“This market vendor had better have good food, is all I’m saying.” Prince Tanue walked beside Spirito as they made their way toward the wing that housed the cafeteria area. The enticing aroma of spices, herbs, and grilled meats wafting through the air. Now that they were so much bigger at seven and six, respectively, the Queen allowed them to socialize more. The taste of adventure lingered on their tongues as they savored the opportunity to try different cuisines. And since Tanue was definitely a food junkie, Spirito quickly learned, they’d be socializing in food establishments. “My class seems so boring. Yet, my tutor stated his belief that I should acquire more knowledge, and, an hour later, that food serves as a natural means to activate the brain. I’m going to follow up on the second belief first, so I can answer the first belief second.”

Spirito shrugged and nodded. He was confident the tutor was one of many, and Tanue already had a good understanding of food.

“Let’s just get a Draedle cookie? They are so glorious. I’ll spring for it. What do you say, Spirito?”

Spirito glanced back at the two guards who followed the prince everywhere and winced. A Draedle cookie had three layers of chocko. He was only craving meat. His diet was definitely not the same as the prince’s. “Can we split the difference and eat at Sultini? I really need some serious protein. And they have those cream Potisi cookies that you love. I was working on my falls and rolls today, and my muscles are sore. Protein will help me recover faster.”

Prince Tanue shrugged. His tail slashed, whipping from one side to the other. “I’ll probably still have my guy get me a Draedle cookie.” He glanced over his shoulder at the unobtrusive bodyguard. Tanue asked them to stay in the background on the basis that Spirito, his soon-to-be protector, was right there next to him. “I mean, what good is he if I can’t order him around? Can you show me about these falls and rolls later? It never hurts to learn to fall.” Tanue snickered.

Spirito’s voice grew animated, filled with enthusiasm as he detailed the steps. They chatted, tails in sync, as they were headed to the restaurant that Spirito’s father loved and often visited.

As they rounded the corner of the last building on the main street, an older and really broad boy ran between them, shoving them apart, giving a quick ‘sorry’ as he turned to sprint around the corner.

Tanue and Spirito studied at each other. Tanue shrugged, and Spirito frowned. “Are you okay?”

“Yep, he barely pushed me.” Tanue regarded Spirito and grinned. “You are doing that eyebrow thing again. I will have to practice. It looks really intimidating.”

Spirito didn’t realize one eyebrow had risen with concern and curiosity, something his father and sister did to him whenever he asked a question. The one thing bothering him was the large boy was moving pretty fast for as big as he was. They returned to side-by-side walking and almost immediately saw three older boys coming straight toward them. The lead boy had all of his teeth showing, and his paws had already turned into fists. Spirito was aware of trouble when it appeared right in front of him. He caught a glimpse of Tanue and realized that both of them were in danger unless he stopped it. He stepped in front of Tanue’s path and made a mental note for the bodyguard to round the corner.

“Wait for a minute, T. I need to clip my sandal.”

“Sure. I heard the…”

“Well, well. What do we have here?” A growling voice grated in the air.

Spirito glanced upward and grinned. “Hey.” He said casually and stood up in front of his companion to face the three strangers. They looked a year or two older and were taller than him. And they were scruffy. The two behind the leader looked like siblings, with the same pelt color and eyes, and the same fur ridge on the head. But the one leading was short-haired, stocky, and well-muscled. Somewhat similar to Spirito’s form.

In the charged atmosphere, the scent of anticipation and tension seemed to hang in the air.

“Did I say you could talk to me?” He stepped closer than required, his rugged brow thrust forward with aggression.

“Ummm, did I say you could breathe on me?” Spirito waved a hand across his nose and wrinkled his snout.

The two boys behind the leader chuckled.

The leader scowled. He reached out to grab Spirito’s vest and Spirito quickly grabbed over his paw and sought the nerve tendon that would numb his hand until he let it go. He pushed it away from him and down. The boy winced and dropped to his knees before he even realized it.

“Let the boy go, Spirito.” An adult said behind him. He peered back at the guard behind him and saw Tanue was already tucked away safely. As he nodded, his grip loosened, allowing the boy’s hand to slip out of his grasp.

“Sorry.” He tilted his head as he commented to the youth, but he didn’t really mean it. He’d been prepared to fight all three and do his dosage of damage if needed. At least Tanue could have run back to the guard.

The boy stood up, holding his paw, and looked at Spirito with sheer malice on his face, his curled lips, and a flexed tongue, ready to spew some words. Then he caught sight of the royal uniform. He must have swallowed what he intended to say.

“You boys take off now and go make havoc elsewhere. And you two head to the restaurant like you intended.” The guard encouraged both parties with a stern eye.

“Yes, sir,” the boys nodded respectfully, eyes focused and attentive.

The older boys bolted.

Spirito and the prince headed for the restaurant. 

“That was spectacular,” Tanue commented, checking Spirito out, now that the incident was over. “You had him on his knees in one move.”

Spirito shrugged. It’s a simple move and you’ll learn it soon. My Da said he has faith in your defense tutor.” He thought his Da put him in early to the program to keep him busy.

Tanue got quiet and shoved his paws into his pockets. “How did you know?” 

Spirito looked at his friend.

“You know? How did you find out that those boys were going to be mean?”

Spirito scratched his ear. “I’m supposed to, I think.” He paused. “I saw them and felt a feeling of…” he hesitated. “…of threat. Maybe like when Mama knew I broke her glass.  She looked at me and I knew I was in trouble.”

“You sure were. Mrs. Deshik can read you like a book.  My mom can read me, too. She’s had tons of practice with all those visitors.  Sometimes she looks at me and I feel guilty and I haven’t even done anything.” Tanue rolled his eyes. 

“Well, my Da says I’m a natural. And when I’m fifteen, we will bond, and I’ll become your protectorate. So, I’ll be protecting you like Shasis protects Prince Latik. And Uncle Oberian protects King Horment.”

Tanue nodded slowly. “My brother Latik says the protectorates are full of themselves.” He repeated something he’d possibly overheard. “He called them arrogant.”

Spirito looked down at himself and back at Tanue. He bulked up and looked and flexed his muscles. 

The older boy snickered and bumped his shoulder. 

Spirito grinned. “I don’t think Shasis is very full of herself. She is quite small. I’ll be much taller. But she does have a presence. Uncle Oberian is always saying that. She can stop grass growing with her stare, Da says.”

Prince Tanue grimaced. “Latik doesn’t talk about her. I see her all the time and she does look very serious.”

“Well, a protectorate has to be, I think,” he said, nodding with a furrowed brow.

“Really?”

Spirito shrugged. 

Tanue lifted his chin and shook his head. “Maybe you don’t have to be so serious with me. We can be friends, too.”

Spirito nodded. “Sure.” 

“But feel free to get those boys out of our faces whenever you want.” Tanue scratched his nose, and it wrinkled as he gave a huge grin.

Spirito grinned back and nodded. “Deal.”