Fantasy Clovenhorn

[scantilycladsnail]

A breeze brushed against your skin. Almost too real.

You stood in the middle of a stone pathway, unfamiliar buildings rising in the near distance, their banners swaying gently. The air carried the scent of fresh-cut grass and something faintly metallic, something wrong.

You didn’t remember getting here.

Before you could make sense of it, a voice chimed from behind.

“There you are!”

You turned.

A small, black-furred creature scurried toward him, its paws barely making a sound against the stone. A goat-like skull masked its face, save for two wide, expressive eyes that blinked up at him.

“Do you know how long I’ve been looking for you?” The creature—Saturn, a name that surfaced from nowhere—huffed, ears twitching. “The princess is waiting for you at the palace, and you’re just standing around like some—” It paused, tilting its head. “Wait. Are you feeling okay? You look… off.”
​

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai opened his eyes, gaze sweeping over the unfamiliar surroundings. None of this felt familiar—had he been here before? He couldn’t recall.

Tall and sharply dressed, the black-furred goatkin stood still amid the breeze. Sleek horns curved back from his head, and square-rimmed glasses rested low on a narrow nose, catching the light. A waistcoat and black tie framed his crisp shirt, buttoned with casual precision.

He looked down at the small creature now standing before him.

“Excuse me?” he said, voice flat, edged with mild irritation. One brow arched. “Can I help you?”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn’s ears flicked, his large eyes narrowing behind the hollow sockets of his goat-skull mask. He exhaled sharply through his nose.

“Mordecai, you are the princess’s personal bodyguard. And if you’re not there this second, she’s going to have questions.”

A beat of silence. Saturn studied him, tail lashing once in agitation.

“And those questions are probably gonna be a lot harder to answer if you just keep standing here acting like you have no idea what I’m talking about.”

His claws tapped against the stone as he took a deliberate step forward. “Do you remember where the palace is?” His tone wavered between exasperation and something dangerously close to concern.

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai stared at Saturn, confusion washing over his features. His ears pinned back, visibly thrown.

“B-bodyguard?” he stammered, voice pitching up. “I’m not—no, that’s not—I’m not a bodyguard.”

He stumbled back a step, hooves slipping slightly on the stone. His glasses slid down his nose, nearly falling before he caught them with a fumbling hand. A nervous laugh escaped him as he straightened up, trying—and failing—to regain composure.

“I’m a tailor,” he said, voice shaky but earnest, eyes locked on Saturn. He cleared his throat, attempting to steady himself.

“…I think you’ve got the wrong goat.”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn froze, his ears twitching as he processed Mordecai’s words. Then, slowly, he blinked. Once. Twice.

A long silence stretched between them before he let out an exasperated groan and dragged his tiny claws down his mask.

“Ohhh, come on!” His tail lashed as he took an aggressive step forward, jabbing a claw at Mordecai’s chest. “No. Nope. Absolutely not. I do not have the wrong goat.”

He gestured wildly at him. “You are Mordecai. You are the princess’s personal bodyguard." His voice rose with each word, claws waving in increasingly frantic motions.

Saturn paused, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. “Unless…” He squinted, leaning in closer, sniffing the air dramatically, "Are you messing with me?”

His tail flicked again, impatience bubbling under the surface. “Because I swear, Mordecai, if this is some elaborate joke while the princess is sitting there waiting on you, I’m gonna—” He stopped himself, inhaled sharply through his nose, and let it out in a slow, controlled exhale.

“Okay. Alright. Let’s pretend—pretend!—for a second that you honestly believe you’re a tailor.” His voice was strained, as though saying the words physically pained him. “Then tell me, tailor, why are you standing here in full uniform? Hm?”

He crossed his little arms, tilting his head. “Go on. I’ll wait.”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai glanced down at the uniform, then back at Saturn.

“This didn’t exist beforehand,” he said flatly, shaking his head with certainty. “Nope.”

Another shake, more emphatic this time, as if that would settle the matter.

“I’m a tailor,” he insisted, though the conviction in his voice was starting to waver.

His eyes narrowed slightly, studying Saturn in return.

“…I could make you a coat, if you’d like.”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn let out the most exaggerated, agonized groan yet, throwing his tiny claws in the air.

“Ohhh, for the love of— No! No, I don’t want a coat! I want you to move!”

He stomped a tiny foot, tail bristling. “You are not a tailor."

He turned away for half a second, mumbling something under his breath—then, whipping back around, he jabbed a claw at Mordecai’s chest again. “Look. I don’t know why you’re being so weird about this. What I do care about is that you are supposed to be at the palace, and we are leaving. Now.”

He paused, exhaling sharply.

“And if I hear the word tailor one more time, I am going to lose my entire mind!”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai stammered, still visibly thrown, his brows knit in confusion. He rubbed his hands together, a nervous tic, clearly not wanting to push Saturn any further.

“Alright, alright,” he relented, raising his hands in a mild gesture of surrender. “Show me the way, then to...whoever this 'princess' is.”

He hesitated a beat before falling into step beside Saturn, silence stretching between them for a few moments.

Then, cautiously—almost as if testing the waters—he muttered, “Maybe I’m a tailor and a bodyguard?”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn gave Mordecai a long, slow look. His tail flicked once, deliberately. His ears twitched, and the faintest sound—somewhere between a sigh and a growl—escaped him.

Without another word, he turned sharply on his heel and started walking.

The path ahead wound through the outskirts of a city that felt both ancient and strangely pristine, as if untouched by time. Stone buildings with arched doorways and carved sigils loomed on either side, their banners fluttering softly in the breeze. The streets were quiet here, save for the occasional distant clatter of a cart or murmured voices from unseen alleyways.

The palace loomed in the distance, a silhouette of spires and towering walls carved from pale stone. The banners hanging from its battlements bore an unfamiliar crest—a sigil Mordecai should have recognized, yet didn’t.

Saturn’s pace was quick, his small form moving with purpose. Mordecai had no choice but to follow, his hooves clicking softly against the stone.

Then, from just ahead, Saturn’s ears twitched at the word.

Slowly, painfully slowly, he turned his head, eyes locking onto Mordecai with the most deadpan stare imaginable.

Saturn did not blink.



A long, heavy silence stretched between them.

Then, finally, Saturn turned forward again, muttering under his breath.

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai followed in silence, hooves tapping rhythmically against the stone as he trailed after Saturn’s brisk pace. He didn’t say much at first, his eyes drifting to the unfamiliar buildings that rose around them—tall, pristine, ancient in their design yet untouched by time.

As they walked, his gaze caught on one of the fluttering banners. A sigil, stretched across the fabric—ornate, regal, and... familiar.

Familiar, yet unplaceable.

His brow furrowed. He stared at it a moment too long, something twisting in his chest. He should have known it. Recognized it. But the memory refused to surface, hovering just out of reach.

Mordecai shook his head, trying to dismiss the feeling, and glanced down at Saturn.

“So... you said you’ve been trying to find me?” he asked, voice cautious. “Has it been long? Do you remember what I was doing before that? The last time you saw me?”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn didn’t slow his pace, but his ears flicked at the question. His tail gave a sharp, impatient twitch.

“Yeah, I’ve been looking for you,” he muttered.

The streets around them were busy now, filled with the low murmur of conversation, the occasional clatter of hooves against stone. Goatkin moved fluidly through the city, each one unique in their features—some tall and broad with curling ram’s horns, others slender with sleek, backward-swept antelope ridges. A few had shorter, nubby horns barely peeking through their thick fur. Their coats varied wildly, from shaggy and unkempt to sleek and polished, but none of them spared Mordecai a second glance.

This was normal. He was normal here.

Saturn barely took notice of any of it, too caught up in his own mounting exasperation. “And no, I don’t know what you were doing before you disappeared,” he snapped, shooting Mordecai a look. “That’s the problem.”

His tail flicked again as he adjusted his pace slightly, making sure Mordecai wasn’t lagging behind. “Last night, everything was fine. You were in the palace, doing the usual bodyguard… thing.” His claws flicked dismissively. “Then poof—gone. No warning, no explanation, nothing.”

His ears flattened slightly, but his voice kept its usual edge. “And it’s a terrible look for your first week, by the way. You were very lucky to even get this assignment... a bastard in the royal court? It's unheard of. But lucky for you that's exactly why I'm here..." Saturn shot him a pointed look, his tail flicking. “…To make sure you don’t mess it up.” He let out a sharp huff. “And so far, you’re not making it easy.”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai flicked an ear, silently taking in Saturn’s words. None of it made sense. A bodyguard for a week? Disappearing without warning? He couldn’t recall any of it. And yet, as they moved through the crowd, not a single passerby spared him a second glance. No suspicion. No recognition of anything amiss.

It was like this was normal.

Saturn, clearly, wasn’t about to be convinced otherwise.

“Well,” Mordecai muttered, voice tinged with uncertainty, “pretty hard to be a bodyguard when you’re a tailor.”

He gave a weak shrug, glancing at Saturn with a nervous chuckle. “I mean, nobody’s scared of us. So… I’m not surprised I’m doing a bad job.”

A pause, then he rubbed the back of his neck, eyes scanning the unfamiliar cityscape ahead.

“Do you think the princess would prefer silk or linen?” he added, half-joking—though the tension in his voice made it unclear whether he was trying to lighten the mood or cling to something familiar. “Might as well make myself useful before I get fired from a job I didn’t know I had.”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn groaned, rubbing his tiny claws over his skull mask as though physically restraining himself from launching into another tirade. His tail lashed once, twice, before he finally exhaled through his nose, composing himself.

“Mordecai,” he said, voice strained with the patience of someone explaining something very obvious to someone being very dense. “You are not a bodyguard because you’re intimidating. You are a bodyguard because you are smart.”

He gave a sharp, meaningful jab at Mordecai’s chest. “You’re not some glorified wall of muscle. You read people. You think three steps ahead. You don’t fight fair, and you don’t get caught. And that?” Saturn flicked his tail again, expression pinched. “That is exactly why they chose you.”

He tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly. “You weren’t meant to be a bodyguard, sure. But you were too useful to be anything else. You know how to blend in. You know how to lie. And—” His voice lowered just slightly, as though the words themselves felt heavier. “You know how to survive.”

Saturn let those last words hang in the air, watching for any flicker of recognition in Mordecai’s expression. But the taller goatkin still looked uncertain, ears twitching slightly as if trying to make sense of a puzzle with half the pieces missing.

With another sharp exhale, Saturn turned on his heel and picked up the pace. “Come on,” he muttered. “We’re almost there.”

The streets had grown busier, the hum of conversation thickening as they neared the palace grounds. The buildings here were grander, their stone facades carved with intricate sigils and gilded accents that gleamed in the sunlight. The scent of fresh-cut grass was stronger, mingling with the faintest trace of incense burning from braziers along the main walkway.

Ahead, the palace entrance loomed—an enormous set of double doors, flanked by towering statues of past rulers, their weathered features locked in expressions of quiet authority. Guards stood at either side, their uniforms crisp, their horns polished.

Saturn didn’t slow, didn’t hesitate. He barely spared them a glance as he marched forward, his small frame radiating the kind of confidence that made it clear he belonged here.

“Don’t get weird now,” he hissed under his breath. “Act normal. Act like yourself.”

Then, before Mordecai could ask who exactly that was supposed to be, Saturn strode up to the doors, tilting his head up at the guards with the ease of someone who had done this a thousand times before.

“We’re back,” he said plainly. “Let us through.”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai’s brow knit as Saturn spoke, each word striking oddly against the fog of uncertainty in his mind. None of it felt familiar—and yet, the way Saturn described him, the kind of bodyguard he was supposed to be... it stirred something.

Not recognition exactly—more like a pebble tossed into still water, sending ripples through a surface that had been calm just moments before.

He didn’t respond. Not right away. Instead, he fell into step beside Saturn, silent, his thoughts churning beneath a composed exterior.

As they approached the palace, Mordecai’s eyes scanned the surroundings—every carved sigil, every flicker of movement, every scent drifting through the air. He adjusted his tie, fingers deftly straightening the knot, then rolled his shoulders back and lifted his chin slightly.

He didn’t know what this was, or who he was meant to be.

But he could appear to be it. For now.

 

[scantilycladsnail]

The guards at the palace entrance were not quick to move.

Two goatkin stood rigid at either side of the towering doors, their uniforms crisp, their polished armor catching the light. One was stocky, with thick, curling ram’s horns and a coat of dark brindled fur. The other was leaner, taller, his antelope-like ridges sweeping back in sharp arcs. Both carried halberds, their grips steady, their eyes sharp as they took in the approaching figures.

Or rather—took in Mordecai.

Saturn barely slowed as he reached the base of the steps, but the guards didn’t part for him. Their gazes flicked past the small creature entirely, settling instead on the black-furred goatkin at his side.

“You’re late,” the brindled one said coolly, voice edged with something unreadable.

The taller guard’s lip curled slightly, his grip tightening on his weapon. “Assuming you’re still employed,” he added.

The words carried weight. Not just the usual sting of disapproval, but something deeper—something
The stocky guard exhaled sharply through his nose. A sound just shy of a scoff.

The leaner one wasn’t as subtle. “A bastard playing knight,” he muttered, not quite under his breath. “No wonder she needed real protection while you were gone.”

Saturn, who had thus far been uncharacteristically quiet, moved.

His tail flicked once, sharp as a whip, before he turned to the taller guard with a look that could have burned through stone. “Oh, real protection, huh?” he said, voice saccharine with mock interest. “That’s funny. I don’t recall either of you getting a personal appointment from the royal family.”

The taller guard’s jaw tensed, his ears flicking back.

Saturn stepped closer, practically bouncing on his toes as he tilted his head. “But you do have such strong opinions about it, huh? So tell me—when was the last time you stood at the princess’ side, hmm? When was the last time you were trusted with anything more important than standing in front of a door looking very serious?”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai didn’t understand any of it—the place, the people, the roles they insisted he played. But the way the guards looked at him, the way they scoffed, muttered under their breath like he was something lesser—it struck a nerve.

His ear flicked sharply. Shoulders straightened. And though his frame was lean, there was no mistaking the sudden tension, the shift in posture that made his presence cut through the space like a blade.

He tilted his head, just slightly, eyes locked on the brindled guard with a cold, unreadable stare.

“I’m glad someone here values time,” he said, voice cool and sharp as glass. “Yes, I’m late. I’m aware. That will be addressed.”

He took a step forward, his gaze unwavering, the air around him seeming to still.

“But you?” Mordecai’s tone dropped, a measured drag laced through each word. “You’re standing here, wasting more of it with your basic chatter. So here’s what we’re going to do: we have an appointment, and we’re going through. You can keep your mouth shut, do your job, and berate me later—if you’re still feeling bold.”

He adjusted his glasses with a flick of his fingers, voice low, smooth, and cutting as silk. “Right now, you’re just in the way.”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

The brindled guard stiffened, jaw tight, but he didn’t speak. The taller one shifted his grip on his halberd, fingers flexing, his gaze flicking to Mordecai like he was reassessing something.

For a second, the air tensed, stretched too thin. It seemed like one of them might push back.

But they didn’t.

A slow, exaggerated sigh cut through the silence. Saturn clapped his tiny claws together once. “Well, finally! Took you long enough.” His head tilted, the motion sharp, directed at the guards.

Neither responded, but their ears twitched.

A sharp exhale from the brindled guard. A slight shift in stance. But finally, the two stepped aside, the heavy palace doors creaking open behind them.

Saturn moved forward immediately, slipping through without hesitation.

“Come on, Tailor,” he called over his shoulder. “Wouldn’t want to keep the princess waiting any longer now, would we?”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai didn’t make eye contact with the guards. He didn’t spare them a second glance.

He simply walked past, silent, composed, following in Saturn’s wake without missing a step.

As they moved deeper into the palace, he cast a sidelong glance at Saturn, one brow raised ever so slightly. “Oh, don’t worry,” he said, voice flat but edged with a dry undertone. “I can still make you the coat.”

A pause. His tone dipped lower, quieter—curious, but distant.

“…My bastard status seems to be quite the topic around here?” he murmured, more observation than question, though his eyes lingered ahead.

And the princess—this unseen figure everyone seemed so keenly fixated on—she remained the largest question of all.

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Saturn’s ears flicked at the comment, but he didn’t look up. His pace remained brisk, his claws tapping lightly against the stone floor as they passed beneath towering archways. The palace interior was a stark contrast to the city outside—vast, immaculate, its high ceilings adorned with gold-trimmed murals depicting battles, treaties, and rulers past. The air was cool, carrying the faint scent of parchment and polished wood.

“You’re not exactly easy to ignore,” Saturn said, voice even. “People talk.”

His tail gave a sharp flick. “And the court loves a scandal. A bastard in the royal guard?” He let out a short, breathy sound—not quite a laugh. “They’ll be talking about it for years.”

They moved past a set of uniformed attendants, each goatkin pausing their quiet conversation just long enough to flick a glance in Mordecai’s direction before looking away.

Saturn adjusted his pace, weaving through the halls with familiarity. “You’ll get used to it,” he said, voice clipped. “Or you won’t.”

He came to an abrupt stop before a set of doors, polished and adorned with the same sigil that had nagged at Mordecai earlier.

Saturn didn’t reach for the handle. Instead, he turned to Mordecai, his tail swaying once before settling still.

“You go in alone.”

His tone was matter-of-fact, but there was a finality to it. He wasn’t following this time.

Instead, he leaned against the wall beside the doors, arms crossing over his chest. His gaze flicked up to Mordecai, expectant.

“The princess is waiting.”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai mulled over Saturn’s words, the weight of them lingering in the space between footfalls. People talked. About him. About what he was, or wasn’t. The only response he gave was a quiet, thoughtful “hmph.” Not dismissive—just uncertain, as if he wasn’t sure how to take it.

He stood before the doors now, the familiar-yet-foreign sigil looming large before him. It scratched at the edge of his mind, tugging at something just out of reach. Wrong. Or maybe not wrong, but off. Like stepping into someone else’s memory.

Saturn didn’t follow. Whoever was on the other side of those doors, it was meant to be him—alone.

Mordecai adjusted his waistcoat, smoothed the line of his tail, and gave a small nod to Saturn without looking back.

He paused, eyes closing for a brief moment. Searching—futilely—for clarity, for memory, for something to anchor him.

Nothing came.

He sighed, opened his eyes, and pushed the doors open.

The room beyond was unknown. He stepped inside, his hooves nearly catching on the polished floor before he caught himself with a subtle shift of balance. Clearing his throat, he straightened again, voice low, cautious, and just slightly unsure.

“...Your Highness,” he said, the tone slightly unsure over his memories, but feeling like it was the most appropriate to call her.

 

[scantilycladsnail]

The chamber was bathed in warm, golden light, the afternoon sun filtering through sheer, draping curtains. The scent of fresh lavender and something faintly sweet lingered in the air, mingling with the crispness of polished wood and fine fabrics.

At the center of it all stood her.

Princess Ephraim was a vision of effortless grace, her white fur pristine beneath the soft folds of her flowing dress. The embroidered sigil—familiar yet unplaceable—rested over her chest, woven in delicate gold thread. Her long, chestnut-brown hair cascaded down to her hips, framing her poised figure like a silken veil. She turned at the sound of the door, the movement smooth, practiced.

And then she smiled.

It was warm, unguarded, as if his presence alone was something expected, something welcome. There was no hesitation in her expression, no searching for words—only recognition.

“Mordecai,” she greeted, his name carrying an ease that suggested it had passed her lips a hundred times before. “You’ve returned.”

A gentle, practiced hand was adjusting the fall of her gown—a presence in the background, quiet but purposeful. An older goatkin woman, her fur dusted with age, moved with steady efficiency, fastening the final touches of Ephraim’s attire. She spared Mordecai only a brief glance, unreadable, before resuming her work.

Ephraim’s gaze, however, remained fixed on him.

There was something about the way she looked at him, something expectant yet unhurried, as if she had always known he would be standing in that doorway again. As if nothing had ever been amiss.

“Are you well?” she asked, tilting her head just slightly, her voice laced with quiet sincerity.

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai stepped into the chamber, the door easing shut behind him. His gaze settled on the princess, taking in the elegant drape of her gown, the shimmer of gold thread at her chest, the way the sunlight framed her in a soft, radiant glow. For a moment, he stilled.

Then he moved forward.

His posture straightened, precise, his hands adjusting the line of his waistcoat as he approached. He stopped a respectful distance away, bowing his head slightly.

“I am well, Your Highness,” he said, voice even. “My apologies for the delay.” He met her eyes, his tone crisp with duty. “I stand ready to serve.”

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Ephraim’s expression didn’t waver. She watched him closely, her deep brown eyes softening with something that might have been relief—or perhaps reassurance.

“No apologies needed,” she said gently. Her voice carried the light cadence of someone used to being heard, but without demand. “You’re here now. That is enough.”

She stepped forward, the hem of her gown whispering against the polished floor. The older goatkin behind her quietly withdrew, disappearing into a side chamber with practiced silence, leaving the two alone beneath the high-vaulted ceiling and golden light.

Ephraim lifted a hand, but stopped short of reaching for him, fingers hovering just for a moment before lowering again to fold neatly in front of her.

“I trust Saturn was not too sharp with you,” she added with a faint, knowing smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “He has a talent for turning concern into scolding.”

 

[ThieviusRaccoonus]

Mordecai stood still beneath the vaulted ceiling, his gaze drifting briefly across the chamber. The golden light caught the fine detailing of the walls—the carved columns, the glint of polished fixtures, the soft sheen of fabric draped from above. Everything about the space spoke of refinement, of care.

His eyes returned to her.

Ephraim stood poised, her presence calm, composed. The gold-threaded sigil at her chest shimmered faintly in the light as her dress shifted with the slow rise and fall of her breath.

As she stepped forward, her hand lifting, Mordecai stilled. His gaze followed the motion, though his stance didn’t change. When her hand lowered again, he seemed to relax slightly, shoulders easing though his posture remained tall.

A quiet, low chuckle broke the silence—subtle, with a faint, nervous edge.

“He was fine,” Mordecai said, his voice calm. “Truthfully, I’m used to the scolding from many others. So it’s not a bother.” He said, adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose.

 

[scantilycladsnail]

Ephraim paused at the balcony doors, one hand resting lightly against the frame as she glanced back over her shoulder. The sunlight pooled around her, catching in the soft folds of her gown and setting the golden thread at her chest aglow.

At his words, her smile deepened, just slightly.

“I’m glad to hear it,” she said, her tone warm. “Saturn tends to save his sharpest remarks for those he considers worth the trouble.”

She pushed open one of the doors with a gentle motion, the hinges giving a soft creak. A breeze swept into the room—cool, carrying the scent of gardens and something faintly floral.

Ephraim turned to face him again, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

“I’ll admit,” she said, the faintest hint of energy rising in her voice, “I’ve been looking forward to today’s trip.”

She stepped through the doorway and out onto the sunlit balcony beyond, her steps light, as if the anticipation alone carried her forward. She glanced back only once, a subtle gesture of invitation.