Named after the Moon

“On March 15th, in the Year of the Constellations, a peace treaty was signed between Egalitia and Berrydoule, whose war had lasted for nearly ten years. Having discussed all the terms in the presence of the heads of state, the kings sealed their new friendship with a handshake…” the new edition proclaimed in every corner of the world. The king of the former state, a polite but strained smile frozen on his face, extended his hand across the table to the predatory king of Berrydoule. The handshake was brief, almost fleeting. The king of the fox-wolf kingdom, avoiding eye contact with his recent enemy, was more interested in the rich embroidery on the tablecloth. The inhabitants of the existing powers began to recover from the horrific consequences, and anxious observers joyfully celebrated the news. It seemed that the bloody battles were behind them, and a time of peace had arrived. However, experienced diplomats observing the signing ceremony noted the restraint of both rulers and the coldness in the eyes of their retinues. Hopes for true peace were boosted by the announcement of the Fortuna competition, which had always united the animal races and allowed each to discover their talent in any field.

Several months later, Luelle Jenkins, an ambitious and tenacious fox, ran through the main square with undisguised excitement. Today, she was to learn the results of a competition that could radically change her life. She had worked tirelessly all summer, and now she was about to witness the fruits of her labor. A sizable crowd was already bustling inside the building: tall, sullen-faced wolves, bustling foxes whispering about their chances, and even a few miniature fennec foxes, seemingly lost in the sea of animals. No one knew for sure what the winner would receive, as the essence of the competition was the unpredictability of the prizes, designed to encourage the animals to devote their full effort without focusing on the prize itself. Overall, the competition lived up to its name, as you never know what awaits you. However, Luelle was willing to take the potential risk, as her life hadn’t been marked by many happy events: early in the war, she lost her exceptionally loving parents, then ended up in a filthy orphanage, from where she was sent to a local cadet corps that illegally released young fox cubs onto the battlefield. Of course, Jenkins managed to graduate a month before the signing of peace, so she didn’t participate in the atrocities that took place on the border. She missed the list for dispatch, which became a symbol of her belief in her own good fortune. Everyone on that list was buried a month later, immediately after the modest victory celebrations.

Upon hearing the announcement of the competition, Luelle decided to take a chance: she would show everyone what she was made of and dedicate her poems to her native country. It had been a hobby for her before, but to earn anything more than a consolation statuette of adorite, she would have to put forth every effort. In other words, she would have to transcend several levels and develop a unique style with which this native of a warm country planned to dazzle all the judges. Admittedly, the girl initially overestimated her abilities and was faced with an overwhelming burden of required information, from verse meters to a thick tome on ancient philosophy. Her bushy tail trembled at the sight of all the necessary details for the formulas of the works. She drank bitter coffee brew to stay awake over her manuscripts and stared in horror at her reflection in the mirror: dark circles under her almond-shaped eyes, tangled copper hair. Jenkins also worked nights at a remote bar to escape the abject poverty. Now, her eyes glowing like green opal, she clung to any movement from the administration staff. Finally, a large scroll was ceremoniously brought out. It was unrolled and hung on a wide wall, cleared of other papers specifically for the occasion. It included not only the winner’s name but also, modestly arranged below, the names of the most outstanding contestants, whom the judges had actively encouraged to try their luck next year. As the frantic contestants pushed and shoved, searching for their names even at the very bottom of the scroll, their knuckles whitened with tension as they clutched the railing separating the crowd from the rest of the hall. Luelle froze, her gaze fixed on the very top – toward the light at the end of the tunnel. Her gaze darted across the lines, stumbling over unfamiliar names, until it suddenly froze. L.J. – painfully familiar initials, written in beautiful calligraphy. And next to them, like a mockery, a status – “Winner.” It couldn’t be. She blinked, trying to clear the illusion, but the letters remained in place, as if nailed to the parchment. Luelle shuddered in surprise. From the other side of the barrier, the prince addressed her – a tall wolf with piercing gaze and a commanding voice that echoed throughout the hall. He was here. His very figure underscored the significance of what was happening. The animals noticeably quieted and began to look at each other, searching for the winner.

“Luelle Jenkins, follow me!” the solemn wolf repeated in a calm, even iron tone, and, noticing how the fox awkwardly made her way through the surprised and gradually envious crowd, he smiled with satisfaction, as feudal lords smile at their vassals.

The fox herself felt extremely strange, although she should have been happy and looked upon those around her with pride, as she had done with her rare successes in the cadet corps. But now, hesitating to speak, she obediently followed the titled beast and carefully examined the marble walls, glistening in the light of the modest chandeliers: the administration had donated the former luxurious light sources to a fund for the rehabilitation of war victims. At some point, the man stopped and turned to the unusually thoughtful victor. She instantly twitched her red ears and looked into the wolf’s gray eyes.

“Well, I sincerely congratulate you on such a magnificent result of the Fortuna competition,” he said in a velvety voice. “Right now, as required by long-standing procedure, you will meet with the organizers and receive all the necessary information, including about the prize.”

In response, Luelle, remembering court etiquette only after the prince’s words, gracefully bowed and walked through the open door. The bright morning light pouring through the tall windows blinded her, forcing her to involuntarily close her eyes. Someone chuckled, causing the fox to open her eyes.

A motley group of animals, clad in extravagant attire, appeared before her. Deep velvet, embroidered with gold thread, was combined with the feathers of exotic birds and sparkling gems. Every element of their attire seemed to scream status and membership in the judging panel of an international competition. Suddenly, as if fueled by the attention of these unusual creatures, Luelle felt a surge of strength. After a moment of hesitation, she straightened her shoulders and assumed a more confident stance, like a born aristocrat. It seemed Alta’s guests appreciated the change.

The prince, the city’s leader, strolled slowly to his desk, located at a distance. With a slight smile playing on his lips, he began to observe the proceedings, as if anticipating an interesting performance.

“I trust His Highness has already briefly explained the purpose of your visit?” said the leopard, whose coat seemed even more wild against the surrounding splendor. Luelle nodded briefly in response and stole a glance at the prince. He, noticing her glance, winked back. “Then please take a seat, and we can begin.”

Jenkins sank into the chair opposite the one already occupied by the judges. The enigmatic smiles that had previously flickered only briefly across their faces now blossomed into full force, though their air of importance remained unaltered. Like seasoned predators toying with their prey, they awaited her reaction. Leopard pulled a stack of documents, tied with a scarlet ribbon, from his leather briefcase and carefully placed them on the mother-of-pearl-inlaid table. Unable to contain her curiosity, Luelle leaned forward involuntarily, listening intently.

The alligator sitting next to the leopard, dressed in a traditional costume that looked like it was woven from river mists and adorned with embroidery depicting sacred snakes, spoke in a low, velvety voice:

“Before you touch the materials, Ms. Jenkins, let us clarify a few details to avoid any misunderstandings or possible embarrassment. You undoubtedly deserved your victory in the Fortuna competition, and today you will learn exactly what this victory brought you. Our organization values its participants above all else, and we offer each and every one of them a chance to improve one aspect of their lives or another, including education. And while the nature of the reward is kept strictly confidential, we are ready, as always, to lift the curtain on the winner – you, Ms. Jenkins.”

The alligator paused and said the following in a calmer voice, looking the contestant straight in the face:

“This time, in the Year of the Constellations, we have decided to offer a grant for study at any of the proposed Egalitian universities, covering absolutely all needs. We understand your possible concerns, as Egalitia recently agreed to lay down its swords and acknowledge Berrydoule’s victory, but this nation has always been several steps ahead of all others in the quality of knowledge transfer, and we, the organizers of Fortuna, cannot afford to award a low-quality prize.”

At the mention of the kingdom of rodents, the frail herbivores in the north of the planet, Luelle’s heart sank, for it was because of this country that her homeland was experiencing unpredictable cataclysms. She herself was close to heading to the battlefield and drenching her sword in the blood of the hares and mice fighting on the enemy side. Doubts swept over her, not so much the doubts themselves as the excitement itself. But the fox didn’t dare show it in front of the watchful predators, who were more likely trying to find weaknesses in the young girl than to respect her abilities. She also decided to bury her safety concerns deep within her soul. “It’s better not to show even a hint of my timidity, otherwise they’ll think I’m chicken and will refuse, although… I really would refuse and try to get another prize, like a hut close to all the amenities, and I don’t need any other countries!” Luelle concluded and quietly exhaled, stealthily glancing at her interlocutors.

“Miss Jenkins, or whatever I may more respectfully address you as,” began the third judge, a fox like herself, “there is nothing shameful in being nervous; it is even charming.”

His companions didn’t react to his remark and merely continued to glance at the honored participant. The owner of the room had already begun his daily work, writing something with an elegant quill, scratching on white parchment. At first glance, it might seem as if he existed outside the conversation. Luelle had noticeably calmed down by this point, though she tried not to take her fellow tribesman’s words seriously. Everyone in this world knows the renowned cunning of any red-haired individual, even if they are part of the elite of a prestigious competition. Finally, she continued to sit confidently, holding her raging tail in her lap.

“Okay, let’s get started filling out all the necessary information,” the sly fox continued, pointing to each item in turn. “Here you choose a university from the three offered, and then, based on your choice, make notes about your desired program, schedule, and room.”

The fox leaned slightly over the table and examined her options more closely. She immediately dismissed her first choice – the University of Theology – as she found no desire to study ecclesiastical sciences or devote her life to serving the deities. Moreover, Luelle had only recently graduated from military school, which would clearly have prevented her from becoming a respectable novice or so-called “sister of mercy.” The second contender was the conservatory named after a composer and poet renowned in the land of rodents, but Jenkins dismissed it as well: “I’ve never been keen on playing the lute or flute, so no.” Her paws were suited only for combat, not for the gentle touch of strings. Finally, she set her sights on the third institution, her final choice. It turned out to be the Island Academy of Medalchemy. It was located, oddly enough, in a remote province of the kingdom. Despite its location, which meant a limited flow of all necessary resources, including funding, the coastal town of Niral was a lucrative destination for merchants and tourists, thanks to its abundance of precious stones and picturesque waterfalls. The royal family also had no intention of letting such rich lands slip away and provided the local academy with every possible support. The king granted subsidies for the study of local minerals, and the queen commissioned jewelry made from precious stones for herself and her daughters. The only difficulty was obtaining entry permits to the province, which limited the dreams of many Egalitians, not to mention foreigners. In other words, studying there was extremely prestigious, and the academy boasted a wide variety of academic programs. Combining all the knowledge the fox had acquired about the place during her military geography classes at the cadet corps, she decided to try to secure a full-fledged education there. She then completed all the necessary forms, including choosing to study in the Faculty of Pharmacy. Luelle decided, “I wouldn’t say I love that kind of thing, but I’d rather do something more creative.”

“Still, sometimes it’s nice to change your image,” she said jokingly, handing the leopard, who was sitting at the edge of the table, some documents for inspection, hoping to lighten the mood. She always resorted to wit when she was moderately or severely nervous.

The first organizer nodded understandingly and laughed briefly.

“You’re right, Miss Jenkins, we all need a break from fighting, at least for a while. However, it won’t end even during your training; it will simply transition to a more peaceful form,” he whispered, handing the papers to the others. The prince, meanwhile, glanced uncertainly at the leopard, as if such words could be misunderstood and were inappropriate for competition discussions. After all the remaining formalities, the mayor personally escorted his charge back to the hall, which was now deserted – everyone had returned to their previous routine, somewhat resigned to defeat. The fox returned the completed paperwork to the judges and now held a paid ticket to Egalitia, where she was scheduled to travel by train in exactly one month. She had provided all the information about herself to the organizers, so it was logical to assume that these mysterious beasts would do all the dirty work for her. Before the appointed time, Luelle had to gather all her few belongings and brush up on her knowledge of the northern kingdom, which would help her adapt more easily to a different mentality, particularly by being more prepared to face hostile attitudes or establish connections. It also wouldn’t hurt to have at least a basic understanding of the chosen field, which required a great deal of perseverance, as Luelle wasn’t particularly fond of philosophy or memorizing runes.

“I sincerely hope I wasn’t wrong for agreeing to this adventure,” Jenkins muttered, strolling slowly along the sidewalk, her eyes following the various carts and carriages. She decided to go straight to the library, so she turned onto the promenade that led to the treasury of knowledge. To her right, the fox could hear the sound of the surging waves, and to her left, she could catch the conversations of passing animals. Since morning still reigned in the capital, the sun slowly drifted toward its zenith, illuminating the distant ridges and tops of buildings with its amber rays. “The days are getting colder, though everything looks so summery,” the lonely girl thought sadly. As if in response to her silent words, a wind blew and fluttered her light blue robe, sewn by her second cousin Luelle, who worked at the Berrydoule embassy in Egalitia. And when the war began, the young fox disappeared without ever seeing her future orphan, which was a shame: perhaps she could have prevented all the hardships that later beset her little sister. But Luelle would never know that. “How I dream of hearing ‘Elle, let’s go to the beach’ again,” she dreamed fondly. The girl herself didn’t like to remember her past, believing that one should live in the present, and when stale fragments from the darkest period of her life pressed upon her, the fox deftly snatched them up and threw them far beyond the horizon. She did the same this time.

“I should make some friends, otherwise I wander around alone and think about things I shouldn’t think about when I have so many events… and responsibilities ahead of me!” The last was said with less pleasure, and the girl covered her ears from the surging September wind.

Continuing her journey through the narrow cobbled streets of Berrydoule, Luelle finally reached the monumental library building. Its gray stone walls, intricately patterned with mice gnawing on roots and symbols of the harvest, seemed to tell the story of this industrious people. Through the enormous arched windows, covered with stained glass depicting ancient heroes, readers and librarians could be seen scurrying among the tall bookshelves.

The entrance to the library, like most public buildings in Berrydoule, was flanked by two massive columns adorned with bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the city’s founding myths. The heavy oak doors, bound in iron, remained open until midday – an old custom. This allowed students and scholars who hadn’t renewed their library passes in time to visit the library freely, avoiding trouble. However, for most residents, exhausted by the backbreaking labor of hard-working wolves, busy foxes, and simpering fennec foxes, unaccustomed to rising with the first rays of the sun, visiting this treasure trove of knowledge before midday remained an unaffordable luxury.

As soon as she stepped inside, she was greeted by the elderly she-wolf in charge of the building. Jenkins knew her from her time in the cadet corps, so she greeted the old woman warmly.

“Hello, my honor! How are you? I hope you’re still ready to climb the rocks?” the fox said cheerfully, hugging the predator, who had been energized by the courtesy. The latter adjusted her thick glasses and patted the girl on the back. The headmistress herself had truly lived a very long time and had witnessed many of the events described in Berrydoule’s history books. She looked dignified for her age and had the ability to enhance her silvery beauty without resorting to tinctures or the services of the swamp dwellers.

Lady Kara spent her youth touring dances and performing in theatrical productions. Throughout her career, she maintained the image of an unapproachable yet charming she-wolf, preferring to keep other animals at a distance. True to her role, the actress always chose villainous roles, which she then played to the highest standards. However, she overdid it and praised villains, angering the partisans of virtue and the priesthood, and with the help of influential industry figures, she gradually lost everything. Before her retirement, Lara worked in factories until the soft gray skin of her graceful hands became rough, and then she was hired by the country’s oldest library thanks to her achievements in the theater world. Today, any young animal would find it hard to believe that this half-blind old she-wolf once enjoyed indecently enormous fame and was a favorite of many men. Following the serene old woman, Luelle couldn’t help but wonder what she’d be like in just seventy years. “I must live this century without regrets,” the fox decided, quickening her pace, almost overtaking the old lady. The old lady knew all about the visitor’s reading interests, so she immediately led her to the room with fiction from all eras, believing that art was essential for her now.

“Oh, excuse me, I didn’t come to read prose or poetry, but encyclopedias and manuals,” Jenkins exclaimed, a look of slippery awkwardness in her eyes. After all, it must have cost the short manager such a convoluted journey from the entrance to one of the departments reached by the winding corridor! The girl began listing, “Egalitian history, Egalitian etiquette, Egalitian climate, Egalitian politics, Egalitian economics, and a basic course in pharmaceuticals!”

Towards the end, the fox began to falter. Lady Kara herself cleared her throat and smiled with her disease-darkened fangs:

“My dear, I’m not so old that you’d stoop to mere speech!” she laughed, followed by Luelle, still constrained by her awkwardness. Then the elderly she-wolf led her more quickly to the desired room, where books about other parts of the world have been stored for centuries. Then the librarian bowed, leaving the inquisitive fox alone with the source of her necessary knowledge. At first, she didn’t know which shelf to go to, but after a quick search, she got her bearings, and within ten minutes, she was freely wandering between sections, like a butterfly dodging sudden piles of unsorted publications that threatened to collapse on anyone who even slightly brushed against them. Finally, Jenkins found the scientific almanac “White Veil,” consisting of over thirty thick books on various fields of Egalitian activity. This series was maintained by renowned historians in collaboration with animal scientists from all over Berrydoule, so the fox took it with great confidence and began reading the first parts of the collection with great enthusiasm. She settled into a familiar nook with a kerosene lamp. Lighting it, she inhaled the rancid smell of the cramped space and began reading.

During the allotted time, Luelle expanded her knowledge and, as she thought, was already mentally prepared for the upcoming journey. The train departed early the next morning, marking the beginning of the golden month for every inhabitant of the kingdom. It is during this time that holidays and daily festivals take place, and this time, young Jenkins would be unable to attend any of them, as on the first day of October, she would be en route to a country familiar from books but unfamiliar in person. However, she was determined to have an exceptionally pleasant time and even tried to find a silver lining in not being able to attend the Rock Flower Festival. “What didn’t I see there?” “Every year, recognized beauties perform before the king and queen, and then everyone exchanges bouquets of modest blossoms; nothing changes,” she reflected on the national celebration, which she could never participate in, as the only competition there was an exquisite dance, which Luelle, with her sharp nose and small stature by local standards – just over five feet seven inches – would have ruined with astonishing probability. Having found an outlet in military art and the world of poetry, she would, however, gladly yield to the most enchanting individuals at any opportunity.

The night before the big day, the girl nervously double-checked her luggage for all the necessary things and repeatedly looked out the window to breathe in the crisp night air with its hint of crimson maple and tempt her to fall asleep. But whether due to overexcitement or simply a lack of sleep due to fatigue, Jenkins couldn’t close her eyes and lose herself in a dream world. Finding nothing more interesting to do, she lay down on her bed in a starfish pose. For the remaining hours before her scheduled awakening, the vixen tossed and turned, fighting off anxious thoughts and excessive worry. Finally, at six o’clock in the morning, she sluggishly rose from her bed and stretched her aching muscles. The sun glared in her eyes through the open window, causing a sudden pain and an irritated hiss that sounded like a growl. The girl quickly donned chestnut palazzo pants and a cornflower-blue tunic over them, combed her unruly long hair, grabbed her travel bag, and left her dusty apartment. In the dim hallway, she encountered the perplexed landlady and, smiling broadly through her fatigue, said goodbye. The prim, fox-like woman, wrapped in several layers of a dressing gown, only managed to indignantly utter, “What impudence!” and rush into the newly vacated apartment to ensure its safety. In truth, the organizers of the Fortuna contest were supposed to handle all the issues, including negotiations with the pompous landlady. On the other hand, Luelle had been the one to sign the contract with her – she was the one to terminate it. However, Jenkins missed that opportunity. At any other time, such behavior might have landed the fox in the capital’s court, but not now, when she was protected by some of the most influential animals in the world and was leaving Berrydoule and its laws for an indefinite period. With these conclusions in mind, Luelle hurried to the train station, which connected not only the entire country but also maintained connections with other powers.