Chapter 4: Court Culture

The days that followed were calm…probably the most laid back I've ever known in my life. We were given the time and space needed to ingratiate ourselves in the culture inside the Chameleon's isolated palace. It was a life far different from the one we previously had.

However, soon enough, we began our training under the tutelage of Lady Chameleon (as we promised we would do.)

It was hard.

I didn't even know what she meant by training until we actually got into a training room with weapons on racks and dummies scattered about.

Combat…she's training us in combat. I realized.

The first lessons were difficult to learn…but it was more of a fitness test than anything. Now, being from the streets, Zhen and I were natural runners and were probably more physically fit than a lot of people. Still, that didn't mean we didn't end up encumbered by all the physically demanding lessons.

The first few days were the hardest…memorizing form was tedious and a pain…plus our bodies ached usually by the time we flopped onto our beds for the night. Then, we would get woken up very early in the morning to do it all again.

Zhen the fox fared better than me. She could run the obstacles a lot faster than me, and she also had a reaction time far more superior than mine…not to mention she could dodge and parry very well too. I just couldn't keep up…not at first at least…

Lady Chameleon was frustrated by my lack of progress. At night, even when we were in our bedroom, beyond exhausted, Zhen would speak words of encouragement to me.

"Come on, Mei…I know you're struggling out there…maybe you just need to learn another way other than how I'm learning?"

Through my pained motions, I stared into her brown eyes with my own set of brown eyes. I had my doubts…how could I ever expect to impress Lady Chameleon!? I'm NOT like anyone here!

I'm not like you…Zhen…I'm not built for stuff like this. I can't run like you; I don't have stamina like you. I mean…I can't even dodge like you. H-how can I ever expect to be as good as you?

She grabbed my hand with her small paw, but I looked away in shame. My neck aches immediately from training as I make the motion.

"I know it's hard, but you should be able to do it!"

I can…if I wasn't so different! I-I mean…why wasn't I born a wolf? I sometimes feel like that's the animal I would have been if I were anything like Zhen and the others! Though, I didn't have a choice…I was forced to be this way!

I turn to look at a vase on the table where I can somewhat see my reflection:

Heck…a rabbit or a duck have more dignity than the strange beast staring back at me. I always hated my reflection…

I sighed, looking down to see Zhen's worried expression. I realized just how melancholy I've been. I'm almost eight and already I'm having this much sorrow…

She could tell my anxiety was the highest it had ever been…reaching its breaking point. What if Chameleon decides to banish me, or worse?

Then you'll never know who you truly are…

I have to do better…I must prove to her I can become a powerful asset to her cause! I must show just how grateful I am to be here.

Zhen was wondering what I had to say as always (one of her ears was slanted.)

"Need a hug? You look like you need a hug."

I giggled at that, nodding in response before she gave a light hug to me to cheer me up, "feel a bit better?" I nodded again.

"I'll make sure they see you as the person I know you are to me."

I smiled a bit at that. We decided to leave it at that and call it a night.

…

Some time passed…a week or two as our training continued. I spent most of my time practicing the poses and forms taught to us. Today was particularly interesting because we uncovered something we thought could never happen in our wildest dreams.

A procession of strangers from what appeared to be the city council had arrived to confront Lady Chameleon. We were forced to attend the ceremony, standing beside the ruler. Just before the others arrived, she made sure to correct our postures.

"Stand up straight" she said to each of us as we obeyed.

A minute later, the front doors opened…bringing light from outside into the chamber. The animals that gathered bowed in respect to the Chameleon, "good evening, Lady Chameleon…I…with how bad the weather has been, we have not been able to bring sufficient tribute to you. Allow me to be the first to apologize-"

Zhen and I could barely turn our heads, but from what we could make out: we knew that the sorceress wasn't pleased one bit by the news.

She stepped down the steps of the throne to confront the scrawny goat that went silent by her approach. An ox that had accompanied them was not the least bit intimidated.

"W-we will meet next month's quota, double it to make up f-for it!"

"Never make promises you can never keep" the Chameleon retorted, "your section will be punished accordingly." She had her arms folded inside her traditional robes. She had said it so neutrally too…which felt COLD. The ox stepped forward without being summoned as Lady Chameleon looked toward her with daggers in her iris. Her look was so toxic…it could corrode any person's confidence, but apparently not the female ox, "at least we brought something! We worked very hard to get what we could for you!"

The goat shivered…stepping away.

Oh boy, I already knew that bovine overstepped.

Suddenly, Lady Chameleon's eyes turned bright blue. It was so bright you could see the blue light bouncing off the ox's puzzled face. With no warning, suddenly the Chameleon changed.

Zhen and I widened our eyes and gasped loudly. For the first time in our lives, we saw Lady Chameleon transform into a different creature! I knew she could do magic but shapeshift…it should have been at the top of my list!

She turned into a large rhino and slammed into the ox with her horn…throwing them back hard against the cart of metallic tributes. The impact caused the cart to fall sideways and scatter the items all around. When it was all said and done, the guests were expelled. Lady Chameleon walked up the steps to sit on her golden throne and returned to her original form. It left Zhen and I still, VERY STILL…we wouldn't dare move from our spots. The reptile noticed this and grinned, "impressed, yes?"

We both gulped and nodded before she laughed loudly. We joined in with a nervous laugh in response.

…

After supper, the female fox and I returned to our quarters in disbelief over what happened. Zhen couldn't keep herself still, she was pacing around in the room as I eyed her silently.

"So-so let me get this straight…she can turn into other animals!?" She brandished her paws at me, she looked so surprised. I couldn't help but think about it too.

"She has the same strength as them too…" She asked as if I could easily answer her somehow. I grumbled in her direction, yet she continued.

"And she's using that as leverage!?" Zhen gave a crazed look to me, but I raised an eyebrow at her.

What does leverage mean?

She rubbed her temples and sat down on her bed, "I thought I saw everything in life up until today, yikes!"

She's the most powerful person in this city for a reason. We shouldn't dare cross her, or else she'll cross us out.

"I'm just glad we're on her side" Zhen murmured as sleep began to take hold of her. She didn't say anything else and soon she passed out: the air got quiet, and I soon found myself looking up at the ceiling…just me in my own little world.

If Lady Chameleon can shapeshift and read minds…what else can she do? Does she have the power to send me home?

Home…

What must it be like? Do I even have a home where I come from? I always assumed I had parents and a place to live. Maybe this is not the case? If I can somehow return to where I used to live, what about Zhen? Do I just…leave her? I can't imagine a life without her…I can't even imagine what my life must have been like before meeting the vixen.

Honestly…I wanted the ability to talk.

Better yet…I wanted to be a different species altogether.

Could the Chameleon even do such a thing to me? How could I possibly tell her unless she reads my mind again? Maybe I'm just overthinking things…but then again…maybe with what Zhen and I have seen, maybe we've seen nothing yet?

…

I found myself in a grassy field. The sun was shining down on me, and the wind was calm…peaceful. I heard a voice…a distant voice that got closer to me.

Mei…

Mei!

Hello...Earth to Mei!

I snapped my head in the direction of the voice: it was Zhen. She looked very happy to see me, she had her paws on her hips as she examined me, "I like the new makeover. It's not a bad look for you! Not bad at all!"

I raised an eyebrow, soon looking down before I gasped loudly.

Instead of pinky flesh, I had grey fur like her…though mine was a slightly darker shade. I examined my hands: they were now paws! I looked behind me to see a beautiful tail that had sprouted and was wagging freely!

Across from me, the fox pulled out a mirror out of thin air (in a sort of cartoonish motion) and she giggled, "check it out!"

I looked at my reflection: I was a wolf! I had a snout and pointy ears on top of my head! I touched them with my paws before I gave the biggest smile I could.

Zhen was also pleased by this, and she said in her kid voice, "come on, let's race! I bet you can beat me now that you got legs like mine!"

I gave a mischievous look and fell down on all fours as she also did the same. Sure enough, we began running…and the race soon turned into us happily running across the field in heavenly bliss.

Then I woke up…the dream had ended.

It was dark in our room, I looked over to Zhen who was peacefully asleep. Man…I wish I could tell her how beautiful that dream was…I really wish I could…

I gave a long, winded, sigh and I soon fell back asleep.

…

Six months later…

Our skills in combat steadily improved. Zhen and I were given a test by Lady Chameleon: she sent both of us into the training ring with two of her reptilian guards to fight us.

My partner felt ready, while I wasn't as sure…I mean, we were still just kids after all!

But…it wasn't about how I felt or if I was ready…we were being FORCED to fight!

Our two adversaries circled us as we all waited for who would make the first move. Sure enough, one of them began the fight: swinging their sword at Zhen (who jumped away at the right time.)

Before I could even think to help, the other lizard went after me, so now it was one versus one. The next few seconds had me dodging for dear life as the reptilian guard refused to yield. The good thing here is that I actually have speed on my side. Being small and nimble allowed me to "dance" around the foe until they grew weary.

Meanwhile, Zhen too used her natural agility and stamina to outwit her enemy. She blocked a swipe with an arm and disarmed their adversary. Right afterwards, with a swift upward kick: she sent the other beast into the air. Once the fox picked up the weapon, she went to assist me.

The one I was fighting managed to step forward with a thrust to end me; however, I ducked and kicked their leg that was out towards me. With enough force, I managed to injure their leg. Just in the nick of time, Zhen came in…slashing her weapon sideways, but the foe parried. Now, though, it was two against one.

Sure enough, it was back-to-back attacks from the sides by me and the vixen. Lady Chameleon, who was spectating overhead, was finally impressed. She noted how strong I fought side by side with Zhen and she deduced that was my ultimate strength in battle. Still, there was still more for the Chameleon to discover.

Overwhelmed, the reptile we were fighting was soon brought to its knees by us and one good punch from Zhen knocked them out.

Before we can gather ourselves, my best friend is hit by the last foe (they shoulder-charged her.) As she fell on her back, exposed, she looked up to see the lizard jumping toward her. The beast brought the sword down on them. I jumped in, however…stopping the motion with my hands. I used all my strength to try and hold the weapon in place by grabbing the guard's hands. Zhen knew I didn't have enough in me to keep them still for long, so she rushed forward and jump-kicked them in the face. The adversary is rendered unconscious…effectively ending the battle.

As the both of us finally caught our breath, we heard distant clapping coming from the balcony: it was the Chameleon. We promptly bowed in return. Once the formalities were done, Zhen patted me on the back…knowing I may have found my strength after all!

I grinned; I couldn't help but finally agree.

…

That's a wrap for this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it, take care!