FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

"Damn it," the arctic fox hissed as he carefully peeked down the hallway. Guards everywhere. This was supposed to be a simple job. Get in, get the goods, and get out. But, no, he had to have a rare moment of klutziness, stumble over a switch on the ground, alert the guards, and cause the entire place to get up in arms.

Thieving wasn't easy.

Sanmer Lemarre did his best to blend into the shadows, though his telltale silver fur did little to aid his exploits. He seemed to get along just fine, though, having stolen countless artifacts and treasures right out from under the noses of the would-be fortunate. The latest chapter of his Graddin Thieving Spree brought him to its grand cathedral all for the sake of acquiring a few, shall we say, tokens of appreciation. But things started off bad, and only got worse. He'd calculated and planned everything out ahead of time, but didn't take into account an unknown changing of the guard. He also thought he'd worn appropriate clothing to blend in, but much to his dismay he'd learned that his white robes stuck out like a sore thumb in comparison to the brown robes the friars wore that evening. Despite all of the setbacks he'd gotten so far that it was a shame to back out. It was all going so well. A fake introduction, a bit of shadow work, a pocket full of priceless artifacts, and he was almost home free.

And then that blasted switch in the ground. That hidden switch that caused everything to go wrong.

He leapt from his position against the corridor's wall, and nestled himself behind a large statue facing the window. He could just barely see over the window's ledge; fortunately all looked to be safe and sound on the other side. As soon as that patrol passed he could slip out the window, and hopefully endure a soft landing below.

"Now's my chance. Don't fuck it up," Sanmer muttered, glowering at his misfortune. "If you fuck this up you won't be seeing the light of day for a long time."

The guards passed without event, and Sanmer took his chance. He sprung off from his feet, and tumbled out the window. His descent was magnificent, the culmination of years of training and physical prowess. As he plummeted he tugged open his gossamer garments. They fluttered behind him like silk-spun streamers as his normal clothing was revealed; a sleeveless green tunic, black tights, and brown shorts. His landing was graceful, just barely taking a knee as he met the ground. In one swift motion he tore off the papal robes, deposited them behind a nearby bush, and reached into his pack to pull out a crimson bandana which he tied around his forehead. He then leapt behind tree as he heard the clamour of guards above him, but it lasted but a short moment.

With imminent danger behind him Sanmer looked around. and saw a beautiful inner garden before him. Tall trees reached up into the night sky as the pale moon set the enclosure awash in a deep silver glow. Lattices fettered with roses crawled up the sides of the stone walls. The faint trickle of running water could be heard from a small pond in the corner. A figure stood before the pond. Slender in a dark robe, a pair of pointed ears and a long red tail could just barely be made out in the night's silvery shadow.

He'd hoped for a quick exit, but unfortunately that didn't appear to be the case this time.

Before he could formulate a plan to slip by the figure it began moving towards him. "Hello? Sir?" The voice was light, and airy, and yet obviously masculine. Sanmer cursed as it approached him, but much to his surprise the voice belonged to the very first friendly face he'd seen all night. The very friar who had seen to his entry earlier that evening. A red fox fair of face. The one face he'd felt bad about deceiving all night. Had it been another night, another place, another time, he would have done anything to spend more time getting to know the soul behind that handsome being. It's too bad the red fox would most likely turn him in.

May as well go out with a smile.

"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?" Sanmer smiled as he relaxed before the fox. "Come here often?"

The fox arched an eyebrow as he moved closer to the thief. "Not especially, no. I'm more concerned about how you are after falling out the window, but you seem to be fine."

"Ah, yeah. It happens all the time," the silver fox replied, but winced internally. What a dumb thing to say.

"Well, you'll do yourself no favors falling out of windows at such an hour of the night."

Sanmer looked over the friar. "Well, what of you, skulking about the garden at this hour?"

The friar chuckled. "That is not of your concern." He carefully brushed Sanmer off, taking a particular delight in patting away the dirt and leaves that stuck to his chest and shorts. "Come, come now, we must get you out of here. This is no place for a man such as yourself." Sanmer arched an eyebrow, but followed after the friar.

They passed through a gate, and entered the stables. All was quiet thanks to the guards' frenzy in the main cathedral; a silver lining to Sanmer's mistake. The red fox lead Sanmer over to a black stallion before reaching into his own pack to produce a black cloak. He wrapped it around the arctic fox. "They won't see your moonstruck fur under this."

Sanmer looked at the red fox with astoundment. "Why are you doing all of this for me? You know I deceived you."

The friar winked. "You're not the only one working against the church here tonight, my friend. We've got to keep an eye out for each other."

Sanmer blushed, and bowed slightly. "Be careful in the main hall of the west wing. There's a tripstone that activates an alarm."

The red fox bowed, and thanked Sanmer before the thief hopped onto the newly acquired horse. "Where will you go?" he asked.

Sanmer shrugged. "Wherever the wind takes me, I suppose."

The red fox laughed. "Well, perhaps I can direct the wind. If you head straight out of here about two leagues to the south you will come upon Newport. I'm sure your skills will prove quite useful there."

Sanmer smiled. "Thanks. And ... good luck tonight," he winked.

"Yeah, time to ensure that the owner of your new horse won't be missing it any time soon," the red fox smirked as he waved good-bye to the silver fox as he rode off into the night.