Opening one eye slowly, Sahm saw only that the sky had lightened. No hint of color yet lined the sky, though the lessening of the darkness was telltale enough. He closed his eye again. Not one to sleep in, it had been a long journey so far, and one night's sleep did not quite make up for two nights' missed. A few minutes later, not exactly hacing fallen back asleep, Sahm opened his eye again, and saw only the barest hint of color gracing the sky. And Kyrre already up and preening.
Growling lowly and harmlessly, Sahm opened his other eye and raised his head.
"Already?" he asked, as he sat up.
Kyrre stopped combing through his thick red hair with his fingers, and his whiskers twitched a little peevishly.
"The sun's color hasn't even enticed rainbows in the dew, yet." Sahm said. Most kitsunes were early morning creatures, but even this hour seemed excessive, considering their journey. But to take the bite off his bitter sentiment, Sahm had said it as poetically as possible. Kitsunes, after all, were often poetic, and appreciated fine words. When words were enough, of course.
This happened to be the case, thankfully. Of course, it would take more than bitter words to break the bond between Sahm and Kyrre. They were friends from the litter, and had fought side by side many times.
"No, my friend, we must let the dew find the sun on it's own, and off to regions distant we run. Perhaps we'll see more breathtaking sights some other day. Today, we find people." Kyrre told his sleepy friend.
Kyrre had been awake for some time now. He had seen Sahm open his eye at the lightening of the night. He had laughed to himself when Sahm closed his eye, ignoring the day. But he could not. Would not. They had no time to spare. They had very little time to find their quarry, if it existed. No, he does exist. He must. No random tales were they, though not perfectly matching, there was no connection between the sources except that they all worked in the palace, or around it, at the time. The lost half-heir does exist. I will find him.
Sahm nodded, to what Kyrre had said about finding people, and was taking a moment to stretch. He didn't notice Kyrre looking off, up northwards again, or the melancholy look on his face.
I truly hope, though, that his name will be recognized. Or that he does not so fully hide his kitsune heritage that he is unknown as one. Kyrre thought.
Getting up, and smiling at his friend, he put out the quiet little fire that had warmed them all night. He took some moss and covered the remnants, so that only peoples looking for it might find it again.
"Ready now, Sahm?" Kyrre asked.
Sahm looked over at Kyrre, who obviously wanted to go again already.
"Almost. Except for one thing." Sahm said.
Kyrre looked at him quizzically.
"We will stick out greatly, and possibly only confuse people, if we run about as the only full kitsunes in this area." Sahm pointed out.
Kyrre nodded, and sighed. They had been trained, as all kitsunes had, in a few extra-ordinary abilities. One of the earliest versions of shapeshifting they had learned was defensive. How to shift to a human. But no one really tried it, excpet the one time, to pass the test.
Kyrre closed his eyes, and Sahm did too. A few seconds passed, and only a few little rustlings were heard.
Sahm opened his eyes first, and tried not to laugh. He snickered instead, which made Kyrre's eyes open and look at him. They both started laughing. Without kitsune skin, tails, ears, whiskers, and tell-tale red or auburn hair, the two looked positively... human. And almost ridiculous.
Kyrre stopped laughing first, a moment later. "Well, Sahm. Looks like we'll fit right in."
Sahm laughed once more, then just nodded, still grinning. "Let's go fit in, and look for a man who doesn't, then, shall we?"
They grabbed their bags, slung them over their shoulders, and were off at a run mere moments later.
((Sahm and Kyrre, human))
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