FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

*This story is a work of fiction and is work in progress. any and all constructive comments are appreciated, hope you enjoy*

The Okamik World

The small room echoed in a manor that suggested a much larger space was present than existed as a robed figure, bent and gnarled scribed a pattern on the smooth dry flag stoned floor. The scribe mumbled to itself in incomprehensible words, cackling and coughing madly, small specks of crimson splattered the floor. The creature was startled at the sound of the heavy oak framed door opening with a harsh bang, its fine delicate work nearly ruined. What little candle light that existed in the cramped space nearly ceased to exist as another robed figure rushed in.

"They are here! They are coming!" the acolyte shrieks in a high hissing mockery of a voice "The knights of iron have come to stop the union! They have come to kill us!" the bent figure paid him no heed, continuing his work. The sounds of heavy foot falls and the unearthly cries of pain and death of his fellow cultists echoed in from outside the chamber, playing as sweet music to the creature as it worked. The scribe beckoned its companion closer as he finished his final stroke to his master works.

"no my dear brother, for how can they stop what has just begun!" it growled, taking it's companion by the shoulder, showing him the intricate pattern on the floor, already humming in anticipation. The scribe cackled as he plunged the cold iron of a viciously spiked blade into the gut of it's fellow mad man. The acolyte bent doubled in pain, and gave a shocking gasp, quickly followed by thick spouts of blood from its mouth. The floor became smothered in its blood, seeping into the symbols, as the scribe held him in place a sound of glee escaped from it's maw as he drained the acolyte of every drop of life. The thick red liquid running into the pattern itself, the final drop tapped onto the floor and the scribe discarded its now useless companion. It licked the blade clean of blood, the floor turned a sickly crimson and it leered toward the open door. It could hear the pounding sounds of heavy boot's along with the scraping of metal upon metal coming towards the door, the sound briefly speeding up before the being masked by the noise of the door exploding off its hinges in splinters. In the doorway stood a massive Wolf like creature stood upon its hind legs, covered head to paw in segmented gun metal armour, it's long, muzzled face obscured by its helm, and in its right hand it holds a double edged sword. "Arrest him, I want that bastard in chains!" the knight bellowed at the creature in a rough voice, holding his blade threateningly as more appeared, crowding the corridor.

The scribe snarled in defiance stepping backwards awkwardly into he faintly glowing circle, its robe singing as it drags across its burning surface. The Knights enter the room, surrounding the hapless scribe, one calls out "Ezekiel, end this heresy!". At the mention of the name, the scribe raises its wicked blade with panicked movements, yelling in defiance "its too late! May you rust in hell!" before plunging the dagger into himself, tearing himself open and flooding the floor of the chamber with its own blood. It flowed quickly, spreading with intent around the circle, and lapping at the edges of the knight's steel shod boots. The stench of decay filled the air as a white and green robed figure burst into the room, pulling his hood down to reveal a wolf like head. His light grey fur, with dark patches under the eyes made him appear old and worn. But his eyes told of strength and force of will. The Symbol on the floor burst into life nearly throwing those stood around it onto the floor, Ezekiel stood firm against the torrent of light and shadow erupting from the ground. He took heavy laboured steps towards the circle, which flashed in shades of sickly greens then bloody reds. A shadow appearing in its core, the figure of some malformed creature cured like a babe. Ezekiel brought forth his staff, and thrust it into the circles edge, muttering words that are stolen in the torrent. "Ezekiel, can you stop this!" yelled the lead knight, his helm gone to show another wolf-like face. His fur was matted from the helm, and his fur was a light brown with a trickle of crimson running down his thick brow.

"no, its too far gone, but I have an idea!" Ezekiel shouted in confidence, his mind however was doubtful. The dæmon gate the cultists succeeded in making was calling forth there master. And Ezekiel feared its strength which ebbed and tried to force its way through, the only thing in his mind he could do, was try and change the path of the gate, like changing the rails on a track. But which world should he bridge until he can safely collapse the void? He thought desperately, trying with all his might to slow down its creation. It was only when cracks appeared on his snow white staff that he chose, a world between his own and the dæmons. The image of the dæmon faded quickly, only to be replaced by the image of a road, unlike any Ezekiel had seen. From this image, a low growl was heard and then the screech of something horrible. It was too late, something had entered the gate, and it was coming through.....

2 - Steed Of Iron

The Human World â€" 6 hours ago.

Adam, a human with darkening hip length pony tailed hair hanging over his shoulder. His skin glistening with sweat and grime as he hammered the red hot chunk of metal he had in the keenly ringing anvil. The man's angular features and his dark green eyes betraying a look of concentration. Hours pass in the dark room he inhabited is lit only by the light of the forge and a dim florescent bulb. Each glimmer of light casting wild shadows revealing finely polished pieces of metal work and armour. The chunk of metal Adam had slowly starts to change in shape, turning into a bar, and then narrowing into a point. It soon started resembling a classic sword shape, the crimson blade turning a dull metal colour in a mist of steam as it is quenched in a trough of water. He holds the newly forged sword up to the light, inspecting the quality of his work. Satisfied, Adam places it on his work bench. He turns towards the door. He startles himself as he turns around and see a woman standing in there. Her hair is short and blonde, barely reaching her shoulders. She looked at Adam with kind blue eyes, her soft features warm and inviting.

"Dear gods Jess, you scared the hell out of me!" Adam said, clutching his chest a little.

"Serves you right for staying in your pit all day" She says, poking her tongue out.

"Sorry sweetie, I'm almost done here."

"How much you got left?"

"done the blade, just needs a bit of grinding. Cross guard and pommels done, so I just need to attach those to the tang, and ill be going down Caerphilly and see what Neil wants to do with the hand grip" He said, wrapping the freshly forged blade in a thick cloth, tying it at both ends. Jessica looked at him blankly, not understanding much of what he said. He gave her a big hug, and a kiss.

"Hows the painting going?"

"Almost done, its getting a little late, so I'm packing up in a minute" She said with a big smile

"need any help?"

"nah, ill be OK." Jessica then left Adam to pack up, heading towards a cottage style house, only a single story tall but covered in luscious green ivy.

Adam and Jessica have been living with each other for the past two years, having been lucky enough to be able to afford a cottage on lease from her parents. There, Adam set up a blacksmithing business, priding himself in being able to make almost anything he could imagine out of iron and steel. Jessica was an artist by trade, working for a local theatre company. There she designed sets and costumes, it was time consuming, but she enjoyed every aspect of her work and relished any free time she got. They lived in a small rural community, making the best the welsh countryside had to offer them. Even though they were not married, to them it felt like they were married already. They did not own much, but they were happy and content with there lives. However, Adam was at odds with himself, wondering if now is the time to ask her to be his wife. Its something which has been plaguing him, but he is unsure with himself. He was thinking about this, even now as he bundled the package onto he back of his trike, a creation of his own using an old motorcycle engine. Jessica came out of the cottage, just as Adam finished putting the rest of his gear on the back. As well as being a blacksmith, he was also a medieval enthusiast. Often re-enacting battles and life style in public demonstrations. He had just finished fastening his own sword, a single handed weapon, to the trike when Jessica jumped onto his back. He let out an amusing cry of surprise, with Jessica still holding him tight. "you have fun in Caerphilly OK? Gonna miss you sweetie" She gave him a kiss on the cheek, handing him his helmet. He returned the kiss, nearly squishing her in his arms. "Just wish you could have come with me" he says, with a bit of of smile, but a sad look in his eyes.

"You know I got too much work to do, they got me building a whole set for Mcbeth since Clare's on maternity" Jessica says, Claire is one of her work colleagues, together they usually split the work of set building between them and a couple of the other students, but with Claire expecting any day now, Jessica is left with most of the practical work herself.

Adam mounts his trike, and straps on his helmet, pulling down the visor after turning the engine on. Jessica gives him one last hug, before he drives off down an afternoon road. This is the last time they would see each other for a long time. He drives his heavily laden dark green trike down an isolated road, what was left of the day was bright with the glare of the evening sun. He refills at a petrol station, and carrying on. The road is empty, and the light only just starts fading as Adam turns on his head lamps. He thinks to himself, that he should have left much earlier in the day as if his tent wasn't already pitched by the time he arrives, he will either have to put it up in the dark, or he is going to have to sleep under the stars. He didn't particularly mind the idea however if it wasn't such a cold night. In fact, it was unusually cold he thought. His helmet faceplate was even starting to frost up, and it was the middle of April on what was a sunny day. It wasn't long before he could barely see, panic rising in him as his vision blurred into darkness, and then blinding white light. He pulled on the brakes, sliding on a road now caked in thick frost when there was none. He shielded his face, his heart pounding and his throat sore from his terror; as he felt like he hit something only to find now that he was weightless. Adam wondered aloud; "am I alive?" daring to open his thick frost covered visor, sheets of it crunching off. He felt like he weighed nothing, and even though he could not see anything, he felt like he was moving, and quickly. Then, he saw it. A small black object in the distance, a blemish on an otherwise blank canvas. Then the noise barraged him, like the sounds of tearing papers and metals with the screams of tortured wood rolled into one earth shattering cacophony. The small blemish rushing to meet him revealing a room ahead, no bigger than a living room with hazy shapes and figures inhabiting it.

Ezekiel urged the knights back away from the gateway. The order was confirmed by one of the other knights who carried a shield and a wickedly spiked warhammer. "form shield wall!" came his shout, the other knights responding by un-hooking shields from there backs and sides. The wood and metal clanking together as shoulder to shoulder the knights faced there new enemy with determined snarls on there muzzles. Ezekiel joined the walls second rank, raising his staff like a spear over the head of the knight in front of him, indescribable words escaping his lips. The gateway showing a helmeted rider upon an iron steed, a growl and a roar unlike any most of the knights have ever heard reaching there canine ears. And then it came. A blinding flash of white, and a biting chill as the iron steed hammered out of the gateway. It hit the stone floor with a deafening crunch and threw its rider as the trike skidded a short way into a wall. Adam rolled, his thick leathers absorbing most of the impact as he hit the wall opposite the knights. He was disorientated, confused and felt very sick after travailing forty miles per hour in nothingness only to be strewn across the floor. He felt pain though, and knew he was alive at least. But the knight in the small room had other plans, lifting there swords high above there head.

Adam, looked up to see a site which startled him immensely, through the visor of his helm he saw a line of maybe ten what he could only fathom were were-wolves in armour. One stepped out of the shield wall and Adam cursed as he realised he was in danger of becoming more than one piece of flesh and bone, rolling away on bruised ribs to escape the biting edge of the knights sword. He heard a language he did not understand from the one he presumed to be the leader saying "Cill Ite!" . His assailant stepped forward. He must of hit his head very hard Adam thought, because what he saw fascinated, scared and confused him all at the same time. The body of a man, with canine like legs, head and tail all clad in midnight blue plate armour. A bastard sword in one hand, and a three foot shield in the other, striding towards him, meaning to seriously hurt, or even kill him. Time seemed to crawl as he took stock of his situation. To his right, his now mangled trike but Adam didn't have time to think about that much. What did catch his eye however, was one of his blunted swords that came loose from his trike, and was just sat there no more than four feet away. The canine creature obviously saw it himself, closing the distance quickly. Adrenaline pumped through Adams body as he dove to reach the blade, grabbing hold of the brown leather and wire hilt and bringing it up to block as the strike rang hard and true, Now they both had a fight on there hands, the other armoured figures cheering there comrade on. Ezekiel just watched, curious at Adam.

Adam defended himself from the Wolf's blows, trying to keep his distance and look for an opening he could use to escape, but found the gateway he had used gone, and only one door in and out of the room, guarded by half a dozen of these strange creatures. The wolf was circling him, aiming his heavy cuts for the head, neck and shoulders with one coming close to gutting the poor human. Then the wolf stumbled on a piece of loose stone work, and Adam took his chance. He dived in close to the armoured warrior, helping him on his way to the ground and wrestling him to the floor. The wolfs blade leaving its paw as he went for a dagger on its belt, fumbling in its panic as it hit the floor hard. Adam saw his moment, and grabbed the now loose blade discarding his re-enacter's sword. He held the point at the wolfs neck line, ready to slide between the plates, he straddled the wolf, yelling "Move and he dies!" at the group who go deathly silent. Adams heart was pounding in his chest, he was sure they didn't understand his words, but the must have understood his tone. The knight with the warhammer stepped forward, showing he now had no weapon. Beside him, a white and green robed figure stood. Adam noted the intrigued look.

Ezekiel looked at the creature. He found it remarkable that not only did a creature from the beyond have the discipline to defend itself from one of the knights, but also the sheer guts to hold one hostage. The larger knight, Æiser, thought a little differently about the situation. He had not lost a single knight in the entire operation today so far, and he had no intention of losing one now if he could help it. He wasn't fascinated by Adam, but he did admire his cunning.

"Ezekiel. Can you stun him?" Æiser said quietly

"not like you to spare the life of someone who threatens one of your own." came the slightly amused response

"can you or not?" Æiser was getting irritated now. Adam saw the exchange of words, not knowing what's going on, holding the blade inches from his hostages throat. He had never killed anyone or anything in his entire life, and wasn't looking forward to starting any time soon. He didn't want to kill, all he wants is to know what's going on, and how the hell he's going to get home. His hostage seems calm, something he didn't expect. Whatever it was that was at his mercy, did not fear death. This creature was ready to die if it had to. Using a spare hand, he took his helmet off, letting it drop to the ground. And Ezekiel took the opportunity, he levelled his staff and Adam knew nothing but darkness.

Adam hit the ground hard, and his hostage immediately jumped to his feet grabbing his own sword again, and levelling a strike or his head. "don't Yasil, I want that one alive" came the authoritative tone of Æiser

"but my lord, its a dæmon!" He said, still pointing his weapon at the unconscious human. Ezekiel then stood forward, inspecting Adam, before giving his own verdict. "I have seen and met many dæmon's in my long years, and I can safely say this is not one of them. From beyond our world that is certain, and worthy of investigation." He thought to himself however, how similar this creature resembled another race he knows of. Heavy chains were brought forth and clamped to the unconscious humans arms and legs. He was searched, anything that could be used as a weapon stripped from him. Next, the knights searched his trike not knowing what it was they were being cautious. The stripped it of everything Adam had, spare clothing, sleeping and camping equipment, a few books, some armour he made himself and the sword he made that very day. All was packed and transported out of the ruined building, along with a bound Adam.

3 - Capture

Adam's mind was filled with what he considered a bad dream. He dreamt that he had been on his way to Caerphilly castle for a weekend of sparing and training. That along the way he found himself getting caught up in a mysterious portal only to be thrown off his trike, which he distinctly remembers getting smashed to pieces. Only to be faced by what he can only be described as armoured wolf men who tried to kill him, and that nay minute now he's going to wake up next to his beloved partner and start work in his forge, which he reminded himself needed serious cleaning one day. However, he feels like he's in a rocking boat, swaying to and fro with the distinct scent of sweat and pine. He can hear people talking in a language he doesn't understand, and a heavy weight on his arms and legs. Adam's eyes open slowly, only confirming what his other senses were telling him: that it wasn't a dream, and that he's now chained at the back of a wagon loaded with baggage and supplies on a well worn, by rocky path. He groans to himself, and looks to his right, seeing on of the wolf warriors, this time not wearing his armour. Instead, he's dressed in an unbuckled padded jacked and breeches with a bored expression. His dark fur a start contrast to the snow white horse he rides. At his side is a cross bow and quiver of bolts. He looked ahead of himself, only to have a similar image greeting him with a group of five more, each with varying colours of fur and talking amongst themselves. One of them must have made a joke, as after he finished speaking, the others laughed hard. His eyes travelled right, to see that he was not alone at the back of the wagon. The white robed figure from earlier was sat next to him, a straw hat draped over his face to keep what little sun that managed to penetrate the tree line out of his eyes. His staff was held closely to him, and he seemed content. Adam felt like he was being watched at that moment, noticing the robed wolfs ears twitch at him.

"what the hell have I got into...." He says to himself, knowing he cant escape and he cant speak there bizarre language, which seemed a little familiar.

Ezekiel, now noticing that there prisoner was awake watches him carefully. curious as to what he's going to do next was a little surprised and amused to see that the once desperate creature has accepted his fate for now after looking around and making an educated guess as to what could happen. Pretending to rest, he continues watching him. See what he can learn from observation. His ears perk up when Æiser rides up to the side of the wagon. He gave Adam, who now is taking an interest in him, a look of warning. "I know your awake Ezekiel. In all my years of knowing you, I swear you don't sleep!"

"That is because you and your knights are so loud during the day, and louder at night!" came Ezekiel's retort, a smile on his muzzle as he removes the hat.

"you'd sleep fine with a gallon of ale" Æiser gave a toothy grin, before looking at Adam "can you make him talk then?"

"He will talk old friend, but you wont understand him, not yet anyway. I have Tongues wart somewhere in the neatly stacked pile of stone you call a castle, that will make him speak in our language."

"Good. So what did you do back there anyway to summon him?" Æiser asked inquisitively.

"I couldn't simply close the gate. If I tried that, then the forces involved would probably have collapsed the building on us. It needed to be closed gently, but to do that, I needed time. I thought connecting it to a different world other than where it was going would give me time to do that before anything came through. Evidently, it sought this particular creature out for one reason or another. Though he should not be In our world, it was better than the alternative, and no I cant simply just send him back since I do not know what world he came from, and it will take months, maybe years to find the right one. I intend on consulting the runes this evening when we make camp. What you do with him for now, is up to you. But I suggest you do not be too hasty in your decision"

"when have I been hasty in my decisions?" Æiser said defensively, scratching the end of his nose and looking up guiltily. Ezekiel looked at him accusative "how about two weeks ago when you had the bridge hacked away from underneath the claws of those dæmon cursed!"

"worked didn't it?"

"It took us three days to find another crossing, and we lost a pack mule which contained half of the breaching charges I made for you by your request if I remember correctly. Difficult to make and the ingredients are harder to come by. Still, at least I was given my pay in advance this time" Ezekiel says this with a smug smile.

Adam listened to the conversation as best he could, trying to figure out and make sense as best he could. He guessed by the way there leader was looking at him that he was the topic of conversation. For a prisoner, Adam felt relaxed. He was given water when his guards remembered, and fed a portion of dry bread and smoked meat in what he guessed was midday. They travelled many miles that day, with the scenery changing little. Now and then, the gush of a stream could be heard, and a broken rope bride which spanned over a rapidly flowing river. The group stopped mid afternoon near the stony bank of a widening river. It was then, that Adam realised how large the group actually was. There must have been between twenty five to thirty of these wolf creatures, almost all mounted on horse back and all armed with some variety of close combat weapon. Only ten of them carried what Adam guessed was there equivalent to the welsh longbow, the others had light crossbows made of wood. Several small camp-fires sprang up, and Adam was lead to one of them by a particularly well muscled wolf with piercing blue eyes and dark brown fur. A stake was driven firmly into the ground by his new guard, and long chain connected Adam to it by his cuffs. It gave Adam enough slack to move comfortably, but not for any form of distance. The wolf muttered a few things to himself, before producing a cooking pot from his carry sack.

The light started fading and unfamiliar stars shone dimly through the evening sky. Adam guessed that he has been sat on were he was for about an hour, and a small encampment grew around him. Guards seemed to have been posted away from the camp, and water was being fetched and boiled by some. The wolf he was with is now busy with his pot, talking mostly to himself, and sometimes addressing Adam possibly in idle conversation, but getting frustrated when when he shows little understanding to what's being said. The wolf drank from what looked like a leather bag with a spout in the end, before pouring some of it into the thick liquid he had made. He offered it to Adam. He took a sniff, then drank a little. It tasted sweet and heavy, like fresh honey mixed with wine. To Adam, it tasted good and he smiled and nodded his appreciation to the wolf who returned the smile laughing before taking a large swig himself. Adam wasn't sure what was going on, the only reminder he had that he was a prisoner were the slightly chaffing cuff he wore. The leg cuffs having been removed when he was brought off the wagon. He stared at his cuffs now, wondering what was going to happen to him. Was he going to die? He didn't think so. Whoever this group were, they seemed too efficient with there camp to let him live without reason. The nihilist in him thought maybe a slave perhaps, or someone's pet. He didn't like that thought. The part of him that remained optimistic thought that maybe they were going to send him home. After all, he hasn't seen another human yet and doubted very much that humans belonged in this world.

He was brought from his thoughts, which began to wander about home when the wolf place a warm wooden bowl in front of him, a spoon sticking out of the dark red contents. It smelt good, heavy and fruity. Adam graciously took the bowl, thanking and smiling at the wolf who seemed to understand the gesture. The wolf seemed to close his eyes in prayer briefly before starting to eat his food. Adam took a bite. It tasted as it smelt, heavy and thick with berry's and other fruits with chunks of what tasted like pork. It tasted odd to him, and it took a few more mouthfuls of the pasty and chunky food stuff before he got a taste for it. Seeing that he had finished his bowl, his guard/host happily refilled Adams bowl, smiling through sharp ivory teeth before refilling his own bowl. Adam carried on eating, even though he was now full in fear of offending the generous, yet very dangerous looking wolf.

Ezekiel and Æiser watched from a distance, seeing how there prisoner acted. Æiser let out a long sigh "Looks like Herod made a friend... too soft in the tooth as usual. Should have been a farmer, but he's too good a battering ram to be anywhere else"

"Maybe, but it shown us how our guest behaves. He seems well mannered and appreciative. Though confused, I have a feeling that his people whoever they are, are most likely unaware of gate travel" Ezekiel noted with a puff of his long ash pipe, offering Æiser a smoke. He kindly declines.

"So what do the runes say Ezekiel, what do we do about him?"

"They were very clear on what to do now, and that is to keep him alive and well. They say he is an unexpected ally, if reluctant" The ageing wolf said.

"And in the future? I know how your predictions usually work, you get a short term answer, then something more long term so spit it out" Æiser said in a gruff manor, tearing at a hunk dried meat, a flagon of ale brandished in his other paw. Ezekiel had a look of false surprise, before knowingly stating "I'm surprised you remember, usually by the time I get to tell you what the runes say, you start talking of so called fine women and glorious battle"

"I don't still do that... do I?" came Æiser surprised response "dear gods, I must have been pissed out of my rotten skull to be talking of glorious battle. And ill have you know, the women of Harech are fine women! All of them! Just some are more fine after a I've seen the bottom of a cup. So come on, don't change the subject he-who-knows-more-than-he-should"

"If I must then. They say that he will be of iron and flame. Simple as that, and a bit cryptic if you ask me but then again, sometimes they don't like to let on much. Tell me Æiser old friend, what do you intend on doing with him if I may ask." "Once you get him talking our language, I'm going to ask him a lot of questions, and then, well, if the pebbles are right. Then he will be useful, if there wrong I want him out of our world. Either sent back or buried, whichever finds him first." Æiser said grimly. Taking a large gulp of his honey laced ale before continuing "we'll be back in Harech tomorrow. I want the camp up early, sooner we get back the sooner my hang over can be cured" Ezekiel looked puzzled "But you do not have a hang over" he stated flatly, only to notice a smiling and lop eared Æiser "not yet I don't Ezekiel, not yet" and with that, he ended that conversation by emptying his flagon.

Adam ate well that night, his stomach was full, and he appreciated the company Herod gave him. They both started communicating with gestures and basic sounds, making each other laugh with there charades as they both got drunk from a berry laced ale. He couldn't help but think about home at that moment though, and a sadness overtook him. "I'm not going to be going home am I?" He said to Herod, who looked confused and showing signs of concern to Adam. Giving him a heavy pat on the shoulder and offering the final drop of ale. Adam gratefully took it, his cheeks warm and red from intoxication, before collapsing on the ground. Herod laughed loudly to himself, and threw a spare sheepskin blanket of the drunk human before slumping to the ground in a drunken sleep himself.