Total pages in book: 182
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 171288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 856(@200wpm)___ 685(@250wpm)___ 571(@300wpm)
“And what might this gift be?” Chieftain Swift Tail asked, looking at the box and its contents with interest.
“Why, a Millennium Egg, laid by the now extinct jounga bird from the forests of Belsen Five,” V’rex explained. “This egg was preserved in liquid kamite over a thousand years ago and allowed to ripen in a bed of silken locan lard for many lifetimes as it absorbed the flavors of a hundred thousand different herbs and spices. It has been sealed in this vacuum box for over a century to preserve its flavor and aroma. And now I present it to your Excellency for your consumption.”
He bowed as he handed the delicate gold and crystal box with its large, discolored egg to Chieftain Swift Tail.
The Fox’en Chieftain took the box and broke the seal which released the most awful odor Penny had ever smelled. The reek of rotten eggs, hot garbage spoiling in the sun, dirty socks, and strong, stinky cheese filled the throne room like a cloud of poison gas.
Oh my God, she thought, trying not to gag. It’s gone over! They’re going to be so offended that he offered them a spoiled egg!
But though the fumes made her eyes water and her stomach turn, when she looked up at the Fox’ens, the royal pair were putting their long noses right in the box and sniffing avidly.
“What a heavenly aroma!” Lady Bright Coat exclaimed.
“It is, indeed, a princely gift,” Chieftain Swift Tail agreed. “Shall we share it, my love?”
“Oh yes—please! My mouth is watering to taste it!” Lady Bright Coat clapped her clawed hands together eagerly.
“You must have the first bite then.” Gallantly, Chieftain Swift Tail plucked the large egg out of its box and, holding it gingerly with the tips of his long black claws, presented it to his mate.
Lady Bright Coat took a bite that was just a little less than half of the egg and rolled it around in her mouth in what was obviously rapturous ecstasy.
“Mmm—mmm,” she moaned, her eyes rolling up in her head in pleasure. “How exquisite!”
Wow, she looks like me eating really good dark chocolate, Penny thought. She was getting a little more used to the fumes by now, but she was still sure that if someone had asked her to eat that rotten egg she would have puked.
“I must have some as well.”
Chieftain Swift Tail popped the last of the Millennium Egg into his mouth and closed his eyes to savor it.
“Ahh, that was delicious! I have never tasted or smelled anything like it,” he said at last, opening his eyes. “Merchant, you have won the favor of myself and my lady.”
V’rex made another low bow.
“I am gratified that my humble gift has been met with so much pleasure, your Excellency,” he said.
“I hope you and your mate will stay in our lovely city a while,” Lady Bright Coat said, smiling at them. “And perhaps you’d like to take dinner with Chieftain Swift Tail and myself tonight in our private residence?”
“We would be honored.” V’rex bowed again. “You are too kind, my lady! Too kind!”
“We will see you there at the dinner hour tonight,” Chieftain Swift Tail said. “And don’t be shy about bringing things to barter with after the meal,” he added, watching as V’rex carefully replaced the items he’d given Penny to hold in his furry black pouch. “It might be that we can reach some deals together that will be mutually beneficial to all involved.”
“I most certainly will bring my barter items,” V’rex said, smiling. “And now, my mate, Lady Penelope and I, will take our leave of your Excellency and your Loveliness. Until tonight…”
“Until tonight!” Lady Bright Coat repeated, nodding eagerly as V’rex and Penny bowed again and left the throne room.
“Well, that seemed to be a big success,” Penny murmured as the carved double doors banged shut behind them. “But I thought I was going to puke from the fumes that egg put out!”
“It’s definitely an acquired taste,” V’rex said dryly. “But I thought it might suit them. Fox’ens enjoy scents other species find, shall we say, less than delightful.”
“Less than delightful indeed!” Penny snorted. “So what now? You’re going to wait until after dinner and then see if they’ll barter for the Eye?”
“Oh no, sweetheart…” He gave her a serious look. “I’m not the one who’s going to be doing the bartering.”
“What?” Penny frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that it’s Lady Bright Coat who’s wearing the damn thing and she’s a royal Fox’en female. It would be an insult for me, as a male, to address her and ask her to barter.”
“Well then what are we going to do?” Penny asked, confused. “How are we going to get the Eye?”
“By bartering, of course,” V’rex said. “Only you’re the one who’s going to do it. As another female, you can address Lady Bright Coat without offense.”