FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The Darkest Heart

Part 2

Michelle Teague

Sledmetodeath

Cold, almost bitterly cold. Sled shivered in his cloak. The snow was blinding him, but at least he was warm for the most part. Angelica had given him her cloak, and choose to walk around in her bare fur. The wolfess had a lovely figure for certain. Her wings draped off her back, swaying in the wind.

The wolfess led the horses through the narrow winding mountain pass. The cold snow and wind bit at her thick fur, having no real effect. Suddenly the wind stopped. Sled looked up, pulling his hood back. The warm scent of wood burning, meats cooking, and the faint smell of musk. The snow pulled back, revealing a village in a hidden alcove.

The horse smiled as she dismounted and headed to stand beside the wolfess. Looking around he smiled, "I'm back." The wolfess grinned, and then gave a howl. It was answered by several responding howls. The colt watched as several wolves came running to greet them. The front runner was a small wolf, bare naked, with a brown and white patched coat instead of all white.

The colt ran right to the wolfess. Hugging her tightly and whinnying loudly. Then he saw the colt. "F... Father!" he jumped down and ran to the prince. The colt hugged him. "My son. How are you? You have gotten so big," he said. The smaller colt laughed and gave a woof. The prince ran a hand through his son's mane. Thick like his own, but soft as his mother's.

The colt got a very good look at his down now. Equine ears, hooves for feet, hooved fingers, but with the addition of little claws on the tips. And as with his mother a long, thick tail. Fluffy and warm as could be. His own tiny wings fluttered, too small to carry him yet. The other wolves welcomed the prince gladly. Wrapping a warm cloak about him and guiding him into a large hut. Inside it was warm, inviting, and smelt of food and drink.

Coming inside, the matron of the house came forward. "Your majesty!" She hugged him tightly. "Hello Marvina. How are you?" She smiled and patted his back. "I am well. Happy to see my family returning home. How long are you going to stay?" The horse leaned back and looked her in the eye. "We need to talk." She nodded and motioned to the stairs. "Go on dear. Relax and rest. We can talk over a meal."

Sled nodded and walked toward the stairs, his son and Angelica in tow. Coming to the top floor, they found the massive sleeping room. Chests at the foot of every bed. The horse went to his own bed sitting on the edge and smiling at Angelica as she picked up the boy. "You just get comfortable Prince. I will tend to helping fix the meal. You just relax." He nodded with a smile.

Here at least, he was not a prince, but a welcome friend and guest. Tossing off his traveling gear, he opened the chest. Inside were fur robes and thick leggings. Changing clothing, he smiled and leaned back against the bed a moment. Then he grabbed up the thick cloak and headed down the stairs. "Persicus." he called The boy came rushing, "Yes father?" The colt took his son's hand. "Come. Let us go play. I have not seen you in a year. I want to better know my son." The buy smiled and hurried outside with his father.

Later that night, after most had gone to bed, the wolves sat up with the prince. Though it was nearly winter, the only clothing they wore was a cloak to block the wind. They would not wear more until it was colder. Sled sipped at the cup of mead. Taking a bite of cheese as he looked at the others. He had related his tale, Angelica nodding in agreement. Marvina put her chin on her paws. "Then it is as we feared. Long have we harbored half breeds and immortals in our lands. And Long has our brother shared an intolerance for our kin. He fears us, and rightly. But when your father dies, I expect him to go to war."

Sled nodded, "Fortunately we have something he does not." A male spoke, "What is that my lord?" Sled smiled, "We have friends. And family. We have a chance to live life peacefully between wars. We are not at the mercy of anger and revenge. No, my friends we have each other. I do not know how, but I promise you I shall defeat him."

The male nodded and then spoke. "Well, first thing is first. We need to build our defenses, and you my lord, need training. Angelica can tend to that, while we organize and build. We will send out messengers. We have friends within the walls of the Mage's Council. There are a few that remember our names and deeds within the last great war."

That night, as Sled lay to on the bed, he felt a wing brush his arm. He looked up and saw Angelica standing beside his bed. She motioned for him to follow her. Leading him to the balcony, she spoke quietly, "Sled.... I know not where we shall find an army. My kin feel that the Empire will remember our deeds, but I fear it is only in song we are remembered."

The equine nodded softly, "I understand your fear. But I have a small confession to make. My father has an ally in the East. It was why he made me the Duke of the East Hold. I have sent word to her, to find us here. She is loyal to my father, as he gave her and her kind freedom from the oppression of our grandfather. Seth, unfortunately holds those beliefs. He will attempt to stamp out all life he views as a threat to him. That includes angels and demons. He wants to set himself up as a god, and needs you all gone to do it."

Angelica nodded softly and put a paw on his hand. "I promise you, together we will fight this and win. Now, come to bed. We both need some sleep." He nodded, and walked back inside. Waiting for her to shut the door, he took a moment to grip her paw and pull her gently along. Pulling her onto the bed with him, he pulled the quilt up to their chests. She wrapped her wings around him and murred as she snuggled close.

The next morning brought with it hope. Sled was awoken by the yell of Angelica. Not an angry or fearful yell. No this was a cry of joy. Sled burst down the stairs in just his trousers to see why she was yelling. As he came down to the ground he came face to face with a massive wall of fur. Staring up, slightly open mouthed he gulped.

Angelica smiled and took his hand. "Sled, This is my father. Father, this is Prince Sled." The massive creature turned and looked down. A Dire wolf, an Angelic Dire Wolf. Sled managed a soft, "Hello sir..." The wolf smiled and knelt down. "Pleasure to meet you My lord. My name is Vanturian. Duke of the North Hold." Sled's eyes bulged out of his head. Not only had he taken a wolfess as a mate secretly, but her father was the Duke of the North Hold. Furthermore, Sled was currently standing in the Duke's own home, nearly naked.

The dire wolf laughed. "Haha fear not lad. I have no quarrel with you. No, in fact I am pleased to see you alive. I bring news. Both the good, and the bad." The horse nodded as the dire wolf sat and smiled, "Go get dressed and come to the morning meal. We shall discuss the news then." Sled hurried up the stairs and pulled on his clothing.

Coming back down, Angelica led him to the table. May were already there, including her father. As they ate, the dire wolf spoke. "As it stands, Shlika-lani will not support your brother's rule. They will cease cooperation with the Empire. Meaning your northern boarder is open now. There will be war, and my people will not care to halt the bloodshed simply for peace. Once the blood lust has begun, it will be hard to stop." Sled sighed, as be took a bite of bread.

"However, there is good news. The tribal leaders revere your father. He sent us word you would be here, and that you would seek to dethrone your brother. If this is true, and you seek to continue to rule as your father has, in cooperation and justice, our realm will support your war effort. We have many skilled mages, warriors, and many supplies to give. Our Aid is until death and even after life we sill continue to fight for you."

Sled felt, of all things, proud. Proud he had such good relations with these people. Proud he was accepted and wanted here. "That is good to hear. But in the end, for my rule to be accepted I must defeat him personally in combat. And I cannot do it. I have no magic. Nor do I possess the physical prowess." The dire wolf smiled, "Not yet my lord."

Sled was shivering in the cold. He had been traveling with them thus far, and all he had seen was ice and snow. Angelica and her father had come with him. They were headed for the frost forests of Shlika-lani. Fabled as the home of the Frost Tribes. White furred warriors and mages that the south whispered of in fear.

As the three came to a stop, the horse looked up. "Where are we?" he asked softly. The dire wolf motioned to something just ahead of them. "We are here." Sled squinted, and then went wide eyed. Through the pale mist of white, he could see trees. "Why did we stop then?" Angelica spoke, "Because we are being watched. We have to show them that we mean no harm. Or else they will kill us all."

Sled went ridged, but nodded softly. It was then a figure stepped into view. Wrapped head to toe in white, only the black of his nose and the soft brown of his eyes could be seen. He looked them over, brandishing a spear at Sled. Angelica grabbed the spear and spat something at him in the Arctic language. The fox looked from her to the horse and back a couple times. "Your majesty... Forgive me. We did not know you would be arriving." The horse came off his mount and nodded softly. Giving a polite bow, he smiled, "Nothing to forgive. I understand you are only protecting your home. You have done no wrong."

Accompanied by the fox, they entered the forest. Instantly it felt warmer. Sled could see fires dotting the area, as families and other gathered round each fire. Most seemed happy enough. Calmly talking or playing. They soon came to a large fire, surrounded by several big huts. "The elder council, Tribal leaders from the entire realm. Here is where our laws are made sire," the dire wolf said softly.

Coming to the roaring fire, sled shed his cloak and bowed low to the furs seated around it. The Dire wolf did the same. Angelica did not bow, but held her sword before her face in a warrior's salute. The Council looked over each before one spoke. "Rise, Prince. Rise and welcome." Sled stood and spoke softly, "My lords, I have come before you, because I was told you would aid me in reclaiming my father's throne." The council all nodded, "Indeed we did send such word. We know you are in need of support, and we of Shlika-lani have long enjoyed a prosperous friendship with your father. We are sad to be the ones to tell you..... He is gone."

Sled sat on a seat, putting a hand to his face. There was silence as they let him have a moment. Then he looked up, "I shall grieve when I have the time. For now, time is something I do not have." The council all nodded, "Which is why we shall be training you immediately. As you sit before us, we can see you have nothing in the way of magical power. Yet, we do see the promise of physical strength, and an understanding of when to use it."

Sled was uncertain what they meant. Seeing his face, Angelica spoke, "My love, they mean that you can't cast spells like I can. But you have the potential to be physically superior to most of us. You will receive training in our martial arts." That, sled understood. "So be it. I want to start immediately."

The council nodded to his request. The next three days, Sled was barely given time to sleep. He ate only when it was time for the evening meal, and was not given a chance to bathe. He was pushed to the point he thought he was going to break. Angelica was the one doing the pushing, much too both their displeasure. It was as the sun rose on the fourth day, that Sled sat up. He was certain he was late, and yet Angelica lay beside him, slumbering softly.

He looked to the side of the hut. The fire was burning low, keeping the place warm. The horse saw a large basket, full of bread and meat. He looked down at himself. Bruised, cut, and even burned; her tempering his body for the actual training had been cruel.

She opened her eyes and sat up slowly. Looking his over, he could see she wanted to cry. She had even less love for what she had done. He pulled her close, and whispered in her ear, "It is alright. I have survived thus far. I shall continue to survive." She pushed her face against his chest softly. He could feel wetness. Her tears, over the punishment he had endured. Cupping her chin, he listed her face to his, "As we both agreed. This is for the best." She nodded softly, before motioning to the food. "Please, eat plenty. Today is different. We begin the training now." He nodded, but wouldn't let her go.

She looked at him questioningly. But softly his lips met hers, and she relaxed. Training could wait a moment. It had been nearly three years since they had had a moment like this. He slowly laid her back on the furs, caressing her as he leaned over her, kissing her softly. She only moaned softly, as she let him do as he pleased. Even out of heat, she would still crave his touch, his love.

Sled moved over her, kissing her deeper. His tongue slip past her lips, dancing across her own as his hands slid down through her fur. The warm, thick arctic coat parted under his touch. He felt her body rise to his as he brought his fingers to her breasts. Cupping them softly, caressing the orbs gently, as his thumbs rubbed over the black skin of the nipples. They became pert, sensitive. His touch exciting her; the wolfess shivered lightly at each caress. Then he felt her paws, roaming his stomach. The toned, lean abs that he had. Down, down to his thick sheath.

She caressed it, making him moan into their kiss. The thick appendage waking, stirring and sliding forth. All 11 inches of his equine pride slipping into her velvety paw and coming to full firmness. She swooned, breaking the kiss and groaning softly. He could smell her scent now. She wanted it, so very badly. He moved, positioning himself between her legs and holding her gently by her thighs. She was always so soft for him. He smiled as he kissed her tummy gently, and whispered, "I have long wanted to love you again...."

She moaned, shivering lightly and whimpering in need. He would never deny a lady her wants. It was but a moment, and he was deep within her. His hips met her inner thighs softly. She gasped, unable to resist the pleasure. For nearly an hour, he loved her. Giving her what she craved, what he wanted to give her. After it was finished, he lay beside her. She trembled in his arms. As she had the first night they loved. She clung to him. No longer the proud wolfess warrior; she was but a simple woman enjoying the simplest of carnal pleasures.

The pair did eventually leave the hut. Her father sat by a nearby fire, smoking his pipe and waiting for them. Seeing them come out, he chuckled; now knowing what it was that kept them so late. As he stood, the pair came to meet him. Then the three ventured to a small clearing in the trees. "Alright, today we learn the basics," the dire wolf spoke softly. The clearing was full of equipment meant for fighting training. "The basic philosophy of our fighting is to be one with your opponent. Know him, be him, and you shall have the power to defeat him."

Sled nodded, wondering how that was meant to work. "Angelica; let us display what I mean. Face me, and give me your best. No magic, just your body." The wolfess shed her cloak, and moved to stand nearby. Sled backed away, well aware that the wolfess had a wide reach in physical combat. She launched herself at the dire wolf, turning at the last second to kick him. The wolf, for his part, was calm and caught the foot. Angelica continued her assault. A series of punches, kicks, and even wing attacks followed. Each done in a manner that gave Sled the moment to see how it worked and how it was to lead into the next attack. At each one, the dire wolf blocked and caught the blow.

Then Angelica shot herself off into the air, coming down as if to hit him in the top of his head. She missed by inches, as he shifted to the side and her foot contacted the frozen ground, cracking it and easily breaking through. The dire wolf clapped softly, "My daughter indeed. Your mother is very proud of you my child." The wolfess stood, panting lightly, taking a moment to bow to her father, "Thank you father."

Sled was a bit amazed, and frightened. He had no way to do such things. Then they turned to him. "You have seen our fighting first paw. Now you shall learn it yourself," the wolf said he shed his own clock and walked to a small wooden stand. On it sat a large wooden pot. "You have survived the tempering process. This is to ensure you can withstand the pain of the training. Trust me when I say, you have no idea what pain really is. Inside this pot is the scroll you will need to advance within your training. To get this scroll, you must break this pot with your own strength."

Sled looked at it, understanding now why Angelica had done him the way she had. So that when it hurt he would just keep going. He walked close to the pot, looking it over. "I am to break this pot? May I touch it first?" The dire wolf nodded and stepped aside. Sled picked up the pot, examining it. It was heavy, made of thick ashen wood. He opened the lid, and examined the layers of wood that made the pot.

He was certain it would take several tries. Setting the pot back, he nodded to himself and stepped away. He sat, gazing at the pot, thinking of the method he would use. Angelica sat as well, as her father leaned against a tree, and lit his pipe. Sled sat there on the cold ground, for nearly fifteen minutes. Finally he stood, and stretched. Then he closed his eyes. Opening them he ran and spun, swinging his hoof out at the pot. He hit it dead center, but only succeeded in knocking it off the stand. Gritting his teeth he set it back on the stand.

For the rest of the day, he tried various attacks. Each only resulted in the pot being knocked off the stand. At the evening meal, Angelica called him to stop. He was angry, furious even. It was a wooden pot. How could it be so strong? Every blow he struck only seemed to cancel out. Angelica led him back to their hut, having him sit so she could tend his wounds.

After binding his bloodied knuckles, she stoked the flames and set a small pot on for tea. Then she fetched bread, meat, and cheese. Sitting with him, she ate silently. The woman watched the equine as he stared at the flames. Finally he spoke, "It's not possible." She blinked, "what's not?" "Breaking the pot with just my own strength is not possible. I have to be much stronger than I am now." She only nodded to his words. "I will need to be much stronger to pass this test. Then I shall try it again."

She nodded to him and came closer. Sitting beside him, she took his hand in her paws. "Promise me, you will not do something foolish to get stronger." He smiled, nuzzling her cheek. "I promise you. I shall do only the same as your people do. I will gain my strength the honorable way, with hard work and persistence. Only then am I worthy of training."

Weeks would pass, with Sled training. Helping to move heavy loads, building huts, and even digging up small trees to increase his strength became the norm. Soon he found that many of the tasks he did became easier. Finally, he returned to the clearing. Angelica sat to watch as he once more set to attacking the pot. But again, the same result. Sled snapped, screaming in rage as he stamped his hooves in the frozen ground.

Angelica stood and gripped his arm. "SLED!" she screamed. He stopped instantly, looking down at her as he caught his breath. "You are strong enough to break it. You just need to figure out how to break it." He paused, looking at her confused. She sat back down, "I can say no more. I have given you the only clue I was ever given. Calm your mind, and become one with your opponent. Know his strengths, but also his weaknesses."

Sled was clueless as to her meaning, but he sighed softly and set the pot back on the stand. Sitting, he began to gaze at the pot. As he was staring at it, he lost focus for a moment, and his gaze went into the distance behind the pot. Grunting he went to return his focus on the pot when he realized something. He stood and walked around the pot. There was a tree, not but ten feet away. In it was a large double headed axe blade. The handle long since broken off, leaving just the blade in the wood.

The horse turned to the pot, and saw it was directly in line with the blade sticking up. The horse returned to the pot, looking over it at the blade, then down at the pot. He scoffed at himself. He should have seen it. The pot was wood. Wood was weak under the axe. He returned to his starting position, and turned to the pot. Taking a stance, he relaxed his body, focusing on the blade of the axe, rather than the pot. With a short burst of speed, he smashed his hoof into the pot and sent it sailing right into the axe blade. The pot split open and fell to the ground, revealing the scroll.

Sled smiled slightly, as Angelica stood. "Now, you know that you are strong enough to beat your brother. It is the matter of turning his strength, into his weakness, and using it against him." He looked to her, and smiled. "I would have never found that on my own. Thank you." She smiled and took his hand in her paw. Leading him to the scroll, she let him pick it up and open it.

It was images, and words he could not read. But he understood the images. They were positions, and how each flowed into the next. "These, are the 27 basic positions. Each one serves a single purpose my love. You must master this, to move to the next step of your training." Sled nodded softly, closing the scroll. "Then we shall begin tomorrow morning. After we have the night to rest, and I can properly think you." She smiled as he pulled her against him. Kissing the top of her head, he whispered, "I will master this. I will learn all that I need. And when I do, we will reclaim the throne....together."