A HIDDEN CULTURE

Chapter 2: Secrets Revealed

Fangmore joined the party as they waited for him in the hall. He led them down a richly decorated hallway to a pair of ornate doors. These led to a beautiful solarium filled with moonlight and plants. He turned on the lighting and revealed a comfortable sitting area. He gestured them forward and turned to his butler and issued orders. The butler left quickly as Fangmore turned to address his guests.

"Please be comfortable. I've ordered refreshments." He paused as his butler returned with a thick velvet robe, basin of water and a towel. Dismissing the servant he handed the items to one of Feral's guards.

Before accepting the robe, Feral signaled the smaller guard close. Saying something softly in a different language caused the guard drop to his knees before her seated form and placed his palms in hers. They both closed their eyes and appeared to concentrate.

The Commander's body began to glow softly spreading to the guard at her feet. This went on for a few minutes then the glow vanished. The guard collapsed unconscious. To the astonishment of the watchers, Feral's wounds had all healed leaving only the blood on her fur to show she had ever been injured.

Sighing, she leaned down to caress her guard tenderly. The other guard approached with the basin and towel and proceeded to gently cleanse her body. No one spoke while he performed this service. When he was done he assisted her into the robe and withdrew to stand behind her.

The smaller guard remained in a heap on the floor.

"What about him?" Ann Gora asked pointing at the helpless guard.

"He will be fine. Just needs to rest and when he awakes he will need to feed." Feral said calmly.

"But what did you do to him to cause him to pass out?" Ann persisted.

"He donated a small part of his life energy to me to help me heal. It does him no harm. All my guards are willing to do this for me" Feral shrugged unconcerned.

"Donate his life energy!?" Ms. Briggs stuttered in shock. "You act like this is an everyday thing... like taking a shower! How are you able to do something like this? Just what are you Commander Feral?" She demanded.

Before Feral could answer the butler returned with a tray of food and refreshments. He set the tray down on a low table.

"Would anyone like something?" Fangmore asked.

There were a few nods of agreement and all waited for them to be served. Fangmore dismissed his servant and they returned their attention to the Commander.

Sighing Feral drank some water before settling back and preparing herself. "I am called Raven Feral, Queen of the Dawn's Blood Clan. We are called Selsinar, a race of felines that resemble your kind in many ways with some obvious differences that you've already seen. For centuries, Selsinars have kept separate and hidden. Only within the last century have we begun integrating with kat kind. It was necessary for our survival due to our rapidly declining numbers.

Breeding with kat kind has gradually begun to increase our population. Recently, however, a small faction of Selsinars have begun to rebel against our mating with kats. They feared the interbreeding would thin our genes. Genetics actually is proving that to be a false belief. Yes some half casts are being born but for each of those a pure Selsinar is as well." She paused a moment and looked at Ms. Briggs.

"In answer to your question Ms Briggs, only the alpha female of a clan possesses the ability to draw energy from her subjects and to use that power to protect the clan from harm as well as use it to heal. The alpha female rules as Queen until challenged by another alpha female. What you witnessed was a power play by another dominate female wanting to take over my clan. Our clan is small, only a hundred strong. There are other clans located throughout the planet. Because of our small numbers, we've found it preferable to keep our existence secret for our own protection." Feral explained seriously.

"Why did you become an enforcer and why pretend to be male?" Lt Commander Steele asked.

"Do I look female to you?" Feral asked in amusement.

"Uh...actually no when you are dressed" Steele said hesitantly.

"There you are. Male and female Selsinars resemble male kats. As for why I'm an enforcer, we are warriors and prefer to work in those areas dealing with security, the military, fire, rescue and police. I chose to work for the enforcers. It suited me and since there are some prejudices about females doing that kind of work, I pretended to be male. It was a simple matter to alter my first name and hide my female attributes. I saw no harm in it since my sex had nothing to do with my abilities to do my job." Feral stated simply.

"I guess not. There's no law against it that I know of, just odd is all" Ms Briggs agreed. "But you hid more than your sex, Commander. You hid your species as well."

"That's true Ms Briggs, but again, I don't see why it was anyone's business but my own" Feral defended.

"That miight have been true Commaander if you were just an oddinary member of your people, except you'rre not. You'rre Queen, their leeader and being the Commaander of the Enforcers would be considered a coonflict of interest" Mayor Manx sputtered indignantly.

"Only if my job crossed paths or interfered with my duties as both Queen and Commander. This is the first time that has actually happened" Feral stated adamantly. "My people need me to be in a position of importance to protect their interests when and if they need it."

"I caan't say I like this situaation, Feral. Now that we knoow who you aare. How am I supposed to treat you? After alll you are a Queen, I'm only a Maayor." Manx huffed.

"When I'm performing my duties as the Chief Enforcer, you are my superior. When I'm conducting business for my people, I'm Queen and you should treat me as an equal. That is the only thing that has changed." Feral said clarifying her position.

"That doessn't necessarily make me feel any better." Manx snorted "But I doon't see any other soluution."

"Well that solves that problem. Now we need to figure out what we are going to tell those people in the ballroom, the press and the katizens of our city. You just can't sweep what happened under the rug." Ms Briggs said in concern.

Fangmore stood quietly drawing everyone's attention. He nodded to Feral then addressed everyone.

"For tonight politely decline to give a statement. For tomorrow, I suggest an abbreviated version of the truth be released. Give a bare bones explanation on the existence of Selsinars, Feral's true identity and position, and how it affects her position as Chief Enforcer. The Mayor should show his comfort with the situation and his continuing support for his Chief Enforcer while giving respect to her position as Queen of the Selsinar. It would probably be best if a private peace pact be made between the Selsinars and the office of Mayor for political reasons. The pact could contain rules of how to handle affairs that concern the Selsinar when they conflict with the needs of Megakat katizens." Jaren Fangmore offered as a solution.

After a few minutes silence as all parties thought about the implications and options, one by one they agreed that Fangmore's solution would work.

"Ann you will not be able to print everything you heard. When you write up your story you will submit it to the Mayor's office for approval before release. You will hand over your video tape for now. It will be returned tomorrow. Refuse and a gag order will be issued and you will be arrested. This matter is very sensitive and for the sake of two races, discretion is more important than a Pulitzer prize. Do you understand?" Ms Briggs stated firmly and waited for Ann Gora's response.

Irritated by Callie's high handedness, Ann nevertheless understood the need for some secrecy and agreed reluctantly to the Deputy Mayor's terms.

"Steele, I will brief the squadrons when I return to the office tomorrow until then say nothing beyond what is being released." Feral ordered his second in command.

"Yes sir." Steele reluctantly obeyed.

With that everyone prepared to leave, except for the Commander and her guards.

"I have a room prepared for you Commander. You should be able to leave in the morning when the fervor has died down somewhat. Though you are healed, I'm sure you are probably tired. Please accept my hospitality for the night." He paused a moment in uncertainty. "Pardon me, Commander, but should I continue to address as Commander Feral or Queen Feral?"

"For tonight you may call me Raven it will be easier and thank you for your hospitality" Feral nodded politely.

"You're welcome Raven, and you must call me Jaren. Please let me show you to your room and if there is anything else you need don't hesitate to ask I or my servants" Jaren smiled warmly and took Raven's arm and escorted her out. Her one guard carried the other as they followed their Queen up the stairs to the guest room.

Meanwhile, the Mayor, Ms Briggs, and Ann Gora reentered the ballroom. They were immediately set upon by the other reporters and other important guests from the party. Mayor Manx raised his paws pleading for silence. It took several minutes before he finally got it.

"Please be calm, everything is underr contrrol, yess. Tomorrow I will hoold a press conference at Ciity Haall. Callie will give you a tiime. Until then let's alll goo home. There will be noo release of infoormation toniight" Mayor Manx stated pompously. "Commaander Feral will be staaying the niight as a guest of Mr Fangmore while she recoovers from her injuries." With that he escorted Callie out to their waiting limousine for the ride to their respective homes.

Grumbling angrily, the press poured out of the mansion to file their stories on what they had seen. The guests weren't any happier as they were helped into coats and escorted to their cars and limousines.

Upstairs, Jaren led his distinguished guest to a beautifully outfitted guest room. "I hope this meets with your approval, Raven. There is a room next door for your guards." Jaren said as he led them into the room.

"It's more than adequate, thank you, Jaren." Feral said warmly.

"Then I will leave you to get settled. This is an intercom where you can call for assistance if you need it or to ask for something to eat. The kitchen has someone there at all hours and will be happy to prepare whatever you'd like. I bid you a pleasant and restful good night." Jaren said politely as he bowed and departed the room closing the doors behind him.

When they were alone, Raven checked on her unconscious guard and found he was beginning to recover. She went to the intercom and ordered a high protein meal for them both.

"Your majesty, I would like to check our quarters next door if that is alright with you?" The taller guard asked.

"Of course, Cedric, go ahead. Leander will join you after he's had something to eat. I will not need you tonight. Please get some rest. I think I will be safe enough here for tonight." Raven ordered.

"As you wish, my Queen. Have a restful night." Cedric bowed and departed.

Leander groaned and sat up from the bed his partner had laid him on.

"Welcome back Leander. I've ordered us some food. It should be here soon. I want to take a shower so go ahead and eat if the food arrives while I'm in there. Cedric is next door and when you've finished you may go and join him. Have a good night." Raven said as she moved to the bathroom.

"Thank you my Queen and the same to you." Leander said quietly continuing to sit on the bed while he gathered his strength.

Sighing, Raven entered a very nicely appointed bathroom. There was a jetted tub and a large shower enclosure. She stared at the tub for a long moment before finally deciding to try it. Turning on the taps, she saw there was an array of high quality bath products at hand. Choosing a scent she liked she poured it into the filling tub.

It filled rapidly and she was soon able to climb in. She moaned in enjoyment of the heat and doubly so when she turned on the jets. This was heaven and it felt soo good. Even though her wounds had been healed she was still sore all over from the fight.

She soaked for a good half hour before reluctantly getting out and letting the high powered dryers fluff and dry her fur. She discovered upon entering the bedroom that a gorgeous satin gown had been laid out for her use. She quickly pulled it on and nearly moaned at the decadent feel of it against her body. The smell of something delicious wafted toward her nose and she tracked it to a covered tray.

Removing the metal cover she discovered a mouth watering meal. A nearly rare steak, mashed potatoes and greens were waiting her hungry attention. Sitting down quickly she wasted no time digging in. Very soon her stomach was full with good food and she was ready for a decent night's sleep. The bed felt heavenly and she sank in gratefully. Her last thought before sleep took her was, 'I could really get used to this kind of luxury.'