FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

He just stood there, the unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation that just occurred rattling through his head. He didn't know how to feel about it since the conversation felt as if it was over in mere seconds. It was his first conversation in years with somebody outside of his family. He knew that if he was going to survive he needed to learn how to communicate with others properly.

He began to walk towards the main part of the market when he spotted that one apothecary merchant that he had seen when he arrived in Feros. He wasn't busy with a customer and it looked as if he was just organizing his stall. Maddox began his advance towards the stall which the merchant seem to catch onto immediately because he gave a sly smile and turned his head in the direction of him. Maddox felt uneasy, but kept his pace steady. He was less than three feet from the stall when the merchant finally spoke.

"Maddox I haven't seen you in ages," He began.

Maddox was absolutely stunned that this man knew exactly who he was.

"It must have been at least ten years since we last spoke," he continued. "Well you didn't say much since you were only a child at the time, but you know what I mean."

"How... Do you know who I am?" Maddox asked.

"My boy, I have known your family for a long time."

"M-my family? You knew my parents?"

"I most certainly did. I was closer to them than anybody you'll ever meet."

"What happened to them?!" Maddox's voice began to rise in volume.

"That is not a question for me to answer. In all due time my boy."

Maddox attempted to keep his voice level down but was absolutely furious with his response. He slammed his paws down on the stall table and began to shout. Many heads turned at the outburst.

"Is this some sort of joke to you?!" He bellowed.

two guards immediately came and grabbed both of Maddox's arms and pulled him away from the stall.

"Excuse me sir is this feline bothering you?" One of the guards asked, accenting the word feline.

"No, no, no, sir," the merchant returned. "We were just arguing over some prices and things became a little heated."

Maddox then jerked his arms from the guards' hold.

"I haven't seen you before. Are you from around here?" One of the guards questioned.

"No..." Maddox muttered back.

"Well you already are causing a ruckus. We'll be keeping an eye on you from now on."

The guards then turned and marched back to their posts. Maddox turned back to the merchant who had a stern look on his face.

"Son, do you want to get yourself captured?" He asked harshly. "I recommend you not draw attention to yourself."

"I'm sorry," he returned. "I just never really knew my parents."

"I understand, but your anger is what contains you from doing what you must."

"Doing what I must?"

"I've already said too much. Here is some money for you to eat to sleep. I am aware of your sister's capture and I would have bought her if she didn't go for such an extraordinary price."

"You saw Zephyr?! Where is she headed? Who bought her?"

"Slow down son! She was bought by some extremely wealthy family in Corinth."

"Where is that?!"

"Maddox... You can't head to Corinth on your own. The journey would be too dangerous, especially on the brink of war."

"War?" Maddox raised an eyebrow at this.

"I'm sorry, being away form society for years must have made you ignorant to current events. Regardless, It would be foolish let you just leave on your own."

"I have to try!"

"You will be ready soon! You must develop your magic before you make your journey."

"My magic? Why my magic?"

"you are special Maddox. Very special. You are the hope of this land."

"I am?" Maddox took a step back at hearing this.

"Like I said before, in all due time my boy. I recommend you head east and seek master Jade. She will aid you in your magic development."

"Thank you si-"

"Zen," the merchant interrupted. "Call me Zen."

Maddox gave a warming smile. "Thank you, Zen."

Maddox turned away and began to stroll through town with a new smile plastered on his face. Many questions of his left unanswered, however, he felt satisfied as if he finally had purpose.

He knew that leaving the town to find Jade unprepared would be a bad idea. Staying the night would be in his best interest. First stop: food. The market was full of food and supplies for him to stock up on. However, Maddox noticed something interesting about the market: there were barely any Sothren vendors. And the few Sothren vendors that existed seemed to be receiving much less business than the human vendor. Maddox wanted to support the Sothren vendors where he could by purchasing food from multiple stalls.

Hours passed as he stocked up on food, camping supplies, and even weapons. He only purchased knives, but many eyebrows were raised as he walked up to the weapons stall.

His last necessity was a place to sleep for the night, and it was not in his interest to sleep in the forest he began his search for the nearest motel. He was glad to find that there happened to be one right up the street from the market. Upon entering the establishment people began to murmur and gasp at the site of Maddox.

"Hey! What do you think you're doing here?"