{"sf1_id":7779,"sf2_id":"RnoEbWAe","title":"Journey's Beginning","author":"Nightflurry","words":2885,"posted_at":"2005-11-06T00:29:00.000Z","tags":["Fox","M/M","Raccoon","Suggestive"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/7779-journey-s-beginning","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/RnoEbWAe","image_url":"https://www.sofurryfiles.com/std/thumb?page=7779\u0026ext=.jpg","description":"#2 of Heaven's Son","content":"Standard disclaimer. You should be over 18 (Possibly 21) as  \nthis story contains some implied homosexual intercourse. I  \nhave put labeled it as M/M even though it contains no actual  \nsex.\u0026nbsp; If not comfortable with that, you might want to  \nconsider not reading this. Use common discretion. The  \ncharacters and places are my creations, I'd be very unhappy  \nif anyone used them without asking. If you want to  \ndistribute this then ask my permission, chances are I'll say  \nyes assuming it's unaltered. Feel free to contact me at  \nnightflurry(at)yahoo.com for comments.\u0026nbsp; I highly recommend  \nreading the previous chapter(s).  \n  \nI'm not sure I'm really happy how this chapter turned out,  \nbut I can't seem to alter it without making it worse. It's a  \nbit dull, but necessary filler. I honestly didn't expect  \nthere to be any 'action' nearly this early, but it just sort  \nof came as I was writing. The hot and heavy stuff will have  \nto wait though. Enjoy.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Chapter II. Journey's Beginning  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi let out an 'oof' as the badger pulled the straps  \non the armour taut. \"Too tight m'lord?\" The raccoon nodded  \nand sighed. He'd been fitted and measured and hassled for  \nhours now, he felt like he was being taking shopping as a  \nkid.  \n\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The armoury was delighted to fulfill the special order  \nfor an Enforcer's battle gear. The basic bit really wasn't  \nmuch different than the Lorica Hamata style armour that any  \nimperial soldier wore. Only to top if off they fitted a  \nlarge (soon to be dulled down) silver Musculata type  \nbreastplate over the mail. Alexi had to admit it was a very  \nimpressive piece of armour. Had the Imperial Standard on it  \nand the Enforcer's insignia as well. Tough leather straps  \ntightened it up over the hamata, and a purple cloak dangled  \nfrom the nape of the neck.  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;   \n\u0026nbsp;The unprepared raccoon nearly buckled under the weight  \nat first, he had no idea the armour could weigh so much.  \nThis new line of work would defiantly take some getting in  \nshape. The short and pudgy badger looked up at him, \"How's  \nthat? Try walking around\"  \n\u0026nbsp;  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi took a few heavy steps and tried shrugging the  \narmour into a better fit, but it didn't seem to get any  \nbetter. He could walk though, he tried kneeling and getting  \nback up, and to his surprise succeeded. Maybe it wasn't so  \nbad after all once it all got on properly. The blacksmith  \ngrinned and nodded, more to himself than to Alexi.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Next came the silver greaves, the sporran, leather  \npteruges on the waist and sholders, and a helmet with a  \npurple plume. Alexi quietly wondered how much this  \noutfitting cost. The last item handed to him was a sword in  \nthe gladius fashion. It was newly, and rapidly, made just  \nfor his paw size. The grip was corrugated ivory, the hilt  \nitself was more silver, and at the end was a sapphire.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; A suppressed chuckle emanated from the doorway, and  \nwhen Alexi turned his head to determine it's owner he was  \ngreeted by the sight of Naorume leaning against the  \ndoorframe. The disarmoured fox smirked and advanced. It was  \nthe first time the raccoon had seen him sans guard getup.  \nThe vulpine looked a lot shorter in his linen casual wear,  \nnot to mention he looked much younger and less intimidating.  \nHe was a prime specimen of his species. Perfectly textbook  \nfox features, fur extremely well groomed and obviously in  \ntop physical condition. \"Well well, you almost look  \nconvincing. almost.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi cocked a brow. \"Thank you. Your confidence is  \nappreciated.\" He glanced at the badger inquisitively. The  \nbadger gave him a look saying it was alright to leave. The  \nraccoon nodded and trudged over to Naorume. Gods this  \nequipment was heavy.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Naorume started. \"For all intents and purposes, I'm  \nyour personal bodyguard. I choose the other forty-nine  \nguards as you requested. There's a good mix in age and  \nexperience.\" Alexi nodded approvingly.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The raccoon and the fox stepped out of the armoury. The  \nothers were waiting. Naorume and Alexi mounted their horses  \nand nodded to each other. There would be no time for  \ngoodbyes. It was time to leave. Alexi wondered what the  \njourney would bring. It would take around a month's travel  \nto reach their destination. The trip wouldn't be easy  \neither. The young coon could look forward to endless days of  \nriding and swordplay.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Turning the corner onto the Via Arverius Alexi halted  \nhis horse. Lining the sides of the street was a mass mob of  \ncurious onlookers. More guards formed a line in front of the  \nnow pointing and whispering people. Alexi looked over at  \nNaorume nervously. \"Who told them?\" The fox shrugged and  \nstarted his steed walking again, the coon followed  \napprehensively.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi wasn't really sure what to do. He supposed he  \nshould get used to such things though. As the group of  \nriders neared the crowd the cheering started. At first a few  \nshouts and blessings, then a drowning mass of noise and  \nmotion. The raccoon winced and waved meekly. As they  \napproached the first triumph arch he was a bit surprised to  \nsee women on the top tossing flower petals down upon the  \nriders. There was some commotion over to the left side and a  \nlittle girl broke though the barrier of street guards. She  \nran up to the stunned Alexi, kissed his horse and handed him  \na bouquet of roses before being hauled away.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The party neared the gates now. As they passed through  \nthe din started to die down. There were more throngs outside  \nthe city walls. These people had been stuck waiting outside  \nby the garrison until after the little procession. Upon  \nseeing the purple cloak and plume and the Imperial Guards  \nthe crowd stopped their complaining and promptly bowed or  \nkneeled reverently. All except for one that is.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; An old squirrel woman walked defiantly towards Alexi,  \nprompting him to stop. He wasn't exactly sure what to say.  \nShe didn't have to bow after all; it was merely a sign of  \nrespect for high officials. Naorume watched carefully as the  \nwoman took Alexi's paw into hers and looked up at him. \"I  \ntraveled far to come to Doria. My grandson was killed in  \nbattle. but the army won't grant me his pension, I'm all the  \nfamily the boy had.\" Alexi shifted a bit and nodded, this  \nkind of thing he would have to get used to for sure. He  \nthought a moment; a few bystanders looked and listened  \ncuriously to see what the enforcer would dictate.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi pointed to a nearby city guard and motioned him  \nto come near, the guard complied and awaited instruction.  \n\"Guard, escort this woman to the army headquarters and  \nrecover her grandson's pension. If they raise any questions  \nit's on my authority.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The woman started crying softly and kissed Alexi's paw.  \n\"Thank you, my lord. your name will always be welcome in my  \nvillage.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; As the group again started moving, Naorume leaned close  \nto Alexi and spoke softly. \"Be careful Alexi. Today the  \npeople love you. Tomorrow they may curse the very ground you  \nwalk on.\"  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The young enforcer nodded to his guard, then smiled  \nbroadly as he thought on what his father had told him about  \nserving the people. \"It's alright Naorume. I intend to live  \nforever.\" The fox gave a confused look for a moment; his  \nsilent question was quickly answered. \"We only live once,  \nbut if we live that life in selfless service to the people  \nwe'll live forever in their hearts.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Naorume's face became less confused and he returned the  \nearlier nod, understanding now. His face now assumed a  \nsomber and serious expression. \"You realize Alexi, that all  \nour great heroes were forced to make great sacrifice to  \nbecome what they became.\" He paused a moment, drew a breath,  \nand continued. \"There is no greatness without suffering,  \nAlexi. If you seek everlasting fame you'll have to accept  \nthe gods payment; misery and suffering on your own part.  \nThey take away what you love to give you the fame you  \ndesired. and then when you have it you'll do anything to  \ntake it back.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The young raccoon stared straight ahead and digested  \nthe thought. He had never thought of it in those terms. What  \nkind of suffering did the gods have in store for him? He  \nneeded to change the subject. \"Will you teach me how to use  \na sword? I know the basics, but I'm not the best.\" The fox  \nfrowned, obviously annoyed at the subject change, and then  \nnodded.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The two lead the group onward down the road. The riding  \non the first day was notably uneventful. There was little  \ndiscussion and very few passersby. As night started to fall,  \nthe party decided to make spend the night in a small  \nvillage.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi pointed out a lighted tavern. The guards and he  \ndismounted and secured their horses. The raccoon lead the  \nway into the building, finding it surprisingly empty. Only a  \nmiddle aged, pudgy porcupine barkeep and a handful of  \npatrons were present. All eyes in the tavern turned on the  \nnewcomers. The barkeep cleared his throat and adjusted his  \nclothes in order to look a bit more presentable. \"Evenin'  \nm'lord, and gents. What can I do ye for?\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The enforcer smiled and took a seat at the bar, Naorume  \nnext to him. The other guards found spots and settled in.  \nAlexi unfastened his coin bag and produced two gold talents;  \nprobably as much as the barkeep's yearly profit. \"Give us  \nyour finest stock, and something to eat.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The porcupine's eyes went wide and he tried his best  \nnot to salivate. \"Y-Yes, o'course m'lord.\" He quickly  \nvanished into the back room.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; While the tavern owner went to fix the order, Alexi  \nstood up and turned to face the Imperial Guards. \"I'm sure  \nI'll get to know all of you soon enough. For now, let's have  \nthe going away party we didn't get at home, and drink to  \nthis new adventure.\"\u0026nbsp; The guards nodded their approval and  \ngrinned happily. There was nothing more in line with the  \nDorian tradition than soldiers using any excuse to get  \nslobbering drunk.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The porcupines returned hastily with a basket full of  \nopened wine bottles. He distributed them among the imperials  \nand hurried back to cook the food. Alexi poured himself then  \nNaorume a glass. Setting the bottle down and raising the  \ngoblet he nodded to the guards. \"To the trip!\" The tavern  \nresounded in a cheer as they all tilted heads back and  \nchugged the wine down, slamming the empty goblets on the  \ntable; another classic Dorian drinking tradition.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; This process was repeated many times. Toasts to gods,  \nfamilies, lovers, causes, cities, and anything worth  \ntoasting to. By the time the food was brought out, the group  \nwas already pretty inebriated. Nobody even really cared what  \nthe food was, and most didn't even bother eating at that  \npoint.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Naorume stood up, slowly and unevenly. He ruffled  \nAlexi's hair playfully and raised his goblet. His speech was  \na bit slurred but clear enough to comprehend. \"And here is  \nto the cutest Imperial Enforcer that I think has ever  \nlived.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Giggles and laughs and a few wolf whistles burst out  \nfrom the crowded room, and Alexi himself blushed after his  \nbrain computed what had been said. He squinted his eyes into  \nfocus and looked up at the widely grinning fox. They locked  \neyes momentarily and Alexi smiled back, well, he thought he  \ndid. Was hard to be sure exactly what he was doing.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The barkeep and other guests had conveniently  \ndisappeared at some point it seemed. Naorume winked and  \nshoved a large bowl filled with wine in front of the  \nraccoon. Alexi stared at it doubtfully. Someone in the back  \nsettled that doubt. \"Aw, c'mon, drink it all!\" The crowd  \nagain cheered and then gasped and wooed as Alexi grinned and  \nlifted the bowl, chugging for several long moments then  \ntossing the bowl, wiping his muzzle on his paw.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; His eyelids were heavy but they opened, albeit slowly.  \nThe world came into focus and he heard the patter of rain  \noutside. He groaned at his stomach, already turning slightly  \nand.felt something on his leg, and on his chest, and his  \narm. It only took him an instant before he knew. He knew  \nbefore he looked in fact. Alexi lifted his head slowly and  \nlooked down. What he found was Naorume's head upon his  \nshoulder, the fox's legs were entwined with his own, and  \nAlexi's arm ran behind the vulpine's neck. He whimpered to  \nhimself quietly.what had happened?  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi ran the night through his head. The last thing he  \ncould recall was the massive wine bowl. He concentrated. the  \nimages slowly started coming back. After the large wine dose  \nhe remembered seeing someone making out with a fox. Wait,  \nwas that himself? He drew a blank on anything else, whatever  \nhappened after the wine was simply not recorded in his mind.  \nAlexi gave the fox a slight nudge.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Naorume stirred slightly and opened his eyes. Looking  \nback up at Alexi he smiled and murred softly. His smile  \nturned when he noticed the look on the raccoons face. The  \nfox rolled his eyes and gave Alexi's chin a quick lick. \"You  \nwere too drunk to do anything. don't worry.\" The fox flicked  \nhis tail and murred again. \"Great kisser though.\"  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi crinkled his nose and sighed. He wasn't mad or  \ndisgusted, but yet he was at the same time. He was mad not  \nat the fact that he was lying in bed with a male he barely  \nknew after a wild night of drinking. What he was upset about  \nwas that he'd let himself go so easily.and the fact that he  \ndidn't remember any of it.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The fox could clearly see this in the other's eyes, and  \nhe untangled himself from Alexi carefully. Naorume stood up  \nslowly, revealing his nude backside. Alexi's eyes widened.  \nThe vulpine's body was beautiful.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi had never really examined his bodyguard's body.  \nNow he wasted not a precious moment in doing so. Naorume had  \ndark hair that came down just above eye level. His fox  \nfeatures were picture perfect. Perfect black socks on his  \nforearms and lower legs, perfect black tipped tail and ears,  \nand perfect coloration: Vivid rusty red all down the back,  \ninside of the legs milky white. His build was just right.  \nObviously in peak physical shape, his muscles were clearly  \nvisible yet not bulging. The fox turned his head to look  \nback before turning him self fully around. Oh, those eyes,  \nbig and bright sapphire blue in color. By the gods how did  \nAlexi not notice this all before? The raccoon's gaze fell  \nlower, down to the fox's chest. Again, perfect build, not  \ntoo lean, not too muscular. The vulpine looked more like a  \npiece of art than a living being. Down the cream colored  \nchest where the fox's sheath should be was instead his tail  \ntucked up between his legs, covering the region. Alexi  \nimmediately looked back up at Naorume's face.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The fox smirked widely, he knew exactly what was going  \non in those brief moments, and Alexi knew that the fox knew,  \nbut it didn't matter. He winked and licked his chops. \"So  \nanxious to see what you hoped you didn't last night?\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi didn't get a chance to defend himself. Naorume  \nturned back around and flicked his tail, providing the  \nraccoon an instant's glimpse at the fur beneath it. If it  \nwas possible, Alexi's eyes shot open even wider and he  \nsuppressed a gasp. The white fur under the vulpine's tail  \nwas matted. As Naorume dressed, Alexi got himself up as  \nwell. The fox lied, they had done more than simply kiss. He  \nsaid nothing though. was probably best he feigned ignorance.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; The little revelation was on Alexi's mind all that  \nmorning as the group prepared to disembark. He thanked the  \nbarkeep and asked if the two talents would be enough to  \ncover all the expenses. The porcupine was honest, and said  \nit was more than enough. As he went to exit the tavern he  \nhalted by the door. He could hear muffled and quiet  \nmurmuring between the guards. As he exited the gossiping  \nstopped and the soldiers all quietly mounted their horses.  \n  \n\n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi patted Matthias and climbed up. A young otter  \nsolder next to him was obviously biting his lip. The  \nenforcer grinned and winked. \"Would you like to sit next to  \nme at the next tavern?\" A few snorts and snickers were heard  \nas the otter beat a hasty retreat to the other end of the  \nprocession.  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Naorume shrugged. \"His loss.\" He and Alexi looked at  \neach other a few moments before the coon shook his head and  \nturned his horse onto the road.  \n  \n\"Enough for now. What's the next major stop on the way.\"  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; \"Well, there's a major city about a days ride north,  \nVaruspe, we'll stop there tonight. Tomorrow, we begin your  \ntraining.\"  \n  \n\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp; Alexi nodded as the pair led the cavalry. Tomorrow and  \non it was down to business.  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n\n","series":{"name":"Heaven's Son","previous":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/7775-the-voice-of-the-crane.json","next":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/7845-imperial-justice.json"}}