I pushed the thoughts of the Predators aside for now. They were a problem, but one that could be worried about later.
"So, there are only a few of you left, but I would like to take you as my subjects," I said to the gathered group of Raccoon Folk wrapped in black cloth that covered even their hands.
In response, the Raccoons all came over and kneeled before me, including the girl that had helped me. I noticed something right away about her with the others that made her stand out; she was the only one that didn't have her tail wrapped in black cloth.
"We are yours to command, Great Queen that Sneaks Past Death! My name Tacator, eldest of The Last, and I pledge our steel, honor, and we give you our names and ask that you return them to us anew and reborn so that we as a people can move on. All of our names are tied to the pain and suffering that was brought to us here, and we ask that you bless us with new ones," Tacator told me from his position in the group.
This made me pause. While I understood what Tacator was asking and what it meant to the Raccoon Folk, fifteen names were hard to just make up.
Well, it wasn't like I had to be fancy, and most of the people of this would have wild enough names, to begin with. Maybe I would just give them some easy names to remember, but I guess one through fifteen might be a bit cliche.
"Okay, but I can't promise that they will be the best ones, but please rise. I don't really like all the bowing and stuff, so just nodding your head lower than mine is enough. Maybe give me some time to work on the names; I would also like to be able to see all your faces while we are on the ship," I told the group after they were all standing.
All of them immediately started to unwrap their heads, and they all had very light and pale skin, but that would be from being wrapped up all the time. I would need to get them better outfits and things they could when they weren't trying to kill people.
I looked over at the girl and noticed that she was beautiful, but she looked like she was wearing eyeliner on her entire bottom and top lid of her eyes. I looked over at the men and noticed that they had the same thing, but all of them hardly blinked, so it was hard to tell.
"As you already know, there was an attack on the ship. I don't think our people could have had anything to do with it or yours, but I almost died. So, I need to see your faces to identify which is around me, and so can my guards. You all looked very versed in fighting, and that's what I want from you, but I want you to start training the others for now. So you accept my offer to become my Subjects?" I asked, looking directly into Tacator's eyes.
"Yes, after Bresma found out that there was a Balsam stone in Nightmare falls, we had tried to get it. We ended up cursed numerous times, and the water was almost impossible to swim in. So, then we tried to get help, but the Ferret boys here had the same trouble as us, but then you showed up, and Bresma told us about you, and she has been keeping recon on your actions," Tacator said, pointing to the girl, and she stepped forward.
"I told Tacator of all the things that you had been doing and how you were trying to help everyone. What you have done so far is more than incredible; you have brought together three races that have always lived separate, some even fighting, and now they are working together!" Bresma said with excitement, swishing her tail.
"SSSH!" Tacator hissed at Bresma, and she became still.
Hmmm, this must be what she meant by noisy. Maybe it had something to do with the refusal to wrap her tail; I would find out more later when I got her alone.
I was sure that there would be a couple of classes that I would have to do by hand with this bunch. I activated the Queen System and confirmed The Raccoons as Royal subjects.
Racoon:15
Food-0
<Butcher Class>
<Cook Class>
<Preparation Class>
<Preserve/Cure Class>
Service-0
<Builder Class>
<Caretaker Class>
<Cleaner Class>
Production-0
<Farmer Class>
<Harvest Class>
<Rancher Class>
Guard-0
<Brawler Class>
<Defender Class>
<Knight Class>
<Protector Class>
<Ranger Class>
Other-0
<Council Class>
<Researcher Class>
<Scientist Class>
<Special Class>
<Unknown Class>15
What? They were all unique? Not that I was complaining… okay maybe I was a little bit. Now I had to pick all their classes and names? Bee-tter Bee some pretty creative class names because I was starting to feel a bit lazy, but this was my job.
"I am going to need you all to head over to the Guard Hex-Comb, and from there, I want you all to do some demonstrations of your abilities. I will join you all briefly, but Leah will be watching to let me know what I have missed. Bresma, can you please stay here with me? I would like to talk to you," I said to the group, but I finished off looking right at the girl.
The men all nodded and turned to walk out and follow Leah. Riza, Joni, Messia, and Miasma stayed with me, but Bresma stayed where she was, waiting.
"Please come up and see me; I can't see you very well from over there, and stop being so stiff. I know that Tacator and the others must be hard on you for your energy levels and other things, but you don't have to worry about… oof!" I said as Miasma hopped on my lap, making Bresma's eyes go large.
"Don't worry, the Queen is pretty nice; I'm the one that bites!" Miasma said after she kissed me.