FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Two days later,

James hummed a tune as he listened to Emerald vent her anger at her brother. He had decided to stay out of the room. The screams and cries of pain were enough to deter him from witnessing it. He didn't want to imagine what would happen to him if he ever made her this mad. After a few more moments, she exited the room, using a rag to wipe some blood off his hands. James gulped at the sight of the smile on her face.

'Good lord, I hope I never get on her bad side.'

Emerald hummed a cheerful tune as she returned, and they walked back into the front. There were guards and Sir Wildfang waiting. All of them glanced at James and noticed he kept a few feet away from her. He wasn't looking at her, and even the trained guards stepped back when she discarded the bloody rag. Her brother was nearly as big as James, yet she had made him scream like a little puppy. They all concluded it was best to never get on this female's bad side.

One month later

James smiled as he stood on a hill with Sir Wildfang and his guards. After seeing the windmill model in action, they decided to build three windmills and a town around them. He had also heard that planting had occurred a week early in the testing farms. They mixed the soil as best they could before seeding the ground with wheat, barley, beans, onions, and oats for animal feed. In a few days they'd be going to see the new plow in acting as well as inspect the farming villages.

“Can I ask how planting is going?"

Sir Wildfang smiled as he looked at him.

“Going well. A third of the fields are already plowed. They're a few weeks ahead of schedule."

James nodded, glad to hear it. He then looked back down the hill at their small tent city, watching the females as they moved between the tents. James had Emerald stay in the small city as this was just a simple escort and guard mission: protecting Sir Wildfang for a few days and then escorting him back home.

“What about you and Emerald? I heard you've stopped buying wood from the lumberjacks."

James nodded as he looked back at him. Sir Wildfang had heard it took multiple beastmen to restrain James when he was ready to go after the other humans. James had learned he was much stronger than the humans of this world.

“Yes, all the immediate repairs are done. Now, we're working on turning that house into a home. I'm working on clearing land and getting my own little farm going."

Sir Wildfang nodded, pleased to hear that James and Emerald were settling in.

“Well then, let's get back down to the camp. I'm sure Emerald would like to have you back. I would hate to end up like her brother if she's angered."

All the males around shivered, recalling the image of the bloody and battered hound who had been dragged out of that jail cell. His eyes were swollen shut, he was missing teeth, and his nose was crushed. His chest and stomach were covered in bruises. James nodded as he spoke again.

“Ya, that's something I pray she never does again."

Sir Wildfang and his guards all nodded, frightened by the fury they had witnessed unleashed upon her brother. A few who had previously spoken disparagingly about their relationship kept their mouths shut and heads down, not only due to Emerald's wrath but also because of James' growing fame and influence. James had been building a reputation as an honest man who reliably completed his quests. He supplied high-quality items and herbs and ensured the complete eradication of all monsters. He also demonstrated considerable skill in combat and quickly learned techniques from the guards. But what no one knew was that he had entrenched himself deep within the guild and Sir Wildfang's guards.

“James, feel free to go ahead and head back off to find Emerald. I'm sure she's more than ready to have you back."

James nodded and quickly made his way to the center of camp where Sir Wildfang had set them up. Beast greeted him as he walked through camp, and a few offered him food. James politely declined as he reached the center. He looked around until a pair of hands covered his eyes.

“Haha, guess who?~"

James laughed as he turned to look at his girl. She had changed into her everyday clothes but still kept her sword at her side. James smiled and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. Emerald quickly pressed her body into his as they walked to the large tent James had purchased. With the help of a few cart drivers, they transported the tent and supplies to the camp. After a few minutes, they arrived at their tent, and James opened the flaps. She walked in, and James cracked his fingers as he hurried to remove his armor. There was no need for him to be armored this deep in the camp. But like Emerald, he was keeping his weapon with him.

“James, what do you think the camp's kitchen will do for dinner?"

James hummed as he glanced over at her.

“Best guess, it's bread with soup again. You know, the resupply carts will be coming either tonight or tomorrow morning. Not unless we go out hunting or foraging.

Emerald nodded before turning to see that James still had his shield on his back. She understood why, as they were near the border along a trade route, and rumors had been spreading. After word got out about a powerful human who preferred to live among beasts, humans had been coming more frequently. More often than not, human adventure groups had been stopped from entering the territory. When she spoke with Lady Isabelle, she told her that Sir Wildfang knew it would be a nightmare if they got near James and spoke out. With the way the other humans acted and talked around James, he'd either cripple or kill them. James lacked the species loyalty and sense of superiority that all humans had. Emerald also agreed that James didn't need to be around them.

“Emerald, are you okay?"

Emerald nodded her head as she returned to the present. She smiled as she looked over at James.

“Yes, I'm fine, just a little lost in thought."

James nodded, then walked over and took her hand. Emerald couldn't help but notice how gently he held her hand as he pulled her along. She could pull her hand away if she wanted to, but she never wanted to let go of this man.

Two days later

James winced as he watched the latest hound try to grab Emerald. He had gone after two before she snapped and seized a large branch, and judging by the look of him, his jaw might be broken. James sighed as he quickly grabbed Emerald and pulled her away, the hound's mother screaming his name while two guards pushed the father back. He didn't like his odds of fighting the enraged husky-like beastmen. Rushing her back to the cart they were using, James said, "These hounds need to learn that when a female said she was taken, they need to quit."

He nodded, knowing this would be a problem later. Sir Wildfang had already asked him to control her, but both he and James understood that was much easier said than done. Once he had her inside, James pulled out another two gold coins and handed them to a guard. They knew it was for the family, just like the other two. Two gold coins was enough to live off for two months. James got the cart moving while the guard walked over to the parents.

“Where are we going?"

James sighed as they started down the road.

“To camp. But, Emerald, you know you shouldn't be attacking hounds. I understand that you don't want to be grabbed, but Sir Wildfang has already said something about it."

Emerald's ears lay flat against her head as she looked away. She knew he was right, but now she was free and didn't want anyone trying to hold her back again.

“I know, I just remembered when debt collectors would come, and some would grab me, talking about alternate payments."

James frowned, aware of that story. His grip on the reins tightened as he wished he had the chance to split their skulls open. James turned and looked at her.

“I know, but I just want to see you arrested for something avoidable."

Emerald nodded, knowing he was right. Soon, they arrived at the campsite and noticed they were a little early. The guards they were staying with hadn't arrived yet. They smiled and quickly got to work setting up their tent in the best spot they could find. Once the tent was up, the guards and Sir Wildfang's private cart came rolling down the road. As they came to a stop, James was walking away from the small river nearby with a few salmon hanging by a rope through their gills. In his other hand, he held a fishing pole that James had made from a young maple tree. He had wanted bamboo, but the lumberjacks had no idea what bamboo was. Some of the guards and Sir Wildfang looked at him as he approached. They all stared at his fishing pole. James saw a chance to make a new pastime.

“I'll let you all try it later."

They all smiled and then got to work while Sir Wildfang examined the pole.

“This is different from the simple ones coastal nobles use. Theirs are basic lines tied to the end of a branch. You've added a small pulley wheel."

James laughed as he handed the salmon off to Emerald and shot the guard cook a look. He had noticed him eyeing the fish, and James wasn't about to let him ruin it. Sir Wildfang handed the pole back before speaking.

“Can I ask you to catch a few more for me and the captain to have for dinner tonight?"

James nodded as he looked into a small bag on his side. He pulled out a large worm and quickly put it on the hook before walking back over. Sir Wildfang followed, eager to see how the pole worked. After another twenty minutes, Sir Wildfang left with three salmon. James then approached Emerald, who had just finished gutting the fish. While Emerald prepared them for the evening meal, James joined Sir Wildfang to observe the plow in action. James leaned against the tree where Sir Wildfang was sitting as they watched the plowing take place. On the other side of the field, another farmer was also plowing. The difference was like night and day. One row was straight and maintained a consistent depth, while the older wooden plow swerved from side to side, bouncing out of the ground when it hit clay or rocky patches, leading to uneven depths that were either deeper than desired or too shallow. Sir Wildfang stopped them to compare how far they had both progressed after two hours. The wooden plow had barely covered a sixth of the field, while the new plow had completed a third.

“I can't believe the difference."

James smiled as he looked at the stunned captain of the guards. This plow was a few hundred years ahead of what they could think of using. The papers he had given them also mentioned secondary tillage, but he wasn't sure what all the purposes were. He knew it could help stop weeds, but couldn't remember what else it did. His great-uncle was a small-time farmer and wished he'd paid more attention to him when he helped on the farm in his teen years. This also made him think that their open small farm plots need to be cleared and made ready for next year. He'd also have to start taking on monster guests when they returned to the city. While gathering quests gave him a small amount of exp monster gave him at least four times more.

“James?"

James blinked, then looked at Sie Wildfang.

“I'm sorry, I was lost in thought."

Sir Wildfang nodded, doing the same from time to time.

“I was asking what you think about this?"

James hummed with a smile on his face.

“It's going better than I expected, and they adapted the new tool faster than I thought. Beyond that, the fact that they used only two cows compared to the four to six that the others used when they tried out the current team. The new plow team had a much easier time with work."

They all nodded, and Sir Wildfang looked back at the farmers.

“Thank you all for the demonstration. I'm sorry we took so much of your time."

The farmers all smiled and bowed to Sir Wildfand before he and the guards started to walk away. James stayed in his spot for a few minutes, looking out over the field as the farmers got back to work. He smiled, liking the idea of having a farm of his own. He laughed before he turned and started after the group, and couldn't wait to get back home with Emerald.