It could talk? Well... It wasn't exactly the first time he encountered it. I mean the Wyvern that was flying over head could not only talk, at least in his head, but could also turn itself into a childish human hybrid to 'blend in', although he was never successful at blending in.
So he really shouldn't have been surprised that it could talk... yet he was. At least a little.
Beasts talking wasn't unheard of, but it wasn't common either. Usually it came in the form of more rational and intelligent beasts that could be reasoned with, such as the Stag he had once met. But a badger? One that was filled with rage and acted practically feral, it didn't necessarily scream 'intelligent and rational.'
The only other reason for its speech ability would be its part of its legends. But were there legends of badgers being able to talk?
