FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Authors Note

Wow. This one came out quicker than I thought it would, albeit it is only 2.9k words long, but it got the job done. My only worry is that it may feel rushed. When I read it I did not think so, but if you do please comment on which part. Not really much else to say... This is pretty much the end of the introduction chapters (Although the next chapter may be counted as one) meaning that we can finally move on with the plot and stuff! YAY! Seriously, as much as I like writing, I like writing major plot chapters a lot so other not as important chapters are less enjoyable to write.

Next chapter will probably catch a few by surprise. Unless you can read my mind through my writing... Ok! Now I know I'm rambling. As always, hope you enjoy and feel free to comment, vote, and favorite if nessecary!

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An Open Door

Fyren looked upwards, his brown locks somewhat obscuring his vision, as the hulking, wolf-like creature roughly pushed his cell mate in. The older man stumbled while the iron gate behind him clinked shut. The man was dressed in nothing but a simple, drab loincloth, just as Fyren and the rest of the prisoners were. The man was middle aged and heavily muscled. However, not even his strength could stand up to the creatures that imprisoned them. Fyren offered the man a half-hearted grin, though the man simply stared at the floor, entrapped by something that Fyren couldn't see.

"Welcome back." Fyren greeted, letting his half-assed smile fall, his face becoming bored. The man's far off gaze disappeared, being replaced by a contorted face of disgust. A moment of silence only broken by the murmurings of others inside the warehouse filled the cage. Slowly, the disturbed man began to talk.

"They... They tried to barter me off... Sell me like some horse as they evaluated me!" He described, the man's voice filling with disgust and outrage. Suddenly, with fury filled eyes, the man turned toward Fyren. The glare that the older man shot him would have made most worry. However, Fyren had dealt with his ilk before. The thief found himself feeling grateful for his experience in Seridel Prison. Fyren simply stared back with his usual bored expression.

"These... monsters plan to sell us off as slaves! As pets!" The man stepped closer to Fyren as the prisoners in the other cages started to take notice.

"I was a knight! I fought for my homeland with pride! I had wealth and a... a fiancée..." the man's face dropped once again, "Now I sit in a cage like some animal... waiting to be sold off to some talking dog." The man spat slumping where he stood, his knees landing roughly against the wooden floor.

"You still have your life. Same can't be said for most." Fyren responded, as if he were having a casual conversation at the pub. The ex-knight gaped at him, taken aback by his comment.

"'You still have your life?' I sit in a cage in an unknown land, being treated like merchandise by beasts, while my comrades are either at the bottom of the Great Sea or experiencing the same fate as I. Mariana is probably still eagerly waiting for my return," the man's face once again fell into despair, "As far as I'm concerned my life is gone. The only comfort that awaits me is the afterlife..." Fyren rolled his eyes at the pathetic display.

"Then you have something to fight for." The thief stated, locking eyes with the man. The hopelessness slowly being replaced by confusion spurred the Man to question the thief.

"What do you mean?" Fyren impatiently exhaled at the ex-knight's lack of foresight.

"You said you have a fiancée." The ex-knight's eyes met his, sparkling with brief understanding before staring blankly at the floor.

Fyren sighed at his attempts to give the man hope. I don't really care, Fyren told himself, I just wanted him to shut up. The young man leaned back against cold iron bars, the metal sending a piercing feeling up and down his bare skin. Well, it's better than standing. Once he was in a more comfortable position, the thief closed his eyes, allowing his sense to take in the surrounding. He could hear the mumblings of many of the nearby prisoners, most conspiring escape from their wolf-like masters. A yell or two penetrated the reeking air of the warehouse, evidence of another slave being "inspected". Fyren squirmed against the bars fruitlessly. Opening his eyes the thief saw that the man was staring up at the wooden rafters that crossed above, an ember growing in his eyes. The embers of hope. Knowing that his words had some effect on the ex-knight, Fyren closed his eyes once again. The thief began to reflect on the past weeks momentous events.

When Fyren first awakened he had thought that he was in hell or the afterlife, the darkness that surrounded him almost unbearable. However, these thoughts of death were banished with the familiar rocking of waves and the quiet murmurings of sailors. Fyren remembered the cold, damp, dark hold that they had been put in; ironically similar to the situation he had found himself in before his failed infiltration of the "Flying Dragon". For two days the group of humans and himself were kept in the darkness, only the occasional bread and fresh water sustaining their lives.

Finally, after three days at sea, dim rays of light cut through the darkness as the doors of the cargo hold opened and the creatures entered in force. The wolf-like things started down the stairs and began leading, dragging for the most part, the humans into the warehouse and into yet another cage. This was about the time that they discovered that the monsters talked. Not only spoke, but in their own language, common. Fyren was baffled at the... coincident? Implications? Irony of the situation? In truth, Fyren was baffled by many things. However, the central object of Fyren's confusion and thought was the robed man that he had met on the ship, "Lord Julian".

Even as he slumped against the cold bars, in a thoughtful trance, Fyren couldn't help but scowl at the memories of the man. The... mage. To think another mage! The thought inspired many feeling in Fyren. Relief that he wasn't the only mage in the world, that he wasn't the only one with the power of a sigil. Despair that he wasn't the only mage in the world. Anger that said mage was better than him. A hint of... fear for the same reason. However, a fear of dread also encompassed thoughts of the man, but Fyren couldn't think of the reason why. Thoughts of the man caused him to have an irrational feel of dread, as if his mind was trying to tell him that something bad was going to happen. Fyren sighed at the thought. In his business, Fyren found that feeling of foreshadowing that told you when something bad was going to happen was extremely useful and he would act on it if he could. Fyren squirmed against the cold metal once again, cursing as an inevitable stinging sensation moved up his back. First I need to get out of the current predicament, and then I can focus my attention on the other mage, Fyren reasoned, already forming a plot to escape his current confinement. However, first he would need to...

A tap on his knee signaled to Fyren to open his eyes. Through the slightly blurry image, Fyren saw the ex-knight had moved closer to him, trying to get his attention. Fyren hummed at the man, showing him he had his attention. The man nodded in affirmation before continuing.

"Heads up, kid, looks like we have more of those creatures coming to give us a visit." The man whispered pulling away as the two creatures walked past the cage next to theirs. Fyren simply remained where he was, observing the creatures as they stared at the occupants of the cage. Fyren noted that the brown-furred one was the captain of the ship he had been captured on. He was also the one that he almost killed. He was familiar enough, but the one that stood to his left was not.

Pure white fields of hair flowed down the wolf's body, disappearing under a silk, expensive looking, tunic that covered his chest and legs. Fyren had thought that the brown was one of the largest of the creatures and this new one was about the same huge height. Around his belt was a small dagger. Fyren whined at the prospect of being over powered and killed by a small dagger if he attempted to escape here. Looking at the white creatures face, Fyren couldn't help but get lost in the blue pools that appraised the captives in the cage over. He looks so... Fyren shook himself. I better pull myself together if I want to escape. The white wolf looked towards the other and shook his head, moving his muzzle as he talked. The brown one nodded before continuing down the row of cages.

"Well, at this rate you won't choose any." The brown one stated, a hint of disappointment in his voice. Even after listening to them talk for a few hours, the deep timbre that they produced still rattled his bones.

"When you are in a position like I you can only afford to pick the best." The white one explained in a mock tone of arrogance. Maybe they will open the cage and then I could use my sigil to... No, that would never work, it would cause an uproar and the other guards would come to help... The two creatures halted in front of Fyren's cage. The young human looked toward his bother in chains and noticed the glare he gave the two monsters. Looks like someone is channeling their hatred, Fyren mused as he silently hoped for the man's continued stubbornness. Fyren looked toward the creatures once more and saw that the white one was looking at both of them with a scrutinizing eye. The brown one, however, was looking directly at Fyren, obviously still sore about his "almost" defeat at his hands. Fyren stifled a chuckle. Looks like someone is a sore winner. _Suddenly, Fyren found himself under the slightly predatory gaze of the magnificent white creature. _Magnificent?

"Hmmm... What about this one? He is quite pleasing to the eye, even in his state." Fyren fought back a blush, looking away from the creature. Now I'm blushing! I'm acting like some horny kitchen wench. The brown creature's ears fell to his skull.

"That one?" a long sigh left his muzzle, "Of course that one would catch your eye." He's thinking about... buying me? Suddenly the imaginary wheels in Fyren's head started to grind and twist as a plan was formed. A plan to escape. Fyren tried his best to hide the mischievous smile that threatened to adorn his face. Don't get too ahead of yourself Fyren; this thing has yet to even buy you yet...

The white one looked toward Fyren once again, this time with the wide eyes of shock.

"This was the one that..." the monster looked toward the brown creature, looking almost... remorseful, "but he looks so young..." The brown creature shrugged, its great shoulders sagging.

"That was my thought exactly. To think the barbarians would send pups into the military... it's despicable." Fyren twisted his face in confusion. They think I'm in the- No. It doesn't matter what they think, all I need to do is look... buyable? I don't even know what they like in a slave. Fyren thought back to the servants he'd observe in some of the bigger cities of Tarsis. I guess they like obedience, loyalty, and... Obedience will do for now. A moment of silence prevailed over the area as the white creature stared blankly at Fyren. Fyren in turn stared at the floor, hoping that he looked submissive enough. Alright, think submissive. I'm going to have to swallow my pride and-

_ _ "How much?" the white creature asked, his eyes never leaving the small human in front of him.

"You... You aren't actually thinking of buying him are you?" the brown lupine questioned abruptly. Fyren silently started to panic. Gods damn him! He's going to ruin my chance!

_ _ "I am." The white wolf indicated resolutely. The brown one brought his paw to his muzzle, rubbing its side. Fyren let out a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"Do I have to repeat it? He's a danger. You may be a better fighter than I, but I have seen this human in combat and it's almost-" the white creature's paw raised into the air, politely cutting the other one off. At the mention of his combat skills, Fyren felt his ego increase faintly.

"I appreciate the concern, Irune. You have always been a good friend. However, I can take care of myself, especially when it comes to a single human." That's exactly the mindset I'll need, Fyren thought triumphantly, shifting in his leaning position. Fyren took a moment to glance over at his cellmate. The man was looking directly at him. Fyren's signature half-smile appeared to reassure the man. The man responded with a nod before returning to staring at the ground. Hopefully that will keep him from fucking this up.

_ _ The brown creature, Irune, motioned at the warehouse around them, "There's plenty of others, Ri'ka. They may not be as young, but... wait. That's why isn't it?" The white creature, Ri'ka, put a large arm around Irune, his expression serious. The creature turned Irune and himself so that they were facing away from the cage. Their slight noises proved that they were indeed whispering. Why would me being young matter? Is that why he wants to buy me? Because I'm young? Fyren waited as the two finished talking. Irune shook his head disapprovingly, turning back around with the white one.

"Damn you Ri'ka," he spat, "Always trying to play the hero, even when it could be the death of you..." Ri'ka smiled thankfully.

"Because you're a friend, ten thousand." Irune surrendered, waving toward the human of conflict. Fyren mentally cheered for his first victory. Perfect! Now I just need to play my part like a good little slave... Ri'ka smiled whole-heartedly at the annoyed creature.

"A fair deal for a human of this quality, I'll take him." Ri'ka pronounced, slapping the leather clad wolf on the back, who in turn sighed loudly.

"Just remember, I warned you." Irune turned to directly face Ri'ka.

"Would you like to take it with you now or send for it later?" Irune asked, finally starting to use a more business like tone. Ri'ka stole a glance at Fyren as he sat on the wood floor.

"Have him delivered with the... 'necessary' confinements, please. I doubt my carriage has enough room for two slaves and myself." Confinements? Fyren wondered, shifting. Irune groaned, stretching his arms.

"Fine with me," Irune began walking away, his swaying, bushy tail following him, "Let's get your paperwork done and then you'll be free to leave." Ri'ka gave the wolf a mischievous grin that Fyren was all too familiar with.

"I didn't realize I was being kept here against my will." Fyren scowled at the comment. And now he's mocking us! Irune grunted in response, signaling for the other wolf to follow him. Ri'ka started to leave, but stopped before he got past the iron bars of the cage. Instead of continuing, the large wolf-like creature turned to Fyren and looked directly into his eyes.

"Looks like we'll be meeting again soon, human." With those parting words he left, leaving Fyren pondering over what he could have been thinking. Ri'ka... Looks like our game is about to start soon. Fyren's plan was in motion. After a few weeks he could commence his own escape and work from there back to Tarsis. However, even though he had a plan, Fyren still felt unsure, almost fearful. The life of a slave. That's one thing I can say I have never experienced. Was this lack of experience the cause of his unease? Fyren let his head hang back, setting it against the iron behind him. A flash of a distinct old man sitting in a bar crossed Fyren's thoughts. Fyren genuinely smiled.

He was in the major port city of Cyla, speaking with an old man that was his contact for a particular job. Fyren had been offered a significant amount of money to steal a family heirloom in possession by a rival family. The job was dangerous. It was one of his first "official" heists and he remembered almost backing out. However, before he could the old man said something to him. A few simple words that would change his life forever. "Will you run from an open door or will you face whatever lies beyond?" An open door. Looking back on it, the old man was merely trying to make sure Fyren accepted the job, but Fyren took that question to heart.

Fyren sat up from his sitting position, looking at the ex-knight that sat in the same position, never moving. The man looked back at him with sympathetic eyes. Fyren smiled and shook his head, signaling to the man that he needn't worry. The ex-knight looked surprised for a moment before shrugging and lying down on the harsh, harsh wood floor.

Fyren looked at the tiny windows that were scattered around the warehouse. A dim, almost dreamlike light came through its opening. An open door... Fyren had gone through many different, new, and strange experiences in his life. Though the prospect of being a slave filled him with a strange unease that seemed to come naturally, Fyren knew that if he couldn't assimilate into slave life and face it head on he would fail and most likely be a slave the rest of his life. He had to face the open door with adaptability and tact, taking whatever lie beyond in stride. Yes... This is simply another open door. Another unknown that I must face.

With a determined attitude, Fyren prepared himself for a new life. Life as a slave...