[ME] [SE] Once upon a time

He had a vague recollection of hearing about such things, but he had never considered that he might encounter one, and had never had need to learn about sentient books beyond a vague awareness that they existed somewhere far away from him. Therefore Maea's explanations were most welcome and helped to explain why he had legs in broad daylight.

Not to mention the robe, staff, and rather heavy headgear that was weighing down his brow.

At her question he paused to sweep the throne room with his emerald gaze. Landfolk royalty, a crib that he couldn't see inside, a throne room filled with colorful courtiers, some kind of stone golems, and a small contingent of Fae all fell under his regard before he turned back to the knight in front of him. It was Maea but not, her horns and tail conspicuously absent, and Hadama briefly wondered what else about himself was changed or missing. "I do not," he rumbled back at her, just as softly. But some things transcended species: a knight facing a someone in a black robe with a staff? "But I can guess."

And he brought the butt of his staff down on the flagstones with an authoritative crack as he raised his chin with all the regal authority at his command. His gaze found that of the human king and rested there, unblinking, as he let the silence stretch and fill with dread from the courtiers around him.