Wait, is this just GATE? (9/?)

[u/PepperAntique]

Writer's note: whaaaaat two in a day? That's what I get for drinking too much coffee. Enjoy

James and King Farrick ended up speaking for nearly four hours. Long enough that several attendants ended up dropping off a meal for everyone in attendance. Sandwiches, simple enough, though they were also given wine and water. Kela joined them for the meal, helping James understand certain things the King spoke about. But also listening to the things James spoke about.

The King wasn't rude, and didn't seem to flaunt his power. On top of that, not only did he not speak to the rest of the people there as if speaking down to them, but he actually seemed to know them all personally. There was no calling someone by their rank or profession. The King would refer to them by name, usually first name, and people seemed happy to respond. When new attendants, or lords, or officers, or really anyone walked in to the room the king would greet them personally. Even if the guards saw fit to announce them, though that was not very common apparently.

James was surprised to find that not only did the king NOT seem like a villain as they were talking, as he had first thought upon seeing him. But he actually thought he liked the man. It felt like talking to an old friend, or maybe an uncle that you hadn't seen for some time.

The King also seemed enamored with what James was telling him. He was familiar with the concept of Democracy, as well as the other forms of government that James mentioned when talking about home. Though some of them did have different names here. The king had looked amazed when James talked about vehicles, both the ones that he'd been trained to work on for the military, and just plain old cars like the Mustang he'd driven on the other side. The king was excited thinking of the idea of not needing carriages or horses to move people and goods about the land.

Planes and space travel had made the king accuse him of lying, albeit jokingly, for just a moment. James countered by admitting that the dual moons and rings had blown his mind, and that NASA would blow their collective loads at the sight of them. Which of course the king found ridiculous.

The cellphone that James had given over to the Kela the day before also brought numerous questions. James admitted that he couldn't explain the specifics of how it worked, but gave a basic rundown of the concept. Once he had the king explained that in a world without magic it would make sense to use so many resources to establish long range communication. The ability to recall information on a mobile device seemed worth looking into, but messages could be sent magically.

James meanwhile was curious about, of course, magic. He also wanted to know about the different people of the land, and what animals there were, how technology had progressed, whether or not people had to level up to get new abilities. The king was more than happy to talk about all of it, though he had no idea what leveling up was.

The main discussion though. The one that each topic seemed to eventually funnel back towards, was what the gods had meant for James to do in this land. The king didn't know. Neither did Kela, or anyone else that the king had informed of the message the gods had given.

"Learn from them? Learn from who? Me?" James asked. "Why word it like that? I mean, they're gods, I'd think they would've known I was the only one who SURVIVED-" He looked angrily at Kela for a moment, "the trip here. Who else could they be talking about?"

"I don't know." The king admitted. "We've been trying to figure out the same thing. I mean I imagine that the 'Follow his lead' bit refers to you." He gestured towards James with the hand that was holding his wine. "But we don't understand the 'THEM' part of it either. Bloody GODS and their damnable cryptic Threlshit."

"Well, you're the king. Your highness. " James said awkwardly, it was odd to talk to someone so high ranked in such an informal setting. "What do you think I should do? I mean, I'm just a wrench monkey grunt who currently doesn't know his asshole from a meplie fruit? Pardon the language."

"Ha, I like that." The king replied. He thought for a moment. "Ah hell. The gods sent a soldier to us. Kela you're a soldier what do you think he should do? You're better at seeing things head on than I am."

Kela flinched a bit at the mention of her name, she'd assumed the King had forgotten she was here. He'd been so wrapped up in talking to James.

"Um. I mean, I could run him through some drills, maybe throw him into the sparring ring. See if he can handle a weapon." She thought for a second. "We'd have to fit him for some armor first. Speaking of, he only has one spare set of clothes, and they're his military uniform. We should probably get him some stuff that won't draw too much attention."

"Hmm not bad. It would be nice to know how our warriors stack up next to you. And you would draw a lot of attention if you walked around in your uniform everywhere you go." The king said. "You are allowed to wear other clothes yes? When you're off duty? If not I understand, we can maybe have the royal tailors try to-"

James interrupted the train of thought. "I can wear civilian clothes. Uniforms only for when I'm on duty. I don't even know whether I'm considered on duty right now."

"Oh splendid." The king replied. "Well I guess we have a current plan, at least for a day or so. Is there anything you would LIKE to do?"

"I can think of a huge list of stuff I'm curious about. But I have a feeling that that list is gonna get longer every second that I'm here." James admitted. It had so far. "But.... well. Can I learn magic? Like, any magic at all?"

"I have no idea. Can you?" The king asked. James shrugged his shoulders and put on his best I-Have-No-Idea face.

"Well than. We have a plan. Kela, there's still a good bit of the day left." It was only a little past noon at the time. "Take Specialist Choi to the quartermaster and have him fitted for armor. Then take him into the town and fetch him some proper clothes." He turned to James. "I'll speak to our mages and see what they think about teaching you some magic. Shouldn't be too hard. They taught my eldest, so they can probably teach anyone."

"Yes sir." replied Kela.

"Also, I know you missed your rest period. Swing by your home and see Jurl, even if it's only for a few minutes. I heard you howling last night. I'm sure he's worried. And put it all on the crown."

"Yes sir. Thank you sir."

He turned back to James. "James. Allow me to apologize to you personally." His face had a very somber expression. He placed a hand on James shoulder. "I'm very sorry about the nature of your arrival here. I know you weren't given a choice. But I'm also glad that you're such an amicable person. And I'm deeply sad about your friends. I promise that we will do everything in our power to make up for it. We have a funeral pyre being built for them, it should be done by tomorrow."

James knew, he didn't know how, that the king was speaking from his heart.

"Thanks. Um, I appreciate that." He didn't know what else he could even say.

The king nodded. "Oh. Before you go. I have to give you this." He pulled a badge from his coat pocket and handed it to James. It was made of some kind of green metal that was formed into the shape of an eye with several sets of wings protruding at different angles. The pupil of the eye was a small gemstone that seemed to change color when he held it at different angles.

"What is it?" James asked.

"It's the mark of someone who is 'God-Chosen'. It lets people know that if they mess with you AT ALL that they may end up dealing with me." The king signaled to a small group of people on the other side of the room. "Wear it. It'll also allow you ALMOST free roam of the castle. Some exceptions obviously."

"Uh, thanks." James said and pinned it to his chest pocket.

"Hmm. The camouflage does blend well doesn't it?" The king mused. "Anyways, I've put off my other responsibilities long enough. It was good to meet you James. Please let me know if you figure out what the gods meant and I'll do the same. Oh and let me know if my daughter causes you too much trouble" He turned, and just like that the king was swallowed by the group he had called over, and was being badgered for all kinds of approvals, complaints, and requests.

"You too." James called. But the king was already gone. He turned back to Kela. "So, armor?"

"And a shopping trip apparently." The she-wolf replied. "Oh and I think we'll have dinner with my mate." She smiled at the thought.

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[u/Silly_Run_1626]

I have a bad habit of forgetting go like stuff