately, this means even his upper half cannot properly use the Sondeckis without additional training.
- Misha: A fox morph, leader of the Long Scouts. He has a taur form that he has recently begun using. He teaches Charles how to shift into taur form, and tries to tease him into being taurs for hours by taking his pants. When he finds out about his sister's delivery, he runs off. He waits at the South Gate for Charles to hand back his pants.
- In his fox-taur form, he wears only a brown vest with a quiver and long bow. He is pony-sized. Misha boasts that he has improved strength and endurance in this form.
- He enjoys using the lance as a fox-taur, finding it even better than horseback, for the total control it offers.
Minor characters:
- Finbar: A ferret morph, a Long Scout. He and Kershaw are playing cards and drinking in Misha's office while Misha is out.
- Finbar clearly knows where Misha is, but doesn't answer Charles's questions. Finbar likely doesn't trust him, as several other Longs don't. (see Testing 1,2,3,4).
- Kershaw: A red panda morph, a Long Scout. He and Finbar are playing cards and drinking in Misha's office while Misha is out.
- Rickkter: A raccoon morph, a Kankoran and Charles's enemy. He makes a crude remark on seeing Charles's well-endowed taur form, earning him a splash from Charles's water sack.
Important mention:
- Elizabeth: Misha's sister, a mage who lives in Marigund, whom Misha corresponds with. Charles was trying to find Misha to tell him that a letter and package from her have arrived.
Referenced:
- Kimberly: A rat morph, Charles's beloved.
Locations
- Olamar Mountain lies straight east of Metamor Keep, directly adjacent to the Valley. A small stream can be found at its base.
Story Connections
- Although Charles's Sondeckis nature is still a secret, Misha has already revealed his knowledge in Fireside.
- "Misha's office" specifically refers to his office in the Long House, seen in Hunt.
Chronology
Points of Interest
- Note that, once he has his pants, Charles is only willing to put them on in his room — despite his room probably being too small for him as a rat-taur. There are also plenty of alcoves, storerooms, and unused hallways that Charles could have changed in, a possibility he ignores.
