FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

‘From there the details went fuzzy, I woke up in a nice family's house, down river in a small fishing village stayed with them for a month as a healed, but I felt it was only a Matter of time before the law caught up. For the next 3 months through winter, I traveled south, there were wanted posters on every street for me, and everyone else in the crew. I just felt tired, hungry or cold most of the time and after a few close calls I thought about turning myself in, just to get it over with. But after 4 months and 21 days since the job I stumbled out of town with nothing but the clothes on my back and guilt in my heart. Figuring if I’d survive the hike across the border without food or coin, it’d prove god watches out for fools. From there I collapse into a barn, the journey took 4 months and 25 days, I’d used every favour and sold everything I had.’ Max finally fell asleep after pondering his troubles past and present.

He woke up in the bed feeling the most energized he’d been in months, he checked his drawer the bread and eight coins were still there. He sat in bed for a bit eating the stale loaf, his plan: find some work legal or not and get some coins and find a fence or fixer who could provide him with a job. He pulled himself out of bed feeling refreshed but still hungry, he noticed the grime on the sheets, he definitely needed a deep clean. But firstly, get some money then he could deal with his appearance, he put his clothes back on and checked his knife it was duller than temple ceremonies. He opened the door and moved downstairs waving to the inn keeper, for some reason he felt strange looking at the Carmel furred wolf. The fact he let Max in was strange enough, he looked like he robbed outhouses for a living.

“Thanks for the room” Max said

“You can stay again anytime!” he replied as his tail wagged softly, the streets were filled with farmers and peasants moving through their daily routines, Max decided to visit the bar again hoping to find some stupid enough to hire him. He once again entered Hobart’s rest the tavern had less people than before (it was the morning after all). That deer was still there reading a book with a mug in his hand. A large tabby cat sat in the other corner eating a large serving of beef pies, gravy and cabbage, although he never liked beef it always seemed too chewy for him, his hunger meant he would settle for any meal. He walked over to the deer, he had a smart tunic on and a pair of small glasses, he looked up from his book as Max approached. “Hello sir” the dirt coated wolf said

“Hello... to you also” the deer replied hesitantly.

“what’s that your reading?” Max asked hoping to lower his guard, then he could introduce himself as a solution to any problems that may reveal themselves.

“The works of Hersh lostov on the meaning of magic, it’s very intriguing” The deer said as if this Hersh guy was common knowledge, ‘Maybe he is?’

“what’s he say magic means then?” Max replied

“He seems to believe magic is one of four main parts of our soul”

“the parts being?”

“The soul: thoughts and dreams, the heart: out love hate and emotions, the body: which allows us to see, feel and hear. Most philosophers believe those are the three main elements that we are made from, and we must keep them balanced. But Hersh proposes a fourth that is our magic: made of your spell casting ability and magical connection. Right?”

“Yes...?” Max replied

“No! because it’s the fourth part, but also made of the other three! because magic requires a firm soul, calm heart and strong hands to perform well.”

“interesting” Max wasn’t really sure what this did for him, but he seemed excited about it. “Listen sir you wouldn’t happen to be in any trouble?” He wasn’t listening to philosophy for the next 5 hours in this tavern.

“Of course, not... are you with the local guards?” He wasn’t concerned about any issues it seemed. “No, I’m just looking for some work, I’m a... bounty hunter”

“Oh ....I thought you were going to accuse me of something!” he laughed for a second, Max couldn’t really see the humor. “I keep hearing complaints about bandits from everyone, maybe you could ask about that?”

Max stood up “I can’t pretend to understand half of what you said but....thanks for the tip.” Before he could exit Out of the tavern, he saw the bartender emerge. A black cat in a maid's outfit, with her large cleavage showing, and curly dark brown hair she was gorgeous. Thick in all the right places according to Max’s mind.

“Hey!” she beckoned him over, “I think I remember you!”

“I’ve got a very unfortunate face in that department” ‘hopefully she hadn’t seen wanted posters in the empire, or had they figured out where I went, started placing them through Elban?’ He walked over to the bar, cautiously.

“There, now I can see that cute face up close” He knew there was going to be a but coming, he wasn’t a looker, certainly not now.

“Do you want something from me Mam?” Max replied, trying to show he was suspicious of her.

“A few things...” She replied walking out the back door of the tavern, Max was confused, but curious to see what the hell she was trying. It seemed way too obvious to be the beginnings of a scam, He decided to follow where she went, the bar itself was well stocked, so he grabbed a bottle, memento... of sorts. Pushing open the door, he exited onto a muddy alley between two buildings, the next thing hit him like lightning. More accurately, a well-endowed cat punching him in the head, Max slammed into the mud, His head... he... couldn’t think. Everything went dark

Max’s eyes opened to the cat standing over him looking concerned. “wjat yuo hit, me for” he rubbed his head, God that hurt

“Sorry I thought you’d just be knocked to the ground, instead you went unconscious immediately.” She stood up and helped max stand.

“so, this was a robbery?” Max asked

“Yes, but it was because you looked like a criminal, thought it would be easy robbing you. But you’ve got nothing!” She gave him back his coins. “But you did take a bottle from my Tavern!”

“Okay! yes, I did steal the bottle, and I’m what you would call a “criminal” but look at me...you think I’m carrying any loot? anything of value?” Max was mad, he had a headache and more mud on his face and clothes.

“Okay sorry, but you shouldn't walk around looking all shady, asking about “Jobs” lots of criminal talk. I just hoped you had something valuable on you” she countered

“How about we both move past this assault against an innocent, man and ow fuck” he felt dizzy and weak again, falling to the ground.

“Alright let’s get you to the local healer, Hobo wolf”.

“Is he going to live?” the cat asked

An elderly mouse in faded white and red robes adjusted his glasses, his patient was a mess “major head trauma, malnourishment and old wounds from a lot of blades. Your friend must have quite the story?”

“I’ll be sure to ask him about that. Is he alright?” She looked over the small waiting room, just four chairs back-to-back and a table with a few books.

“See for yourself Avery, it was quite exhausting, but I was able to fix the internal damage, it wasn’t to serious but left unchecked it would’ve been a big problem in a few months” He opened the door to a basic room, Max was leaning on a table having just gotten dressed.

“Hey there, miss Avery” he said playfully

“great to see you alive” Avery replied, rolling her eyes

“Gee thanks” he walked out the door into the waiting room. The old mouse gave a look of confusion, shrugging his shoulders.

“What do we owe you, Alexander?” She asked, knowing Max couldn’t and wouldn’t pay.

“From what I’ve seen of your friend, he doesn’t seem to a single coin to pay with” Avery attempted to interrupt “And I’m not letting you pay for this.”

“bu...”

“Don’t worry, I’m supposed to help people. Payment is usually a formality, so I guess this one’s on the house” Avery turned to leave smiling at Alexander, he wasn’t a knight or grand mage but a hero nonetheless.

“Thanks Alexander, I’ll still pay you back though!” she said stepping outside

“I assume there’s no stopping that?” the old mouse yelled outside

Avery peeked back through the doorway, “nope! not if I can help it” she then disappeared outside, closing the healer's door.

Max began walking to try and find that armory or barracks building he saw by the church.

“Hey, wait, where are you going?” Avery said pulling up her skirt jogging to catch up with him

“To do my job, so please leave, or I’ll make you wish your first punch was fatal” Max replied, mad that he’d lost precious time and made more witnesses because of this stupid cat.

“What the fuck?” Avery was at a loss for words, he didn’t care that she took him to a healer? “I may have saved your life, Can’t you at least say thanks!”

“Sorry... thank you but, you should realize you aren’t blameless here!” Max raised his voice, ready to unleash this past month's anger. But before the words died on his tongue, ‘maybe explaining could help?’ his mind thought

“Maybe you shouldn’t have looked like a shady criminal!” They were yelling at each other in the streets, Max walked into an alleyway and slumped down against the wall.

Avery followed crossing her arms as she stood Infront of him “I’ve had a difficult few months, miss... Avery, thank you for not leaving me in the alley, and I apologize for the bottle I tried to steal.” Max said telling her the vague details

She stood for a second “Thanks for the apology, I’m sorry for punching you.” Avery replied, sitting down next to him “I assume you’re a criminal?”

“yep” max replied flicking mud out of his ragged fur

“what do you do?”

“Thief, Max Ferrer” he held his hand out to shake

“I, run the bar with Lori and make extra money pick pocketing, playing the seductress. It’s very easy robbing people when they’re very horny and drunk” She took his hand, and they shook “Avery Weissman”

“You wouldn’t happen to have any criminal associates? People who could give me “employment”, so to speak” Max asked.

“Nope I just, work on my own. Only rob the people who deserve it” Avery explained

“Word of advice, no matter how good the money don’t break your code” Max said looking across the alleyway

“noted” Avery said, “So what now for you?”

“I’m going see what trouble the guards have, deal with it then I’ll be back at your tavern, to hopefully get a bed to rest in?” he got to his feet brushing off the fresh mud and adjusting his cloak

“Maybe. You’ll have to work for it” she said seductively, pushing her chest out and smiling.

“I guess I’ll, get ready for that then” max said waving and walking off, it was around afternoon now, hopefully this will go well. Walking into the belly of the beast, if they knew who he was they probably kill him on the spot.

After 10 minutes of walking, he found the Guard headquarters, the building next to the church. It was a giant wooden shed; it likely housed all the guards and their equipment. He knocked on the door, a voice asked, “what do you want?”

“I heard there was a problem, I think I can help solve” Max said, the door was unlocked and opened, an armored dog holding the door. He stepped inside, there were a few guards inside, mostly foxes, wolves, cats and dogs lounging around mostly unarmored, in fact mostly topless. Max looked straight ahead, this seemed weird. Eventually they entered a small office, one man sat at the desk a ferret woman dressed like a bureaucrat and at a chair in the corner, a fox soldier instead of the usual cream and white under clothes he wore it with dark green highlights and a medal on his chest. “He doesn’t look like much” the lady said in a posh accent

“we’ve not gotten any other volunteers” The fox said “please sit down...”

Max sat down “Brandon Mayhew” giving a fake name was second nature by now

The ferret interrupted the fox again “Well mister Mayhew, I’m not sure you fit our... requirements”

“We haven’t even given him the specifics yet?” the fox interjected

“Tell him then, sorry for not wanting vagabonds to clean up your mess.” Her posh accent grew thicker as angriness grew

“Right, For the past two weeks this gang of imperial convicts have been destroying caravans and kidnapping Elban citizens around this area. They’re a big group, maybe 30-40 of them, we only have 50 guards spread through the town. We can’t hold the town and send our troops to destroy these Caldarian scum. So, you go to their camp, to the north by the ruined tower, destroy their food, potions, weapons, tents. Whatever you can find just destroy their supplies then they’ll attack us here, a fight we can win, or they slink back over the border.” The fox explained it better than expected, Max would take the job it seemed clear enough

"Either way they will be gone" The ferret interjected once again “Then I will be able to get caravans and carts moving into n again. You will be paid 100 coins; plus anything you take from those bandits. Is everything clear?”

“Yes” Max replied 100 coins would definitely be good “I’ll take the job”

“good” the fox said, “watch your back though wolf, these bandit scum are well armed, probably from their friends in Caldera.”

“there’s no proof to that effect, Sergeant” the ferret replied

“How did they appear from nowhere, so well-equipped then? And why won’t Elban soldiers come and butcher these scum on my lands?”

“there’s no proof to any of that, and Elban soldiers being moved right to the border, could cause things to spiral out of control” the ferret replied

Max would just do the job and get paid, leaving the geopolitics to the two “experts”.

The sergeant got up and opened the door “things have already spiraled out of control!”

he slammed it leaving Max and the ferret alone “I apologize for my friend’s, behavior” The ferret said quietly

“it's okay, I’ll still do the job” max replied, worried more about that fox than the bandits

“Just, act quickly and let’s forget the politics, these are only common criminals.” the ferret gave as final words

That signaled max to leave, he opened the door most of the guards were still there a few were suiting up for patrol, just to think a day ago he was worried if one of them saw him he’d have to kill them. He set off, the town was busy but not chaotic, the place felt strangely organized. As he winded through the muddy streets, passing between the wood and stone houses, it slowly began raining, his cloak offered little protection. As he passed the final guard post at the edge of town, the bustle of it’s residents faded away. He stood for a moment feeling the wind brush across his fur, closing his eyes. He stood for a few seconds, before taking a deep breath and continuing up the road, once the town disappeared from view behind him he decided to swap to the forest to the roads right. It was slightly hilly, and the floor was covered in pinecones, dead branches and needles. It would be hard to stay quiet here, but at least it wasn’t the vulnerable road. For 20 minutes he walked the trees slowly thinned out, revealing his target a large forest containing a crumbling mages tower, a large field separated Max from the tower and forest. The road cut through the field, heading north to the border. He couldn’t make out any lookouts on the tower, so he just decided to get on with it. Moving through the field was nice, calm before the storm. He hoped this would be bloodless. ‘Just climb the tower find where their supplies are and destroy them.’ Crossing into the forest, he moved with caution, one hand against his sheath ready to draw. Moving carefully to avoid branches and twigs, freezing in place. He heard shouting

“THIS BETTER BE WORTH IT, IF ANYONE COMES AFTER US, I’LL MAKE SURE YOU REGRET GRABBING HER!” The voice sounded gruff and masculine, perhaps the leader? If he was shouting like that, he was either overconfident or dumb. Max moved closer darting from tree to tree. He saw a ruined stone house Infront of the tower and to the right a of it, a large hill or cliff. There were definitely a lot of them, 19 relaxing in tents and around fires without armor and little weaponry, 4 on the cliff above the camp well equipped with plate armor and swords, 2 in the towers 2nd floor with long bows wearing camouflaged cloaks and without armor. This would be a tough nut to crack, waiting for nightfall would help him, but more of them may patrol then as they relax now. He’d move in now, circle round to the tower and get rid of those archers.

Reaching the western end of the camp it was lightly guarded, a single bandit sat against a towers fallen stone sharpening his axe, Max would try and sneak round him get him up close. He began carefully drawing closer from the right, reaching the wall he hugged it until he was behind the bandit, Max removed his cloak and drew his knife. Approaching slowly his vision flicking between the floor and target, He stood before him and held his knife up high, flipping it in his hand, then slamming it into his head, readjusting he hit him again. a third and final hit, Max held still watching his body fall down onto the forest floor. He grabbed his sword and scabbard righting it around his waist, he re-positioned the body. The unlucky fella was now “sleeping” on his stone, hopefully this would buy him some time. He hoped over a hole in the wall standing in the tower's ground level, a ladder and a few barrels made for poor decorations. But it was about time this place be condemned, leaning through the doorway to inspect the camp he saw the same tents, ruined houses and emptied barrels and boxes. Where the hell could they be keeping their food? He saw an answer, the cliff to his left had a small entrance cut into it he’d inspect that after removing those archers above him. This would be tricky, he decided to put his sword to use.

*thwack* The short Collie pulled his cloak up and sighed “fucking Abraham, if you’re carving shit into the tower, I’m gonna shove that sword up your ass!” he said as he descended the ladder, on the ground he noticed Abraham’s sword wedged into the wall, unattended. “Fuckin amateurs” he grabbed onto the sword and pulled it from the stone “where the hell are you, Dipshit?” the collie said, max emerged from behind the barrel plank of wood in his hand. “Right behind you” Max said seeing the collie’s fear right before the plank crashed into his head, knocking him out cold. He took his new friends bow and arrows. Leaving him behind the barrels, placing the sword back into the scabbard. Now for his friend, slowly climbing up the ladder he saw him looking out over the camp, right Infront of the ladder. As Max was halfway up, the raccoon turned and began speaking “Wha-“ Max grabbed his leg and with both hands and jumped off the ladder. Max lost grip as the raccoon fell down, slamming into the ground Max felt pain rush through his back, seeing the raccoon stand up and look down at him. He rolled to the left as the bandit dropped down, he grabbed Max by the quiver on his back, pulling him in. Max thrashed his limbs, as he was turned over his back against the dirt. The raccoon cussed and wrapped his hands around the weakened wolf’s neck squeezing tight. Max felt pain that turned to delirium as he fumbled at his side, his hands grasping for his knife. “You little shit!” the Raccoon said as Maxes vision went dark, he felt something familiar in his right hand. And with little strength he had left, jabbed into the Raccoon’s ribs. He howled in pain as he fell back, his hands releasing from Max’s throat, letting him cough and splutter. But this guy wasn’t done yet he pulled an arrow from his quiver and jumped onto max again, the wolf dropped the knife but was able to grasp the arrow, stopping it from digging into his heart and killing him instantly. He felt his grip failing, Max had nothing in the strength department. He put everything in his strength into his next action, He let go of his left hand driving a punch towards the stab wound. The raccoon loosened his grip on the arrow, Max using his right hand to twist it away and grabbed his knife max plunged it into his neck. He felt his grip loosen and max pushed him away letting him die in peace. Max’s throat ached and his leather armor and tunic were covered in blood, He had almost died, pushing himself up against the wall he sat there a moment. It didn’t help much his peripheral was dominated by the dead raccoon bleeding from his throat, he didn’t want to kill him, but he definitely wanted him dead. Max stood up and searched the raccoon's body, ‘Nothing in pockets but a few loose coins, he could keep them. The extra arrows would be useful and Lucky me a bottle of firebrew, I know his friends in the tents would love a demonstration.’ His plan was to burn the forest which would distract the guards, then sneak into that tunnel and burn the tents on the way out. He traversed back out into the forest, firebrew was specially made to coat crossbow and arrow tips as it only ignited when moving quickly and dry, unfortunately it meant they couldn’t be used on striderback or in storms. He straightened his back and poured the firebrew over 5 arrows putting them into his quiver, he grabbed the first and placed it into his bow pulling back and aiming for dense pile of grass and fallen logs against a tree. He let go and the arrow barreled through the air igniting into a beautiful yellow flame and planting square into the makeshift fuel pile. Max Began moving back towards the cave entrance, by now it was entering evening as the orange sun hung halfway below the horizon, Max moved with renewed vigor, excluding his pained neck. Reaching his spot in the crumbling tower he waited to see them take the bait.

For about an hour he waited, until he saw large plumes from the forest. Another 15 minutes and the bandits finally noticed, by now it was dark, and the forest was faintly glowing orange from the expanding flames.

“Holy shit, FIRE, FIRE! Someone get some goddamn water!” the drunk squirrel yelled as he switched to his serious captain persona, that was the voice from earlier yelling about what they grabbed, hopefully something they could share with max. As the crowd of drunk highway men scrambled into action grabbing buckets of water and rushing to extinguish the flames, He ran through camp into the cave eager to uncover its secrets.

“Jackpot” Max said aloud, the neatly stacked piles of grain, apples, bread, cheese and other foods sat to his left while to his right racks of armour, swords and a tank of clean water towards the end of the cave were two sets of jail cells. “Please just let me go! My family won’t pay any ransom. I promise I’ll tell no one!” a posh feminine voice clearly soaked in fear and confusion, Max cleared his throat and wandered over. She was a young red fox in her mid 20s around the same height as Max but certainly better fed, she wore a fancy dress torn and covered in mud that clung tightly to her body. Max attempted to explain “I’m not one of the bandits I’m here to get rid of them”

“How? They’re animals they’ll kill you even if you surrender and there’s dozens! You can’t hope to defeat them!” She wasn’t very hopeful, that’s for sure.

“Listen, miss-”

“Ava Lockhart” she said it like he was entering a royal court. ‘She was without a doubt some rich noblewoman that got kidnapped, the bandits probably wanted ransom and would maybe release her or kill her’

“look miss Lockhart, I’m going to destroy their supplies in here. Which will force them to starve or leave for greener pastures. Got it?” Max’s throat was screaming in pain, every word felt like agony.

“Will you free me before you destroy this cave?” Her look was a mix of pity, rising anger and fear. Max’s throat didn’t want a long argument and letting defenseless, captives die by his hands wasn't something he wanted.

“Yes” he said his voice strained and weak, the door appeared to be a simple latch that didn’t require a key. Unlocking it he began looking around for something to Destroy the supplies here the racks of swords were piled upon boxes he’d seen before. Blasting powder and incendiary fluid, he’d take the latter to go but the former, that would work perfectly right here.

“Thank you for freeing me” Ava said as she cautiously stepped out the cell “But I’ve no knowledge of this land, perhaps you would be so kind as to escort me towards safety?”

“Get ready to run like hell” Max replied as he bashed the box open trailing Powder along the floor out the entrance, he then went back in and grabbed a sack filling it with food and loose coins by the swords “Carry this”

“Okay Mister...” She was curious as to his name but got no answer.

“And you may need this” he passed her a knife, as he grabbed arrows and a shorter one-handed sword swapping it into his scabbard, they then walked out the cave loaded with everything they could. Max drew an arrow firing it against the tent setting it alight, he fired another seeing it also ignite a tent. Max seeing figures returning to their camp, he pulled his sword and struck it against the blasting powder trail causing it to set alight. “RUN!” he yelled sounding pained as he followed the red fox run as fast as her legs could carry, the thunderous explosion only encouraged them to run faster. Max heard shouts he couldn’t tell if they’d spotted him or it was the shockwave that hit them. His legs just kept moving on autopilot as they rushed through the night time field, illuminated by a growing inferno behind them. They sprinted across the field as fast as they could, Max heard shouting from behind him and ran faster, he glanced over his shoulder around 100 meters behind him

“YOU BETTER STOP!” the burly Fox bandit yelled, with a sword in his hand followed by two other armed figures. “WE’RE GONNA KILL YOU LITTLE WOLF!” Max’s body drove harder he, increased his sprint he grabbed Ava shoulder to follow him into the forest. The Bandits saw them change course and followed, they likely had the edge in speed and physical endurance, the forest would at least provide an obstacle.

“Scramble!” Max yelled through his damaged windpipe, The red fox ran off into the forest, changing direction every dozen meters. Max ran straight ahead, eventually as he heard the shouts grew muffled he threw himself to the ground, hiding against a tree. He drew his sword holding it in his hand, sitting and listening for footsteps. He heard birds singing as a light breeze travelled through the leaves. He looked to his right towards another tree, a robin sat there pecking against its branch, it turned and looked down at Max for a moment before flying off. He then heard the reason, boots stomping closer as Max gripped sword tighter, ready to strike. *SLAM* Another Bandit had snuck up on max driving his axe into the tree, just above his head Max rolled forward and turned around pulling himself up and swinging his sword against the Tabby cat, trying to pull his axe from the tree. It cut across his chest sending blood across the tree and sword. He fell to the ground, Max turned and saw a Large Wolf in full plated armor twice the size of max, in both height and width. Max swung his sword, but it only scraped against his shoulder armor, The large wolf grabbed the sword by the blade hitting max in the face with the hilt then throwing it away. “YOU are going TO BE TORN APART FOR THIS!” The large wolf yelled as he countered Max’s move, he fell down but crawled backwards to his feet, grasping at arrows and his bow before he was punched in the chest by this monster, causing him to drop his arrow and bow. He scrambled through his pockets a potion bottle of incendiary fluid, but one giant fist grabbed his left arm and twisted it, Max screamed in pain as his arm made popping and crunching noises it shouldn’t, he reached over with his right arm and pulled the bottle out slamming it against his face, the fluid covering his face and chest. “Your FUCKING dead, WOLF!” He yelled, tossing Max full force into a tree, feeling his back crunch and body failing he crawled as the monstrous Wolf stood trying to wipe off the liquid. Max’s hands grasped against dirt and twigs before feeling polished wood and string.

“What the hell is this SHIT!” He yelled turning towards Max “ANTHING TO SAY, LITTLE WOLF?” He saw Max with his bow ready, aimed at his chest “THAT WON’T DO ANYTH-“ Max let go watching the arrow in a second ignite and collided into his armor, setting him alight. The large bandit yelled and attempted to attack max, lashing with his arms but his movements slowed. He collapsed Infront of max, his body lifeless as the flames continued dancing across his metal armor “he had a fiery personality” Max mused. He pulled himself to his feet, only managing a limp as he dragged his battered body through the forest. He hoped Ava had kept running to the city, he would have to deal with the final guy that followed them. That suited Max fine.

Ava ran as fast as she could weaving between the trees, changing directions to try and throw off her pursuers. Her dress wasn’t built for this sort of speed, hopefully that wolf was okay. *SLAM* her foot caught in a branch sent her crashing into the ground face first, it hurt and now she was covered in dirt, wood and leaves. She heard light footsteps approaching, she turned onto her back scanning her surroundings. “Lookin for someone dear?” a lanky rabbit asked pulling down his hood, She scrambled to her feet and stood ready, this criminal was toying with her.

“Please just let me go, I have no family to collect ransom from!” She said adjusting her dress feeling where she stashed her knife.

“Don’t worry they don’t need to know about this yet, you're a beautiful woman and I would love to know more about you” he said reaching an arm towards her chest, she slapped it away.

“No just take me back to your camp then!” she shouted

He pushed her to the ground “You stuck up Whore, thinking you’re too good for what I can offer, Guess I’ll have to be-” before he could say another word, he was hit with all of Ava’s strength. Her leg kicked full force into his privates, he fell down wincing in pain she climbed to her feet “I Won’t play nice anymore missy!” he said as she pulled himself up. Before he could do anything else she drew her knife and slashed him across the face cutting his right eye and slicing through his nose “AH-Ah you FUCKING BITCH, MY EYE!”

Before she could hit him again, he stumbled away screaming and cursing in pain, pulling string and an arrow stopped him silent. His body fell limp as blood sprayed from the arrow’s impact point.

Max limped towards Ava, “It’s me... the wolf, coast seems clear so we should get going it’s only a 40-minute walk to Cobas from here.” Max tried to calm her

“he-he, he wanted to...” Ava was shaken and distressed

He looked her in the eyes “it’s okay, that scum is dead, and you’ll be safe we just need to get to Cobas, Alright?” Max said waiting for her response

She cleared the tears from her eyes and resolved to get to the safety of the town “okay, thank you for freeing me Mr-“

“Ferrer, Max Ferrer” the grey wolf and red fox began walking out the forest and along the road, after passing by the first guard post they went straight towards the barracks. The streets were empty as it was now midnight, Max just limped on hearing little but his and Ava’s footsteps. Passing the church, they once again were taken into the barracks, mostly empty as most were patrolling the streets when crime is common. Ava waited with a guard, while max got his money.

“Ah there he is, I assume you had something to do with the fire?” the ferret administrator asked

“yes” Max replied hoping payment would come next

“Then I assume you have severely weakened these bandits?” she asked

“yes, the-“

"Yes, yes matter of payment, here” she tossed a small pouch onto the table “120 coins, as you completed your mission before the sun rose” she went back to fixing papers and filling out documents with her quill.

“thanks” Max exited the room, back to Hobart’s rest hopefully that cat didn’t mind taking in 2 instead of one. “Come on I know a place we can stay the night” Max gestured leading her out the building towards the tavern.

“What is it?” Ava asked her curiosity piqued.

“A Tavern owned by a black cat Avery; she’s said she’d let me stay there. We can trust her” Max continued limping up the road towards the Tavern, it was closed so max decided to check the back door. He wandered round to the familiar alley and knocked on the door, waiting for a few seconds they heard footsteps from inside. The lock clicking as the door was fully opened, Avery stood there wearing nothing but wrapped cloth around her chest and a pair of underwear

“Thought you’d been killed, wolf” She said letting him inside

“Despite my best efforts, no” Max said Beckoning Ava inside

“Whoa-whoa, who’s this?” Avery asked wondering if this meant trouble

“Ava, she was being held prisoner by the bandits, so I freed her. Just need to stay the night that’s all” Max explained he already knew Avery wouldn’t turn them away, she rolled her eyes and sighed.

“Come inside... Ava, Max” they were behind the bar, the chairs had been placed atop chairs and the shutters closed over windows. Avery led them through the dark tavern through a door to the right, down some stairs. “This was where the guest rooms were, but they were too much to deal with so most of them are empty now”

“So where can we sleep?” Ava asked

“I’ve got a spare bedroom upstairs” Avery said grabbing towels lying on the floor

“so why are we down here?” Max asked

“Well Ava, I had a bath ready for a different occasion, but you can make use of it.” Ava entered the bathroom, Avery then turned towards Max

“I wasn’t expecting THIS” Avery said

Max was confused “That didn’t factor into my decision making, I was quite busy!”

“I was expecting you to come back here earlier, and we’d have a little intimate fun!” Avery countered, she was annoyed but didn’t really want to throw max or Ava out.

“I’m not in the mood for romantic adventures right now. Just let her stay at least. I promise I’ll pay!” She sighed took a deep breath, and pulled max in for a kiss, they continued for a second before separating “There, payment handled and you can stay as well Max, just promise next time we’ll have a calm romantic night, eh?”

“Here’s hoping” Max replied as she stepped inside the bathroom, He stood for a second, he’d made good progress today, saved someone’s life, defeated some murderous bandits and got some coin. Heh if he’d done all that today, who knows what he can do with a week.

“I want a contract opened, 2,000 coins for her capture”

“Who shall I send sir?”

“The jäger and the olrheiniwr”

“She shall be back soon then, sir”