FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

** CHAPTER 27** Deception

"Come with me." A mysterious voice said. His emotionless face; barely visible from the turban that covered it. His skin was pale, almost as the color of the sand itself. His defiant stare told much about his violent past.

Once again, Zonda and Alpha's lives were threatened. This harsh society had shown them how merciless it could be. But could it be that these violent beings had yet to show their worst side?

"What are you waiting for?" The strange human called upon the Retcans that still kneeled on the floor, realizing how close they were again from a horrible fate.

Zonda and Alpha's minds were still trying to figure out what was going on in that place. This human, although he let out an eerie energy, was trying to help them. It was a confusing feeling.

"I believe this belongs to you, outsiders." He said while approaching them. He took out Zonda's ComPod out of his dusty robe's pocket.

Both Retcans refused to reply, but Zonda did nod at the alien human as a sign of gratitude while taking his device back.

The human turned and walked away, not before stopping after a few steps. "What are you waiting for? Follow me." He ordered again, while staring at the furry aliens with the corner of his eye. "If you think you'll survive in this city without a permit, you're in for a rude awakening."

Zonda and Alpha now knew that they had no choice. They slowly went back on their hind paws and walked towards the human, who immediately started walking without waiting for them.

Both Retcans struggled a bit when trying to catch on with him, due to all the other humans surrounding them and cutting their path constantly. But they eventually did.

"You were lucky I was close, outsiders." The human told them without turning back at them. "They know your face now. Stick to me and you'll be safe."

Zonda and Alpha had no idea why this human tried to help them. All they knew is how ignorant they were about the law in that dreadful place. They now realized how much they needed someone who was familiar with that village's customs.

"The Emperor of this hell we call Harena Sangis, has always appreciated my craftsmanship." He continued as they walked through a maze of alleys and narrow streets full of peasants. "Reason why I can pretty much get away with anything I want."

Zonda and Alpha just listened carefully while following him; they were constantly distracted by the chaotic environment which made it difficult to focus. It didn't take long until they reached a much calmer area, even thought the noise still polluted the environment.

Their mysterious savior stopped in front of a small building that looked just like the rest, and opened the deteriorated door in its façade.

"Get in, quick." He ordered. Zonda and Alpha didn't like the idea of following this human inside. "Don't just stand out there; come in!" He yelled.

Zonda and Alpha finally decided to proceed. The human peaked outside for a second and looked around the place. He then closed the door that almost instantly muted the loud external environment.

"Finally..." The human sighed in relief. He sat in what seemed to be an improvised couch of some sort. All around them there were robes and fabric either hanging from wires, or stacked up in piles. Zonda and Alpha just stood at the middle of the small room, cautiously inspecting their surroundings.

"My name is Feastus Est Mendax. You can call me Feastus." The human introduced himself. Zonda and Alpha still stood in silence, now inspecting the human.

"Why so quiet? I know you speak 9051. What are your names?"

Both Retcans were hesitant of talking to this stranger.

"Come on!" The human insisted. "You've evolved enough to speak. Besides, as I told you, I've already heard you speak before."

"Zonda;" one of the Retcans said in a serene but determined tone. "He's Alpha." He then pointed to his partner.

"Very strange names you have, Zonda and Alpha. Don't you have last names?" Feastus kept on interrogating the two Retcans. None of them responded. "I guess not. It's not common for animals to have last names." He continued.

"Thank you for saving us, Feastus." Zonda and Alpha dared to appreciate the human's acts, bowing in a respectful matter.

"What is your business here?" The human replied ignoring the gratitude of the small furry grey aliens. "Your kind... It's very difficult to come across with animals that have evolved freely to these levels." He continued. He now had walked to a small table where he served himself a strange red liquid. "Usually, when a planet produces animal life in it, there will be a species that eventually evolves into humans, stopping the process of evolution in other creatures." He then took a sip of that strange beverage. "The universe is sometimes incomprehensible; so big, yet it works by the same rules in each and every corner of it."

Zonda and Alpha just followed the human with their eyes everywhere he moved around while listening to his words.

"A planet ruled by simple animal forms, probably due to the absence of humans..." He thought out loud. "I bet that you live in a peaceful paradise, probably in a little utopia where your kind bases their existence in love and understanding." He said almost as if mocking them.

These words hit hard on both Retcans. They never imagined that another species would be aware of their kind. This human was very intelligent and had come to an asserted conclusion so fast that made them realized how ignorant they were about how things worked in the universe, despite the knowledge they always thought they had.

"Don't worry. Even though I know how nature works, I really don't care." Feastus chuckled sinisterly. "Anyway, you didn't answer my question. What is your business here?"

Both Retcans still stood in silence.

"Look," the human said, now a bit irritated. "I know you probably fell in this planet by mistake. I honestly don't care what you are, or who you are. I'm intelligent enough to know that creatures like you don't usually get too far away from your planets or systems. If you have a problem, then I might be able to help you get out of here."

Zonda and Alpha were listening carefully for a sign that could tell them if to trust this human.

"I'm quite honestly tired of all this noise and chaos. If you walk out there without my company, you'll get dismembered alive. I don't care about you, I'll be honest; what I hate is the idea of the riot that is going to be result of that." Harsh words that came from Feastus' mouth; but words that made both Retcans realize their predicament.

"Let's get right to the point," Feastus continued. "You do something for me, and I'll do what I can so you can return to your little paradise that I suppose you live in. What do you need?"

Zonda took a step forward and decided to proceed with the proposal.

"Our ship is destroyed. We need a power source to make the Com Systems work for enough time to send a distress call."

"Is that it?" Feastus asked like if it was no big deal.

"Yes. That's all we need, and we will get out of here to never return."

Feastus started shaking his head from side to side, making strange gestures with his lips as if thinking of something.

"I don't think that I could help you with that..." He said.

An enormous pressure invaded both Retcans chests when they heard the negative response. Probably the only safe chance that they had was of no use anymore.

"However," Feastus continued. "I can lend you a communicator device strong enough to reach any point in the universe." He then said.

This instantly sparked a feeling of hope in both Retcans. Though, it was difficult for the Retcans to accept a deal from this human. But what choice did they have?

"We do not have currency to exchange with you. What can we do to honor your part of the deal?" Zonda dared to ask.

"Let's see... I imagined you didn't have money, so..." Feastus again thought out loud. "Here's what we'll do. You see, I'm a very busy craftsman. All this that you see around you is my merchandise that unfortunately, due to a slow month, it has been stacking up."

Feastus walked around the two Retcans, showing off the robes and fabric that he made.

"You two will do an inventory of all this rubbish, organize it, help me sell it and clean my place. In exchange, I'll give you food, shelter, and you'll get to call your little friends so they come and pick you up."

Zonda and Alpha looked at each other. The deal was apparently simple; maybe too much.

"When would you comply with your part of the deal?" Zonda asked the human.

"That is for me to decide. Do a good job, and you'll probably be on your way home sooner than expected."

With no other option at hand, Zonda and Alpha had to agree and trust Feastus' offer. They both nodded at the human, accepting the deal.

"Good. You're smarter than I thought." Feastus said. He then walked behind a counter and grabbed two strange round objects and threw one to each Retcan. "Here; you'll need the energy. You'll be working very hard for the next days."

The round objects had a strange smell to them. But their senses told them that it was edible. After almost two days without eating, plus all the terrible events that both went through, their energy levels were almost depleted. It was the driest, hardest and almost stale piece of bread they have ever had, but they ate it to the very last crumb.

"That's it; eat it. Trust me, you'll need that energy." Feastus repeated his words, letting out an almost imperceptible smirk. Those were probably the last personal words they heard of him. After that, only orders would come out him.

...A few days had passed and both Retcans still worked nonstop at Feastus' shop. It was difficult for them, but it could be worst. Feastus didn't do anything else but to give orders, starting from dawn until past midnight. Zonda and Alpha had little time to rest throughout the day and they had nothing else but a piece of cloth to lie down on the hard floor for the few hours of sleep they had at night.

Their soft and delicate fur was soiled by the dirt, and blood sucking parasites we starting to invade them. This was definitely not what the Retcans were used to. But Feastus kept his promise, and they had a place to stay and lots of food, that although hard to get acquainted with its flavor and texture, it kept their energy levels high.

"I wonder how much more we'll have to work for this human." Alpha told his brother. They were both outside, arranging the merchandise for that day.

"I don't know." Zonda replied as he folded a colorful piece of cloth in the exhibition table. "But I think we have done enough."

"So far, he has complied with part of his deal. But I don't know..." Alpha said. There was something about this human that they didn't like since they met him.

"I know, Alpha. I don't trust him. What bothers me the most is how hard is to read his emotions. I get nothing but aggressiveness when I feel his energy. It's impossible to tell if he's lying, or what."

"Maybe we are too exhausted to read his emotions. Or maybe these humans have no emotions at all."

Uncertain of what awaited them, both Retcans kept on doing their job. Soon, the first customers arrived at the shop. One of them approached the Retcans and started going through all the robes and fabrics that were on display.

"May I be of any help for you, my good sir?" Zonda asked respectfully. They both had learned to negotiate and sell the merchandise in just these few days, but they always had that feeling of discomfort, since this social behavior was something that their race was not accustomed with, and never would be.

"Where's the owner, animals?" The potential buyer asked while scanning the area.

"Master Feastus is running some business errands. He will be here in an hour or so." Alpha replied to the suspicious customer.

"This is marvelous..." The human said as he admired one of the cloaks that Feastus sold.

"It is." Zonda replied, though he didn't even find that piece of cloth appealing whatsoever.

"It's 12000 credits, my good sir." Alpha said. "We can certainly negotiate a better price." Alpha added after not hearing an immediate response from the human.

"It's certainly magnificent, but 12000? I don't think it's worth the price. It looks like if has been kept here for a long time. How about 8000?" The human gave his first offer.

Although always keeping their serious and almost emotionless demeanor, the Retcans still felt unfamiliar and highly intimidated with these types of interactions. But Feastus had taught them what they needed to know.

"Our master has established a minimum price of 10000 for that piece. However, if you really want it, then you can have it for 9500." Zonda replied to the offer, giving the real minimum price that Feastus had indicated them.

"It sounds like a deal, animals." The human agreed.

"Very well, then." Zonda replied. He felt happy that they sold one more piece. This was probably the most expensive one they had. Feastus would be delighted to know about their accomplishment.

"It will look very good on you." Alpha flattered the human; a phrase that Feastus told them to use whenever they managed to sell an item.

"Just one thing," the human said. Zonda and Alpha noticed worried that the human threw the cloak in his shoulder and started leaving. "Tell your boss that I'll pay him tomorrow."

This immediately startled the Retcans. The human was leaving without paying and although he said he would, this was something that they were not sure about.

"Wait! You can't do that. Feastus hasn't authorized us for such type of interchange." Zonda confronted the human.

"Relax, animal. I know the owner of this shop. He'll be ok with it." The human replied, accelerating his pace.

Zonda and Alpha stood motionless at the shop. They didn't know what to do. If they followed him, that would cause them problems.

"What if he is saying the truth? If we stop him, he might get upset and never negotiate with Feastus anymore." Alpha asked.

"I don't know... This human is just like Feastus. His mind is almost blank. I can't tell if he was lying or not!" Zonda's frustration was obvious.

"Zonda, if that guy was lying, then what are we going to tell Feastus?" Alpha was right. They knew how humans could be in this place. That customer could've been a thief.

"You are right, Alpha. Let's go!"

No. You stay here and take care of the store. I'll go after him."

There was no other option. They couldn't leave the store unattended. Alpha was right again.

"Be careful, brother. Take the cloak from him and come back immediately."

Alpha ran though the crowded streets in hopes of finding the human. It was hard for the Retcan to keep track of him because of his lower height compared to the humans.

But Alpha soon caught a glimpse of the human turning at a corner. By the time that he reached the corner, the human had disappeared between a huge mass of people.

No... NO! Alpha thought to himself. The frustration to know that such disappointment to Feastus would break their deal was now a possibility that threatened their only way out of that planet.

Alpha ran through the crowd. His worries were focused on getting back the cloak, instead of being careful of not hitting the humans that blocked his path.

"Stupid beast!" Some one yelled.

Alpha kept on running through the sea of people.

"Be careful, you damn animal!!" Another one yelled at him.

"I'll turn you into a coat if you do that again!" Another's yell fainted away as Alpha gained distance.

But finally he managed to locate the human that had taken the cloak. In another plaza, the human stood with a group of other three, as he was showing off his new acquisition. Alpha slowly approached the human without making any effort to hide his presence. The roughly 5'5 Retcan seemed to be in disadvantage against the much taller and almost as twice as heavy humans. But Retcan warriors were never intimidated by size. He knew that his agility and strength were far superior if compared to the poor weight-to-strength ratio of humans.

When he approached the humans that were laughing and praising their friends' new look, Alpha heard how he admitted his treacherous act.

"Could you believe it?" He laughed. "That strange merchant on the fabric shop has two stupid talking animals as his servants. This was the easiest snatch I've ever done!" He bragged. He posed to his friends, showing off the crimson cloak.

This confirmed Alpha's suspicions.

"We should go bully them later..." One of the human suggested. Without noticing him, Alpha was already next to them.

"Give that back," Alpha demanded assertively. He was not in a good mood. He was starting to get tired of the putrid lifestyle that these humans had.

"What the..." Surprised, the human turned to where this angry voice came from.

"I said, give that back!" Alpha had made it clear. His red eyes pierced though the human's eyes.

"Look, this is one of those beasts that I told you about." The human that stole the cloak said. He was surprised that the small alien had followed him, but he soon started chuckling like if mocking the Retcan. "Don't bother us, flea bag. Get out of here!" He then yelled at Alpha. The human then turned away and kept laughing and babbling nonsense with his partners.

"I will not say it again. Give that back!" Alpha yelled at the humans.

The human turned his gaze toward Alpha.

"You know, you have to learn to respect your superiors, little one." The thief wearing the cloak said in a passive aggressive tone. "Do yourself a favor and go home, fluffy. Or is it that you want me to cut your tail off?" He then said while attempting to place his hand on Alpha's head.

Alpha took this as an aggression gesture. His instinct and warrior training kicked in immediately. Before the human could even lay his hand on him, Alpha's pupils contracted, the fur on his neck puffed up and every single muscle on his body reacted furiously.

Alpha intercepted the humans hand with his own hand-paw. Pressing with his fine but sharp claws against the arm's nerve endings, he swiftly twisted the wrist and arm in an unnatural position. The pain invaded the human so quickly that he didn't have time to react. His only reaction was to kneel down.

Whatever idea he thought of to get loose, it was too late for the human. Alpha swiftly struck the human's throat with his other hand-paw, leaving tiny bleeding puncture wounds from his claws. When the human bent over due to the agonizing choking sensation, Alpha brutally attacked him with an elbow right at the back of the human's neck. This knocked the human senseless.

A multitude had gathered around the incident. The thief's friends were shocked to see how this small creature could've beaten him so easily.

"You goddamn animal, I'll kill you!" One of them yelled. He took out a dagger out of his sleeveless vest and attempted to stab Alpha with it. Every single strike was avoided by the trained Retcan warrior. The moves and reactions of the human were simply too slow for him.

In one last thrust from the human, Alpha managed to grab his arm, and ripped through the human's limb with his sharp claws. A huge gash opened in the inner part of the humans arm, going almost the full length of it. This gash passed really close to very important arteries, creating an almost immediate hemorrhage. This made the human scream in panic, as he tried to keep the long laceration closed. The other two that companioned the beaten humans, thought it twice before attempting any action, afraid that it would end up being a futile attempt of attacking this creature.

"You attacked me first. Your intentions were to kill me with that dagger!" Alpha told him as he stood dignified in front of his beaten opponent. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. I do not follow your ways. I am not evil like you."

Alpha soon realized that his actions startled the immense crowd that now surrounded him. It wouldn't take long until the guards were there.

No, not again. I have to get out of here. Alpha thought. He immediately tried to recover the cloak from the human that had stolen it.

"That animal is a thief!" Was heard coming through the crowd.

"I saw that creature attacking that citizen. He is now stealing his clothes!" Another voice echoed.

Alpha felt the pressure again. He had to move quickly. He needed to recover the cloak and head back immediately to Feastus' shop, as he knew that his word was of no value in that forsaken land.

As the pressure built, Alpha's actions felt sloppy. He was having a lot of problems trying to take off the cloak from the human. All of the sudden, he felt something in his shoulder; someone had place his hand on him.

Alpha was about to react violently, when he realized that he knew this individual that stood behind him.

"What is going on here?" A deep voice asked.

"Master Feastus?" Alpha replied. He never thought he would feel such relief of seeing Feastus.

"What happened? What is this idiot doing with my cloak? Did you sell him this?" Feastus interrogated Alpha.

"No, Master. This man tried to steal it from us. He said that he knew you and that he would pay you after." Alpha explained.

"I don't know who this is." Feastus replied, helping Alpha to remove the cloak from the thief. "It's my fault for not warning you about this kind of people. You did well, Alpha."

Thankfully, this situation didn't escalate to something greater. Soon, Feastus recovered his goods and returned to his shop along with Alpha. He was actually very glad that Alpha made that effort to recover his property.

... Meanwhile, back at the plaza, the thieves were recovering themselves from the beating they received. One of the thieves that didn't fight approached the one who had snatched the cloak.

"Damn... You didn't tell us that you stole from Feastus Est Mendax! What were you thinking!?" He confronted his still dazed partner.

"Feastus? I have no idea what you're talking about." He replied confused.

"You don't know him?" The thief replied worried. "It is said that Feastus Est Mendax is a very close friend and associate of Emperor Turann. He has seen you and knows what you did. You will get killed!"

"What are you babbling about...?" The still disoriented human stood up. "Where did you get that nonsense from?"

"I have an acquaintance working as a guard at the Arena. He has seen Feastus there and knows about his job." The thief answered nervous but sure of what he was saying. "This Feastus is not really a merchant. He doesn't even live in Harena Sangis. That's just the façade that he uses to hide his real job."

"They say that he is always in the lookout for outsiders, or anyone who lands in this planet by mistake." The thief continued. "He then tricks them to think that they need a permit of some sort to walk through this city, even using guards and some other city dwellers that work for him as part of an elaborate scheme. I don't know how he does it exactly, but he ends up selling outsiders as either slaves or gladiators... He is very intelligent, which makes him extremely dangerous and deceitful. Those creatures will probably be sold for a slaughter event... Just pray to the gods that Feastus doesn't decide to take retaliation upon you, because if he does, you'll be sharing the fate with those animals..."