FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

With the final strike of my hammer, the last nail is securely placed into the ground. I stand up and tug on the rope to make sure the tent is properly secured. I step back and look at my small tent. It's made out of light cotton and it is shaped into a long triangle with two nails on each side to help it stand up. I go to the front of the tent and grab the thin layer blanket filled with hay. I lay it at the bottom of my tent trying to smooth it out as best as I can. It's been five days and my back is sore from sleeping in this tent. I can imagine how my back will be by the time we reach Kouneli. Luckily the tent is made for a 6 foot tall guard dog, and as a 3 foot tall hamster I've got plenty of room to move around.

"Hey Marco! Are you done with the hammer"?

Stepping out of the tent I see a hamster holding the hammer. "Yes, I'm done It's all yours".

"Thanks." The hamster says and walks off through the tents.

I still haven't gotten used to the idea of random animals coming up to me and knowing my name. I know they don't mean any harm, but is still makes me feel uncomfortable.

I sit back down in front of my tent and try to relax my muscles. Pushing those carts day in and day out is as painful as it sounds. I take a deep breath and enjoy the somewhat silence as everyone by now have set up their tents and are also trying to relax from the last few stressful days. Looking up I see the sky consumed in purest blue color so deep and rich, as if it is completely covered in water. The glaring sun is luckily too busy beaming its heat down on the other side of my tent, thus not obstructing this beautiful scene.

Out of the corner of my eye I see smoke rising up to the sky. I look over to the left side of my tent and see the village's chimneys bellowing out smoke which is built on top of a small hill and surrounded by an endless forest that we have been marching through for the past week. Luckily the villagers have given us a decent amount of flat grassland to make our encampment.

"Enjoying your free time to relax"?

To the right I see Cola standing on the small path that weaves through the numerous tents around our camp. The beagle looks down at me with his brown eyes as his mixture of white, brown, black fur blows in the breeze. He lays his left hand on the handle of his sword which is sheathed on his belt while holding a small brown sack in his right hand.

"What's with the brown bag?"

"I was order to go into the forest and find ingredients for today's lunch."

"How do you know what food to scavenge in the forest?"

"We guard dogs learn more than just how to hold up a shield and swing a sword." Cola says with a chuckle in his voice.

"Well, what did you find"?

"Tell you what. I'll tell you what's in the bag if you keep me company while I go to the village to give it over to whoever's stuck cooking for the day". Cola says as he waved the small bag in front of my face with a smile. Feeling each muscle groan in pain as I stand up I look at him, sarcastically say, "You really are a great friend."

"Well what can I say Marco, your curiosity always gets the better of you." Cola says as he starts walking down the path towards the village. I closely follow behind my muscles aching with each step.

The tents surrounding us are in all different types of colors and from the rips and stains on the canvas, I can tell that they have been well used. Every once in a while I see a stack of shields, swords, and spears placed in the middle of tents that have a red shield with a dark green line across it.

"So what did you find in the forest?"

"I found a couple different types of mushrooms, red berries, and ginger root. Not much but thanks to you rabbit friend we don't have to worry too much on finding food in the forest."

"Are you talking about Eros?"

"Yeah, you know the rabbit with the red ear. Since we started our trip through this forest he has constantly gone foraging and comes back with plenty of food."

"I don't understand why you are going into the woods to hunt supplies for us to eat when we have been pushing more than a hundred wooden carts filled with food, which my sore muscles remember very well!"

"Because the majority of food that is produced for the kingdom of Zao comes from the farms in the wetlands, and all the farmers in the wetlands sells their goods in Georgos. If we don't get this food over to Kouneli then we will have a serious food shortage."

"Then why does the majority of food come from the wetlands?"

"Because the wetlands are one of the few areas of Zao that is not covered in forests, has very fertile land, and was not constantly attacked by foreign enemies."

"But wouldn't the fruit and vegetable go bad within a couple weeks?"

"Yes, but most of the food has been pickled or cured to stop them from going bad."

Finally we made our way out of the camp and walked up the hill to the village. There's a mixture of wooden homes spread sporadically on top of the hill. The ground is completely covered in grass, except the dirt paths that weave between the houses. All types of wood cutters equipment are scattered amongst the buildings, from simple axes, to wheelbarrows. There are two animal saws placed against buildings with piles of cut lumber beside them. Some buildings are surrounded with all types of vegetation that have almost consumed the entire building. The entire place felt very similar to my uncle's home village. The village brought out a sense of warmth and safety that made me feel more comfortable with the idea of marching onto lands I've never been before.

We approach the middle of the village and as usual there is a shrine built right in the middle. This shrine is the trunk of a tree with its bark ripped off and replaced with carved markings of ancient words. There are twelve hamsters kneeling around the shrine with their heads lowered and merely whispering into the wind. I notice that one of the hamsters is my uncle who is laying down flowers in front of the shrine.

"Do you mind if I take some time to pray?" I ask Cola while pointing to the wooden relic.

"Yeah, I don't have any problem with that. After all, the house we are using as our makeshift kitchen is just down this path." Cola says. "Thanks for keeping me company."

I respond with a smile and a nod of my head. I turned to face the relic and before I can take a few steps towards the shrine my uncle stands up and turns to me with a smile. He slowly makes his way past the rest of the hamsters while trying not to step on any petals that have been placed on the ground. He stands in front of me with his arms crossed and a sympathetic smile on his face while seeming like he's waiting for something.

"Well aren't you going to go and pray?"

"What do you mean?"

"You just told your dog friend that you were going to the shrine and sadly I don't know any other reason to go to a shrine."

I look at my uncle in surprise and ask. "You heard our conversation?"

"Marco, everybody heard your conversation."

There is a ripple of chuckles amongst the hamsters kneeling before the shrine, but they quickly regained their composure and once more continue with their whispering.

Embarrassed I quickly try to change the subject. "Well it wouldn't be bad to pray for mom and Sam".

I start making my way towards the shrine, but I am stopped by my uncle when he places his hand on my shoulder. "Don't worry Marco. There is no need to."

"Why?"

"Because I've already prayed for them, and you wouldn't want to bother the gods with the repeated request would you?"

"Thanks uncle that means a lot to me."

My uncle wraps his hand around my shoulders and says. "No problem Marco, but please don't forget that my two girls and I are family too. We're here for each other, no matter what we go through."

"So where is Jamie and Jess?"

"Jamie is helping cook today's lunch and Jess is getting training to become a guard dog."

"Wait! when did Jess join the guard dogs?"

"When they realized that my daughters are both part dog. They immediately asked them to join the guard dogs, but only Jess agreed to joint."

"But why would she join? She doesn't even have her relic."

"Marco, you know it's her dream to become one of the guard dogs."

I am angered to the thought that somebody would want to march themselves into war. I want to tell my uncle how dangerous it is, but I know it would just make him more worried. It has been my cousin's dream to become a guard dog so she can follow in her mother's footsteps, but she doesn't know what she's getting herself into. I just wish that her mother was here to hopefully guide her away from such an idea.

I look back at my uncle and see pain in his eyes. I realize that he already sees the danger that his daughter faces. The pain in his eyes slowly reminds me of my own pains and I quickly try to change the subject.

"So... Why did you place flowers in front of the relic?"

"Your parents never told you?"

I simply shrugged to his question.

"It's an old story about our goddess Auxano. The story has been passed down from generation to generation and sadly I don't know the exact details, but I do know that Auxano loves flowers. She loves flowers so much that she wears a dress made out of them. Thus you give flowers to her by putting them in front of her relics as gifts so that Auxano may give you blessings.

"Blessings on what?"

"Well, there are times that you would want Auxano to watch over your land when you are away or wish that she blesses your crops so they can grow without worrying about them dying off from weather or bugs."

"So you are giving flowers to Auxano so she may watch over your land?"

"Yes, to watch over the forest where I cut trees; to watch over my home so that when I return it may be safe and..." My uncle lowers his head and staring at the ground he speaks almost in a whisper. "To watch over your father so that his body is reunited with Zao."

The mention of my father fills me with sorrow . Remembering how I held him in my hands while we laid in the street filled with corpses. I could still remember his wheezing breaths and the warmth of his blood on my hands. My heart felt as if the world has collapsed upon it and I feel tears coming to my eyes. No, I must keep reminding myself to push forward. I promised Dad that I would take care of Sam and mom and that's what I must do.

"Lunch is ready!"

I look over my shoulder and see a dog jogging along the dirt path heading towards the tents while shouting "lunch is ready! Just follow the smoke coming out of the smokestacks and you'll find it."

"Well I guess it's time for lunch," My uncle says as he starts to walk up the dirt path. I do not get to see the reaction on his face as he walks away, but I do know it is not one filled with hope.

The hamsters kneeling before the shrine got up and slowly followed my uncle up the street. Their faces are filled with sorrow and pain as if they have lost something very important to them. I look back at the relic and stare at the flowers surrounding the shrine. The flowers are all different colors and are scattered around the relic, bringing beauty to the long wooden trunk. However, the thought of food has brought back me to my senses as my stomach growls in protest of my interest to the shrine. I turn around and follow the hamsters up the dirt path that weaves around homes towards a smell that I've not smelled before.

As I follow dirt path I see a wooden home in the distance, surrounded by animals that are running around grabbing plates and spoons. I look to the left and see a line of animals talking amongst themselves as they wait for the food to start coming out. I slowly get in line for the food which smells like something I have not smelled before.

"Marco! Over here!" I look towards the building and see Jamie waving me over. Seeing that there is no food being passed out I slowly go over to my cousin and say "hey Jamie, how have you been?"

"I'm good Marco," she says as she passes me a bowl of some type of stew and two slices of bread. I look at her questionably as she quickly responds says. "All the food is cooked and ready, but we haven't got all the tables and cutlery together."

"Thanks." I turn around to find somewhere to sit down and eat, but Jamie grabs my shoulder and says with a coy smile "Why don't you sit with us.

I look back to her and ask "With us?"

"Dad is sitting at the table over there." She points over to table beside a house that is almost completely surrounded by all types of plants. I see my uncle sitting wooden table eating his stew.

"I'll come join you when my sister gets here" Jamie says as she runs off back to the mess of animals starting to get food served.

I slowly make my way to the one table looking at the stew and trying to figure out what that smell is. My mother always loved to use all kinds of spices and herbs in her food, so I'm quite surprised to not know the aroma. There's a hint of celery and carrot but there's this overwhelming strong smell that I just simply cannot pinpoint. I sit across from my uncle on a small wooden stool and with my spoon I take a quick taste of the stew. I almost fall backwards off my stool from the terrible taste.

"What's in this stew?"

My uncle looks up to me and starts to chuckle.

"I guess you have your mother's taste buds. Your mother never did like Griger root."

"How could anybody like this stuff?"

"Tell you what. I'll give you my bread if you give me your stew."

"You don't have to do that uncle."

"Are you kidding! I love Griger root. Your mom and I used to switch bread for stew when dad gave us anything with Griger root," as he passes me his two slices of bread and grabs the bowl of stew.

"Why would mom's parents keep serving her Griger root when she didn't like it?"

"Because Griger root is one of the most common spices you'll ever find in the forest. Why do you think her house is completely surrounded in herbs and spices?" my uncle says as he returns back to his stew

I take a bite out of my bread and start to realize that there is more about mom that I never knew.

I'm about to ask a question when I hear. "Marco!" I look to my left and see Cola waving me over to him. I look back to my uncle and with a smile he says. "Go on Marco. I'll make sure no one eats your bread."

"Thanks uncle."

I slowly make my way up to Cola. He looks at me with a sternly and I can sense fear through his eyes. I've never seen Cola like this and it makes me feel uncomfortable.

"Do you need something?"

Cola turns around and starts walking down the dirt path saying "Marco, the general needs to talk to you".

"Why?" I say while trying to catch up to him.

Cola looks over his shoulder and says "you'll find out soon enough".

I follow him back down the same path we took it to the village. Along the path there are plenty of animals sitting around eating their lunch while laughing and talking amongst themselves. A sense of joy is felt throughout the whole camp from the R and R that they had been given. Thanks to a light jog we quickly made our way out of the village to the camp. The randomly placed tents slowly start becoming organized into lines with stacks of weapons and armor placed around them. Once more the tents have marks of Dunamai with the brown line crossing it. I look in front of me and see a large tent placed almost in the middle of the rows and rows of tents as if the smaller tents are placed to protect the large tent.

The large tent is pure black with golden trimmings along the entrance of the tent. We make our way through the opening . I notice general Jeval and Jedrick standing in front of a table, staring down at a loosely drawn map. General Jeval is staring down at the map with an expression filled with worry.

"Is there something wrong?" I ask as I reach the table.

General Jeval gives out a deep sigh. "We've been followed."