As John sat, solemnly gazing at the corpse of Alkimos, he felt he wasn't quite alone.
Suddenly a figure swooped down from a nearby hill. John quickly turned and drew Spiritslash from its scabbard. It turned out that the 'attacker' was simply a red fox. John lowered his sword slightly but still stood ready as he had learn to expect the unexpected over the years.
Then the unexpected happened.
"Relax, I'm on your side" the fox said in his silky voice.
John's eyes widened at that moment.
"How are you able to speak in the language of men, fox" John asked.
"Let's just say that this world has granted me the ability to learn your tongue, back in Earth, I could only come to you spiritually and communicate with signs and visions."
Now John was really stunned and he began to notice that this fox looked somewhat familiar.
"You're a spirit animal, aren't you" he said
The fox nodded.
"You've seen me before" the vulpine then asked
"Yes, in a few of my dreams, meditations and shamanic journeys, but I never believed it, I always thought I was forcing myself to visualize you instead of letting it flow naturally"
The fox came closer at that point and John decided that it was best to sheath his sword..
"I think its best that we should discuss this elsewhere, somewhere a bit more pleasent" the fox explained.
"Wise words. I know just the place too. But may I ask your name"
The fox smirked slightly.
"I go by many names, but you may call me Reynard" he said.
"Reynard it is then" John said sheepishly as he and the fox left and headed back to Ninnian's shop.