FSE

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Chapter One

Hooves thunder on the packed earth road as a blinding white Jackal and a soft pink-furred Wolf ride past, their horses rushing toward the city nearby. They have expressions of fear on their muzzles and their ears lie back along their skulls.

The pink-furred wolf has her bag clutched on her lap, one arm held over it in a protective gesture. She has her lips pursed in fear. Something is happening, something is coming.

They race toward the city with as much haste as they can, when they reach the front they skid to a stop beside the guards that stand by the gate. The metal lowered halfway to the ground as the light fades with the sunset. The two guards, their faces covered by their helmets, stand at attention at the sight of the white Jackal.

"Sir!" One of the guards calls, going to a salute, one hand held in front of his heart and a shallow bow. "We've been waiting for you and your companion to arrive."

The Jackal tugs on the reigns of his horse, the beast stomping and thrashing its head. "We're here now, let us in."

"Yes sir!" With a whistle, the lead guard waves to someone on the top of the wall. The gate in front of them raises with a heavy grinding noise. The metal creaks and groans as it slowly rises into the arch.

His horse stomping, the Jackal waits impatiently for the gate to stop moving. His companion, the pink-furred wolf, watches him with her luminous gaze, her lips in a frown. Worry creases her brow as she watches, but she dares not utter a word.

As soon as the gate grinds to a halt, the Jackal taps his heels to the sides of his steed and they hurry into the city. Once inside they slow, but still rush through the crowded streets, not slowing until they reach a tall building with statue reliefs of various persons in the thrall of passion.

Not glancing at the art, the two give the reigns to a couple young stable hands that come out of the low wooden building on the side of the main structure. Keeping her bag clutched to her chest the wolf takes a deep breath and steps up the creamy white marble stairs to the large set of doors that lie open.

The heady scent of musk and incense wafts out of the building, giving shivers up her spine. The scent of this place always ruffles her fur but in a pleasant way. It feels familiar and like home. Welcoming even.

With a gentle sigh, she moves into the doorway, stepping past the altar by the door and to the side doors that lead deeper into the building. She stops by a single door that has carved figures in various stages of bliss and passion. With a smile, she knocks lightly on the wood, resting her hand on it for a moment, she strokes a finger over one of the carved males, her favorite one, a slim canine.

The Jackal stands behind her, looking down at her as she gazes lovingly at the carvings. Clenching his jaw, he turns his sight back to the door as they wait. After a few moments, the door opens and a tall fox with longer graying black hair stands on the other side, his robes open to his waist and falling down his shoulders, showing off his muscular chest.

His eyes widen and a smile spreads over his muzzle. "Delilah, Keenan, how wonderful it is you are back. Do come in." With a flourishing gesture, he motions for them to enter the room, the musk incense that is prevalent in the whole of the temple, burns in a little holder the shape of a female body on a low table that serves as a desk, paper strewn over the glossy surface. A plate of half-finished food shoved to one side.

"Master Jacobi." Delilah murmurs, bowing her head.

"What have you been up to my dear? You haven't been at the temple in quite a while." Jacobi says with a soft smile, his eyes kind as he looks upon the two in front of him.

"We were tasked by one of the masters to find a scroll for him," Delilah says softly, her hand clutching at the bag in her arms. "But I do not think it should go to him."

Frowning, Jacobi glances at the bag. "What do you mean?"

"This is dark magic, one to control others through lust and passion, not help them find themselves through such."

Keenan, who had been silent for some time, sighs and rests his hand against the sword at his hip. "We took it from what appeared to be a dark Incubi altar."

His mouth creasing further, Jacobi strokes a hand over his chin. "This is not good," He murmurs, turning back to his desk and plucking a sheaf of paper off the glossy surface. "I have had a few other disciples tell me of something similar in their travels. I need to meditate and find the source of this. But since you are the strongest of our clerics, would you try to speak with Eros as well."

Delilah smiles, "Of course Master, I will do anything to help." She takes the bag in her hands, flips it open, and pulls out the scroll. It looks innocuous, simple, and mundane. But it reeks of dark magic and for those with the Sight, waves of miasma roll off of it dripping to the floor. "This is the scroll. I did not wish to leave it where it was, the thought of it made me uneasy. As if something was about to occur."

"Thank you." Jacobi reaches out with tentative motions and takes the dark scroll, holding it in his hands he moves to the side of the room and sets it on a simple white cloth. With a few murmured words, the cloth moves on its own to cover the scroll, sealing away the dark miasma that bleeds off the parchment. "We will take care to keep this to ourselves. But, which master was it that asked for this?"

Delilah glances at Keenan, who shrugs at her. "It was Master Selcuk." She says softly, her gaze focused on the Jackal.

Jacobi watches them, his frown deepening again. "Your mentor." He murmurs, glancing at the white Jackal. "I will look into the matter, for your sake and those others under his guidance. I hope we are wrong about this."

Clenching his fists, Keenan grits his teeth and looks away. "I hope as well." He says in a grating voice.

"If that is all, I will ask you to your rooms as it is almost supper time. You might wish to wash beforehand." Jacobi says, stepping to the door, his hand resting against the knob for a moment. "Please forgive my rudeness, Delilah," He says quietly as she steps past him. "You need a session, your scent is clouded."

Wincing, she flicks her gaze to the tall, regal Jackal as he steps down the hall. "I have been a bit repressed since we left."

"Might I suggest doing something about that," Jacobi says gently, touching her on the small of her back as she steps out of the room. "You are not at full strength as of now and holding yourself back for one male will not help you with your purpose."

She sighs, looking down at her hands. "I care for him, and the thought of being with another is… uncomfortable. But he does not feel the same for me."

"Then try to let it go, you are a sensual creature as a cleric of Eros, and you need to enjoy yourself with your partner. If he does not offer you the same care, find one who will."

Her ears lying flat, Delilah frowns. "I will try."

"Good girl," Jacobi says quietly. "I believe wholeheartedly you will find exactly what you are looking for."

Giving a small nod, the pink wolf hurries off through the temple to her room. Her thoughts whirl in her mind like a tornado of emotions and plans. She has to do something about this. Not just her current unintended celibacy, but the fact that there might be a dark Incubi out there trying to hurt and control people. She plans to meditate and try to speak to Eros to see if there is anything she can do.