FSE

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formerly SoFurry search engine

She wasn't sure what to think when she saw the request hanging on the bounty board. Disbelief? Confusion? Fear?

It definitely wasn't there yesterday evening, and new bounties weren't supposed to be posted for another hour. That meant this specific bounty had come sometime during the night, signifying utmost urgency.

And Arc could see why when she read it.

She sprinted out of the Guild hall, a white blur heading toward the edge of town where her house stood.

Bursting through the front door, she saw Nyx sitting in the dining room, a spoon hanging out of her mouth and a surprised look on her face. The shark-cat was in her night garments, having just woken up, and eating a bowl of a grain porridge mixed with fruit, cream, and sugar.

"What's the rush?" Nyx asked, taking the spoon out of her mouth. "I thought you were going to the guild hall to check the time for our Bounty Hunter meeting."

Arc took a few deep breaths in to slow her breathing. "Pack your things," she said. "Ve leave at noon."

"Hold on," Nyx said, eating another spoonful of her breakfast. "Tell me what's going on." She tapped the table with a finger, indicating that he wanted Arc to take a seat for a moment.

Arc obliged, sitting down in the seat and giving a meek smile. "You are right. I apologize."

Taking another deep breath, this time to steel her nerves, Arc relayed what she had seen to her wife.

"King Jared has called a request for all Bounty Hunters to come to his castle." She said.

Nyx's ears perked up, her attention peaked. "What for?" She asked, pushing aside her bowl and folding her arms on top of the table.

"He has spies in Dravern, yes?"

"Right, everyone knows that."

"He received report saying nomads of Dravern have amassed army to overthrow him in few veeks time."

Nyx leaned back in her chair, mulling things over. "And the king wants all the help he can get. How large is the army? Did the bounty say?"

Arc averted her gaze. "Roughly 10,000 strong."

Nyx's eyes widened. "Sweet Iridescence..." she whispered.

There was a deafening silence in the room as both Bounty Hunters pondered the notion of going up against such an overwhelming force.

"We're not going." Nyx finally said.

"Yes, ve are. Ve have to help."

"There are hundreds of Bounty Hunters out there," Nyx retorted. "Combined with the king's royal army, I'd say he has plenty of help."

"But vith us there, ve could increase odds."

"Not by much."

"But it's still something; the few lives ve could save by being there."

"Arc, we could die. One stray arrow, one lucky sword swing and that's it."

"Ve're Bounty Hunters. Any of the jobs ve take could kill us."

Nyx's left ear twitched and her claws came out, digging gouges into the wooden table. "But we've never had to face armies before. This is completely different. Besides, we're not even well known Bounty Hunters. No one would care if we didn't show up."

"I vould care." Arc said, giving Nyx a soft look.

Nyx stared back, a scowl on her face.

"I'm still going." Arc continued. "And I vould like if you vere vith me."

"You're not going." Nyx muttered crossly, still not looking at Arc.

"Yes I am."

"No you're not!" Nyx shouted, standing up and slamming the table with her fist. Her seat tipped back and clattered to the floor and her bowl of food nearly jumped off the table from the force. "I'm not..." she choked, tears forming in her eyes. "I'm not losing you."

She grabbed her muzzle, tears streaming down her face as she looked away again, the fears finally voiced.

Arc stood out of her chair, padding softly to her spouse. She grabbed Nyx by the shoulders and pulled her close. Wrapping an arm around Nyx's waist, Arc hugged her wife, stroking her head softly with her other hand.

Nyx's tears flowed freely, dripping onto Arc shoulder. Arc rocked from side to side gently, and eventually felt Nyx's arms wrap around her own waist and pull her close.

They stood there holding each other for who knows how long, the only sound being Nyx's occasional sniffling.

Arc was the first to pull away, taking Nyx's hand, the one she had slammed on the table, and giving it a gentle kiss. She then put her hand on Nyx's face, tilting it back so Nyx was looking her in the eye and wiping a stray tear away with her thumb. Leaning in close, she gave Nyx a kiss on the forehead and then lips, putting as much of her love as she could into both.

"If there vas anyvone I vould like to die besides," Arc said quietly, reaching up and touching the red marriage earring Nyx had in her left ear. "It vould be you."

Nyx stared at her with reddened eyes, the look of fear festering behind her gaze. This time, she was the one to kiss Arc, and when she pulled away, Arc saw determination starting to mix with the fear.

"Alright," Nyx said, nodding. "I'll come."

Arc smiled sweetly. "Finish your food and pack, then." She said.

"What about you?" Nyx asked, rubbing her face to get the tears out of her fur.

"I'm going to say goodbyes."