FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Axel woke up the next day, feeling groggy and tired. The stress of the events yesterday didn't help at all in giving comfort to his mind. He yawned and proceeded to start his morning routine, taking a bath and grooming his silvery fur of any blemishes, and eating one of the daily rations he saved up before being laid off duty.

After dressing in a casual outfit, he headed towards the door, the morning breeze making him close his eyes and breathe deeply. It'd take a lot for him to try to make a new living for himself starting today. But he was not someone who would waste an opportunity like this. Whether or not it was forced upon him, it was a relief to not have to wear anymore stifling armor and to be able to choose how he spent his days again. Alone. After opening his eyes, he was greeted by the same courier, holding onto the wall above his door.

"Geez!" said Axel, stumbling back from the sudden appearance of the gecko above him. He heard snickering from the said courier, who caught him by surprise.

"Hehehe, did I scare you?" said the courier, the courier's expression was hard to read given that he was a lizard, but judging by the tone of his voice, he was definitely a cocky one.

"Tch, is this how you greet your clients? You know what? Nevermind, here." said Axel, dismissing the earlier surprise from him and gave him the letter. The courier eyed it calmly. He seemed impressed by the royal seal and recognized it as a very serious letter.

"This letter is supposed to go to a white mouse. Make sure that he is alone and not in sight of his parents, and tell him after reading this to burn it, I don't want to get him into more trouble than he already is" said Axel, hoping that if this gecko is as good as he could surprise people, he could be as discrete and stealthy as well.

"Done" said the courier, running off and even climbing over a series of houses, no doubt to take some sort of shortcut and scour the area.

Axel gave a small smile. He was relieved that the courier had not given a snarky comment about possibly knowing the mouse or why Axel was sending a letter to such a mouse. It'd just make this day a heck of a lot easier for him. Still, he had come to a realization. Bleakburn was... well, bleak at times. Where was the best place to get hired? Surely someone of his qualifications is more than enough for any sort of labor right? Sex appeal? Check. Physical prowess? Check. Swift? Check. Willing to work? Check. Flexible? Check. Check, check all the way to a solid income.

Nutty was out of the picture, there's no need to divide the profits of an inn that he had almost ran out of business yesterday, so being an innkeeper's assistant was out. So he explored the entirety of the town, most of the townsfolk declined his offer, either already having enough workers for their business or had enough of incompetent recruits.

Axel sighed, finding work was harder than he thought it would be, he was starting to reconsider his options when he saw a certain yellow furred rabbit, pacing in circles and had an expression resembling that something troubled him. He was right outside what appeared to be a stablehouse called 'Furry Trails'. Not wanting to waste this golden opportunity, he approached the rabbit, who noticed him as well. He seemed to be in good physical shape, wearing oddly enough, pink boots to match an outfit that he had seen many stableboys traditionally wear. Axel thought he seemed pretty approachable with his demeanor and the rabbit in turn, noticed Axel's approach. He seemed a bit startled at first buy quickly cleared his throat and spoke in a rehearsed tone,

"Oh, can I help you sir? We have good horses for sale. All well fed and bred, nothing but fine wheat and treatment given to them. You can even name them after your purchase." While it was a tempting offer to get his own horse rather than the ones they lent to the guards, he definitely does not have enough money for a horse, they were expensive after all.

"No actually, but thank you for the offer. I was wondering if you have any work for me Mr...?" asked Axel, his hopes rising up with each syllable that left him.

"Cuddles is the name. No, I do-" Muttered Cuddles, but seemed to hesitate, thinking maybe Axel was the perfect one for this certain job he had in mind.

"You know what? Yeah, yeah I do. But first, are you the sort of person who waggles their tongue?" Asked Cuddles, Axel didn't want to take chances, so he was definitely not going to say yes. While it was true in certain private scenarios, this was definitely not something he needed to bring to a work-related conversation.

"No I don't, my lips are sealed like a wine barrel." Pointed out Axel, trying his best to sound convincing.

"Great, I want you to spy on a certain chipmunk. Female, pink fur, wears a bow on her neck, and a noble's daughter at that. She is the purtiest pink princess in the kingdom and also has a heart of gold." Said Cuddles.

Axel would've done a spit take had he been drinking any sort of beverage. Noble's daughter? How did he never hear about this guy before then? The knights often had to deal with meeting many nobles at banquets for King Flippy and gossip about the nobles and their families ran rampant. It was honestly more of a messy tussle for social dominance and favor for the royal court whenever the nobles got into a heated discussion. Also the idea of spying on someone seemed a bit creepy. Especially coming from a stableboy he just met.

"Hold up... how the heck do you know her and why hire someone to spy on her? That could get you executed if some oversensitive member of her family caught you or me." Axel questioned.

"Well, we've sort of been... Seeing each other lately. She tried to make it public but somehow nobody believes her and makes sure word of it never travels far. But lately, during our meetings she goes somewhere outside of town. I want you to find out why and keep her safe" Said Cuddles. now this seems more like it.A princess (well, close to princess) to save, a potential danger, and a mystery to solve, this day just got better in a few moments. Axel thought with a grin.

"When do you want it done then? I don't mind getting into a bit of danger." Axel cracked his knuckles.

"She just left a few minutes ago, but if you go now, you can easily catch up with her. She usually trudges off back home in the north, but lately she's been going northwest. And if you do the job right, I'll give you your own horse! Free of charge" said Cuddles, pointing northwest, this deal was getting better and better.

"You have a deal! I'll find out what's going on as soon as possible!" exclaimed Axel, marching forward with gusto.

"Treasureoak should be where she's at. It's not like, the most dangerous town but it is one of the richest and that attracts bad guys and burglars. Be careful." Cuddles warned while the wolf headed off to his house to pack all the essentials.

He took everything he needed, healing poultices, his dagger, his traveling boots, and a lantern in case the search turns out to take longer than needed. Heading northwest, he traveled the plains of Bleakburn, wandering along the trails built centuries ago to connect all the different towns. And like the old saying that had persisted since the kingdom's foundation, 'all roads lead to Happy Tree', and as long as he followed the road northwest, he should get to Treasureoak in no time. Treasureoak was known for being the place of commerce, trade, and more fancy establishments of the kingdom. Well at least compared to that of the royal treatment anyway. It made sense why Cuddles assumed Giggles would be there.

After a few hours of walking, he had made it to the town, with it's noticeably more well-kept buildings and colorful tiled streets and landscape, bustling with merchants and fine goods nobody in Bleakburn would ever dream to possess, dresses, jewelry, weapons, armor, and even food were several times better than the ones in Bleakburn. Axel wouldn't have minded living here if he had the money but he liked being around his friends and he didn't like the idea of having to resettle himself into someplace with much more 'high' standards. Damn bastards would probably look down upon me here, Axel grimaced.

He didn't let all the luxury of his town distract him, he had a job to do and so he started asking the merchants if they've seen a pink chipmunk with a status of noble around. Some politely answered his questions, seemingly seeing the same person he described, yet didn't pay attention to where she exactly went to. Some had told him to 'buy something or leave', which contrasted how much friendlier the shops barely scraping by in Bleakburn compared to the ones in Treasureoak.

Eventually though, around some of the more gift-oriented stops. He got a glimpse of a fair pink color and a very feminine shape that seemed almost overdressed for the market. She was adorned in a rich red dress with a poofy skirt that clearly was the kind to have a crinoline underneath based on the poofed out shape. The dress had embroidered roses and hearts upon it in a somewhat girlish hue and she had a fine silk ribbon upon her head. Her long lashes and bright smile had several civilians eyeing her as they walked past her and she seemed to be glancing at different fragrant bottles produced by a perfumer. If this wasn't Giggles, then Axel wasn't sure if Cuddles was simply daydreaming about someone who looked like this chipmunk.

He finally came upon his target, her back was turned to him, all the more to exclude him of any suspicion. He pretended to browse the nearby fruit stall, while eavesdropping on her.

"Oh good choice there dear. The aromatic ingredients used in this bottle are quite rare to obtain, yet very worth it." Said the old lady manning the stall, the girl smiled back innocently.

"That looks like the perfect gift!" Cheerfully remarked the noble's daughter, holding the perfume and smelling the scent of the concentrated liquid. Her voice, somewhat airy and ethereal and youthful, only matched her beauty perfectly.

"Oh a gift eh? Pray tell, whom do you wish to give it to?" Asked the old lady, Giggles was blushing now from the personal question, but nonetheless answered it.

"It's a gift for my friend. A very very special friend of mine, a yellow rabbit. I-I'm sorry but its just that its too personal to answer much further. Sorry if I don't want to reveal any explicit information" said Giggles, Axel's ears perked up from hearing the term 'yellow rabbit'. So it must have been Cuddles.

Axel now pouted a bit. Jealous that Cuddles clearly had such a loyal lover if she was not only buying him something this personal and sweet, but that he won the affections of someone this rich without fear of being persecuted. He could only dream of the day he found this kind of relationship with a guy. Either way, he kept this envy to himself as he kept listening calmly to the exchange. The old lady seemed trustworthy enough but if anything got rock, he was more than ready to pounce and step in.

"That's alright dear, no need to be nosy. Now that'll be, 2,000 gold" said the kind lady, Giggles brought out her coin purse, easily paying for the expensive item with no worries and moved on to other shops.

Axel looked on at Giggles, so she was just buying him a gift eh? Probably an anniversary gift. Shrugging, Axel headed to the entrance of the town, his job was done and it was high time he got paid for the lengthy walk. Until he came upon a commotion, some people who seemed to be mercenaries scoffed at a blacksmith, an orange beaver, hurling insults at him.

"Tch, useless as ever! What kind of blacksmith lets himself run out of ore!" said one mercenary, "And one with hands no less!" jeered another, earning a united chorus of laughs at the beaver.

Axel took a closer look, sensitive to anyone who was insulting people for being in situations that were out of their hands. The beaver had a somewhat lanky and weak physique but his legs were very well-built and even toned. He wore a dirty, ragged top, linen pants with a stained apron on them, thick boots, and a yellow blacksmithing helmet that was currently up so that his very exasperated expression could be present. He did indeed have no arms, only two bandaged nubs that would presumably have been where his elbow once were in place of them. Axel thought he didn't look half-bad all things considered. Then again, he thought it must've been a miracle in the first place he was able to become a blacksmith without arms. He must have a crazy strong jaw, Axel thought. Axel dubiously watched the beaver's defense,

"Look, if you could clear out the cave east of here and bring me the ore, I could pay you! I'll even smith you weapons from the same ore! Free of charge!" The beaver's attempt at sincere compromises only bought more laughter.

"Pay us!? Ha! That's rich! Leave it to an amputee to 'pay us' with no hands. And how could you even smith with no arms? Seems like a waste of time! Let's go, there are much better smiths here, much better than a useless one." Taunted the leader of the mercenary band, leaving the beaver to frown in annoyance.

Seeing as he was just about ready to turn the job in, another couldn't hurt thought Axel. Not to mention he felt some pride in how feisty the beaver was. Reminded him of his younger self. How could he deny this beaver some assistance? Walking to the crestfallen blacksmith. The beaver looked at him, scowling at the approaching wolf, thinking he'd take him down a notch.

"Ugh, here to come mock me like the rest of those dumb mercenaries?" Baited the beaver, Axel raised his hands to show him he didn't mean any harm.

"Hey hey I wouldn't beat a person who's on their back. You obviously have some problems, maybe I could help with that... and ask your name?" asked Axel, with only slight flirtation. He found from past experience that leaving someone flustered helped them open up easier to casual conversation.

The beaver looked only a bit confused at Axel's tone. Either he hadn't been flirted with in the past, didn't genuinely expect someone to offer him help after what just happened, or wasn't used to his suspicions being proven wrong. The beaver softened his expression but his body language remained guarded as he replied,

"Handy. Don't laugh... my parents, now resting in peace, named me that. I don't think they ever imagined their baby beaver being born without arms." Handy grimaced. Axel had to pick his choice of words carefully or he might just blow his chances of getting more out of his day.

"That's all right, I don't discriminate. I should tell you about my baggage sometime if this goes well. So, I heard you mention those mercenaries about a job that they apparently declined. You know, I'm for hire myself" said Axel, Handy looked at him from head to toe, he seemed to have the essential supplies, but seemingly no armor and armed with only a dagger as a weapon. Either he didn't favor using armor, and preferred to use a dagger, or he was new to the mercenary business, either way, it was hard to determine if this wolf he just met was a competent adventurer or those muscles were just for show.

"Well, why not? It's not like there's anybody lining up for the job. But the question is, are you capable of clearing out a goblin infested mine and hauling back all the ore you can get? It's not horrendously far but obviously I'm not one for motion and it's dangerous for the average peasant. I really could use your help." Asked Handy, Axel had Cuddles' horse in mind at the mention of traveling to the cave.

"Yes I do, though it will take some time to get as much ore, is this fine with you?" asked Axel, Handy nodded to him, Axel was glad that he had landed 2 jobs in 1 day.

"Thanks Handy, let's shake on it" said Axel, holding out his hand, Handy just glared at him, Axel was confused... Until he remembered Handy had no hands.

"O-oh right... Hehe, this is awkward" Said Axel, rubbing the back of his head.

"No shit. Still if you must, we could just do an awkward pat to seal the deal." Handy said, somewhat jokingly.

"Hehe, awkward pat it is then." Axel grinned, taking the joke seriously and patting him on the back. Handy was a bit surprised that he didn't interpret it as a joke but returned the patting back with his right nub.

"I'll get that ore to you one way or another, wolf's promise." said Axel, turning his back and waving goodbye with a grin. Handy looked at him and waved with his nubs, for once he met another soul who didn't exhibit any supremacist behaviour over having arms.

Traveling back to Bleakburn, his steps felt lighter than ever, first off the list, convince Cuddles to help him with the goblin cave business, then clear out the cave of any goblins, then bring ore to Handy, get paid by both, then head home. Not to mention both of them seemed like great new friends to help him out while he made his living situation be set in stone.

He spotted Cuddles, still where he had been when he left. He was looking down in worry, still consumed with paranoia about Giggles no doubt, "Hey Cuddles" said Axel, Cuddles kept looking down.

"Hi Axel... Wait, Axel!?" his sudden change in mood made him leap off of the fence he had been sitting on.

"So what did she say!? Was she cheating on me!? Did she replace me!?" Cuddles, with alarmingly frantic expressions, practically hopped over until he was right in front of Axel.

Axel resisted the urge to facepalm. He never understood why couples did this nonsense. If they were really together they'd have no reason to be betraying one another. It's not like either of them had been to the brothel before at some point in their lives and were prone to foolish love decisions. Axel folded his arms and flatly cut Cuddles fears down,

"She was alone and shopping in Treasureoak, nothing alarming to concern yourself with. Though I have additional information if you want to hear it" said Axel, Cuddles was a bit relieved but still pulling his fur on what that little information was.

"Oh god oh god oh god tell me tell me tell me. I really hate suspense...!" said Cuddles panickingly, hopping like a rabbit and circling Axel, almost able to rival Nutty's hyperactive behaviour.

Axel grabbed his shirt with one hand, "Nuh uh, not until I get something in return," said Axel, Cuddles started fishing in his coin purse which Axel steadied his hands with.

"No, not coin Cuddles." Axel shut that offer down. Cuddles started blushing, his imagination clearly at work,

"N-no, I-I don't want to. I'd be cheating on Giggles...." Axel groaned, all these assumptions over nothing was getting to him.

"No Cuddles, nothing like... that. I mean for god's sake, you two are an item already! Just help me with some labor." Said Axel, easing the rabbit of his worries.

"What kind of labor?" asked Cuddles, wondering what sort of labor Axel, with his physique would need help with

"The mining and lifting kind. By the way, do you have any pickaxes by chance?" said Axel, Cuddles wondered if they have had any, and his thoughts wandered to the stablemaster.

"Let me ask my dad..." said Cuddles, running to a much older rabbit, Axel waited patiently, hearing his dad ask what the pickaxes were for and other questions pertaining to why he wanted to go to the mine.

Finally, Cuddles came back, carrying two pickaxes for both of them. "Okay, my dad agreed to watch over the stables and let me come with you. Adventure is out there and a good learning opportunity and all that. Which cave was it?" Asked the rabbit, jumpy to get the job done as soon as possible.

"The Broken Hill mines, just east of Treasureoak. Be warned, the practitioner who assigned this mission to me said it was infested with goblins. Brutes the lot of em. You might want to stay out of it." Axel warned, knowing that with Cuddles overemotional reactions that such a sight and encounter would probably get the better of him.

The two had eventually made it to said cave, the mine was nestled between two hills, while a mine was situated between them, constant chittering and subtle scuffling were heard from the entrance. Cuddles shivered, he had heard how goblins not only killed travelers, but feasted on them to the bone, not to mention the stories he heard from his relatives that you were lucky to be killed by a goblin, what's worse was that if you get captured by one, they drag you to their nesting grounds and having their way with you, be it man or woman. It was definitely a breed of monsters that scared travelers the most, especially when nearing the forest.

Cuddles saw glowing yellow eyes flash in the dark for a few moments, making him jump back in fright. He looked at Axel and bowed as if to welcome him to a luxurious inn,

"T-they're all yours, wouldn't want to hog all the fun of killing them..." said Cuddles with a nervous laugh.

"I doubt a bunny like you could swing the pickaxe quick enough before they trampled all over you. That's why I'm here." Axel winked at Cuddles after scolding him.Cuddles fumed a bit, yeah he didn't want to risk dying but he had a girl to come back to.

"Yeah well, I bet I can take them all on. Barehanded!" shouted Cuddles, and then composed himself, "Is what I'd do, but I guess you could handle them half as decent as me" said Cuddles, one thing was to protect your pride, another was asking for a death sentence.

Axel sighed,

"Yeah yeah, I'll be back before you know it. Just don't piss your pants before I get back" He then turned the lantern hanging from his belt on and readied his dagger defensively, ready for any ambush coming his way. He was thankful for being a wolf, his eyes adjusted and could see better in the dark than most, but that still doesn't mean it wasn't hard to see. The cave itself seemed to be of a solid rock formation with a few stalagmites and stalactites scattered throughout. Useless rocks and what he could tell was pyrite lay scattered against certain wall formations but the deeper he went, he could tell this cave held a lot of value based on the increasing rarity and noticeable value of certain gemstones. Rubies, sapphires, opals, topazes, and glimpses of what Handy wanted most, ores used in weapon-crafting and blacksmithing.

As soon as he entered, he heard giggling and scampering in all directions. He felt many eyes scanning his whole body, yellow eyes began to appear in the dark, and sounds of a blunt weapon hitting surfaces.

"Well well well, looks like a little pup has lost his way..." Said a goblin.

"Nyeh heh heh, or should we say big pup." Said another goblin, Axel turned in all directions, ready to slice up any who dared charge at him from his blind spots.

"And this pup seems to not look so bad. Not like the wee little girls we had 'fun' with" said another goblin, appearing from a corner. Axel readied himself, more goblins were coming from every direction, their sickly green skin had shined a bit in the cave, evident of how sweaty and oily their it is, as evidence of the rumours of them never taking a bath. Their physiques shifted from obese to scrawny and small to surprisingly fit, all wearing loinclothes of crude fabrics, but none of it was going to distract him. They picked the wrong wolf to size up.

"Looks like you're going to stay here a bit longer little pup. And with your body we will definitely have fun breaking you. Attack!" said a rather tall and pudgy goblin, this one seemed to be the leader, as they seem to respect size and strength more than intelligence.

Battlecries sounded from all directions, but Axel knew what was most necessary. He ran up the wall on all fours, getting into the prime position as the goblins approached from the ground level. He then leapt into the fray, spinning around with his dagger armed, creating a whirlpool of blood and cut off limbs as the goblins were instantly forced to back away from their attempt at dogpiling their target. Once Axel landed on his feet smoothly, he dashed towards the closest goblin and knocked him out with a brutal punch to the head. The other goblins suddenly stopped in hesitation and concern over their comrades being so easily beaten and noticeably hurt

The goblins, having not experienced such a swift and creative foe on axel's level backed away, frightened by the sheer display of power. Axel observed this, theorizing that the town guards must have dismissed this problem for so long that these goblins probably lived here for years and were neglected for a long time. Well, until now that is.

"Stupid stupid stupid, stop dying and stop him. Or I'll be whacking your heads harder than last time!" Roared the goblin captain.

But the rest of the goblins were hesitant to act upon this threat. The wolf had demonstrated himself as a whirlwind of death, and coming closer would mean their end. But was losing their loves worse betraying the integrity of their species, of ultimately dying anyway should things go awry? Should people stop seeking their caves? The goblins charged one final time, if this wolf left the cave alive, he'll definitely try to find them in the future. No matter if they managed to hide, his mere aura showed intent to kill them all.

Axel smirked, though they were predictable, it was easier to fight than when he was adorned in his heavy armor, moving freely had given him mobility he missed in a long time while fighting. Noticing that the goblins coming were lined up in a row, Axel charged fast, using his lycanic agility to kick the goblin first in line, sending them all falling on their backs like a stack of dominos. Making them completely at his mercy, Axel began finishing them one by one with a single, effortless stab in their heads, at speeds that Pop would've been dazzled by.

The goblin captain was furious, who does this wolf think he is, barging into their cave and killing them? He'll show this pup his place, and make him suffer like all the rest did.

"Face me pup!" the goblins stopped mid-combat, their eyes turning to their leader and not so much of a cough was heard. The goblin captain went berserk, angrily leaping at Axel with his club. Axel rolled out of the way, feeling something sticky and stinky stain his shoulder. Disgusted and wanting to get this over with, Axel immediately closed the distance between both of them, while spinning around and slicing the air with his dagger with finesse, the goblin captain stood still, a shocked look on his face.

A thin red line started to appear on his neck, until his head started sliding off of his shoulder, until his head fell off, the goblins didn't know what to do now that they're captain was gone, so far, there was only one option for all of them for their survival. Run.

The poor little things scampered away, anywhere, just away from the wolf that wanted to extinguish their kind from the cave. They hissed as sunlight blinded them, shielding their eyes and running in a random direction, scattering them. Cuddles was frightened from the sheer amount of goblins coming out, hoping that none of them would attack him. Thankfully, survival was on their minds, so they ignored Cuddles altogether. One even bellowed out to him to,

"RUNNN!!!"

While the goblins poured out of the mines, Axel came out of the entrance, ignoring the occasional goblin bumping against his leg, wiping the goblin excrement that stained his shoulder's fur.

"So you ready to mine some ore?" Smirked Axel, grabbing one of his pickaxes. Cuddles stared at him in such a terrified and helpless way that Axel suddenly felt bad and frowned. Not that he wanted to come to Cuddles looking like some bloodthirsty maniac but it was obvious these goblins would've done far worse along the way had he not come here.

"Cuddles, I'm ok. These bastards have been raping and killing innocents for perhaps decades at this rate. I was doing the future a favor and wasn't just killing them for kicks." Axel tried soothing Cuddles.

Cuddles thought about it, so the rumors were true, he never saw it for himself, but based on what Axel was telling him, he wasn't lying, and there was no reason to lie about something as serious as murdering these creatures.

"Y-yeah, just let me get my bearings." Quietly said Cuddles, recovering from the traumatic image of Axel killing something with bloodlust.

Axel and Cuddles entered the mine, and as evidenced, the stink of dead bodies and the piles of skeletons no doubt eaten by the goblins, were proof of what the goblins did to travelers and kidnapped people. Cuddles realized that Axel was right, he was doing this realm a service, if he hadn't scared the goblins away, more people would have fallen victim to them.

Regardless of the revelation, Cuddles helped Axel mine as much ore that they can, the mine carts made the job easier for both of them, meaning that they could use these to tie them up to their horses and transport them to Treasureoak. Cuddles was left with his arms shaky and wobbly from the amount of time that had passed mining and carrying all the iron ores to a mine cart. By the end of the day, they had filled 3 minecarts full of the ores and were ready to go to Treasureoak. Handy would be a very happy camper to have this much ore. Axel felt very satisfied with all he had done so far and it boosted his confidence in being expelled from active duty for the moment.

"Looks like that's as much as we can carry." Boasted Axel, wiping the sweat running down his body, it had taken a fair amount of time to mine with what they've got now. Not to mention that barely any fresh air entered the cave, making the humidity inside thick.

"Yeah, I think I'll stick to breeding and selling horses next time. I'm not a dwarf or anything." said Cuddles, ruffling his tunic to get the heat out of him.

The two men started pushing the carts, planning to tie them up to the horses, Handy would be happy to get this much ore within the day. Looks like this day went according to plan after all. But... In the middle of their pushing, they could hear the faint sounds of sobbing and crying.

"Did you hear that?" asked Axel, Cuddles nodded.

"Could someone have been captured by the goblins?" Inquired Cuddles, it was a possibility and some goblins may have stayed behind which Axel was not going to tolerate. Knowing their vindictive and amorous ways, it'd just lead into a bigger problem down the line. Taking out his knife, Axel started tiptoeing to the source of the noise.

"Is anybody there? You can come out, it's okay, the goblins are gone now." Urged Axel, turning a corner to see a makeshift nestling for the goblins. Ideally, the nice tone and lack of reference to the goblins would lead the prepretator into developing a false sense of security and leave them vulnerable. Judging by the constant crying, they realized it was a baby. At the very least it probably indicated that this was something that would permit a more aggressive way of dealing with him. After all, it was hard to mentally scar a baby with the act of committing murder on a goblin.

"Cuddles, I found a baby. The goblins were probably saving this one for a sna-" Axel cut himself off mid-sentence, this wasn't a normal baby. It had green skin, yellow eyes, and it's voice was higher in pitch compared to the ones he had slain. It just lay in the cart, in the midst of undeniably uncomfortable ore, wailing its eyes out. Axel suddenly felt a small amount of unease but he still leered at it with the same menace he would give any goblin.

"Nevermind, it's just goblins" said Axel, Cuddles was behind him, wondering what he had in mind to stop, when Axel unsheathed his dagger out of its sheath and Cuddles, realizing that things were about to turn grim, jumped to shield them from Axel. It was a foolish action given that Axel could've easily swung the dagger and accidentally pierced Cuddles in the process, but he considered it the right thing to do.

Axel was surprised by this sudden action,

"Cuddles, get out of the way" Axel tried to reason with him.

"No! You'll kill them!" said Cuddles, getting teary eyed from the thought of watching a living thing die in front of him. He felt if any child had to die suddenly, murdered without their parents being able to do anything about it (Perhaps already dead in that cave to boot), it'd break his heart and demoralize him for a long time. Axel pinched the bridge of his nose at Cuddles'.

"Cuddles, think about what you're doing. One day they'll grow up to be just like those goblins you saw run away out of the cave. Do you want that Cuddles? The only good goblin is a dead goblin." Challenged Axel, giving Cuddles an incentive to actually think instead of foolishly defending a creature that might stab him in the back given the chance.

"No! They're... They're still babies! They haven't even done anything yet! W-we could raise them! Yes! We could turn them good! So you can't kill them!" said Cuddles, uncontrollably sobbing almost pathetically in front of him.

"AND WHY CAN'T I?!" Axel roared, his hand holding the knife's hilt so hard that Cuddles almost swore that Axel might just stab him in sheer anger. He had an intense hatred for anything that gave any injustices in the world. Whether it be people or creatures like these goblins, he wasn't going to spare them. The knights had a history of sparing some criminals even if they did ruthless things, leaving them to either rot in jail or wait if Flippy decided they were bad enough to be executed. Axel thought it was a weak-willed and passive way of dealing with the problem. It bred more and more suffering as criminals grew only more and more haughty and bold with their crimes. Sure some were executed but if Axel had his way...

"Then you'll have to go through me!" said Cuddles, looking back at him from behind. Axel gripped his dagger, and sheathed it. Out of all the people he had met, Cuddles truly was the most innocent person he had ever met. Nutty was innocent in a way but Axel respected that Nutty himself ran a dubious business and felt no shame about it and seemed content with how people perceived him. Of course it could just be ignorant bliss on the squirrel's part but Axel felt Nutty was smarter than most people gave him credit for. Cuddles though was a truly idealistic person and it frustrated Axel. Idealism could only get you so far in the kingdom and in life. Regardless, Axel felt he did owe Cuddles this favor for keeping a secret about Giggles activities from him and it was true that slaying this baby would probably spell the end of Pop's hope in him if he ever found out..

"Fine, but I doubt your family or the guards would approve of this" said Axel, Cuddles remained kneeling down, ready to protect the infant creatures.

"I-i... I can't take them with me, they would be killed. Axel please help me." Cuddles was at a dilemma, he had instinctively protected the babies but realised he would never be able to hide them in his home forever, or keep them a secret from society. Axel never dreamed of taking in goblins, or raising them for that matter. He scoffed at the idea, disgusted them even. He had an idea and hoped that whatever the outcome, it would not bite him back.

Axel and Cuddles had finally made it to Treasureoak by sundown, bringing the hefty amount of ores to Handy who was about to close his smithing business, glad to have gotten what he asked for.

"Geez, I said you could bring back as much as you can bring but this is like a goldmine!" said Handy, staring at the materials he needed. This could supply him for a month at the very least. He was also touched inwardly at the kind-heartedness and that Axel really wasn't trying to let him down, though he didn't want to show it. Not because he didn't like Axel or anything, but mostly because he didn't know who the heck Axel was with.

"Yeah, about that. We got something else to give you, though I doubt it's something you'll be thankful about ..." said Axel nervously, rubbing the back of his head. Handy wondered what could they possibly give him that would have him not be thankful for? And that's when Axel and Cuddles pulled out some satchel's opening it a bit to reveal some sleeping goblins inside, including the baby goblin. The other goblins had been found on the journey home and Cuddles was able to convince them of finding them a new, safe place to stay. Axel had to begrudgingly agree to this but admitted it was kind of nice to see Cuddles being a good caretaker. Handy's eyes widened, pulling both of them inside his house, peeking out of the door to see if anybody was suspicious of them and then closing it.

"Are you insane!? Why did you bring a bunch of goblins here in town!? I asked for minerals not an entourage of monsters who'll eat me alive! Do you know what this means if the guards or the townsfolk see me with goblins!?" Hollered Handy, whispering to the two of them.

"Don't look at me! Look at bunny ears over here!" Interjected Axel, Cuddles looked down in shame, knowing that he'd be burdening another person of being persecuted by society by sneaking in potentially dangerous creatures in town.

"I'm sorry but... There was no other way. I-I don't know what to do..." Was all Cuddles said, Axel rolled his eyes, he never liked sappy moments like this, much less about monsters. Axel was not going to get any favors from letting the goblins get killed so he decided that the best course of action was to let these goblins live.

Axel put a hand on Handy's shoulder,

"Look Handy. They'll be our dirty little secret. And you could use the extra hands. I don't think they'd mess with you either" said Axel, maybe he could turn this unfavorable situation into a favorable one.

"Dirty is one thing, but illegal criminals as workers is another." Handy pouted but looked over to the goblins with some empathy.

"I mean... one of them's a baby and the others are vulnerable... They have nowhere to go. They could become admirable and loyal helpers if they have a firm but fair role model like you. Like their father..." Cuddles said, speaking up bravely.

"I'm not really a father figure though..." Said Handy, blushing a bit. He didn't know he had what it takes to be a father, or raise them properly in secret. But... maybe this was his only chance at getting something close to this. He'd been lonely all his life, and this may be the only opportunity to be one. Perhaps it'd do better for him in the long run to have a different sort of responsibility other than his job. Even better, he'd be getting actual help with his job as well! He just felt a bit flustered it took a wolf stepping in at what seemed like the most inopportune time for something like this to happen. Or that this bunny was selling this deal so hard to him and succeeding.

"Fine, I'll take them in. But so help me if I get in more trouble or infamy with these mindless folks because of having goblin employees then I'm exposing you and Axel." Threatened Handy, he'd drag both of them down with him if he has to if it means being ostracized from the rest of the community, or worse, stripped of his rights to live in Treasureoak.

"It's going to take a lot to expose us without hands." Said Axel, winking at the amputated beaver, without hands, Handy could only put his stubs at the sides of his head in embarrassment at an attempt to hide his face.

"That's not what I meant!" said Handy, Cuddles chuckled at the lighthearted moment that occured in front of him.

Axel smiled, pleased that he could successfully push the beaver's buttons in such an easy way. And also satisfying. Though he was surprised Cuddles didn't have an embarrassed reaction about the upfront statement he made. Maybe he really isn't THAT innocent after all, Axel considered.

Axel cleared his throat and said,

"Anyway, I think it's about time I get paid." He held his arm out in a purposefully pompous way.

"I should pay you less for bringing me and my business in danger. But, you did as you were told, and those were the only conditions of the deal. But, next time, I won't tolerate any catches in our future dealings got it?" Proofread Handy, eyeing Axel, intimidating him to consider his future decisions.

"Well... I could make it up to you with something more... Pleasurable" said Axel, grabbing Handy by the waist and pulling him close, their faces inches from the other. Handy pushed him off, he swore the fur on his face would turn from orange to red from all the embarassing from all the daring acts this wolf was acting out on.

"S-stop! You're embarrassing me!" said Handy, looking away from him.

Axel's ego inflated along with his sex drive, it's been a while since he had flirted with another person, after the burden of those goblins had been lifted from him, he went back to his merry old self again.

"So... You said you would make me weapons and armor for free right?" Asked Axel. Handy nodded, remembering their earlier agreement on the weapons and possibly armor he would get. Like he had said with Pop earlier, he definitely wanted some light armor, he already has his dagger for close quarters combat which is more than enough for him at the moment. Which means...

"You don't mind a crossbow and a light armor set do you?" asked Axel, Handy responded with a 'nope'.

"Great! When can I pick them up?" asked Axel, his tail wagging with glee while it repeatedly slapped and tickled Cuddles' face, annoying the heck out of him.

"You should be able to get it tomorrow in the morning. Seeing as I don't have any customers since this morning. Complete with metal bolts." Added Handy, who watched Cuddles continue to get his face whacked by Axel's tail and resisted the urge to chuckle.

"Great! I'll see you tomorrow morning sharp!" Said Axel, leaving the blacksmith's shop, Cuddles spit out some hair left in his mouth, following Axel outside, while Handy brainstormed ways of taking care of the goblins.

"You know Axel, that tail of yours seems to have a mind of its own." Cuddles complained with a cute pout.

"Whoops... I hardly ever notice when it does that. Sorry. Most of the time I hate having such a long appendage that the enemy can just grab onto." Axel confessed.

"Well that's ok. I mean, my tail is mostly just for decoration. It's a hassle trying to work my clothes around it though..."

"At least yours isn't easy to grab onto and makes you vulnerable and weak in the knees when doing so." Axel rolled his eyes playfully.

The two Tree Friends laughed. Axel happily got on his saddle, ready to ride back home after a long day's work, and finally return the clothes he had borrowed yesterday. Which was stopped by Cuddles, holding the horse by it's reigns.

"Are you forgetting something?" said Cuddles, expecting a satisfying answer from Axel. Axel remembered their deal, getting off his horse and whispering Giggles' surprise for him. For all of Cuddles tendencies to overreact, he surprisingly had a very mellow one. His eyes brightened and a smile graced his yellow features and his foot started to tap somewhat quickly but he calmed himself quickly.

"So it's a surprise huh?" Asked Cuddles, Axel nodded, "Well, I guess it's not a surprise anymore, considering I know to expect it. At least I have something to look forward to. Oh Giggles..." Cuddles concluded jumping on his horse's saddle and actually giving some giggles of his own.

Axel sighed sadly at how happy Cuddles was to have someone in his life giving him this surprise whereas he was still on square one. But he quickly hid it with a smile before Cuddles noticed. The two friends trotted off, the night sky and fireflies illuminating the beautiful plains of the kingdom of Happy Tree, returning to their respective homes, ready to rest for the evening.

After getting paid, Axel was about ready to sleep after performing numerous activities, and go to sleep. Before he did, he noticed the silly-looking clothes that were now lying on a chair. The ones he had borrowed yesterday from Nutty. Admittedly Nutty had a tendency to forget even the smallest things if they weren't sugar-covered or business-related but Axel never liked leaving Nutty hanging or feeling as though he was taking advantage of him. Axel swallowed the urge to go to sleep now to take the clothes and make one last trip out in the night. He was going to return these clothes.

The dim light of the inn illuminated the interiors, making it easy to find amongst the dark exteriors of Bleakburn. Axel knocked on the door, hearing the steps of the hyperactive squirrel hurrying to answer it. Drowsy and groggy, Nutty answered it wearing only some simple pants and linen slippers, rubbing his lazy eye and seeing the charming wolf before him, handing out the clothes he had lent to him before. Axel in return saw Nutty's big belly, and he wondered if Nutty had closed the inn just now. He had lost track of time while heading back home so perhaps it really was midnight. Ignoring the not all that bad view of said belly, Axel started to speak,

"I know that what I forced upon you was really sudden yesterday and kind of disgraceful of me to do so I figured you should at least get your clothes back. They are... really comfy."

Nutty said nothing but his eyes started to tear up. He then began sniffling a bit, and gave him a sudden hug. Axel didn't expect him to cry, why was he? Nutty usually was a bundle of infinite optimism and energy. It seemed rare for him to ever be seen with a frown or a sad expression. I mean sure Axel's own status quo had certainly been changed and perhaps the reputation hit he took would mean more to Nutty than for him personally, but Axel never wanted someone worrying about him and making themselves upset because of a mistake he made. Axel returned Nutty's hug, comforting whatever pain the chubby little squirrel was tormenting him.

"I-I thought you, I thought you left somewhere. I thought you would never come back and went someplace else... it occurred to me when everyone was gossiping about yesterday... that maybe you'd feel too ashamed to come back here." Said Nutty, looking up at him with a tragically pathetic expression that by all means Axel would rather him not wear..

"Shhh... I'm here. Nutty, I would never leave this town, not while I could prove Pop wrong about me. Besides, people who frequent around Bleakburn can be shady bastards. Hell, not one of them stood up to that guy I had to slay for them. If they ever willed themselves to maybe practice self-defense or make some kind of diversion, then... well... they'd be more than what they currently are. You are not like them Nutty and you don't have to put up with their bilge. I would never leave you for selfish reasons, you put up with me for the longest time than anybody else, I'd die before I'll leave you in the hands of a city who can't defend itself." Axel said reassuringly.

Nutty gazed at Axel with that rare expression of complete awe and perhaps inspiration that wasn't directed to a pastry. Through his tears, his pure and unadulterated appreciation shone through and he suddenly felt a bit more secure about anything. Being saved by Axel once meant a lot to Nutty, especially when Axel and him stayed in touch. Losing that connection meant losing something that protected him in his life and did something for his life and he was scared of losing things in his life. So hearing Axel's promise of staying within Bleakburn, a place that he had heard many complaints from the wolf before, to prove the rumors wrong and be a friend like always was a blessing. Axel smiled. It wasn't too hard to cheer up Nutty but he understood that Nutty's concern was of a more serious level than usual concerns like about the next sugar shipment or struggling to maintain the bedrooms. So he watched as Nutty responded with small nervous giggles of excitement and relief,

"T-thanks Axel, s-sorry if I seem like a burden to you. You could become a royal protector of King Flippy, a mercenary, an adventurer, or whatever dream job you want and abandon this place. But, you sacrificed so much, not just for other people, but for me..." Nutty pointed out, giving a small smile and looking down on the slab stones of the town.

"Ah think nothing of it. Besides, out of all the people here, you're the one I probably like the most. Hell, i think you're the only one that likes me one bit in this hellhole." Said Axel, grinning at him in a friendly manner.

Axel was feeling a bit more confident in his likability that he was starting to get new friends in Handy and Cuddles but he knew that there was still a wall between them in terms of actually getting to trust and rely on them. Nutty had always been the most reliable and caring confidant Axel knew.

"Y-you mean it!?" asked Nutty, he had never heard a compliment this genuine and great his whole life.

"Of course! Would you doubt me?" asked Axel, the two sharing a moment of silence, Nutty felt an urge to be honest with the wolf, his heart beating faster with each second.

"O-of course not. I would never doubt you" said Nutty, picking up the clothes that Axel had dropped when he gave him the preemptive hug.

"That's great! I'll leave you to it then. I'll be going now. I got a lot of noble stuff done today and noble defenders like myself should get some rest." Axel gave a farewell arm gesture to compliment his jest of a statement, not wanting to take up more time than he could have.

"W-wait!" exclaimed Nutty, stopping Axel in his tracks. Axel looked back at him, "Y-you could sleep here for the night. I know you have a home but... Winter's coming, and I'm so cold, and alone. We could even share warm sugary chocolate drinks together..." Nutty offered, grabbing his arm and looking at him, was... Was this an invitation to bed him?

Axel started getting hard, he had always found Nutty attractive, if he could, he'd take him now and form a love that could rival that which Cuddles had with Giggles... Until he remembered what would happen if rumors of him bedding another person and if that reached Pop's ears, he would be permanently be stricken off duty if he shows any lack of discipline. Not that it seemed like Pop had checked the inn today based on Nutty not name-dropping him but the Royal Guard captain excelled at unannounced check-ups and appearances. Also with how gossipy the town seemed to be at the moment, it was risky to stay the night doing such an act. Cursing Pop's name, he calmly declined, calming himself and Axel Jr. down,

"I'm sorry Nutty. Not tonight, one night, just not tonight." Said Axel, letting go of Nutty's hand and returning to his house.

"... Oh, I can't wait for the hot cocoa!" Nutty cheerfully gushed to himself, perhaps not fully realizing what Axel was assuming from his offer. Regardless, he considered this a personal success in terms of a late-night hang out. Now it was time to join the wolf in the realm of dreams and sugarplums.

As soon as Axel returned home and got into the bed, he found himself falling asleep quickly. Yet he tossed and turned in his sleep, his dream taking on another meaning that he had never expected.

A young wolf pup sat on the roadside, dirty, tired, clothes torn and tattered, but most of all, a frown had graced his features. He was having just another usual day, struggling and being abused by those who had the authority to make his life a living hell. The sky was overcast and seemed almost too good for the situation he was in. Rain came from the grey skies, life-giving and nourishing the land. He couldn't recall a time he himself was ever nourished, having never known his parents. They didn't last very long because of their poverty, he recalled someone telling him at a vague memory of the last parent's funeral. The wolf was destined to join them soon, he concluded. He heard footsteps, but didn't bother to look. He was used to it, people would look at him and ignore him. He would see if travelers would be kind enough to give him anything that meant he would survive longer. But what was the point? Nothing would change, the strong take from the weak, the weak would not be able to do anything, and that will never change.

A young Pop and his son Cub were taking a short walk, taking the time to explore and gaze at the sight of the town before it inevitably rained. They were looking forward to the pretty blossoming the spring rain of the countryside would bring to this town and other rural areas. The son's eyes caught sight of the wolf, who remained unmoving, pessimistic about the world around him. Cub was not quite the spitting image of his father despite being around six years old. His eyes were smaller, he was not as defined in stature, he had a small mop of wavy orange hair, and he looked very naive but cheerful. Pop had been raising Cub right all his life, the Royal Guard captain being a father as well meant he had to achieve a perfect standard of both responsibilities. Based on Cub's sympathetic expression and it seemed to have succeeded.

"Dad, what is that guy doing?" asked his son, Pop didn't want to answer that question, he's seen many people like Axel, starving and barely surviving in the roads. King Flippy wasn't a god who could suddenly summon affordable housing in a kingdom by hand. Pop and the knights didn't have the time to build and while the towns were still expanding, he knew that they would inevitably reach the boundaries of what was considered safe for residents to live in. So Pop felt resigned to ignoring and passing by another unfortunate stranger.

"Nothing son, don't pay attention to him," With a strict voice, he was urging his son to follow his orders. He didn't want his son to think too much about a stranger he just met.

"But why? He looks like he needs help." Said Cub innocently, passing by this tragic figure and looking behind him.

"Because many people are like him. We can't help all of them" said Pop, continuing to pull his son away from the wolf.

"I know. Law of the kingdom." The wolf scoffed angrily. He felt offended by the way this father was setting an example of how useless the kingdom could be when it came to being there for people towards his son. Rather than encouraging some chance of reform or change or hope, this father wanted his son to just accept some futile endeavour.

Pop paused. He turned around and looked at the wolf with some shock at being spoken to like that. A Royal Guard captain was rarely allowed to take barbs directly towards the kingdom lightly.

"I don't need your pity as I rot away like a corpse. It's just how it is according to you. According to the king. According to life's rules..." Axel could feel a raindrop landed on his head.

Cub let go of Pop's hand, and approached the wolf.

"I don't pity you. You don't deserve this, nobody deserves to sit here alone and hurt. Do you want our help?" Asked Cub, eyeing the pouting wolf.

"Like I said, I don't need your help. Whether I die or not, it won't affect you in any way. I would die, and the world will still continue the way it is, nothing will change" said Axel, pushing the two away from him with his words and telling his own nihilistic view to the father and son.

Pop bit his lip. He had to admit internally that... that there was truth to this wolf's words. Life was a struggle and was hard, with so many finite resources and hoping that you were either able to make a living, part of the upper class, or could find people willing to support you. Yet this clearly weak-looking wolf held the strength, conviction, and even willpower that he had sought from many of his squires. The fact this wolf was not even hassling or using vulgar or rough gestures against his own son even showed a rare form of respect that a few other homeless people he encountered lacked. Pop realized that this lack of respect was probably well-deserved and supported by the wolf's argument.

"... Tell me if you can afford a moment of your time. You speak as though you are set on something that leads to a dead end. Is there something else you'd rather be doing? Some goal or dream?" Pop asked, feeling compelled to meet the wolf's challenge.

The wolf gave it some thought, he had not nearly dreamed of wanting to become anything. But there was one thing that had come to his mind, and it was revenge. He didn't know these people that did him wrong, but he knew that one day he would find them. Braggarts, robbers, rapists, vigilantes, warlords, barons, criminals, all manner of scum that degraded and destroyed and tainted. If he could make any vow, he'd vow to deliver his own brand of justice onto their pathetic souls.

"I want to become a knight." said Axel, though he had stated this, he doubted that he could become anything more than what he was today. Who'd take in a pup barely scraping by, let alone fend for himself as a squire? Obviously nobody who didn't want to waste their time on him.

"A knight?! My dad is the captain of the-" Cub's eyes lit up in excitement but Pop put a hand over Cub's mouth preemptively.

Pop had a mixture of embarrassment, surprise, and concern upon his expression. This felt like some unusual if prophesied twist of fate for him to meet someone without the means of becoming a knight with the conviction of the knight who truly wanted to be a knight. He was in the perfect position to accept someone like this individual as his squire. But... would it really be wise to give this ONE homeless individual a chance out of so many others who would rob, kill, and take for the security the position provided? Pop wasn't sure what to say, only making a serious of useless groans and 'uhhs'. After a few seconds of trivial humiliation in his eyes (His son eagerly trying to pry from his grip), he decided to judge the wolf. Make certain this wasn't some elaborate game the wolf had decided to play.

The wolf had put a hand on his chin and looked away, thinking deeply. Pop studied the wolf's eyes, the wolf's body language, the wolf's physique, everything about him. The wolf's eyes were calm and didn't show any hope but were focused, clear and precise. The wolf's body language held the same subtle show of strength but proper restraint as any knight on guard. The wolf's physique was not terrible for a homeless person, showing that he clearly got exercise in his daily life whenever he could afford, and could be built up to something powerful. Disregarding combat potential and knowledge of knighthood or the knight's code, and Pop knew this one wolf had what it took. But the most significant argument in favor of the wolf was how he had logically argued back with words against values that Pop had pushed down to not think about. He may have been a captain of a noble cause, but the speech from this Tree Friend showed that Pop was just as unwilling as the rest of them to make true change and acknowledgement of the kingdom's lower class suffering. He could see that he was trying to unconsciously block his son's view of what it was really like for the unfortunate people of the kingdom who don't have the means to make it in the world. That was the epitome of falsehoods and crushed expectations and he'd die before he let Cub find himself in a situation that was absolute misery.

Impatiently, the wolf got up and was about to leave,

"Figures, there was no point in asking me pointless questions. Stop wasting my time and get away from me. You talk of knights and how you serve justice in the world and yet you never even speak the truth to your son, the world is suffering and no matter how many honeyed words you describe it, people will always suffer. At least... if I could be a knight, I'd know I was giving strength to those who were under the heel of those gloating above them. Be THEIR source of justice. I can't spin straw into gold but I figured throughout my whole existence, I was good at standing up for others. This is goodbye."

He was taking one final gamble. He was secretly desperate but he'd refuse to let anyone have the gratification of seeing that. The wolf was seizing this last chance with every fiber of his being, resisting the urge to fall to his knees and beg. He was content with failure though. He had failed all his life so far, what was one more. But then he heard the sound of Cub speaking, indicating that Pop had let him go.

"That's amazing! It'd be great to have more heroes like Pop! Heroes who do anything they can for the people I see everyday on the street and from my window." Cub laughed.

The wolf looked back, heroes? Everyday? Such a thought was laughable to him, heroes were just myths and legends he heard that did heroic things with nothing in return. But then he saw Pop pulling out his sword from his hilt. A magnificent, expensive-looking silver blade that he held out on both palms to him.

"All you've said young wolf...That's all I've strived to teach my son. And that's why I am a knight. I know now you are truly interested in this path. You could bring a revolutionary, refreshing outlook to the knights of my order... just as you've already done for me. I rarely have ever allowed a squire to join in a different fashion from tryouts but those tryouts... they were held in a place you could never go to. That's... incredibly wrong for us to do. So consider this a personal tryout. Bring this blade to the guards tomorrow morning. They'll take you to your new training grounds and home. But you'll need to give me your name in return." Pop, holding back tears, held the blade in front of the wolf's suddenly wide open eyes.

The wolf hesitated, this must be some sort of trick right? He glanced at Pop's sword, and then his own son. No, no it was not. He wouldn't dare lie to his own son. And what would happen if he refused? Go back to sulking in the muddy roads and finally murdered by some passing bandit? He decided that this was his chance, what did he have to lose? Axel graciously took the blade into his own hands, feeling a new kind of charge flow through his mind and veins as he did so.

"Axel, my name is Axel," replied the wolf, "remember it well."

"Yay! Axel is a knight now!" Cub ran over and clung to Axel's waist with gung-ho joy and celebration.

"... I'm on my way to being a knight little fella... unless your dad here disappoints me." Axel hid his deepest feelings of relief and gratitude with his trademark sarcastic humor.

Pop merely cleared his throat while Cub continued,

"Superdad won't disappoint! I'm Cub. I'm not old enough to be a knight yet but someday Imma follow in you and Pop's footsteps."

"You'd be a legendary knight... you and Axel." Pop, deciding to ignore Axel's statement out of unfamiliarity, pet Cub on the head.

"Mrph... best... in the land..." Pop, groggily spoke as he finally woke up from what was a flashback within a dream.

He had fallen asleep in his chair reading a bedtime story to Cub again. Cub had always loved fairy tales of noble heroism and action-packed quests. Pop had been allowed a day off for expertly handling the situation with Axel the day before yesterday but... that to him only made what he just dreamed about more bittersweet. Spending a free day of joy and happiness at the expense of what he had done to Axel. Pop certainly was justified however. He recalled how Axel started out, eager and ambitious to learn if very rebellious. That 'revolutionary outlook' came in more ways than one apparently. Once Axel had been promoted to a full-time knight, he was delighted and proud to finally have a place in life and had been one of the most skilled in the order. Yet the reports started coming in as the teenager grew up, as he grew into his own feelings, 'experimented' as the trendier nobles described it, and ultimately felt restrained by the Knight's code. Killing the transgressors, some shameless flirts here and there that had never gone beyond what Pop had seen, arguments with a few folks that had critiques of how Axel had helped or saved them, and one time a fearful citizen reported that they couldn't trust Axel as a member of the guard. Pop had been naturally willing to let that slide, knowing of Axel's full dedication and commitment to his sense of justice. But then it led to Axel sleeping in a sleazy inn with a slightly younger mouse that he had saved...

"... Why Axel?" Pop grumbled more out of annoyance and frustration than grief.

He was sure he had taught Axel better than THAT. Then again he felt like lately several knights had grown complacent and bumbling in their routines. Maybe Axel had fallen in the same pitfall... but why? Pop looked down at his little boy, the dream come true he had treasured deeply after losing his wife to a tragic assassination. He recalled how he caught the assassin with full force and had actually been THRILLED to see them go to the guillotine. It was a shameful feeling of revenge but Axel's words that day made him remember that and how valuable it was in making him realize how he couldn't afford to lose Cub or give his son a twisted outlook of the world. Now he didn't look back on that moment in shame and considered it something he shared in coming with Axel.

"... I suppose I just have to give him time." Pop spoke somewhat numbly, putting off the thought of guilt towards Axel for now in favor of knowing Axel could make things right with his nature.

Without delay, he gently moved Cub to his bed, the boy being a notorious oversleeper, and made his way to the castle for a personal report with King Flippy.

Meanwhile, Axel had also woke up from the same dream. Neither he nor Pop realized this rare phenomenon and Axel's thoughts were no less torn and shaken than the fathers. He never thought he'd reminisce or even dream about the past he had before. His thoughts drifted to the same man that saved him from a life of begging strangers for food and shelter they could give him. It was ironic really, in the past he thought Pop would eventually disappoint him, when in fact, he had disappointed Pop.

He considered that maybe, maybe he should just swallow his pride and admit to Pop that he was wrong. And he immediately wrote it off his mental checklist, he'd never stoop low enough to beg another person for forgiveness, and he would be seen as being desperate when there could be many jobs he could be taking. Pop himself had acknowledged once upon a time how he respected Axel's refusal to give in and plead. He won't be stopping and he won't stop now, and he'll definitely prove Pop wrong, one way or another. Heh, and maybe bed him someday, Axel thought, drooling a bit and wiping it off of his muzzle.

"Ok... maybe I have a problem." Axel gave a wry smile as he realized that had these same feelings about Nutty last night. He decided it'd take more time from all of the bachelors in his life before committing to the one he felt the most complete with. Lusting, however, was certainly allowed as long as he was more subtle about it. Axel grinned, feeling an odd rush of joy from this revelation and got off to begin his new day. Checking in with Handy seemed like the best course of action. He had to make sure the goblins hadn't made mincemeat of the beaver after all.