《Lions and Mice》


 1.1

    Days. Months. The passage of time was nonexistent atop these mountains of endless winter. It may have been decades since he''s arrived here, trapped as he was without anywhere but his little cave. He tried getting down the steep slopes of the mountain, and find a civilization that he longed for. Has he tried? Every day, for days uncounted. And yet, he would always found himself atop one of the several mountain ranges that inhabit this place.


    Man, Baji really missed the convenience of takeout, and hamburgers, and beer.


    Women.


    What he needed was a hot shower, preferably a modern one, with soap and shampoo. And a massage. A spa would be very nice right about now.


    Baji sighed. Dreaming was the only thing keeping him sane in this world of snow and ice.


    "I''ve finally found you."


    Baji screamed. A high pitched girlish scream.


    The strange beautiful woman flinched, while the men and women armed and armored to the hilt, unsheathed their swords and shields instantly. Perhaps it was Baji''s frightened expression, or the woman obviously leading her men, but they didn''t attack him.


    Whatever danger Baji sensed from them was minimal, now.


    Which was a good sign?


    Baji, on the other hand, looked ready to bolt. Who were they? Why do they look like they''re about to get ready for a renaissance festival? And swords, really?


    The beautiful woman was the only one without armor, wearing a rich velvet dress and leather boots. Her silky golden blond hair was tied in a tail behind her, and eyes as gold as her hair. With a touch of olive to her healthy skin, she must have spent quite some time out in the sun.


    "I... apologize for startling you." The strange woman spoke slowly, registering her blunder. "I should have notified you of our coming. Please, accept our apologies."


    Baji stared.


    "Can he even understand you, princess?" The knight to her right stared at him as if fixated on a particularly ugly bug. "I had no idea the legendary Mountain God was about as skittish as a kicked puppy."


    "Quite, Remy," To the princess'' left, a woman glared at the man. "Let the man gain his bearings."


    The princess took a step forward, perhaps to initiate a conversation a bit closer than farther apart. Whatever protests the knights might have had, died, when Baji took a step back.


    It was odd to see the complicated expression on the princess'' face, as if unused to the idea of anyone, particularly a man, looked about ready to bolt.


    "I''m Amelia, the princess of Hunaoi kingdom," The princess said. "O Lordos, I have come a long way to meet the Mountain God. Will you please at least accept my offering?"


    Baji didn''t run but, he did stare. A lot.


    Amelia snapped her fingers, and servants in rich red uniforms arrived, bringing tables and plates and... food. Roasted chicken, pig, salads and ripe oranges and apples and the list went on and on. Where it all came from, without his senses going off was nervewracking.


    How in the world did they bring all this to the top of the mountain? Actually, how were they even breathing? The air was practically unbreathable for normal folks considering the elevation. Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    Still, food. Baji drooled.


    The servants started setting up dinner plates and all manner of food in front of him.


    "Please, go right ahead. This is all yours for the taking." Amelia sent him a soft smile, as she gestured to the table.


    A moment passed, then another. But Baji, inch by inch, made his way toward the table. The servants have long gone to stand behind the soldiers in patience.


    Baji took a moment to plop a ripe piece of sliced mango into his mouth. He groaned in pleasure. And it didn''t take him long to eat more.


    "Gods Above!" One of the soldiers swore, fascinated. They all stared, even the servants. The princess now sat opposite of him, on a chair somehow produced from... somewhere. She watched him with wonder mixed with disgust and awkwardness.


    Baji didn''t mind. He only cared about what was on the plates. How long has it been since he had eaten anything that was cooked? Animal and monster meat was good, but Baji had trouble digesting the raw meat for a long time. Of course, Baji made sure to eat his vegetables, too. The last thing he wanted was scurvy, thank you very much.


    The whole roasted pig was consumed, slowly, but surely. Then, the variety of pies of meat and fruits, and a whole cake were gone in fifteen minutes.


    Baji didn''t stop, he couldn''t. It was a dream. All of this was but a deluded mind of a man who''s gone too long without social interaction and proper meals. He''s finally cracked it. How else would these people come out of nowhere, offer him food, with the most beautiful woman he''s ever seen?


    He was too hungry to care, and the sweet-smelling savory meal in front of him was too delicious. So, he ate and ate.


    The princess kept coughing, though he had no idea why. Baji glanced at her, concerned. Then, he took a leg of roasted venison and tossed it to her.


    Perhaps caught off guard, Amelia froze. The meaty leg smacked to her face, and it slowly slid down her face and fell onto her lap.


    The soldiers froze, brought on from indecision and fear of reprisal from their princess, but Amelia did nothing. Just... stared.


    Baji mimed eating, then pointed at her throat. He couldn''t speak and was afraid he might have lost his voice box permanently from the decades of confinement.


    One of the servants handed her a handkerchief. Amelia slowly wiped out the sauces and slowly ate the meat. Whatever. Let her do what she wants, it''s her food. She probably had lunch before she got here, or something.


    "If we can discuss something, O Lordos of Mountains?" Baji stared, wiping the shaggy hair from his eyes. They get so tangled up. Honestly, he really should have cut his hair sooner. "There''s a war coming to my country, O Lordos. A war that might just destroy my country, annexed into our most hated enemies."


    Baji started licking the plate of the sauces, but he still paid attention.


    "If I did that in front of royalty, I think hanging would be the best way to go." One of the soldiers muttered. "Are we sure he''s got the blood of the gods in him?"


    The princess didn''t seem to hear it, but Baji did. What in the world were they talking about? Blood of the Gods? Are they hyper-religious, on top of living in a primitive civilization? Still, the food was good, though.


    "We''ve come to ask for your help, in defending our country against the forces of our enemies," Amelia''s eyes glistened with determination, even a hint of desperation. "Whatever is within my power, I shall give you whatever you want."


    A war. Baji didn''t like wars. If their civilization was anything, rape and pillage was something that occurred in every war, regardless of eras. And while there''s still the Geneva Convention on the proper conducts of war, having a nuke has a bigger impact of not going to war.


    Regardless, Baji could not say no. If he could prevent some deaths and help with the war, maybe he could make a difference. These people have the resources and strength, and while Baji doubted he had the strength to help her, he could at least try.


    "Will you help me?"


    Baji made sure the fur was wrapped tightly around him before he got to his feet. And then, he extended his fist toward her.


    Amelia stared. The soldiers, tense, skittish, stared. Baji stared but didn''t move aside his fist.


    Maybe something must have registered because Amelia extended her own fist. She gently bumped against his own.


    Baji grinned, then nodded.

 1.2

    They gestured to a large circle of arrays drawn in by a language he had no comprehension of. It was an instant thing, to travel via teleportation. Weird, too. Though, Baji had no compunction of just how expensive such an endeavor would cost an empire, let alone a small kingdom such as the nation of Hunaoi.


    Still, Baji found himself, alongside the princess, soldiers, and servants in a courtyard. There was not a speck of snow in sight, and the sun shined brightly above him.


    They were surrounded by massive pillars and stone walls. Beyond these walls and in the distance, he found massive skyscrapers made of glass and concrete. And an entire ecosystem has sprouted from the abandoned buildings, covering every inch of stone and glass.


    Baji did a double-take.


    The buildings had been taken over by nature, and some buildings leaned against one another, supporting their weakened structure. Some have just completely crumbled underneath. However, some still shined tall underneath the sky, behemoths that withstood the test of time and nature, unwilling to cede their glory.


    A voice brought him back.


    And there, standing in front of them, was the... king? He looked more like Conan the Barbarian, standing over seven foot tall and muscles bulging like thick cables. Dark hair, a grizzled beard, and a fierce scowl that would have sent even the strongest of hearts pissing their pants. Though, whatever resemblance he had with his daughter was nearly nonexistent. There was some mercy, at least.


    Still, this guy looked badass.


    The crown he wore was lopsided on his head, as if he had no care in the world how he looked. And the clothes he wore were more armor than robes, and the nobles that were his entourage looked more like decorations to perfect this obscure renaissance portrait.


    "O Lordos? Lord?" Baji snapped back to reality, with everyone''s gaze focused on him. Amelia, in particular, had a sharp gaze in her eyes that even Baji didn''t miss. "We were just discussing your combat abilities. But, first, I think I would have one of my servants to show you to your new room."


    "This is the Mountain God Amelia have been wanting to search for all these years?" The king muttered, baffled and irritated. In a loud boom, "Boy! How good are you in a scrap?"


    While Amelia tried to persuade her father into backing down from antagonizing him any further, Baji shrugged in answer.


    "Really, boy? Then come, I would have you fight against the greatest men in my country."


    And that brought everyone''s attention snapped to the king like a mayfly to a bonfire.


    "Father! He must rest. Give him a day to get his baring, then we shall host a match."


    The king grumbled, but acquiesced to his daughter''s request. Baji didn''t care. He''ll fight, but he did feel like sleeping in an actual bed. His eyes kept drawing to those fallen buildings. Was this his city, or was he someplace else? Suddenly, anxiety started finding its way to the pit of his stomach.


    After a short climb, they led him to his new residence. His new room was massive, with a massive bed, massive table, and massive everything. Including the tub, which suddenly felt very ominous when a horde of female servants arrived into the room, carrying supplies of towels and soaps and other scented... stuff.


    Nope. Not a chance in hell.


    Baji shut the door on the last reluctant servant, though he did take their toiletries.


    The tub was... surprisingly modern, but obviously not run by what he knew. Symbols or signs engraved into the wall was simple enough to figure out. The red marker meant hot, and the blue meant cold. Though, figuring out how to adjust the water was another matter entirely.


    The shower head was another convenience, and wow that felt good. These people must have gathered and studied the fallen civilization for a long time to achieve this. Which Baji was very much glad for, because he didn''t think shitting in a bucket was something he was very keen on doing. Heck, even in the mountain, there were plenty of holes he could relieve himself of that would lead everything somewhere deep into the recess of the mountain.


    Oh, a razer!


    Cutting his hair was a problem. He had plenty of practice with the stone knife he made, but without a mirror, he was basically butching it until the hair was short and cropped. Now, he had a massive mirror and scissors. Though he still butchered it, but he looked like less of a bum and more like a cheap hippy. Stolen story; please report.


    Still, he hadn''t felt this good in ages. At least, not since his first day in law school. Baji sighed, then quickly took the clothes he was offered and put them on. It wasn''t... bad. It was actually quite close to what he would wear for a night out. Did these people learn more than just technology?


    It was interesting, but he didn''t put much thought into it.


    Baji went to stand by the massive window, and caught by the smell of spices and sounds, he stepped onto the balcony. The vibrant city below him was... breathtaking. The architecture was a mix between the coastal towns and cities of Italy and a magical kingdom thrown in. Nature wound its way onto nearly every home and building, and the stones were as colorful as the rainbow. And the canals... there were dozens of them winding its way throughout the city, with plenty of little gondolas lapping across the water.


    In the outskirts of the city, he could make out the ocean. Hundreds of tiny boats and massive ships made to and from the piers. Trading ships, and fishing ships no doubt.


    The sun shined over the city, with clear blue clouds. The city was a picturesque scene that deserved its own wallpaper. And the lack of exhaust and air pollution was a feast to his senses. There was just so much clear air. Baji didn''t notice, but tears followed and sleep eventually took him.


    It was sometime before a knocking on the door interrupted his sleep. Normally, anything that interrupts his sleep tends to die. So it took some time getting used to the warmer climate and a bed that felt like a cloud.


    Baji opened it to reveal a servant. "Please get ready, milord. Morning breakfast with the royal family."


    The shower was good, and the toothpaste and brush felt good on his teeth. Not that he needed it, considering. But, it felt like he was normal again, and not some crazy hermit living in the wild.


    She led him down the hallway, scones lit with bright orange fire without emitting any heat. Down the stairs, and onto a small private garden. It was closed behind large wooden walls and hedges to give it some semblance of privacy. Though, there were plenty of armed guards in every corner.


    There sat the king, along with his daughter, Amelia, and another one sitting next to her. If Amelia was the sun, then this man would be the moon. And frankly, if Baji was ever aiming for the other side of the fence, his heart would have skipped a beat.


    The man''s skin was not pale, but pure ivory, with lips blood red. His eyes were just as gold as Amelia''s. His hair was white as snow, styled with a medium length modern classic men¡¯s haircut. The look of the man was that of a gentleman, wearing a cut double-breasted suit. He was the only one wearing it.


    The stranger looked the complete opposite of himself, with wild untamed hair and casual clothes that would have fit any modern teenager. Though, they did put aside other expensive clothes Baji found in the closet.


    When the stranger met his eyes, Baji found curiosity, and perhaps even a little wonder. Baji would have dismissed him as one of Amelia''s friends, but their almost alienesque appearance drove that home off the cliff. They would have to be related.


    He got his confirmation when the king spoke. "Boy! This here is my son and heir, Ancalon Rainshard. Now, sit down and eat your breakfast. We''ve been waiting long enough for your sorry hind just to please my daughter."


    The grumbling king settled deeper into the comfy chair, as servants quickly brought in their breakfast. Baji did the same and sat opposite of Amelia, stuck between the king and the brother.


    "Well, I can''t keep calling you boy, now can I?" The king leaned forward, as he popped a cherry. "What''s your name, aside from the locals calling you a Mountain God?"


    The locals called him that? Well, that was a surprise. He hasn''t met any locals. Wait, how the hell did the locals even know about him? He was living atop the mountain!


    "Well, boy? Your name!"


    "Father, perhaps you might have forgotten, but Amelia did say he cannot speak," Ancalon cocked his head to the side, examining him like a bug pinned to a board. Baji didn''t notice, far too delighted with his ''breakfast''. Ah, sweet delicious pancake. "It may be prudent that we hire a tutor to ensure communication between us."


    "He can understand just fine," Amelia replied. "I just don''t think he wants to talk. Just give it time."


    "Ah, so we have an addled boy we have to cater to? Do we look like a hospice, girl?"


    Exasperated, Amelia sighed, giving up the argument.


    "Let us see how good he is in a fight, Father," Ancalon leaned forward, elbows resting on the table. "He hasn''t survived the cold death of the winter mountains by being weak. Assume he''s as dangerous as the legends say."


    The king stared at his son, then at the boy that somehow crawled into his life. "Fine, fine. Let''s put him in the arena soon enough.," Then, the king muttered, "Gods know, the boy''s mother must be rotten if this is the spawn that crawled out."


    The king yelped, then choked as he grabbed at the hands with giant fists. With a roar, the king returned a fist at the assailant.


    Baji caught the thrown fist, his other hand tightly gripped around the king''s neck.


    A gilded golden spear instantly made itself rest across Baji''s neck. "Release my father, little Godling."


    Amelia wanted to stop the fighting, but looked indecisive. The soldiers were already making their way over, with swords and shields drawn. Shouts and screams echoed across the garden, and the alarm rang like a gong.


    Baji didn''t care. His stare was only for the king, and his grip tightened. His voice cracked, like gravel and crushed rocks, he said, "You ever talk about my mother again, I''ll break you."