FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 1

Mal laid on the roof, watching the lit window in the building across the street as the wind ruffled his fur, waiting for the signal. Occasionally, shadows flickered in the window, two men of differing species as thunder boomed in the distance to foretell the coming storm. The weather was a slight inconvenience, but it worked in the ferrets favor. It meant no one would be out in the rain. Already, the streets below were strangely quiet and empty.

As he waited for his chance to strike, Mal reflected back on the commission he had been given. It was definitely the oddest job he'd taken. Normally, when a richer client hired him, it was the typical stuff; steal from or spy on a political rival. On more than one occasion, he found himself in the middle of a love affair, definitely his most interesting jobs at the time. There had been times when someone tried to hire the ferret as an assassin, but Mal always turned those down regardless of the reward. He was a thief, not a killer after all. As interesting as this past was, however, nothing came close to the job he currently was on. Mal had this strong feeling that something was going to go wrong for him.

It had been about a month ago that the ferret had been approached about the job. The city of Medrain had been sweltering more than usual in the mid-summer heat. Mal was feeling rather pleasant after finishing up a well paying job. On a whim, the ferret stopped at a watch shop he spied. After choosing a silver-cased pocket watch with a hole in the center of the face to show the gears beneath, Mal made his way to his home humming slightly to himself.

Once Mal made it to his home, however, the pleasant mood he had been in quickly disappeared as hel found his door unlocked and slightly opened. Suddenly alert and suspicious, Mal reached into his jacket pocket and eased a revolver out. Creeping into his home, the ferret quietly closed the front door as a sound in his office caught his attention. Mal made his way silently down the hall and into the room, cocking and aiming the gun. The badger in the room turned calmly around to face Mal, unsurprised to find the barrel of a gun pointed at his face.

"Ah. Mr. Treymond. A pleasure to meet you at last." The badger smiled and walked forward a few steps. He was several years older than Mal, judging by the grey creeping into his black fur. "I have to say, I wasn't expecting such a warm welcome to your lovely home."

"I tend to show more hospitality to guests that I know are coming, not ones I find unannounced in my home. Now, kindly leave before I shoot you."

"I'm afraid I can't leave, not yet." The badger told Mal. "I have come to speak to you on business, and my employer felt that meeting you here would be best."

"They felt that the best way to speak to me was to break into my home." Mal's anger and impatience was showing through. "This doesn't prove I have to listen to anything you say, or trust what I hear. Who are you?"

"Forgive me, I seem to have forgotten my manners. My name is Edward. I am here to represent my employer in this matter. This should explain some things." Edward reached into his jacket, causing Mal to tense. When Edward pulled out a letter, Mal was surprised, but slightly relieved. Mal placed his gun back in his own jacket before taking the letter, suspicious about what it may say, and looked the envelope over.

The seal was one Mal couldn't place, which he found odd considering he knew just about every seal the lords and ladies at court used, often using his own duplicate seals from time to time. Mal also noted that there was no name except for his on the envelope. With practiced ease, he opened the envelope in one fluid motion that kept the seal intact and began to read:

Mr. Treymond,

Please forgive me for not meeting you myself and extending this business opportunity to you myself. Since this is a highly sensitive venture, I cannot allow my presence to be known at this time. I have found myself in a rather tight position, making it difficult for me to move.

This is why I have sent my servant Edward. He can be trusted, so do not worry about him letting word out about your home. He has done some work for me in the past, and knows how to be discreet. He will act as my representative for the time being.

As for payment, I can promise you that you will receive quite the reward. I will pay half now, half later. I know that isn't your normal policy, but the nature of the job is such that I need assurances of your loyalty. Due to this, I shall pay you more than your normal fees of employment.

I must act quickly, as my time on this is short, so I must know if you agree to the terms. I'm afraid that we cannot negotiations are out of the question. Send a letter with Edward, detailing your acceptance to the job.

After reading the letter, Mal folded and placed it on the desk, thinking. Since there was no signature, there would be no way for him to track down the author. It was even possible that the seal on the front was false, if whomever was writing was being careful. Mal turned to face Edward.

"The offer is tempting," Mal began, noticing the pleased look on the badgers face. "But I don't see any reason why I should accept it."

"Ah, of course." Edward said with a smile Mal didn't like. "Allow me to explain. Should you choose not to accept, then my master would be forced to employ someone else. Someone without your professional touch."

"So you'll be forced to hire Theo. He's a good enough thief, even if everyone considers him the second best in the city." Mal shrugged, leaving out that he was the only one better than Theo. Mal also didn't go into the rat's reputation of having a loose tongue, especially after a few drinks in the bar. Or his temper when things went wrong. "That still doesn't explain why I should accept your offer and help."

"It took some time to find your home; you made sure of that. I'm sure someone who takes that much care to hide their home has those they wish to hide it from. Cops, enemies you may have made during your career." Edward didn't say anything more, since both could hear the threat hanging on the air. Mal just glared at the smug, smiling badger.

"Very well." Mal finally said, resigned. "It looks like I have no choice but to accept the job."

"Excellent! My master will be pleased to hear this. If you would be so kind as to write up a letter. My master would like to see it in writing by your hand, for safety reasons." Edward explained.

"Oh, of course." Placing the letter on the desk, Mal pulled out a sheet of parchment and a pen. After dipping it in an inkwell, he scratched a letter out. Once the ink had dried, the parchment was folded and placed in an envelope and sealed with wax. "I believe this should do."

"Thank you. Now, only two things remain. Your payment," Edward reached into his jacket again, pulling out a coin bag. "Half the money now, as promised. Twenty-one thousand pounds, if you wish to check."

"Forty-two thousand pounds? What am I expected to do? Break into the royal treasury?" Mal asked incredulous.

"You will find that out later. As to the other thing, I need to make sure the letter you received is destroyed. Merely as a precaution." Mal forced a smile as he lit a match and held it to the letter, dropping both on a nearby plate. The paper curled as the flame took it. "Excellent. Our employer will send you a message within a week, the first of many that will detail what it is your are expected to do. You will both communicate through letters, and that is how you will be able to form your plan." Edward nodded slightly to Mal and made his way out of the home. After the badger had left, Mal sat in the chair at the desk, wondering what he had just gotten involved in while he watched the burning parchment.

Just as Edward had promised, the letters were delivered in a timely manner, the next coming a week after the first. Some were waiting for him at home, while others were hand delivered by Edward. Each one detailed what it was Mal was stealing, and where it was being kept. All it did was make him think the whole thing was crazy, but it was impossible for him to back out. All Mal could do was prepare his plans.

The letters were the only way for Mal to communicate with his employer. He did what he could to save them in his safe hidden in the hearth of the fireplace in his office. Those that weren't burned, at least. Finally, after weeks of arguing and discussion, a plan was agreed on. When the signal was given, Mal would be the one to break into the building, crack the safe, and take the item. It would hinge on if this strange benefactor kept his side of the plan and took care of any guards on duty.

Mal tensed as he was brought back into the present, rain starting to soak what fur was exposed. A lantern could be seen waving in one of the windows. The time had come.