FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Hi everyone! This is my very first story post here on SF! It's a one-shot-turned-multi-chap story. Please read and review! I'd gladly take in constructive criticism.

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Canines and Felines: Kingdoms Divided

Chapter 1

The waves quietly bumped against the stony shore, the sun shining bright and glorious over the bright desert sky. There was a bustling noise of busy merchants and fishermen, advertising their wears and goods to the busy customers that flowed through the port like a line of ants.

Such was a normal day in the desert port city of Port Kogar, the house of refuge for all feline kind.

On the further part of the port, a ship was about to dock for the night. It was a rather well-sized ship, a small crew, of about eleven all in all, including its captain. The crew comprised of four lynxes, two panthers, three cheetahs, and two tigers, the captain and his first mate.

"Get 'im down, and be sure e's well covered." The captain whispered to his first mate, who was a rather fat tiger, clad in nothing but shoulder padding and a loincloth that covered his crotch.

With a nod of obedience, he went below decks and into the belly of the ship, where a prisoner, chained up and bleeding, was kneeling. His head was down as his arms were suspended in the air, his legs bound to the floor and his tail hidden between his legs, showing his fear and shame.

The first mate snorted at his prisoner, unlocking the chains that bound him in his place, and placed new ones on his wrist, legs and neck.

The prisoner was obedient to his captor, not out of fear, but because his will was far too strong for him to fear the tiger. He hated what they had done to him, and even more so with what they were about to do. He was betrayed by his comrades in arms out of jealousy, and now he was brought into this sad state. In his mind he screamed not to fear; deep in his heart, he longed for vengeance against them.

He was once a proud knight- no, lord knight of his kingdom; the youngest among his comrades to achieve such a status, much more the rank of knight, since he was only the juvenile age of thirteen.

"We've arrived..." He growled, tugging on his chain. "Let's move, mutt..."

Yet now, here he is, dragged out of his prison cell by his captors to port, to be sold as no more than a slave.

He was a wolf, a canine; an animal hated by all in Port Kogar. Once, he was a proud noble beast; loyal to his family and kingdom. He was a supportive and kind brother to his sister, and was a kind and gentle-hearted soul to both his proud parents.

Now, he had become a chained animal; brutally beaten, starved and abused; his once proud pure white fur stained with gunk from the ship, fleas, and his own blood. From his armor, which was forged by him by his father and worn with great respect and pride, he was now in nothing but a mere cloak and rags; his head covered with a sack hood.

"We've 'aven't gotten all day, mutt... move it!" The tiger shouted, scratching his fat belly as he tugged the chain harder, forcing the juvenile to get on his leg paws. He then grabbed his whip and struck the wolf on the side, causing him to yelp as the sharp pain jerked his body, forcing him to move.

"C'mon! We've got teh meet yer buyer, doggie... let's go!" He yelled, whipping him again. The fat tiger dragged the child knight above decks and, with the nod of approved from his captain, they set off the ship and into the busy port city; the clanging of his chains adding to the already loud market noise.

They were silent as they walked through the crowds, who were busy buying what they did and did not need. But everyone managed to catch a glimpse of them, a slave master and his charge, walking together through the street. Some had wondered if they were kinder than the others, seeing that the slave was well covered in ragged clothes, while others wore nothing at all, exposing them to the crowds. It was the ultimate form of humiliation, especially among female slaves.

The young knight took keen notice of where his captors dragged him off to. It was a feline city, in desert country. If he had any plans of escaping, he'd already tossed them out of his mind, seeing the futility of whatever schemes he had formulated during his imprisonment.

The merciless desert sun was affecting everyone, but when you're starved and on the verge of illness, you'd feel a whole lot worse than everyone else. The young wolf was now not only hungry, but thirsty too; licking his dry muzzle as he panted from the heat, sticking his tongue out as he tried to keep himself cool, to no avail. Without warning, his body collapsed, catching the attention of the marketers, as well as the first mate. Luckily, his hood didn't come off, thus keeping his face hidden, but dangerously angering his master.

The fat tiger roared furiously at the pathetic state of his slave, and began beating him with the butt of his whip, causing his wounds to reopen, with more being added with every strike. The pain was unbearable, and he leaked out tears from his exhausted eyes, draining him further of fluids.

"Insolent, whimpering animal!" The first mate, snarled, striking him hard on the face. "Get yer ass up move them leg paws! We're already late fer the meetin'. Now move!"

The cruel tiger yanked hard on his chain, forcing the wolf upright, and dragged him onward, his legs unwillingly taking one step after another.

Several minutes of brutal walking later, they were standing at the gates of a large palace. Its guards, two large leopards, armed with lances and bronze armor plating, stood by the gate's entrance. When the tiger approached them, they locked their spears together, forming a giant 'X', blocking the tiger's path.

"State your business here, slaver..." The guard on the left demanded, snarling at the mere presence of the tiger.

"Ah'm here to talk business wit the lord o' tis land!" He grunted in reply, roughly tugging on the chain in his paw, showing the guards what his "business" meant.

The jaguar on the right circled cautiously toward the slave, taking in a waft of its scent. Suddenly he backed away a little, growling and snarling angrily at the tiger as he raised his lance at him.

"You dare bring a canine into this land, fool?!" He bellowed, his spear tip barely touching the tiger's neck.

"Trust meh!" The first mate fired in reply, "His Lordship'd be pleased wit what Ah'm gonna give 'im!"

Both guards then huddled and began to discuss this matter amongst themselves; whispering, muttering and growling for a decision. A matter of minutes later they parted, walking back to their posts, and opening the gate.

"Very well..." The guard on the right said, "You shall have your audience with the emperor."

"But be warned." The guard across him continued, "No soul shall hold your hide should the king be furious with you, and what you have brought to him."

The tiger huffed in acknowledgement as he walked inside, dragging his slave with him, who was panting tiredly as the merciless sun began to consume his will power once more.

In the great hall of the palace, a loud ensemble of music, cheering and joy filled every corner. Tonight was the harvest moon, and soon the fishermen would have their boats filled to the brim with gorgeous catches. Beforehand, the emperor of Port Kogar held a great feast in advance, to pray to their moon goddess for a good night's harvest.

There was a large group of lioness harem dancers, who were clad in thin, translucent clothes, barely hiding their chests and crotches, which received woos and cheers from the nobles around the hall. They were in the midst of partying forever, when the sudden opening of the hall doors caught everyone's attention. There entered a fat tiger, wearing nothing but shoulder pads and a dirty brown loin cloth, dragging with him was a hooded slave, who was obviously his charge.

Immediately guards rushed in from all around, surrounding the tiger and his slave, pointing their spear tips on them.

The emperor, a noble golden lion, elegantly stood from his throne, and stared at the tiger intently.

"What is the meaning of this intrusion in the middle of festivities, slaver?" He asked in a booming voice, a deep tone of authority and power in every word.

The tiger, quickly sucking up to the lord of the land, bowed in gentleman fashion, chuckling half-heartedly as he grinned with false pride.

"My lord, Emperor Rex..." He said in honoring tone, "I have come from far off shores, to present to thee, a gift..."

On signal of the emperor, the guards relinquished their weapons and gave way for the slaver.

The fat tiger walked to the middle of the hall, his charge in tow. In a flash, he took off his slave's hood, earning gasps and shrieks from the watchers as they saw the canine face of the slave before them.

"What is the meaning of this?!" The emperor growled, his golden eyes burned with fury at the sight of the young wolf in the middle of his court. "You dare bring a dog into the middle of this sacred hall!?"

The tiger was quick to reply.

"My lord, I present to you, a wolf of great status and rank! He could prove useful to you!"

There was a great uproar of yells and screams, but they were all hushed at a single wave of the emperor's paw. He stepped down of his throne and closer to the slaver.

"This canine does not look like a noble to me, slaver."

He then looked into the sky blue eyes of the slave, seeing the exhaustion and abuse his master did to him.

"Who are you, wolf?" The emperor asked. But the wolf remained silent, his mouth tired from the lack of food and drink.

Embarrassed, the slaver struck the wolf on the side of his head, knocking to the ground.

"Answer his lordship, you pathetic mongrel!" He roared, striking him again.

"Enough!" The lion boomed, causing the tiger to stop.

"Have this canine freed of his chains, and give him something to drink."

The tiger growled angrily at the lion's request, but did as he ordered. He removed all the chains around the wolf's body, the wolf still silent as he slowly massaged his wrists and neck, sore from bearing the weight of his chains.

A servant cat then walked toward them with a chalice of wine. The slaver took it, drank most of it, and gave it to the wolf, who took it kindly, taking the last drops of wine gratefully.

"Now," The emperor spoke, "Who are you?"

Once again the wolf was silent, but he walked a few steps forward before genuflecting on one knee, tears pouring from his eyes.

"Have... mercy... on me... lord..." He hoarsely spoke, barely at the sound of a whisper. "I... was betrayed... by my brothers... in arms... I was brought here... to an unknown land... a slave..."

The wolf suddenly coughed violently, spewing blood from his muzzle as he gripped his neck, the pain of his dry throat preventing him to speak.

The tiger grabbed another chalice from a servant cat, and opted to give it to the wolf, when the emperor himself took the cup from the tiger's paws, knelt down in front of the wolf, and gave it to him gently. The young wolf looked up and met the kind emperor's eyes, taking the chalice gratefully as he slowly drank and finished the wine.

Satisfied, the emperor took his paw and helped him stand. He patted his shoulder twice before walking back to his throne.

"Continue, young wolf." He gently commanded.

Coughing slightly, the wolf continued, his voice slowly returning.

"I... was once a lord knight of my kingdom. I was... the youngest to ever be knighted, and trusted with this title. But I was betrayed by my brothers, who were jealous of my title and skill. Now, I am no more than a slave... a slave in unknown land."

The emperor nodded intently and sat down, a small smile etching on his face.

"A very interesting story, young one; but you still haven't given me your name."

The wolf nodded in reply, and looked at the crowd surrounding him.

"I have been betrayed by my friends and brothers when I carried my first name, your highness. Now, I have none."

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And Cut! That's the end of it, for now

Please tell me what you think so far! :3

"Living it my way..." ~Periosha