FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The marketplace was always bustling during the afternoon. Large crowds of people passed through for a varying amount of reasons. Some came just for the sake of checking out the new wares. Others came through because they had places to be. It made the area quite populated, but that just meant it was easier to blend into the masses. Verin knew this better than anyone else.

As a ratfolk living in a town with the other races of this world, Verin had to keep his head down or risk being harassed. Ratfolk were generally looked down upon by the other races and seen as lesser beings. He had to wear a cloak, hood, and mask just so he wouldn't get beaten in the streets.

Verin continued on his walk through the marketplace. The commotion of the afternoon activity was slowly beginning to wear off as he reached his destination at the very edge of the marketplace. He stopped in front of a small and quaint shop that looked far too run down to be open for any business. The handle of the door wiggled as he grasped it in his gloved hand. Slowly, he opened the door so as to not break the handle and stepped inside.

The shop's inside appeared bigger than the outside. This was most likely attributed to the small second floor placed above the shop. Rows of display cases and tables showcased strange trinkets and objects that could be labeled as both treasure and trash alike. As Verin walked in and took his hood off, revealing his black fur and red eyes, he saw a figure snoring on the store's counter. It was another ratfolk, his brother in fact.

"Wake up Rasc. You're supposed to be running the store, not sleeping in it dumbass."

A quick slap to the head roused Rasc from his slumber and he jolted upward with a yelp. He groaned in pain as he rubbed his head. Verin crossed his arms and glared at his lazy brother while he waited for him to explain himself.

"Oh come on Verin, you know how boring running the shop is! Besides, nobody ever comes in here anyway! What's the harm in a little nap?"

Unamused with his brother's nonchalant attitude, Verin replied, "That's not the problem you idiot! What if there were thieves or crooks looking to take the stuff we have huh? In fact, some of our stuff could be missing right now because your lazy ass was busy snoring away instead of keeping an eye on things!"

Rasc met his brother's infuriated eyes with a gleeful expression on his face. "There's nobody in all the kingdoms who would want to steal anything from this dump, so there's no reason to guard our stuff!" His response was another smack to the face from his brother.

While Rasc was busy cowering and tending to his stinging cheek while Verin continued to yell at him, the door to the shop opened again. A large man wearing heavy armor walked into the shop. He was so tall that he needed to duck to enter. His gleaming black armor shimmered menacingly as he gazed at the ratfolk siblings. He listened attentively for a few moments before stepping forward.

The first to notice the imposing knight was Rasc who's eyes were drawn away from his brother and landed on the newcomer. A shocked expression overcame his face and caused Verin to momentarily stop his verbal assault. "What is it?" Verin asked. He soon got his answer as the armored man stopped right behind him with a heavy thudding sound.

The cloaked ratfolk's eyes widened and he stood as rigid as a pole when the final footstep echoed behind him. He slowly turned around and was met with the sight of the knight's chestplate. He was just as tall as the knight's covered pectoral muscles, which was saying something considering that he was taller and more muscular than most races in general, standing proud at 6'5".

Verin gulped and took two steps back, bumping into the counter in the process, before looking up at the knight's helmet. A few moments of silence passed as all present stood there in silence before he spoke to the knight.

"Um... h-hi. W-welcome, to our shop, The Scattered Trove. H-how can we help you?"

Silence was the knight's response. Verin glanced at his brother who gave him a nervous shrug before looking back at the knight who was now staring at him. A few more moments passed and Verin opened his mouth again before a deep, gruff voice interrupted him and made him stand straight.

"It seems you are the perfect choice."

Before Verin could ask for the knight to elaborate, the figure held out an open palm. Within the massive gauntlet covering the knight's hand was a glowing purple orb. Looking at the orb allowed Verin to see a strange purple substance within. He slowly raised his hand while stealing glances at the knight's helmet. Eventually, his hand landed on the purple orb and he quickly swiped the object away from the knight, whose only reaction was to lower his arm.

"You will be the wielder of corruption and my king's successor. His power lays dormant in your soul. Use that orb to unleash it."

After that, the knight turned around and walked out of the shop without another word. Verin watched as the imposing figure opened the door and exited the building. He let out a breath he didn't know he was holding when the door closed behind the knight. The confused ratfolk looked down at the orb in his hand and soon found himself mesmerized in the swirling purple.

Concern filled Rasc's gaze as he stared at the door to the shop, as if making sure the knight wouldn't come back in. When he assured himself that the armored man wouldn't return, he turned to gaze at the orb in his brother's hand.

"That sure was weird. I don't think I've ever seen a person like that before. Especially in a small town like Reylevin. That must've been some super strong adventurer right Verin...? Verin?"

When Rasc looked at his brother, he saw his older sibling staring at the orb. He tilted his head in confusion and looked at the orb too. When he saw it, he only say a dull purple colored orb. This only caused both his confusion and concern to grow. "Um... are you alright brother?"

Verin had to tear his gaze away from the light within the orb and shook his head to clear his thoughts. "Yes, I'm fine. I'm just going to put this upstairs. It's definitely magical, I'll bring it to Linora later." Verin quickly vaulted over the counter and walked up the stairs.

When Verin reached the second floor he examined the small area that he called home. The right side of the small upper level contained a bed that he and his brother slept on. There was a large chest beside it that contained many articles of clothing and some blankets. The left side of the room had a work desk and a display cabinet beside it.

Verin ignored the piles of clothing left on the floor and walked over to the display cabinet. He set the strange orb inside and some other objects that he found in the market on that day. A loud yawn signaled that it was time for Verin to take his rest for the day. He was most often during the night anyway, so it was a good time for him to sleep.

Verin leaned over the railing and yelled down at his brother, "I'm sleeping. Make sure you close up shop later." Rasc gave a shout of affirmation in response. Verin was too tired to worry about having decency so he tore off all his clothes and left them in a pile beside his bed. With one last yawn, the ratfolk crawled onto the bed before quickly drifting off to sleep.