FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The rest of the day pass quietly for Fury, most of it spent sleeping on her pallet. A few people came though, mostly with cuts and one broken bone. They paid mostly in trade, some food but more often than not small goods. She saw him take a blanket in trade, a large pot or water jug as well. None of the items had much value, except perhaps to the person parting with them. One she even saw him treat a young girl for free even.

She was beginning to see why he had so little money. He took little and gave as much as he could. It saddened her that many were out the door as quick as they could be as if his deserter's brand would somehow rub off on them. They spoke to him from necessity, and while none were rude exactly, it was clear they would go to someone else if they could.

The next morning came quickly and she felt full of energy, so much so that Glade commented on it. "You look remarkably energetic for someone who was so exhausted when you arrived that I was able to bath and stitch you up without so much as a twitch from you. The slice on your side looks very good too, healing fast. Still, I do not think this is wise. You should rest for a few more days, if nothing else in the hopes it does your head some good."

She flicked her tail in a neutral way, "That won't put food on the table." She paused remembering there wasn't a dinner table to speak of, "So to speak anyways."

He sighed and started to say more when there was a rattling of the 'bell' outside. The bell was really just some chunks of broken pottery being shaken around in a bucket with too many holes to be of any other use.

Glade went to the front and she could hear him speaking to someone. She felt like she should do more getting ready to leave but with no clothing, no grooming tools, and no plumbing there wasn't much to do other than head out. She watched Glade come in with 3 people following. A man and a woman were supporting a second man between them and his leg was bleeding freely, his foot looked crushed. Glade looked at her and sighed, "I am not going to have time to leave for a while. Go next door and ask Fireborn if he would escort you."

She thought of objecting but it was clear he was needed right now so just flicked her tail in accent and stepped out. She looked about in the early morning light, taking a moment to really take things in.

They were at the end of an alcove of sorts. Back behind Glade's makeshift clinic was a cliff face, and while not surrounded on all sides it was nestled in a depression in the cliff wall giving it some extra shelter from the elements. A good thing as the building looked like it would fly apart in a real storm. The place that Glade had gone to too speak with Fireborn was much smaller. Just looking at it if she hadn't seen Fireborn and heard there was someone in there with him she wouldn't have thought it was more than a cubby hole to store a few things in.

She knocked gently on the wall next to the opening, and the whole structure shook. Fireborn popped out a moment later, "Oh! Hi!" He seemed to pause for a moment as if marshaling his thoughts and maybe taking in her scent.

Taking advantage of that pause she said, "Glade is going to be busy this morning. He told me to ask you to escort me to the Market?"

Looking excited his tail started to wag a little, "Oh I can do that. Did you need to buy something?"

She flicked her tail in a negative response. "I am set up for some bare knuckles fighting for money."

Looking surprised Fireborn asked, "Oh! Are you hoping to fight in the ten day matches?"

Her tail flicked noncommittally. "I'm not sure yet. I do need to get going though. We didn't set an exact time but made the arrangement just a bit later yesterday morning than it is now."

"Okay, but I can't stay. I got to get to the yards to work. Let me go in and get my mother set up for the rest of the day. I'll be back as fast as I can." Without waiting for an answer he darted back inside.

She couldn't help but notice he had a fine looking rear, and her ears twitched in embarrassment as she looked. She felt uncertain and off center yet she couldn't deny that she was attracted to him and it bothered her for some reason that she was. She wished she understood why being attracted to him bothered her, he was a fine looking and smelling young man who had seemed attracted to her the day before.

He stepped out while she was still wrestling with her emotions, her head feeling tight as she tried to think things through. She took his return as a chance to get her mind off things. "Ready for work?"

He gave an affirmative tail flick, "Yep." He gestured gallantly for her to take his arm.

Doing so she let him lead and felt suddenly quite naughty. Here she was naked, with a naked man next to her. The utter strangeness of the thought made her hesitate for just a fraction of a second and Fireborn noticed. "Are you alright Fury?"

"Yes, just a strange thought popped into my head." She glanced at him from the side of her eye, taking in his scent with him so close. His scent was very male and was somehow thrilling to take in. Like an erotic pose in scent form, an odd concept that still accurately describe his scent. It sent a thrill down her spine and left her with a feeling of desire between her legs.

He didn't look at her but the way his nose was twitching she could tell he was taking in her scent. He got a sly look, "About me I am hoping?"

She tilted her ears in embarrassment, "Maybe." She glanced down as she caught a slight change in his scent, "Seems like maybe you're getting a good whiff and liking what you smell." He was fully erect and twitching to his heartbeat, a bead of clear fluid at thee tip. The sight of him being aroused by her made her just the littlest bit more aroused and emarassed.

As aroused as she felt she also felt uncertain, like this was somehow not wrong exactly but not right. Not liking the strange mixture of feelings she asked him, "What can you tell me about the fights?"

She saw the briefest look of disappointment in his face but he accepted her blatant sudden change of subject. "What do you want to know?"

She pondered that for long moments. "Are such fights legal here?"

Chuffing for a moment, Fireborn's answer was slow in coming, in part she thought becuase he was unsure if she was serious.. "Yes. High Lord Ironfist would have it no other way. While strictly speaking we are a free hold, the whole island belongs to him. At least outside of the land that has been given to the humans."

Flicking her tail in acknowledgment Fury asked, "Yesterday the guy I was fighting claimed he was going to bend me over in the ring and have me right there. Would there have been any repercussions if he had? I only ask because no one seemed that shocked by or off put by the claim. Thinking back I don't think it was an idle treat to get under my skin but something he honestly hoped to do."

The humor faded from Fireborns manner, "I have been told that things used to be different. But no, outside maybe crude jokes about that being the only way he could get a woman to let him between her legs, there would be no fall out. They say that if a woman wishes to challenge a man she must be ready to pay for her foolishness." He paused clearly searching for words, "Many think it's going too far but it has been High Lord Ironfist's decree for a long time now." Fireborn sounded decidedly unhappy about it.

Fury walked on not missing a stride as possible implications hit her. "Fireborn, Glade wanted you to escort me to the market. Why?"

Fireborn looked embarrassed and didn't answer for long moments. "This part of town is very poor. It is not safe for a woman to walk alone around here. There are males who would claim a female challenged him and that they were just taking advantage of the situation too well, you know. So long as their are no witnesses against them the mans word is taken over the woman's." Fireborn's ears were tilted to the sides in a combination of shame and embarrassment. "It only started a few years ago, but it has gotten a lot worse. The law keepers don't come into these parts."

She walked for a bit with him in silence. She couldn't understand how this high lord had let things come to this. One thing was for sure though, she wanted out of this part of town or to make it safe. Or at least as safe as one could make such a poor region.

Finally she chose a new topic to ask questions about, "What does Glade have against the fights?"

An uncertain tail flick, "I am not sure. He seems to hate fighting in all its forms. I asked him about it once and he said that it was all senseless. He wouldn't tell me what he meant by that." Fireborn sounded truly confused.

Fury on the other hand thought it over. "Perhaps given that the foot that's missing and the leg that has shrapnel scars and he is clearly trained in at least field healing, he has simply seen the cost of fighting for an unworthy cause."

Looking confused Fireborn asked a question that marked him as young and inexperienced in her mind, "What cause would be unworthy?"

She couldn't help but chuff in amusement, getting an indigent look. "How about that high lord asking you to fight to maintain the right males have to rape women in the fighting ring?"

She got an annoyed tail flick, "No one would ask people to fight for such a cause."

Fury lost her amusement, and sighed, "They wouldn't come out and put it that way. Let me however put a different idea to you. If another city state invaded. intent on removing Ironfist from power, who would you fight for? You have heard the invading city state's leader is a good man, that he would be a far better a ruler."

Fireborn looked surprised by the question and started to answer without thought but stopped. He began to look uncertain. "Honor says you should stand by your leader."

"Even if he is unworthy?" She pressed.

He looked torn. "He is our leader, to stay strong we should support him."

Fury felt like she was reciting something from rote memory. "A leader must lead by example. A leader should help those who cannot help themselves. A leader should put the people before themself."

There was a hash bitter chuffing. "I don't know where you heard that." Clearly reciting something he had been taught, "A leader should be the strongest. A leader should do his best to strengthen his people, for their strength is his. A leader should receive the best that his people can give him for his strength is what shall keep the people's enemies at bay."

Flicking her tail in a negative manner, "That maybe what you were taught but it is not how it is meant to be. For my example however, what if you heard that the leader you were to fight for was eating babies for breakfast. Would fighting for such a person still be a worthy cause?"

"That would never happen. Someone so given over to madness would never be able to hold his position," Fireborn said.

"You might be surprised," Fury told him as they entered the market. "I can find my way from here if you need to get to work. I will also find my way home fine, no need to worry about me."

Fireborn looked around then asked, "Are you sure? The market itself is pretty safe but the fights can be rough places, especially with no one to watch your back."

Looking back she told him, "I got this. Anyone who messes with me is in for a bad day."

He frowned but said, "Well if you're sure. Good luck and I would stay safe but you are going to the fights, so I'll just wish you the best."

He turned and hurried off. Turning she headed deeper into the market, today she seemed to garner more attention. Being naked she suspected that she wasn't getting as much in the way of sales pitches as she might. She chose not to spend time looking at all the things for sale as much as curiosity ate at her.

She got to the ring and saw a noticeably larger crowd this morning. Spotting Whitehall she approached him. "Wow the crowd got larger, is this more like what you're used to?"

Chuffing he flicked his tail in the negative, "Closer but still only about half what I was drawing in before Twig Splitter disrupted things. I have two fights lined up for you. Probably won't be too challenging, but try and entertain people. Remember if you get people betting there's more money in it for you."

"I remember. So who is first?" She asked, slipping into the ring.

A giant of a Ferox shoved a fellow stepping forward out of his way, telling him, "Out of the way runt. I'm first!"

Whitewall sighed, "Thud, you're already eligible for the ten day fights. There is nothing to be gained by this."

The massive Ferox who she noted looked a lot like Twig Splitter growled, "Sure there is. Have to show the little girl what happens to them when they hit people in the stones." He leered at Fury, clearly intending to do things in the ring that no sane female, or at least no female who wasn't a total slut would want done.

Whitehall began, "Thud your brother," before Fury cut him off.

"I'll fight him. Just be sure to get plenty of bets. But Thud? Fair's fair, you get in the ring with me with that attitude I will bust your stones so hard your children will feel it." She sneered, "If of course you're willing to risk the pain."

Thud chuffed as White gave her a look that said, 'are you sure?' Without actually saying anything. She flicked her tail in confirmation, as Thud opened his mouth and proved that he was as macho as she thought he was. "See Whitehall? She wants it!"

Well she did just not in the way he thought he did. She watched how he moved as he got into position and Whitehall called out, "Let me get bets in first!"

Thud predictably looked at her like he was trying to fuck her with his eyes. She observed his growing interest for a moment, before commenting, "Well at least no one will call you Twig Splitter." She spoke low enough she didn't think many if anyone besides Thud would hear her.

Chuffing he asked, "Like what you see little girl?" With out lowering his voice.

She flicked her tail in mild negative amusement, "Just being honest. Tell me Thud are you really here to avenge your brother? He pretty much asked for what he got."

Lowering his own voice Thud said, "Maybe he did. But I have to stick up for my little brother, even if he isn't smart enough to shut his mouth when he should."

"Well you keep the fight clean I promise not to hit you in the sack." She answered him.

He flicked his tail in the negative, "No, I am going to do as I said. Like I said, gotta stick by him, even if he is an idiot. I do this and I don't have to worry about him getting real stupid. You understand?"

Eyeing him Fury said, "I think so. You understand I won't go easy on you if you stick to this?"

He flicked his tail in ascent, "Your pretty confident you can handle me. You understand I'm a lot better than my brother?"

She smiled, "You should worry less about how good you are compared to him. Worry more about me." She stepped back as he looked at her for a long moment. She thought he looked thoughtful. She said for the audience, "Well everyone, it seems Thud here wants to have his stones broken."

There were chuffs through the crowd. Thud looked irritated and she didn't think it was just for the crowd. He spoke loudly to the crowd, "Seems this little bit of Fury wants to be shown a way to make money that's a lot easier than fighting!"

Fury smirked, "Just for that you're getting an extra hit in the stones. What is it with some guys thinking that's the only way for a lady to make money?"

Leering Thud answered her, "From here it looks like you would do well on your back."

"Maybe you should think with something other than your rod." She looked meaningfully to his half erect cock.

He snorted at her, the crowd chuffing at both of them at this point. "You're admiring it, don't deny it!"

She chuffed, "Well to be fair like the rest of you it's big. But you know that will just make things easier to hit down there right?"

His leer grew, "See everyone? She wants to handle my rod!" She noted that he grew a little, clearly getting aroused. Ah well she had warned him.

They stood in position and she observed him as they trash talked for the crowd. She could tell that while he was aroused he wasn't really into it. Probably her scent affecting him. Or maybe he was just getting off on the idea of having his way with her in the ring. She wondered if a human court of law would call it rape. If you knew it was permitted and got in the ring what was it then? She didn't plan to find out. She noted that he was much better than his brother. His stance was good though not perfect, his balance sound. But the way he stood she thought he favored attacking from his right side and defending from his left. She thought his right knee was stiff as well, possibly an old injury. He also lacked a certain awareness the really good fighters had.

She heard Whitehall call out, "Fighters are you ready?" Thud and Fury both flicked their tails in agreement, they were ready. "The fight begins now!"

Thud's first attack was a simple probe, a strike that would have been more slap than anything. Of course had his claws been out he would have opened her face up on such a hit, had he hit. To those watching it looked like she flinched, but in truth she just tilted her head a little at the last moment, his hand passing close enough to brush fur.

He looked surprised, and less like he was thinking about putting his rod in her and more about winning. He shifted slightly and darted forward going for a grab, she countered by stepping in and under his arm. As he turned to face her she kept behind him and gave his tail a slap.

With a snarl of frustration he whipped a leg into a sweep in a half circle. She smirked and hopped over the blow. She chuffed for the crowd, "He makes a good dance partner!"

The crowd chuffed and howled there approval. No longer playing to the crowd he threw a powerful fast punch, clearly fighting in earnest now. Taping his wrist as the blow came in with a swift smack, she drove the blow off course and stepped in again, as he tried to back peddle, inside his guard and with him having thrown the powerful punch he was dedicated to his offense and not his defense. She could see it in his eyes as he realized what was coming. To give him credit as her knee flashed up and slammed into his stones he only gave an "URF" as he stumbled away.

Letting him pull away, "Oh, look at that. Nailed his stones., two more to go Thud!"

Thud for a fraction of a second lost his game face and looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. But his honor, his brother's pride and his professionalism reasserted itself. To his credit he only sounded a little bit in pain as he said, "I, will, hit , you." The words broken up as he tried to deal with the pain.

She changed things up and came in on the attack this time. Rather than strike for his stones however she landed a punch in the center of one thigh. It felt like hitting a rock, but a rock that shifted under the blow, a flinch as much as a result of the impact. Clearly he was trying to protect his stones from another hit.

Rather than defend though he made to grab her while she was in close. If he got his hands on her, breaking his grip would take real effort, in a contest of pure strength he would win, and while she knew a lot of ways to break holds it would give him more time to concentrate on his offense. Her off hand slapped him next to his sheath and he flinched ever so slightly, "Hey what happened to your plan to bend me over in the ring? Can't do that if your rod is in hiding."

Growling in frustration at being unable to land a hit at her he threw a lower punch this time though again with power behind it. If he landed one solid hit on her she would probably lose, unable to recover fast enough from such a power filled blow to defend from follow ups.

She stepped to the inside of the blow again one hand pushing his arm out of position to hit her as she came in next to him spinning with the block. Back to him and close enough to have her back in his chest she could feel him powering forward. Had anyone gotten a good look they would have seen her smirk as she took note he knew what was coming. Her elbow slammed into his stones with an impact that could be heard even over the crowd howling its approval. This time the noise he made was a choked whine of agony.

She rolled away as he staggered one hand going to cover his stones on pure reflex. For a moment she thought his legs were going to cross as he staggered. He stood there wheezing, desperate not to whine in pain before he managed to turn around and straighten up. She could see in his eyes resignation to what would come but he was man enough to go on without yielding.

He moved stiffly towards her, and she shook her head, "I will say Thud your dedication to that brother speaks well for you."

Thud grunted, and if there was suppressed pain in the grunt everyone ignored it. The crowd wasn't chuffing as much though they still howled their approval. They had realized the fight was one sided and that Thud was bravely staying the corse rather than bowing out. Fury chose not to draw it out and further.

She darted forward and lept up at him. His reflexes slowed with pain, he didn't shift his defense focused on his stones fast enough and she kicked him in the muzzle hard on her way by. Blood and saliva flew as he staggered sideways from the blow.

Dropping down she stepped with him and delivered a powerful punch right into his sack. He gave a sharp high pitched whine of agony, slowly folding up and falling to the ground. Even now she could see his stones were starting to swell and bruise. She winced internally, sure he would recover but it was going to be a painful recovery. She heard Whitehall pronounced her the winner and she waved for the crowd to their cheers.

She kept an eye on Whitehall as things broke up and calmed down. She headed over to Whitehall, Thud still in the ring clutching his brutalized stones. "Whitehall do I have enough winnings to get some ice if there is any to be had?"

Whitehall gave her a surprised look, "Easily. I can send my oldest to go get it, she would be back quickly."

"If you would do me that kindness." Fury asked of him. He flicked his tail in agreement and called out, "Sand, could you go get us some ice please?"

A girl just old enough to be interested in guys came over, "Sure thing papa." She took the coins he offered her and she dashed off.

"Shaved ice if they have it!", Fury called after the girl.

Whitehall watched her go with a fond look in his eyes, before looking back to Fury, "That was quite an upset. I knew you were good but you handled him like he was an unskilled rookie at his first fight. He was ranked 6th in the ten day fights, and you never even let him touch you. Even the crowd realized how badly out matched he was. Happily all bets are locked in once the fight starts." Whitehall grinned at her, "As an unknown everyone was betting against you but the wildly hopeful. You made a few people very very happy. Especially the woman who bet that you would get at least one solid hit to his stones. She made quit the sum."

"And did I make a good sum?" The question made Whitehall chuff.

"Oh yes, we both did. Though sadly I no longer hand anyone willing to get in the ring with you. I do believe my brave young fighters stones tried to go into hiding at the thought of getting in the ring with you. They decided their stones had the right idea and disappeared sadly." Whitehall flicked his tail in disappointment.

"No one else stepped forward?" She asked.

Flicking his tail in the negative, he said " After that display I think short of going to the ten day fights no one is going to accept your challenge."

"How about lessons?" Fury said, hoping to get at least a little more coin from the day.

Whitehall cocked his head slightly, "Might be able to do that. Not a lot of money in it though."

"Not enough to be worthwhile? Do people not pay for instruction in these parts?" She asked in frustration.

"Oh they make good money. But outside of two wins you have no history with these people. Looking to make more money?" He eyed her for a moment, "Thud when he isn't fighting works in a bar keeping the peace. You could talk to him about getting work doing that. But first!" He paused, looked about and then hollered, "Scrap get over here with that bundle."

A boy not much younger than the girl ran over. Though in his tween years he was small, quite the runt. In his arms he carried a bundle. The boy was black and white like his father but where his father was mostly black with white tips, he was white with black tips. "Yes father!" The boy held the bundle out to his father.

Whitehall took the bundle and shook it out. She noticed the boy's nose working, as Whitehall held out a worn looking long coat with a lot of pockets. "I couldn't help but think you needed a bit of clothing. This is old and it no longer has the disks in it that made it a decent armor coat but it's still study and serviceable. I would like you to have it. As one warrior to another who is down on her luck, I think."

She took the coat, the leather dyed a dark grey but faded over most of the outside. Fury looked at Whitehall, "I would be honored to accept it."

Whitehall chuffed, "Well its not strictly altruism. I am hoping you will hear me out on an idea I had last night. Would you be willing to fight in the ten day fights? You just took out the man who was ranked number six in the last ten day fights. If you can get even close to that rank we would make back the entry fee and more."

She looked at him thoughtfully, "A lot of money eh?"

Whitehall smiled, "Prizes are based on betting for those fights as well as a set minimum." He told her.

"Ah," was her answer. "It sounds like a plan."

"Excellent. They are in two days, meet me here in the morning. We will need to get there early. Ah here is Sand back," he interrupted himself, as the girl who was kind of sand colored came running back with a sack.

Seeing Sand and Scamp next to each other really made hoe small the boy was for his age stand out. Sand was only about a head shorter than her but Scamp was barely waist high to her. He piped up just then looking up at her, "You smell nice!"

Fury started to chuff her amusement, but the boy's father smacked him firmly in the back of the head. "Be respectful!"

Fury didn't say anything but it saddened her to see the boy's tail curl between his legs as he backed up and whispered, "Yes Papa." She thought less of Whitehall for snapping at the boy.

She took the sack, Sandy saying, "It's shaved like you asked for Ma'am."

"Thank you Sandy." She accepted her change back and then gave the girl a coin from the small number at random. She needed to learn local currency and values.

Whitehall held up a small sack that jingled, "Put the coat on. Then you will have someplace to put this." He grinned at Fury.

Smiling she slipped the coat on and found it had pockets inside as well as outside. Two of the inside pockets were even button down. She settled the coat and slipped the bag of coins into one of the button down inside pockets and the change into an open pocket inside. "Thank you Whitehall."

"Now I need two get these two home to their mother, safe journey Fury." With that he herded the children off in the direction of what she guessed was home.

Sure turned and headed towards Thud and planned to have a talk with him. So far overall it was a good day.