Deep in the high peaks of Jagged Mountains far from any dwarven hall the snow fell lightly in the stone city of Mountainhome. On the maze wall of the inner city, Jim of the line of Ellison stood his post ignoring the flakes that fell on his dark fur. His icy blue eyes scanned the city watching the citizens as they went about their daily activities. One paw rested on the hilt of his sword, the other pulled his cloak tighter around his shoulders. An ear flicked back as he heard the approaching footsteps of his relief. He turned when Angela was within a few feet. He smiled a toothy smile at the sight of Angela with her white furred ears laid back across her head, and her muzzle wrinkled in disgust as the white snow fell onto her fur. "Don't like being wet, Angela." Jim asked her.

"You know I don't." Angela answered back. "I will be glad when the winter is over." She looked up at the gray skies and pulled her cloak closer around her body. Her tail lashed in irritation. Jim just laughed and gave her his report of the activities on his watch. There was little to report and it wasn't long before Jim was walking down the stairs of the southwest tower.

Once out on the street, Jim wrapped his cloak further around his own body, and trudged through the snow covered stone streets to his mother's house. He nodded to the other citizens as he passed them. It was late in the afternoon, and the Artisans were just getting off for the day and heading home to eat the supper made for them by their mates. Young apprentices followed in their masters' wake, while in some areas stores were being closed down for the day by the Merchants.

Eventually Jim reached the small three-room house with its slate roof that was one of the smaller homes that clan Ellison owned. Jim's brother, Stephen, had taken over the largest home with his three mates, and his children. Jim's sister, Nira, had been dowered from the sale of another home. She lived in the Merchant district as a Primary female mate. Jim's youngest sister, Dianna, was a Soldier, like Jim. Unlike Jim she was a secondary mate in an Artisan's household.

Jim entered his home and in the entryway he removed his cloak and hung it on a peg. He then removed his boots placing them in the bottom of the closet. He removed his pants and tunic as was customary indoors. He placed them in the laundry chute to be washed later by the servant Jim had hired to help care for the house and his mother. Once he was unclothed, Jim walked into the kitchen where his mother was busy making supper for the evening. Their father had died some two years before from a wasting sickness, while their father's only secondary mate had died only a year ago from a fall from his horse. In the kitchen, Jim's mother, Grace, stood before the iron stove stirring a pot with a wooden spoon. Jim could smell the aroma of rabbit stew coming from the pot and his mouth watered.

Because a sentinel's body was covered in fur that grew thick in the wintertime, sentinels only wore clothing as protection against the elements, or as armor during battle. Nudity wasn't a word they understood, and wearing clothes inside was considered an insult. Like Jim, Grace also wore no clothing. Her tan fur was shot with gray showing her age. She turned to look at her eldest son and smiled. "Welcome home, Jim. Was it exceptionally cold today?"

"It was chilly. The snow was wet, and its turned into slush on the street. Is that the last of the rabbit?" He asked as he nuzzled his mother's cheek in greeting.

"Yes, unfortunately. We have a bit of the venison left, and some goat." Grace answered. "Stephen's Prime mate sent over some cheese she had just made. And I sent Mary to the bakery this morning for bread."

Jim nodded and said, "I will get leave to go hunting tonight and restock our meat supply. I will get paid in two days."

"Have you talked to Michael lately?" Grace asked Jim as he took the ceramic plates from a cabinet and set the oak table that Jim's father had made years ago.

"We spoke before I went on duty. He's agreed to give me a week to think about the proposal." Jim answered as he placed a ceramic bowl on each plate.

"I don't understand why you hesitate. Most Soldiers are secondary mates to a family. And don't worry about me, if that is what is holding you back."

"No, its not. Michael's Primary mate has said that you can live with us. I don't really know what is holding me back." Jim answered as he used some heavy cloth pads to pick up the stew pot and set it on the iron pad on the table. Grace placed the platter of cheese on the table while Jim got the fresh bread.

"Well do you old mother a favor and think about it. I would feel more content when I am on my deathbed knowing that you are cared for." Grace said as she placed the butter dish on the table and seated herself.

"I promise to think about, if you promise to stop thinking about your deathbed." Jim answered seating himself at the table.

The meal was eaten in silence, as was custom among their people. When the meal was eaten, they cleaned up and Grace went to bed. Jim went to the entryway and redressed. He left the house and headed to the north gate entrance. The captain on duty gave him permission to leave the city and permission to take a bow and a quiver of arrows to hunt with. The gate was opened, and Jim walked through the long dwarven built tunnel that eventually opened up into the surrounding forest.

He returned to the city carrying two large red deer over his broad shoulders, and several rabbits and birds tied around his belt. The guards let him in, and Jim handed over the weapons and trudged down the slushed streets to his mother's home. Once there, he took the meat down into the frozen cellar and hung the deer by their hocks, and the other carcasses by their feet. Once that was done, Jim went back into the house, undressed at the door; placing clothing in the appropriate places, then sought his own bed for the night.

He awoke at the sound of the morning bells from the bell tower. He was still tired from the long hunt, but got up anyway even though it was his day off. He padded into the kitchen past his mother's door. His hearing told him his mother still slept, and he let her, knowing her age and the cold was slowing her down. He made a hot breakfast of oat porridge and cooked slices of venison strips. Wolfing down his portion, Jim left his mother's portion to warm near the stove. A few minutes later, Mary, the servant Jim had hired, showed up and began her duties. She washed the clothes, and cleaned the house along with taking care of Jim's mother. She would see to it that Grace ate her breakfast. Jim was getting dressed in the entryway when the doorbell was pulled.

Curious, Jim opened the door surprised to see a messenger on the other side. The messenger bowed his head and handed Jim a parchment sealed with wax. Jim took the parchment and thanked the messenger. After the messenger left, Jim shut the door and turned to lean against it while he used a sharp talon to unseal the parchment. His hands shook because he had noticed right away that the sigil in the wax had been the royal sigil. Jim unfolded the parchment wondering why the King's household would send him a message.

The message turned out to be a summons to the palace. Jim was shocked. A common Soldier was not called to the Palace except for major disciplinary reasons or very high promotions. Jim knew that his commander thought well of him and all his teachers in the soldier had as well, but not enough he thought for a promotion. Jim couldn't think of any infractions that he might have done that would warrant the message. The time for the audience was just after lunch, so Jim placed the parchment in his jacket pocket and donned his cloak as he headed out of the house and into the market area.

Jim couldn't think of any infractions that he might have done that would warrant the message. The time for the audience was just after lunch, so Jim placed the parchment in his jacket pocket and donned his cloak as he headed out of the house and into the market area.

The market area was three streets over. The buildings there were owned by members of the Merchant class; those who at the age of twelve decided to apprentice themselves to Master Merchants and learn the trade. The Merchants sold the goods made by the Artisans along with the raw goods bought from the Farmers who worked the fields in the valley south of the city. All children male and female were trained from birth in the arts of Merchants, Artisans, Farmers, and Soldiers, and at the age of twelve chose which field they wanted to be in and were then made Apprentices. As Apprentices their education in their art was continued and intensified.

Jim entered the Merchant store for baked goods. The clothing rule did not extend to businesses only homes. The Merchant who owned the store was Michael, who had asked Jim to be a Secondary mate. Michael was seated behind the wooden counter on a stool, while behind him his Primary Mate, Arrissa, brought in more baked goods form the kitchen. While Michael was the Merchant, Arrissa was an Artisan, whose specialty was baked goods. Jim noticed that Arrissa was beginning to show her pregnancy. The mating cycle had ended four months ago, and most Primary Mates were already pregnant. Those that weren't would become so during the second mating cycle, which was two months away. Like all pregnant Primary Mates, Arrissa would not go into heat during the second cycle.

The two weeks of the mating cycle were a hectic time. Soldiers were usually busy breaking up fights between rutting males, and dealing with the juvenile delinquent behavior from younger males who as yet couldn't handle the physical and emotional changes during rut. The city would be in utter chaos and ripe for invasion from Sentinel enemies if it weren't for the Soldiers, who upon choosing to be Soldiers were physically castrated or had their ovaries removed to prevent rut and heat. It was not a choice made lightly, and those who made their choice were honored for it. Soldiers were respected and honored by all.

"Good morning, Jim." Michael said.

"Good morning." Jim said back.

"I take it you aren't here to answer my proposition?" Michael said with a smile crinkling his muzzle.

"No, I haven't decided yet Michael. I just need to buy some cakes for mother. Her sweet tooth and all." Jim answered.

"Oh yes, your mother's sweet tooth is rather legendary. Arrissa made some honey cakes this morning and some iced cakes."

"I'll take half a dozen of each then. And a loaf of your rye." Jim said reaching into his pouch to gather the copper and silver coins to pay for the purchase. Michael quickly gathered the items placing them in a basket. Jim paid for the purchases and took the basket.

"By the way Jim, I wanted to invite you and your mother to dinner at our home in a week. You can give me your decision then and we can celebrate your answer, even if you say no." Michael said before Jim could leave.

Jim nodded, "Alright. I will have an answer for you by then." With that Jim left to go to the spice sellers. As he walked he thought about Michael's offer. Realistically, Jim knew he would probably accept the offer. It was for the best. His mother would be cared for, and Jim would contribute his earnings as a soldier for the household. He would have the stability that came from being a member of a Merchants' household. He would lose the name Ellison, and become a Callahan, but all in all it was a good deal. He would of course be a Secondary Mate expected to take the place of the Primary Mate when she was unavailable due to illness or pregnancy. Which meant he would take care of any children, clean, cook, and be Michael's bedmate on top of his Soldier duties.

Jim just couldn't figure out why he was hesitant to accept the offer. Shaking his head, Jim went entered the spice Merchants business and bought the necessary spices. When he was done, Jim made his way back to his mother's home.

Jim took a nap before lunch, and when he woke up he took a bath, pumping the water into his tub, then added the heated water from the large fireplace that dominated the bathing room. When he was clean and dried, Jim padded into the kitchen where Mary was serving up lunch. Two pheasants had been roasted with spices, and stuffed with potatoes and carrots and garlic. The three of them ate at the table. After lunch was done, Jim handed his mother the parchment. "Jim what is going on, you aren't in any trouble are you. Are you being promoted?" Grace asked.

"I don't know mother. I will find out soon enough. I need to head over to the Palace now. I just wanted you to know where I was in case." Jim said. He didn't think he was in any trouble, but Jim hugged his mother goodbye, just in case. He dressed in the entryway and after tugging on his boots and donning his cloak, Jim left the house and headed to the Palace.

The Palace had been built in the center of the city. The King was a descendant of Garan who some five hundred years before had led the Sentinels from their place of enslavement with the Elves to the hidden Halls of the dwarves. Because Garan had thought to rescue a Dwarf held prisoner by the elves who had been their master, the sentinels had found an ally with the dwarves and a place of Sanctuary among them. It was the dwarves who taught them to build with stone, who had helped them build Mountainhome.

Now five hundred years later, the descendants of the Sentinels who had escaped from their Elven enslavers lived in peace but ever watchful for the day in which the Elves would come in force to take back or destroy the race they themselves had created using their magic. Elven magic used to create a warrior race to destroy the threat that elves feared, humans whose growing numbers and expanded lands inched ever closer to Elven lands.

Jim passed through the archway where the story of their people was carved in relief upon its stone wall. The guards allowed him to pass after he showed them the parchment. At the doorway a servant waited. He took Jim's clothes and boots, then another servant led him through the corridors toward the main hall. Jim was surprised to find the throne room empty except for the King whose giant golden furred body sat upon his throne. The doors closed behind him and Jim walked down the carpeted room to kneel ten paces from the throne.

Kneeling upon one knee, head bowed Jim awaited the King's command. Time passed, and Jim could feel the King's golden eyes fixed upon him. "Commander Reece tells me that you mastered every weapon we teach." The King's voiced rumbled. "He says also that you learned tactics easily and outstripped your yearmates."

Jim was trying to figure out what the King wanted as he waited still kneeling, head still bowed as he listened to the King speak. "I look out my window and look upon my city every morning. I love my city and I would do anything to protect my city. Elves have magic. They created us, though none of us like to think about that. Because we are creatures of magic, we can never use magic ourselves. My father never thought as I did, and neither did my grandfather. They believed that the city would withstand anything the elves could do, I am not so sure of that." The King seemed to be talking more to himself than to Jim. Jim on the other hand couldn't understand why the King was speaking like that in his presence.

"You may rise." The King ordered and Jim stood to look at the King. There was a long silent moment while the King looked at Jim, his eyes lost in thought. Jim waited, silent himself. "Only my most trusted councilors know what I am about to tell you Jim, of clan Ellison. I hope that you know that what I say must not be repeated outside these walls."

"I understand, Your Majesty." Jim said.

"I have been in contact with the human king. Does that surprise you? It shouldn't, though I suppose it does. We were created to destroy humans for our elven masters, but they did not put a hatred into us for humans. Our hatred is reserved solely for elves. So therefore I used some dwarven contacts so that I could open up a dialogue with the human king. I can't say that we have become allies like we are with the dwarves, but there is a steady peace that is building slowly. Which is why when the mating season is over with, we will be sending a trade caravan to the human city of Myst. This will be announced in three days. You are wondering why I am telling you this now?"

Jim could only nod. A trade caravan to leave the city. It was unheard of. Even the dwarves came to Mountainhome for trading, not the other way around. The King saw Jim's nod and continued. "What I need from you Jim, is for you to leave the city before the mating cycle. I want you to go to Myst and join the Mercenary Guild. You have heard of it, I take it?" Jim nodded again. "I am not ordering you to do this. I am asking you to volunteer. The human king will not ally himself with me fully. But through the dwarven contacts I heard of this mercenary guild, and how it is not only soldiers, but also human mages who are members. Elves feared humans not just because of their numbers, but also of their magics and their fighting abilities. I am asking you to volunteer to become a mercenary and learn.

Learn about humans, learn about human mages, and learn their fighting tactics. I also want you to make your own contacts among them. So that when the time comes, I will have your opinion on which mages to hire and which not. Because I will hire human mages to protect this city from Elven magic."

Jim was surprised. The King was asking him to volunteer to leave his city, his family to go to the human city to become a fighter for them. Jim felt pride in knowing the King was asking him. The idea of going to a human city caused his hear to pound from fear and excitement.

"I understand that you have been asked to become a Secondary Mate to a merchant. You can still accept the proposal and cement the marriage before you leave. The dwarven merchants in Myst would be willing to send back any money or messages that you need delivered." The King said.

Jim shook his head. Honor dictated to him that if he accepted Michael's proposal then he had to stay in the city to perform his duties to his new family. Michael would be disappointed, as would Jim' s mother but Jim had decided that he would refuse Michael's proposal and accept the mission from his King. He told the King his decision. The King nodded.

Before Jim left the palace, the King had given Jim a list of the dwarven merchants in the city of Myst. He also gave Jim a signed letter that gave Jim permission to take armor and weapons from the armory and to take horses and supplies as needed. Jim took the letter and thanked the King, then left with the King's permission. At the entrance, the servant gave Jim back his clothes. Once he was dressed, Jim left the Palace and headed home.

Grace was surprised by Jim's orders. While Jim could not tell her everything, he did say that he had to leave the city on the King's business and that it would be awhile before he would return. He told his mother that he would turn down Michael's proposal. Grace understood his decision and asked him when he would leave. Jim had decided to leave in a few days. He had already been taken off the roster, so he wasn't going to go back to guarding the walls. He had some personal business to take care of, then he planned to leave.

The personal business did not take long. Michael was disappointed in Jim's refusal, but like Grace understood Jim's reasoning. Michael had to admit that he didn't want a Secondary Mate who lived away from the city. Jim contacted Stephen and his sisters and told them that he was leaving the city on the King's business. Stephen agreed to look after their mother while Jim was gone, and Jim was glad to know that his one worry was taken care of.

Eventually the two days passed, and the morning of his departure dawned. Jim ate breakfast with his mother, then hugged her goodbye. He dressed and left the house heading toward the north gate. There a black horse stood saddled and waiting. The guards there had packed up the supplies he was taking. The weapons he had requisitioned were also there. A sword, shield, daggers, throwing knives, a bow and a quiver of arrows. His armor was there as well. Chain and plate mail armor that was easy to manuever in and that he could remove and don without help. The horse was a heavy built warhorse, well trained and had its own armor. Jim placed his pack behind the saddle on top of the supply bags. He dressed in the armor, buckled the sword belt around his waist.

He placed the throwing knives in their wrists sheaths and ankle sheaths. A dagger was placed at the small of his back and one at his waist. The bow and quiver were attached to his saddle. Once ready, Jim mounted the black gelding and the gates were opened. Jim rode through the dwarven made tunnel into he came into the forest beyond. From there Jim turned his horse northeast and did not look back.

The city of Myst had had its share of strange visitors. Humans had few real enemies besides each other, and Myst had hosted many different races who brought their wares to sell in the bazaar. Only elves avoided human cities. Though there had always been rumors of another race that lived deep in the mountains who had so far avoided human cities. Tales told of big cats that walked on two legs that had been sighted in the Forest of Shadows at the foot of the Jagged Mountains. Those who had seen glimpses of these big two legged cats were scoffed at, and told they had been drinking too much.

The citizens of the city of Myst were privileged to witness the arrival of one of those big cats that walked on two legs to the shock of everyone. The big cat wore armor and clothes and rode on a warhorse. He was covered in midnight black fur, and had icy blue eyes that took in everything and nothing at the same time. Unlike people who first entered Myst, the cat did not gawk like a country bumpkin. Instead he rode steadily down the street, and ignored the people who gawked at him.

Wealthy merchants and nobles who wouldn't disdain to look at anyone, much less a visitor, stared out windows of buildings, or of carriages. The only ones who were not afraid to get close to the catman were the children, who darted out in front of the big black warhorse who ignored the children except to avoid walking on them. Small hands touched horseflesh and boots alike, and the big cat did nothing to stop them.

Jim found the antics of the human children to be amusing. It was obvious to the Soldier that the humans had never seen a sentinel before if the way their eyes bulged and their mouths hung open was any indication. Jim had never seen a human before, but knew that they had a similar appearance to elves. Unlike elves, humans did not of that youthful ethereal look to them, nor where they completely hairless in the face and body. Jim saw many male humans sporting hair on their faces like dwarves. What he saw of their arms and chests showed more hair. His sense of smell told him which were females and which were males, though his was beginning to be able to tell the difference. Like female dwarves, human females had two breasts that jutted out from their chest.

Jim wondered why some human females showed more of their breasts then others, but decided that it was unimportant. The children continued their game around him, and as he got deeper into the city more children joined in. Jim wondered how he was going to find the dwarven merchant house when he felt a hand touch his tail, which had been hanging down over the warhorse's rump. He looked down and caught the eyes of a young female human whose eyes widened in fear. Jim hurried to reassure the child by smiling though the sight of his sharp teeth did not reassure her too much. "Its alright, child. I will not eat you." Jim said. He was pleased to see some of the child's fear leave her face.

"I am sorry,” the girl said apologizing for having touched his tail. Jim waved it away, "Its alright, I am not angry. I wanted to ask for directions, and I did not mean to frighten you."

"Oh." the girl said and she smiled up at Jim. "Where are you going?"

Jim told her he was going to the dwarven merchants, and the girl was excited because she knew where that was. She immediately gave simple directions before she was called away by a worried parent. Jim thanked her and handed her a copper penny. He continued on his way, noticing that the children trailed him when they weren't called away by a parent. A few turns and several blocks later Jim found himself in front of the dwarven merchant house. Leaving the gelding lightly tied to a post outside, Jim entered the building and gave over the parchment messages the King had given him to give the dwarves.

The dwarf merchant, Koril, looked over the letters, then directed Jim to the Mercenary Guild house. He gave Jim some money as instructed by the letter. "If you need more just come by. Your King has authorized it to take care of your expenses until you can get a job." Koril said. Jim thanked him, and left the merchant house. Outside, the children had disappeared, but it wasn't long before he had a new escort of them all the way to the Mercenary guild house.

If the guildmaster was surprised that Jim wanted to join the Mercenary guild, he gave no sign of it. Instead he handed Jim the paperwork written in trade tongue, which Jim like all sentinels could read. Sentinels were taught to read and write and speak tradetongue, Elvish, and Dwarvish. Sentinels had their own language, which only they understood. It was a spoken language only. Jim read over the paperwork, then signed his name with a quill ink pen at the bottom. The guildmaster then handed Jim some guild tags with a freshly written number on the tags. The number corresponded with the number on his paperwork. The guildmaster advised Jim to come in everyday to see if there was a job for him. He was warned that since he was new that any job he got wasn't going to pay well. Jim nodded.

Jim left the guildhouse and made his way to a nearby inn. The innkeeper did show his surprise at the sight of Jim, but seemed willing to accept Jim as a customer. He had his stable boys take Jim's horse who went with them once Jim gave him the command to do so. Taking his packs, Jim followed the innkeeper up the stairs to a small room with a single size bed. His sight and smell told him the bed was free of bugs, and the sheets were clean. He nodded his acceptance of the room and paid for a few nights in advance. The innkeeper took the money and told him that dinner would be served in a few hours. Jim nodded and the innkeeper left him alone in the room. Once the door was closed Jim undressed, feeling uncomfortable about being inside with clothing on.

He had noticed that that wasn't the custom among humans, and had decided that he would follow the local customs in that matter should he ever find himself in any human dwelling. In his own room, however, Jim followed his customs. Besides the clothing was too hot for the small room.

Once he was unclothed, Jim folded the clothes and placed them in the bottom of the wardrobe. His other clothes taken from his pack was hung in the wardrobe, and his armor was stored in a chest that was beneath the bed. A knock on the door and the innkeepers voice saying that is was him had Jim opening the door. The innkeeper was flustered to find Jim naked, or at least naked to human standards. Jim was confused as to why the man kept trying to keep his eyes on Jim's face, but was failing rather miserably. The innkeeper told him that a bath could be drawn for him. The inn's servants would bring up the hot water for a few coppers extra. Jim felt a bath was a good idea, and he walked over to his bed and took out the coppers from the coin purse and handed them to the innkeeper.

The man's face was strangely red, but the innkeeper stammered that the servants would be there soon, and he all but ran from the room. The servants showed up a few minutes later and they weren't any better. The sight of the seven-foot tall naked black furred catman unnerved them, and they spilled more water than intended, and had to mop it up with towels. Jim noticed that they glanced up from this chore several times to look at Jim. He was confused by their behaviour, but he supposed it had something to do with the fact that he was unclothed.

When the bath was full, the servants left towels behind, and left the room. Jim stretched his hearing out to listen to the servants hoping to get a clue.

"I didn't see them,” one of the male servants said to the other one. "Me either. Was he someone's slave or pet?" the other one said. "I don't know, all I know is he ain't got no balls. And I don't think they're hidden in all that fur either." "Did you see the size of those teeth!? I wouldn't say anything like that were he could hear. He might just have you for dinner instead of the roasted pig." Jim tuned out the two servants. So that's what it was. Humans were as bad as dwarves when it came to such matters. For sentinels, sex usually only occurred during mating cycles. And sex only occurred between mates. A female or male was expected to be virginal until they were officially mated. That included any Secondary mates as well. To Jim and other sentinels, the dwarves' preoccupation with sex was

When Jim was done with his bath, he allowed the servants back inside to empty the tub and take away the used towels. Jim ignored the servants as they stared at him while they went about their business. When they were done, Jim dressed and went downstairs to eat supper. The people in the common room gawked at him, and one man who had been nearly passed at on his table from drink lifted his head in time to see Jim. "What the hell is that!" the man practically screamed. One of the servant girls in the common room told him that Jim was a guest. The man then swore off drinking and got up and left, swaying as he moved. Jim could smell the alcohol all over the man and it made his muzzle wrinkle in distaste. Jim found a seat and one of the serving girls came over to take his dinner order.

Jim's nose caught the scent of roasted pig and Jim ordered that along with a mug of beer. The serving girl left the common room to disappear into the inn's kitchen. Jim caught sight of a few of the servant girls looking at him and giggling. Humans, was Jim's only thought.

The serving girl returned with his meal and beer, and left to wait on another patron. Jim ate his meal, ignoring the looks he was getting from the other people in the common room. Jim felt that eventually the novelty of having a sentinel in the city would eventually wear off. Among his people it was considered rude to stare, but Jim had only to remind himself that different races had different customs. When he was done eating, Jim left the common room already panting from the heat. He was glad to be able to strip out of his clothes in his room, and he crawled on his bed forgoing blankets. He didn't take long to fall into slumber.

The next few days were about the same. Each morning Jim woke up and dressed to go down to breakfast. After the meal he would go to the guildhouse to see if there was a job for him. The guildmaster had nothing for him, so Jim explored the city till lunch. He always ate in a different place for lunch, and listened to the talk in the common rooms. Jim became resigned to being stared at. He was also resigned to being the talk of the inn's servants. The male servants were appalled at the thought of Jim's eunuch state, and the females found it funny because they were always giggling. The giggling got on his nerves, but he never showed it. A true warrior did not wear his emotions on his face. Though his tail lashing against his legs gave away his emotional state. He took a bath each evening, then slept.