FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

The droning buzz of an insect flew by an otherwise quiet dirt road. The hot summer sun made any form of travel on a road sluggish, especially on foot. A lone traveler knew this all too well. Dressed in modest clothes and a robe for cool nights, a human trudged forward with the heat on his back. Sweaty and tired from his long journey, he sought access to a nearby river in the northern country before arriving at the city of his destination. There was plenty of shade for rest, but would only make his journey that much longer. On either side of the dirt road was untamed field grass, pine trees, and an occasional boulder. There were no farms, buildings, or fences within sight. The path itself was rugged, littered with stones, making walking a chore in itself. However, the sporadic foot traffic was the only reason nothing grew in the dusty dirt. It was truly wilderness.

"I should be there after another bend or two." He told himself and wiped the sweat from his brow. His maps were accurate, and the promise of cool water kept him moving steadfastly. Just off the dirt path ahead he spotted a large figure leaning against a tree in the shade.

'Who could that be?' He paused for a moment, unsure if it was a bandit lying in wait. Bandits and thieves were known to prowl roads for unsuspecting travelers and mug them. Kidnappings for ransom were exceedingly rare though. He touched the gold ring on his finger, his family heirloom and most valuable possession.

'I don't need to risk my life to bathe at a river.' The human wondered whether or not to turn around or simply hide and wait for the person to leave. However, the figure took notice of him first.

'Uh oh.' His legs tensed as someone approached.

"Halt!" A husky female voice commanded. To his surprise a female wolverine walked towards him before standing several steps ahead of him on the road. She was a heartily built species of course, that came to the human as no surprise. A hilted longsword at her side appeared heavy and difficult to wield for the average soldier. She had no footwear to speak of, but the human didn't doubt the ruggedness of her soles from walking around barefoot like most Anthros. Most of her bulky fingers and both thumbs wore silver rings. Not only that, but both of her ears were pierced by a silver ring apiece. However, most obvious to the human was the fact that she wore no shirt to speak of. Only a wide shoulder strap crossed her front diagonally, covering one of her breasts by chance, but left the other completely bare. The female wolverine looked at his roving eyes suspiciously.

"Who are you and where are you going?" She asked.

"I'm traveling north to Cassedore." He answered. "But I wish to stop at the river before I proceed."

"And your name?" She asked again.

"It's Remus from Montepulciano." He introduced himself. "Who are you?" He questioned her in turn.

"My name is Nora." The wolverine firmly spoke. "I guard this section of road before town against bandits and thieves." She explained. Guards along river crossings weren't rare in rural areas, especially in virtually lawless places. A toll was typically expected, but not required since they were employed by a town.

"Can I seek passage this way to the river, Nora?" He requested.

"Yes. I can lead you there." She promptly nodded.

"Thank you." He bowed respectfully. Once she turned around, Remus noticed a round shield on her otherwise bare back. 'I guess she really is an employed guard.' He thought to himself. The wolverine slowed her pace so that the human could walk alongside her. Glancing over, he could see that she was a little taller than him, but the difference in height was subtle. Nora's strength easily dwarfed him. He noticed a silver earring glinting with sunlight; but in front of her, he couldn't help but notice her naked breast subtly jiggling and shaking from her steps.

"They say northern people don't wear a lot despite the weather." He remarked and looked away at a young pine sapling along the side of the dirt road. "But I didn't expect those rumors to be true."

"Hmm." The wolverine half grinned and glanced at the human. "When you're built to endure a rough winter in the wilderness, you don't need that false sense of civility covering you like a thin veil." She smartly remarked. Remus gave a slow nod in response.

"Then is the rumor about northern people being brazen and brash true as well?" He knew that was largely unfounded but worth mentioning.

"Depends on who you ask, I suppose." Nora didn't seem to mind. "You'll find miners, smiths, farmers, and the rest who have their opinions whether or not they're bears, polecats, badgers, rats, lynxes, or anyone else."

"I take it that you are from this area?"

"I was born in a village not far from here to the Illathbra clan." She told him and pointed towards a northeastern cliff face. "But living in a mountainous village ruled by clan politics isn't the easiest life. It's easy to fall into debt, and the last thing I want to find myself in is indentured servitude."

"Indentured servitude is unfortunately a punishment that is all too commonplace." The human agreed.

"You're well spoken." Nora said. "Are you a scholar or diplomat?" She guessed.

"I am neither, I suppose." He told her. "I work with town and city councils on occasion, but I normally work with a few friends whose businesses are important to me." The wolverine said no more as they walked.

After the wide turn, the land to his right opened up as the bend of a river met the sandy and rocky stretch of embankment beside the pathway. The river itself appeared shallow in most places with rocks. However, there was a section wide enough and just deep enough to submerge oneself. It was a welcome sight for Remus.

"Perfect." He hummed a content grin. "Thank you for letting me pass."

"You're welcome." She kindly grinned. He dropped his pack down by the water's edge with a sigh of relief and removed his robe, followed by his shirt. Remus was eager to jump in the cool water, but the wolverine's continued presence irked him. After a little hesitation it was evident that she was not going anywhere. With some reluctance he kept his back to her and stripped down naked before wading into the river.

"Ahhh..." Remus sat down and took a few minutes to soak. The cool water felt heavenly on his tired body. It made the difficult day worth it in its entirety.

'Hmm?' He heard the ruffling of clothing, and looked over his shoulder. To the traveller's surprise, the hardy female remained along the river's edge and began disrobing. Remus quickly thought of something to say.

"I appreciate the hospitality as well as your protection ma'am," he politely spoke, "but you don't need to reveal yourself in front of me."

"Reveal? Pff! You don't need to feel scared about seeing me naked." She rebuffed him. "You're not the only one hot and tired from this heat." She kicked off her trousers and loosened her large belt and shoulder strap. Remus wasn't exactly thrilled to have the wolverine bathe with him despite the wide swathe of river available to them. However, he didn't want to come across as rude after she permitted him to pass. It would take at least another full day before he arrived in the town of Cassedore, and he didn't want to pass by the rugged wolverine in a rude manner. She guarded against bandits, but getting on an armed woman's bad side wouldn't help him out either.

Her garments, belts, and small rugged bag fell to the ground with a crumpled thud. With the last of her clothing kicked or tossed aside, he couldn't help but notice her fully nude figure as she calmly waded into the knee deep section of water. Just as he had expected, Nora was a mature woman with a strong built body. The wolverine's entire front was covered in thick dark brown fur. Her arms were covered in black fur, and they appeared as soft as they were strong. The wolverine's pudgy dark brown belly was the same, but her black legs were strong and thick from living a rugged life. She also had a scar on her lower belly that matched the one on her shoulder. If anything, she wasn't a push over.

Her chest was covered in dark brown fur as well. Both breasts were modest for her husky size, but retained a very feminine appearance with a subtle sag of heaviness in age. Both of her dark nipples were matched with rings of flesh partially obscured by her unruly dark fur. Nestled between her legs was an equally unruly patch of dark fur that hid her womanhood like underbrush.

Once she turned around he could see her golden furred backside that blended beautifully with her brown fur, and the dark stripe that descended down her spine.

'She's a rugged woman.' He spied at the bite mark on her arm and another just below her right knee. However, he was unsure if it was from a wild animal, or a bizarre accident. 'I'm not surprised that she is a border guard... She is certainly built and capable of more physical work-.' Remus's thought was cut short as he noticed she was looking over her shoulder at him. Nora quickly frowned and looked away. The human blinked and turned away.

'She is playing games with me.' He closed his eyes and breathed a calm sigh before tending to himself once again. He cupped his hands and poured water over his head before thoroughly washing his face. Only the chattering of a few distant crowd disturbed the trickling and quiet splashing of water between them.

'You don't find peace like this in a crowded city.' He didn't miss the throng of people and constant noises or urban life. There was no rush of business to tend to, no diplomacy, correspondence, and there was nothing that had to be done immediately. The air was fresh and clean, and the surrounding nature regardless of the landscape produced its own intrinsic beauty.

'Why am I complaining about city life? I mostly live in the countryside anyway.' He mused to himself and washed his arms. The sound of water moving towards him stirred his attention. Tiny waves rippled past him like an incoming high tide.

"Hey."

"What? Uh..." He turned around only to blink as he found his face mere inches from her belly and thighs. Remus had quite a view has he looked past her breasts to see her face looking down at him plainly.

"Did you need help washing your back?" She offered kindly.

"My back?" He almost didn't understand. The wolverine snickered.

"Yes, or are you afraid of a lady touching you?" She lightly teased.

"No." He was taken aback by her comment.

"Then sit tight." She stepped around and plopped down behind him causing the water to splash against his back. The human begrudgingly accepted the kind gesture. However, he felt her furry legs rest against his waist underwater. He felt her cup and pour water over his back a few times next.

'Just don't mention or think about her body.' Remus thought about saying something, but hopefully staying in the cold water would stave off any arousal. Being caught in a vulnerable position made him nervous until she touched his back. Her hands were strong yet supple, even as her thick white claws accidentally grazed his skin. The leathery padded palms and fingertips felt heavenly against his skin. With a sigh he slouched back and let her bathe his backside.

"I don't get many visitors along this path." She told him.

"Why is that? Do you scare all of the bandits away?" His question was partially rhetorical, but sincere.

"Well, this is a side road." Nora said as her hands caressed his back. "And considering the hills and mountains nearby, once in a while a traveler runs into a bandit that looks like me. You wouldn't want to run into me if I was going to mug you, would I?" She questioned as her hands rubbed his shoulders.

"No." That was what he wanted to avoid from the start.

"That's good. No one else does, so they usually travel on the main road even though it takes longer."

"You're right. That makes sense." He nodded. Anyone would want to mitigate their risk by taking simple measures. Her hands rested around his waist when she finished, just below the surface of the water.

"I think I'm done." Her voice lingered as if expecting him to say something.

"Well... Thank you." The human wasn't sure what to say. After all, he was sitting naked in the river with a sturdy female wolverine road guard.

"Would you mind getting my back?" She softly requested.

"Um..." He hesitated as his cheeks flushed a subtle red. Remus felt her hands hold onto his hips. Glancing down, he could see her white claws below the water's surface like fangs.

"If it's not too much to ask." Nora added.

"Okay. It's not." Remus found himself saying a little too fast for his own liking.

"Thank you so much." He felt her lean forward and place both hands on his shoulders. The human gritted his teeth and scolded himself for a moment.

'Alright. Just be kind since she was kind to you.' Remus told himself. Water splashed behind him as he wiped his face with cool water to extinguish the redness on his cheeks. By the time he turned around, the wolverine was already standing up. Glancing up from his seat, the human had to look past the swell of her dark furred pudgy belly and both breasts to see her brusquely beautiful face. However, the grin on her face was anything but innocent.

"Um..." Despite being in the cool river, he suddenly felt uncomfortably hot.

"Well?" She placed her hand on her hips and looked down at Remus expectantly wearing an amused smile. He rose onto his legs with a hint of unsteadiness, hoping that she wouldn't look him over as he had just done to her. The dripping of water between them made the silent awkwardness that much more obvious.

Nora didn't say anything more that her grin couldn't. She took her time turning around, giving him ample time to look over her naked front once again. Once her back was fully turned, Remus glanced around the riverside. It was broad daylight, birds occasionally chirping with buzzing insects, and they were both standing in the water completely naked. Wasn't someone walking along going to find them like this?

"Are you going to get my back or not?" A feminine voice caught his attention.

"Uh. Yes." He stared at her light golden furred back once again. Reaching up, Remus placed his hands gently against her damp fur and began rubbing below her shoulders. The wolverine's fur was coarse but there was an undoubted softness to her pretty pelt.

"Don't be shy." She chuckled at his timid touch. "My fur is a thick double coat. You'll need to use some muscle."

"S-sorry." He gulped before taking a silent deep breath. Applying more pressure, he rubbed on her back with enough force to her liking. Nora sighed and placed her hands on hips fully relaxed.

'I have never in my life...' Remus could not believe how his river visit had turned out. The human could count on his hand the number of times he had been 'romantic' with a woman before, but nothing had unfolded quite like this before! He gradually descended her back, rubbing her to satisfaction while enjoying the contours of her body. The muscles underneath were well defined and strong. Rugged in her appearance or not, the wolverine still felt womanly to the human in a wilder way.

Remus was constantly brushing against her naked rear with water cupped in his hands when her fur needed it. There wasn't a single complaint from her, only hums and little grunts of approval. Even her short tail wiggled a few times. Her hands moved when he reached her lower back, almost inviting him to grab onto her love handles. Remus didn't give in to the open invitation, but generously cleaned her backside with only a few innocent passes on her sides and rear.

"There..." He sighed and pulled his hands away from her. "I think I'm done." Remus wiped the excess fur from his hands.

"That felt great." Nora turned back around, gently sloshing the water below them. The grin on her muzzle was evident enough. Remus kept his gaze level despite her body being on full display for him.

"I'm happy that you liked it." He managed to say calmly.

"Maybe I should ask you to rub my front while you're at it..." She coyly added. Remus felt his eyes widen as his heart rise into his throat, although he could've sworn something else rise too. He saw her hand move from the corner of his eye. The human gasped as a smooth finger touched his manhood. He didn't need to glance down to know that he was sporting an erection for her to see. Although, Remus could feel it jutting out to her, like an arrow for where his lustful desires rested. His face turned a bright red as all of his bashfulness caught up to him.

"Now listen, I-I don't uh mean to-" He started to take a step back only for the wolverine to make a faster move.

"I never liked seeing a man so nervous to do what he really desires." She gave a wicked grin and pushed Remus back. The human fell backwards, but a swift hand grabbed him just as his rear hit the water. The splash was muffled as he was sprawled out in the shallowest part of the river. A little stunned from her move, he managed to sit up with Nora looming over him. The wolverine crouched down with impressive speed and placed her hands on his spread knees. She crept forward, almost laying on her front in the water as her muzzle drew closer. Her hot breath descended on his groin like a steaming mist. An unmarried man, and normally chaste, Remus was wholly unprepared for the pleasure he was about to receive.

He held his breath as the wolverine woman's mouth parted and enveloped his manhood in a sensual oral embrace. Her tongue was warm, wide, smooth, and impossible to avoid. Swirling, licking, and caressing him in her hot mouth. In moments the wolverine brought him to full arousal once again, causing him to shudder wantonly. Remus groaned and grabbed two thick tufts of fur on her shoulders while she suckled his length. Nora responded by pulling his hands underwater and holding them there while continuing to pleasure him with her mouth.

Nora didn't push him over the edge right away, but the moaning human above her wouldn't last very long. She gently bobbed her head, already tasting his essence on her tongue. Remus breathed heavily trying to control himself, but the inevitable was already at hand. He felt his balls draw up before an impending release. Remus cried out past the point of no return and came with unexpected force. Nora pleasured the human through the entire blissful act until he was laid back on his arms.

He blinked and stared up at the cirrus clouds in the bright blue sky above. The entire world felt still around him. He breathed deeply, processing all of the delightful pleasure coursing through his body. It had happened so fast that it almost felt unreal.

The water quietly splashed as Nora rose to her feet. Water droplets fell on him like rain when she loomed over him. Glancing up, she seemed to roll her eyes at him.

"Need a hand?" She offered. He gave a shaky nod without saying anything and grasped her padded palm. The wolverine easily pulled him to his feet where he took his last shaky steps out of the river. They left faint footprints in sandy soil beside the road. The sun was still hot, but the coolness of the water helped stave away the constant heat that had plagued him on his journey by foot.

Looking over, Nora was standing along the sandy shore beside him. The wolverine was rubbing excess water out of her fur with some success. Her soaked fur clung to her body, outlining her thick build much more clearly for him to see. With everything that had happened, Remus didn't feel very bashful about her nudity anymore.

"You look nice." He mentioned. Her ears perked up.

"I don't hear compliments like that from humans." Nora seemed a little surprised but smoothed her facial fur. Remus knelt down by his bag and retrieved something.

"Here." He approached her and presented a little bit of money.

"You don't need to throw coins at me like I'm a prostitute." She waved a hand. "I've made you nervous enough for the rest of the day." The reluctance of payment immediately tipped him off as strange, but the afterglow he was basking in kept him at ease.

"At least accept a little something, maybe to eat a meal when you are in town." Whether it was out of pity or true gratitude didn't matter as he handed over a pair of copper and iron coins to her. At the very least it was something.

"You're too kind and modest." Her smile fell a little, almost guiltily, as she accepted the money.

"I appreciate your kindness, and uh... hospitality." He thanked her.

"You're welcome." Nora warmly grinned once again. "Maybe we'll meet up if I need to go to Cassedore soon." She winked and walked by him to her belongings. Remus felt a little giddy at the possible "offer." Despite how alive his senses were, he felt incredibly tired. Remus crept towards the closest tree that wasn't shaded and sat down. The sun felt warm and tender against his wet naked skin. As his eyes drew to a close, he saw Nora standing in the sun near the river and ruffling her wet fur, hoping to dry it quickly.

'Wow.' He thought to himself as his eyes drew to a close.

***

After dozing off in the sun to dry off, Remus dressed and gathered his belongings before resuming his journey once again. Nora the wolverine guard was nowhere to be seen.

'I guess she is back to her position down the road.' He assumed and began walking up the rugged rocky dirt road. Now refreshed, Remus had a clear spring in his step that the hot sun couldn't diminish for the remainder of the day.

'Once I get to Cassedore I will meet up with Umberto and give him the paper of receipts for all of the units of cloth. I'll go over my vineyard report with him, and then I'm sure he will tell me about his uncle and father...' All of his thoughts were pleasant as he glanced at the pine trees he passed by, but they ultimately returned to the female wolverine.

'Nora was kind and friendly, but something still doesn't feel right.' He couldn't shake the feeling of treachery despite all that she had done for him. "She was guarding a road, but that's normal. She was armed with a sword and shield. That isn't strange." Remus went down a list of suspicions and observations. "She was very... friendly and forward." His cheeks warmed a little from saying that. "But why me?"

Wolverines weren't known for their slim and shapely beauty since they were built heartily. But even that didn't explain why she came onto him so readily. Many other thoughts came and left his conscience, however, nothing seemed to add up.

'She doesn't know that I'm wealthy. I never told her about my lifestyle.' He thought. "Nora wore a lot jewelry." Remus remembered the silver piercings on her ears and rings on her fingers. "So she is not exactly poor." He touched his ring finger out of habit only to stop in mid step.

"What the...?" He felt his family heirloom ring only to touch naked skin. Holding his hand up, the human's eyes widened at the obvious absence. The gold ring was missing, and his mind flashed to when she brought his hands underwater. However, he knew the thief was long gone already. Anger swelled within his body as his muscles tightened with sourness.

"Nora!!!" His voice echoed among the pines, river, and northern swamp.

The subtle sounds of footsteps walking along a dirt road were unheard over the loud blaring chirping calls of crickets in the adjacent grasses. The loud singing of insects was a hallmark of the hot summer weather, but the lone traveler wasn't listening to the nature around him.

"Nora..." Remus grumbled the name he had come to despise. The human was still fuming internally about what had happened to him at the river the previous day. He had spent most of his remaining walk the following morning and early afternoon frowning and muttering curses under his breath.

Despite the anger simmering underneath, the human's journey to the northern town of Cassedore was almost complete. The road had become level with no more hills to ascend. It also widened somewhat with more foot traffic present, but the pine trees were dense like a stone wall on either side. The heat was also more forgiving than the previous days. Wandering clouds gave passing shade for several minutes at a time.

'I'm almost there.' He had to distract himself from what had happened several times. Up ahead he finally glimpsed a palisade wall bordered by a few tall pines. A watch tower peered behind the wooden structure, and an open gate was guarded by two individuals armed with pikes. One was a badger and the other a black bear, but neither said a word as Remus approached. The human mustered a smile as he greeted the two guards before walking past them.

The rugged nature of the land suddenly gave way to many different wooden and stone buildings. It was as if the human had suddenly entered civilization. The town was bustling with activity, and the sounds were as loud as any field or forest insect. Carts loaded with a wide range of raw materials from split wood to fleece seemed to pass Remus every other minute. Blacksmiths pounded away at red hot metals; beggars were visible at several street corners; and a trio of heavyset women carried water back from a public well without spilling a drop.

The northern region was known for pastoralism, farming cereal crops, mining, and rich sources of lumber. As a center for raw materials and food, physical labor was the most valuable asset to have for the common townsperson. Bears, badgers, minks, wolves, lynxes, wolverines, foxes, and pine martens were the most common species of the area. Their summer fur coats appeared heavy to the human, but it was still a little odd seeing so many northern species only half dressed due to the heat. There were very few humans present in town. The opposite was true for the south, where he was from. Humans were almost never seen half naked, and there were few humanoid species in the towns and cities.

He couldn't help but glance at a topless big breasted mink laughing heartily over something a few men were saying. All of the furred women of the north had a burly heavy build to them in his eyes, but worked as hard as human men when needed. Many of them didn't bat an eye at the fact they were half naked by a human's standard. Outright nudity wasn't entirely uncommon, and Remus spotted a few males or female in their bare fur.

'I suppose belts and straps are the most common thing to wear.' He noticed a male rat wearing nothing more than two thick leather straps over his shoulders carrying several little items on hand. The male rodent also had a belt carrying a trio of small pouches around his otherwise naked waist.

Despite the obvious differences, the urban life wasn't very different from his home in Montepulciano. A small group of men were haggling over the price of hay in a loaded cart while children scampered around them, swatting at each other with sticks. A naked female brown bear was airing out laundry by a small home. Two elders were playing a game of dice to pass the time.

Remus didn't dawdle with any observations and meandered through the town before ascending a low hill where wealthier residents resided. The streets were much cleaner and quieter. The homes often had second stories or were much larger. Narrow alleyways between them occasionally had a servant performing chores or a private guard watching over the residence. A grey and white furred rat was scrubbing cookware by one home, and a large brown bear was standing watch by another.

Remus approached a two story wooden home with stone foundations. A short brick path connected it to the main road. A tall fence stretching around one side to the back of the home had a locked gate. Remus silently opened the door and stepped inside. He walked into a second room and looked around his second home.

'Nothing is amiss.' The human looked at his modest bookshelf containing a few volumes. His table was undisturbed. None of the stored food was touched. Utensils and spices alike were fine as well.

"But of all the items someone could steal from me..." He sighed and felt his naked ring finger with a sense of shame. Remus unpacked his belongings and tried not to think about it; but it felt as if someone had stolen part of his body. He thought about the moment when Nora brought his hands underwater. Even though the moment was arousing, she knew exactly what she was doing. With a frustrated sigh the human returned to his papers.

"I need to visit Umberto." He collected the receipts and notes in an orderly fashion before leaving minutes after he had arrived.

'Time won't stop for my mistakes.' The human left his home with everything in hand. It was only a short walk away on an adjacent street. He approached one home where a large barrel chested brown bear was standing guard.

"Hello, Inush." Remus waved at the brown bear. "Is Umberto home?"

"Hello Remus." The bear politely waved. "Yes, he is home, and expecting you. Please follow me."

"Thank you." Remus walked behind the bear, unable to see ahead of him. Inush was a bear from the surrounding countryside that Umberto had hired for security, and he was imposing even for the town's standards. Inush knocked on the front before opening it for the human.

"Umberto," he called inside, "Remus is here to see you."

"Thanks." Remus said before entering.

"Remus?" A voice called from inside. From around the corner, a human with messy brown hair appeared.

"Umberto! It's great to see you!" Remus found himself smiling once again as he embraced his close friend.

"Ah, so you finally arrived!" Umberto greeted Remus.

"What do you mean I finally arrived?" He was curious to know. "Traveling this far north isn't easy or quick."

"I stopped by your place a while ago, in the morning, but I saw you hadn't arrived yet." He pointed out. "But I had a feeling you would arrive today. Are you enjoying the humid heat up north yet?" His friend joked. "The summers here are only matched by the intense winters."

"During the afternoon I feel as if I am breathing through a wet cloth." He coughed to make his point clear. "I'm very glad that I haven't traveled up here during the winter." Remus mentioned. "My villa is very pleasant when the weather becomes cool. I wouldn't give that up for the world."

"I wouldn't if I were you." He agreed. "And speaking of the world, did you have a world of paper to give me?" Umberto inquired.

"I have them all here." Remus pulled the neatly folded parchments from his bag and set them on the table.

"Perfect. We can go over that in day or two. I want to catch up first. Did you have a pleasant travel despite the heat?"

"I love the scenery and nature in the north." Remus mentioned with a grin. "There's a mystical untouched beauty about the forests, mountains, and hills here. Everything looks so lush and green after a fresh rain. There's certainly more rainfall here than in the south."

"I'd turn every hill and rock into a winery if I could." Umberto murmured to both of their amusement. "Are you going to read a dozen books while you are in Cassedore? Did you lug a library with you all the way from Montepulciano?" He chuckled.

"Carrying even a few books in this heat would kill me!" Remus laughed. "Despite owning so many books and scrolls, I rarely read anymore." He admitted. "When I was younger I'd read as if I was eating the book." He mused.

"Well you're still young." Umberto mentioned.

"I read a lot more when I was an adolescent." He shrugged. "I guess I've become lazy now."

"Certainly not with your work." Umberto flipped through some of the papers Remus had brought him. "You also had a long journey to get here." He pointed out.

"That's true..." Remus didn't think much of it.

"You should unwind at one of the hot spring spas. I've never felt so relaxed from a bath in my entire life." He beamed a smile, but his words only served as a stinging reminder to his friend. "The women who work there are fairly buxom and strong too." He added in a low voice.

"Don't mention bathing to me..." Remus nearly growled.

"What's with the sudden scowling face? What happened?" Umberto was surprised and confused.

"My family's heirloom, the golden ring, was stolen." He somberly held up his hand revealing the naked finger. "A bandit stole it from me from right under my nose."

"Your family heirloom! Oh wow." Umberto covered his mouth in shock. "I'm so sorry to hear that, Remus." He felt sympathetic to his friend. "Who stole it, and can you get it back?"

"It was a lady wolverine." He admitted with a sigh. "She's hardly a lady though."

"Like most northern women." Umberto tried lightening the subject with a little joke.

"She called herself Nora and posed as a toll guard along the road. I went to the river to bathe and she joined me..." Remus felt pained to admit the story to his friend, but remaining silent only increased he suffering. "She... managed to slip it off my finger when my hands were underwater."

"That's awful." Umberto didn't know what he could say. "I know that won't be easy for you to deal with."

"Thanks." He managed to say.

"Not to pile up more bad news, but I had to tell you that our friend Lorenzo D'Amalfi was found dead in his home a few weeks ago. I just recently heard the news via a friend of mine a few days ago."

"Lorenzo? The same Lorenzo when we were adolescents?" Remus asked. Umberto offered a silent somber nod.

"Some say a political faction had a hand in his death, but I have no idea what really happened."

"What a way to start my stay in Cassedore." Remus ran his hand through his hair, and stared at the floor.

"I wasn't expecting it either, but you're already dealing with a loss of your own." Umberto pointed out.

"I should be more thankful to have my life." Remus admitted. "A life is worth more than an heirloom." Umberto quietly nodded in agreement.

"There was some news of a few bandits being sold into indentured servitude today." Umberto told him. "We can walk over and take a look." He offered. "It'll take our minds off all this unpleasant news."

"Really?" Remus felt his hopes rise up only to let them go.

"Yeah. I heard they were brought into town this morning, and a notary would process them through an auction. The buyers would own their labor for whatever equaled their crimes."

"She likely escaped along the road from which I came, or fled into the woods." He sullenly thought.

"For your sake we should go and have a look." Umberto urged his friend. "At the very least there are some robbers and thieves who are punished for their crimes."

"Ok." Remus calmly obliged. "It's better than moping. Was there any good news to share with me today?"

"Hm. Ah, I haven't even told you about my uncle and father!" He realized as they walked out of the door. "They're doing very well and have asked about you."

"Please tell me while we walk to the marketplace." Remus said as Umberto closed the door behind them. The two friends walked close together through town sharing all sorts of recent news from political to family to business to private matters. The town marketplace was a small plaza the size of a wide street or a vacant lot that ran the length of an entire block.

However, when they arrived there was little going on. Normally during mornings the area was full of farmers and herders selling and buying, but it was fairly quiet for a place of business. Nearby, a female lynx wearing a gown was fanning herself from the late afternoon heat. A male brown bear was also close by.

"Are you overseeing the criminals becoming indentured servants?" Umberto approached the brown bear wearing a pair of durable pants with a single shoulder strap.

"No, I was here to see if I could afford some of the contracts; but they're already sold and I couldn't afford anyone. My name is Garnus. I own a lumber mill, and I'm short on workers." The bear admitted.

"This is Remus, and I'm Umberto." He introduced themselves.

"We're not looking to buy." Remus explained. "I wanted to see if someone specific was being sold here into servitude."

"Yes, they gave me a list of names." The bear pulled out a piece of paper. "Angelica a grey wolf; Anorus a leopard bandit; Basil the Bewitched bear; Vera a wolverine; Arnulfo a grey fox; and Tyrtus the Fighter, a Doberman." He read aloud the criminals' names.

"None of those names are hers..." Remus internally sighed.

"Have their terms been auctioned off already?" Umberto looked around the relatively quiet place. "What about her?" He looked over.

"She's the only one left, but her contract was too high and I bet she will run away."

"Who?" Remus looked past Umberto and Garnus only to find a brown and black furred wolverine lady completely naked and wearing a thick pair of shackles on her wrists.

"It's... It's her." His face dropped. Remus almost didn't recognize her without the multitude of jewels on her fingers and ears, but there was no denying who he was looking at.

She is a mature woman with a strong built body. The wolverine's entire front was covered in thick dark brown fur. Her arms were covered in black fur, and they appeared as soft as they were strong. The wolverine's pudgy dark brown belly was the same, but her black legs were strong and thick from living a rugged life. The female's breasts were covered in dark brown fur and sagged somewhat from her age and weight. She even had a scar on her lower belly that matched a scar on her shoulder. The match was exact.

"Is that the thief who stole your ring?" Umberto whispered.

"Yes! That's Nora." Remus frowned.

"Geez. I guess you're lucky she didn't break fingers and hands." He admitted.

"That's Vera the wolverine." The gown wearing lynx approached them. "She's a known thief from this area, and hails from the Illathbra clan to the northeast. Her aliases are Nora and Julia." She finished.

"She told me her name was Nora." Remus grumbled.

"You sound like someone who was robbed by her." She grinned. "My name is Cato, and I'm the magistrate notarizing their contracts into indentured servitude."

"It's nice to meet you Cato." Umberto shook hands with the female lynx. "Remus, my friend here, had something stolen from him."

"A gold ring. It's a family heirloom." Remus added.

"We already had several people reclaim stolen rings from her."

"Rings?" Remus looked at her with interest. "Did one happen to be a golden ring with an inscription on the inside?"

"Garragus! Faro!" The lynx called out across the marketplace. Two lesser officials, a rat and mink, carried out a small wooden box.

"Yes ma'am." They presented her the box.

"Thank you!" She crisply spoke. "Vera only had one golden ring in her possession when she was apprehended." Cato stated as she reached into the box and held up a gleaming ring.

"Thank you! Thank you!" He nearly wept as his family heirloom was returned to him. Remus squeezed her hand in a firm shake.

"You're quite welcome." The feline bashfully pried her arm free.

"How were you able to catch her so soon?" Umberto asked as Remus gleefully enjoyed his family heirloom. "She robbed Remus just the other day along a road.

"She was trying to pawn one of the rings to a blacksmith for a hefty sum. Unlucky for her, it was the same blacksmith who had forged the ring over a year ago. Vera was quickly apprehended with all of the stolen belongings still on her. Many of the rings have been identified and will be returned to their rightful owners. We are searching for the rest though." She explained.

"The silver rings..." Remus realized that they weren't hers.

"Yep." She nodded. "She had quite a few on her, but luckily most had personal engravings inside them. They were easy to identify."

"How many rings did she steal?" Umberto glanced at the box curiously.

"It was over one dozen." Cato explained.

"Wow. What's going to happen to her?" He asked about the wolverine.

"She hasn't been sold yet, correct?" Remus asked.

"That's correct, she is the final person that no one has purchased so far today... I can see why." She glanced over at the brute of a woman. "She seems pretty strong but unruly. It took three men to get her into those shackles. However, her indenture is only worth a year since we have so many rings to return. If the stolen possessions had not been recovered from her then who knows how long she would have to serve."

"I'll buy her." Remus immediately offered. Garnus's eyes widened in surprise. Umberto gave his friend a tense stare.

"Are you sure about this?" His friend asked. "I mean... what are you going to... Eh. I suppose it's your choice now for revenge." Umberto realized. "I best leave before you unleash your anger at me." He half teased.

"Don't worry, I'll come back and visit you again as soon as I can." Remus promised and they shook hands before parting ways.

"I will get the papers ready." The lynx excitedly hurried away.

"Wow. I'm impressed." The brown bear admitted. "I hope you made the right choice, even if it's a difficult one." He said before bidding the human farewell.

"Thank you." Remus said before walking up to the wolverine. She looked mildly surprised to see the human standing before her.

"Oh. Fancy seeing you around here, Remus." Even in shackles the strong wolverine didn't feel threatened by the human. "For what it's worth, I hope you enjoyed our bath together." She grinned.

"It's nice to see you again too, Vera." He said her true name loudly. "It looks like you won't be running away anymore." The human noticed the heavy iron shackles on her forearms.

"What? Are you here to buy me? Don't make me laugh!" The wolverine chuckled.

"Yes, I am." He firmly stated without wavering before walking to a table that Cato set up.

"Huh?" The grin fell from her face as she was led by an armed leopard guard.

"Just fill these out and make at least a fifty percent down payment, Remus." The feline explained.

"That will not be a problem." Remus handed over a small pouch of coins and began signing. Candle wax was melted onto the paper and stamped with a metal insignia. The notary kept one copy and Remus received the other.

"Thank you for purchasing her contract." The lynx happily shook his hand. "He will see you two safely to your home." She gestured. The leopard guard escorted Vera and him back to his home. Remus felt triumphant as he was taken home. The wolverine was freed from her bonds with a wrought iron key before entering his home a second time.

'I jumped into this faster than a teen into a wine barrel.' Remus thought to himself, but wasn't dissuaded by his actions. The human felt a little hotheaded for suddenly purchasing her contract of labor; but he had his moment of revenge. The wolverine outwitted him, but he was the one to hold her in bondage for one year. He blew a sigh and collected his thoughts before turning his attention to the thief perusing his house like a shop for sale.

"I knew you were rich." The naked wolverine took a few steps and looked around the dining room and foyer.

"You'll have plenty of time to become acquainted with this house." Remus spoke up. The wolverine's ears perked up as she turned around to face him. "There are a few rules that you will have to abide by." He stated.

"Name them." She gruffly conceded.

"I want honesty out of you. No more lies, cheap tricks, or stealing." He began. "If I ask you a question then just tell me your answer. If you'd rather not answer, then simply say so. Understood?"

"Yes."

"You'll eat well, help me cook, clean, and of course work." He gave a few examples. "I'll buy you a good pair of clothes." He also offered. "However, you'll only wear as much as I want you to."

"You're like any guy." She blew a rude sigh. "Always drooling to see a lady, butt naked."

"I think you'll find fewer clothes more comfortable during the hot weather, and you never cared about being naked in front of me anyway." Remus pointed out. Vera wiggled her nose. "You will be treated respectfully if you abide by what I just told you."

"Pff. I'll hold you to it." She grumbled and folded her arms.

"And you're sleeping with me." He added.

"Is that why you bought me?" She huffed and gave him a sneering half grin. "You can't get laid with a pretty woman so you buy me to have sex with?" Her insults dug into Remus, but the human kept a steady temper.

"I guess I'll practice all my romantic moves on you then." He couldn't help but half grin at his own joke. "But I want you sleeping with me just in case you try something funny at night." He admitted.

"Even if it means I wake you up whenever I have to relieve myself?" She asked.

"Yes." He firmly stated, knowing how clever she was. "You have a long road to redemption before you. Don't try to look for a deceptive shortcut."

"One year..." She angrily muttered.

"I know you hate indentured servitude, at least from what you mentioned to me at the river." Remus recalled. "And I hate it too." He affirmed. "So I'm not going to treat you like an animal." Her angry expression softened somewhat.

"What if I refused to do anything for you? What if I ran away?" Vera suggested, knowing that she could back those veiled threats with more than just words. "You couldn't stop me."

"That's true." He admitted. "But then you'll have a higher bounty on your head, and I may not be the one to buy you again. You could get someone who will make you work like an animal." Remus told her, and his words sunk in. The wolverine thought about what he had said for a minute before answering.

"Fine." She seemed to finally accept her fate for the time being. "I can handle some hard work."

"Don't worry, work will start bright and early for you." Remus promised.

The bright morning sunshine peeked above the looming mountains, illuminating the valleys, swamps, forests, and settlements throughout the northern region. The town of Cassedore was awake with activity even as the roosters were crowing. The more cheerful sounds of little early morning birds soon followed. Remus was leading Vera along the street. He calmly walked alongside the naked female wolverine in public as if nothing was amiss. A few people took a second glance at Vera, but no one said anything at the otherwise typical sight. She wasn't the only one naked after all.

"Where exactly are you taking me?" She frowned.

"A tailor's shop." Remus explained. "It's owned by a very friendly wolf lady who has made my best clothes."

"Wonderful..." The wolverine grumbled.

"Just so you know, she won't be shy about touching you."

"Thanks. I'll keep that in mind." She didn't seem to care as a clattering cart was pulled by them. Remus entered a quaint little shop not far from the marketplace. The smell of breakfast lingered in the air, but it was every bit the home of a tailor. A large loom rested at the side of the front room. Different types of cloths of varying colors were scattered around tables and chairs. Scraps and trimmings were haphazardly scattered around part of the room.

A female wolf with thick white fur appeared from a back room with a large basket in hand. She was middle aged with a pudgy belly and saggy breasts, wearing only a lengthy garment around her waist.

"Remus, is that you?!" The wolf's face bloomed into a warm smile. Her breasts seemed to swing with delight as she approached Remus. "I haven't seen you in nearly a year. How have you been?" She gave the human a hearty hug.

"Hello Matilda." He hugged the pudgy wolf despite the fact she was nearly naked. "Vera, this is Matilda. She's a skilled weaver and a seamstress, the best Cassedore has to offer." He introduced them to each other. "Matilda, this is Vera."

"Mister Remus, you give me such high praise." The wolf blushed at his kind words.

"It's all true." He grinned.

"And it's nice to meet you Vera." Matilda shook the wolverine's hand heartily.

"Um, thanks." The wolverine wasn't sure what to say. "It's nice to meet you too."

"Did you need something mended or are you looking for something new?" She asked Remus.

"Vera needs something to wear, and I was thinking something sturdy for outside." He gestured to the wolverine.

"She looks very sturdy like most species around here." The wolf smiled and walked over to a table. "These are pretty common." The chubby wolf showed them a durable leather strap with long pants. "The strap has double the leather right at the top so the shoulder isn't strained so easily. And you know ladies around here don't mind showing their breasts." She added.

"I like it." Remus grinned and looked at Vera. The wolverine hesitated but nodded as well.

"I can sew in a few pockets for tools, depending on what she will need." The tailor added.

"That would be good." Remus liked the idea, and the wolf jotted it down before approaching Vera with a long string that had several knots along its length.

"Alrighty dear, I need you to stand with your arms out like this..." The wolf held her arms out for Vera to copy.

"Okay." The wolverine followed suit and Matilda went to work measuring the wolverine from head to toe, not leaving any intimate areas unchecked.

"You have some thick menacing claws dear." The tailor remarked. "I'm sure you'll give many men like Remus a good scare with them." She chuckled.

"Hmm..." She half grinned at the compliment. Remus rolled his eyes at the idea.

"Your portly belly has a nice girth." Matilda grabbed the wolverine's belly and gave it the gentlest of shakes.

"Um thanks." Vera rubbed her head as the knotted string was wrapped around her belly. Matilda wrote something down before reaching up to the wolverine's chest.

"Your breasts match your body type perfectly, and they have a nice weight to them." She lightly fondled both of the wolverine's breasts. "They're perfect for raising a few children." She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at Remus. The human loathed the idea and looked away. The wolverine bit her tongue and her temper for everyone's sake. However, Matilda smiled cheerfully and hummed all the same while she measured.

"Ok. I have everything that I need to give her something comfortable." Matilda set the string aside and wrote down a few notes. "Is that all you were looking to have made for her?"

"One more garment please." Remus spoke up.

"Of course. What'll it be?" The wolf asked.

"You can pick your second outfit." Remus offered and turned to Vera. She looked at him with a little surprise and looked at the tailor whose smile never seemed to fade.

"Ok..." The hearty dark furred lady meandered around and looked at several materials before making a decision. "Can we make a dress or gown out of this linen?" Vera held up a scrap piece of white cloth with a blue line.

"Yes, of course." Matilda happily agreed. "And you're fine with this Remus?" She asked the human.

"If that's what she wants, yes." He nodded.

"That won't be a problem." The fluffy white wolf smiled. "I should have everything finished in five or six days." She promised.

"Thank you! We will come by and pick everything up when they're ready." Remus bid her farewell.

"You're more than welcome mister Remus." The pudgy wolf smiled as he left with Vera.

"That wasn't too bad." Vera mentioned.

"Thanks you for holding your tongue. She's very sweet, but doesn't have boundaries." Remus said.

"Yeah yeah. I'm not mean to nice people." Vera told him. "But I thought you said work would begin bright and early?" She looked at the human with mild surprise.

"We're getting there right now." He reassured her with a grin of his own. Remus led the brown and black furred wolverine through town to the lumber mill where a brown bear was overseeing around half a dozen workers gathering axes and two handed saws. All of the workers were bears, except for one grey wolf. All of them were males and wore simple cloth garments around and under their waists.

"Hello Garnus." Remus approached the brown bear with a friendly smile. "You're just the bear I was looking for today."

"Ah, you're the Remus fellow." The brown bear grinned as they shook hands.

"I remember you mentioned needing more labor at the marketplace yesterday. Can you use her this morning for some work?"

"Of course!" His face lit up much to the wolverine's dismay. "We're gathering a few tools. You can follow us outside town to the edge of the swamp where we felled a few trees the other day."

"Of course. We'll follow you." Remus took Vera with them, but didn't pay attention to her grumbling and mumbling. They left the palisade wall encircling the town and approached the edge of a swamp. The crew of bears and a wolf waded through the swamp water to where a few trees had been felled and began their work.

"Alright Vera." Garnus turned to the wolverine. "I need you to pick up the wood, including scraps, that my men chop, saw, and split. Understand?" The bear asked.

"Yes." Vera growled.

"Good. Bring them back here where we can carry everything back into town this forenoon. It will take some time." Remus nodded for her to go. Vera waded into the murky knee high water to a patch of land where a bear and wolf were chopping.

"Thank you very much for lending her help to me." Garnus said as the wolverine waded back and forth with freshly cut wood.

"You're very welcome. I'm glad that she can lend a hand now, rather than steal from someone." He mentioned as they watched her work. Remus couldn't help himself from watching the hearty wolverine when she had to bend forward. Seeing her breasts hang naturally and jiggle and jostle between her arms was a little arousing for the human. The lumber mill owner seemed very pleased at the sight as well.

"I think the guys will like having her around for the morning too." He grinned. "She's not exactly one to look at, but she is someone to look at."

"I think I know what you mean." Remus watched as the wolverine snapped at one of the bears who lingered a little too close to her.

"Feisty too." Garnus added. "You know, we've had troubles with bandits and thieves around these parts."

"Is that so? I thought the northern clans had crime under control." Remus was surprised.

"Nah, I wish they did." The bear rubbed his head. "They maintain order in their own mountain villages and some surroundings lands, but the swamps and valley forests are home to loose collections of bandits and gangs. They're really bothersome. These past two years alone have been one headache after another with rampant theft and burglary."

"Are they stealing equipment from you, or are there threats of violence?"

"Stolen equipment happens, but it's rare for me." Garnus nodded. "The main problem is that there's fewer people to hire when so many have turned into outlaws so suddenly. I can't keep up with demand and other lumberjacks are more than eager to interfere with my business."

"I didn't think of it that way." Remus hummed.

"So why did you buy her exactly?" The bear quietly asked. "She isn't the most attractive wolverine, and they rarely are, and you're not making any money by letting her work for me."

"Those are all good points I suppose." The humans acknowledged. "I'm not sure. I was a little hotheaded looking for some revenge, but since I have my heirloom back I kind of want her to have a better life."

"What?" The bear looked at Remus with confusion.

"It's weird, I know." He admitted. "But I know she hates servitude, and so do I. If she's difficult to work with then I want her to know I can have her work for you here." The human still wasn't entirely sure what he wanted exactly. "At the very least I'd like to figure her out, and ask a few questions. She is very sneaky."

"She does seem like the sneaky type..." The bear looked over and squinted.

"Hey! What are you doing, Vera?" Remus noticed that she had her back turned to them, facing a tree.

"Nothing." She was quick to turn around. "Just sharpening my claws." Vera showed her hands.

"If you're done marking trees, there's a few cartloads of wood I need brought to a few homes." The bear smiled and patted the pile she had already accumulated.

"Let's go." Remus waved a hand and the wolverine begrudgingly waded out of the swamp water.

***

It was late in the evening when the door to Remus's northern home opened up. A naked wolverine with slumped shoulders plodded inside with weary feet.

"Ugh. I'm tired." She mumbled and shuffled to the closest chair.

"I'm impressed with your strength." Remus came inside commending her. "You work very well in a team."

"Shut up." She huffed and plopped down to rest, causing the wooden furniture to creak. Remus half grinned as he brought her a footstool, but sat in it before she could set her feet on it.

"Feet up." He patted his lap, and the tired wolverine complied without complaint. Vera watched as he started petting the tops of her black furred feet. The human gradually made his way down to her ankles and heels before rubbing the bottom of the black soled foot. She wasn't sure what to make of the pampering.

"Do you like my feet or something weird?" She gave Remus a peculiar look. The human paused for a moment and cut her an unpleasant look.

"I can't have you unable to walk after a hard day's work." He made up an excuse and continued rubbing her foot, deliberately focusing on her arch. It didn't take very long for the wolverine to relax into his touch.

"Mmm... Ohh." Vera thoroughly enjoyed the attention Remus gave her. Her feet began shifting subtly back and forth when he hit a tender spot just right.

"You've never been pampered before?" He said with a hint of amusement. It took the wolverine a moment to even answer.

"I don't even know what that word means." She closed her eyes and pressed her unattended warm sole against his hand. He gladly switched to her other foot for a while. The wolverine hummed and cooed affectionate tones while her toes splayed and wiggled.

"I want to know why you stole my ring." Remus suddenly stopped and looked at her.

"Because I saw you wearing it." She mumbled, gently pressing her feet to his hands.

"It is a precious family heirloom that I cannot replace." He sternly spoke. "Did you hate me because I'm human, or because I had wealth? Did you have the plan to steal from me before I traveled up the road?"

"I don't hate anyone I steal from, and there's no grand scheme or anything like that." The wolverine tersely explained. "I'm just a petty thief, and I love shiny expensive things. I love silver. It's my favorite. I always like how it glows a little bit in the light. Plus, you can buy and trade so much for it." Her simple explanation almost bothered the human.

"Why did you become a bandit?" He plainly asked.

"What life do I have in these rugged northern mountains?" She rebuffed Remus with a frown. "I didn't want to live a life of mining, farming, or child rearing until my back breaks from all of the work. Living in the mountain clans is very strict too. You can't simply make your own decisions. Your family decides who you marry if there is a political advantage. So I ended up leaving when I was young with a friend. Besides, being a thief gave me freedom, even if it meant stealing from others."

"Why didn't you find an honest living elsewhere?"

"What livelihood exists in these northern towns and villages? It's mostly swamp, hills, and forests around here." She told him. "Most of the work here is manual labor, and there's plenty of strong men and women who can work hard around here. Am I going to be worth anything to a stranger? Do you want me to beg for food?"

"No-"

"Then what do you want me to do?" She challenged him. "Live a moral life so I can stand proudly at the town gate and starve to death? Maybe some holy man will come by years later and rub my bones for all of my good deeds. That will fill my starved belly." Vera huffed and rolled her eyes. Her grumbling subsided as Remus continued rubbing her feet. The human stared at the claws on the wolverine's toes and thought about what she told him.

"How many other people did you rob before me?" He quietly asked after a few moments.

"I'm not sure..." She yawned. "A few dozen over several years?"

"Did it ever bother you?"

"Not really. I never gave it much thought, since I had to survive too." She gave a second more prolonged yawn, revealing many menacing teeth inside her mouth.

"It's getting late." The human set her feet down onto the floor. "Let's get some rest."

"Thank you." She sighed and stood up. After a brief cleanup, they retired to Remus's bedroom. The humble abode was modest in the human's eyes. A bed, small desk, and single bookshelf filled the otherwise small windowed bedroom. Vera laid down on her back and completely relaxed.

"This bed feels wonderful." She exhaled peacefully.

"Thank you." Remus quietly spoke. "You should sleep well on it."

"Mmm... I'm half asleep now." She mumbled as he joined her.

"Can you move over?"

"I'm too tired." She huffed and closed her eyes. The wolverine frowned briefly as he laid down at her side, but she didn't budge.

"Your fur is soft as ever." Remus mentioned, not minding at all that they were snuggled up together.

"Heh. Are you going to work me like this every day?" She asked.

"No, but you will be working each day." Remus told her. "You should rest easy though. You've worked very hard today." He said but her eyes were already starting to close.

More than a week had passed since Remus had arrived in Cassedore and bought Vera as an indentured servant, covering her past crimes of theft for a year's worth of her labor. A routine of work in the morning or afternoon was typically followed by a little pampering before dinner and then bedtime. Remus and Vera had managed to stick by their promises as well.

Having eaten a meal together, they were seated at the small wooden table close to the kitchen. He was looking over a paper, and she was sitting across from him rolling a pair of dice. Only a small cup of water was between them.

Unlike most other days, she was fully dressed in her own outfit. The linen hugged her hips, but was loose and comfortable everywhere else. She could tuck part of the front under her breasts to give more attention to her chest by giving them a little lift, but the wolverine didn't care to catch anyone's eye. Most importantly, it didn't overheat her during the hot afternoon if she was outside.

"You know," Vera picked up both dice between her fingers skillfully. "If you throw them a certain way, you have a slightly better chance at rolling the numbers you want." The wolverine carefully rolled the dice revealing a two and one. "It's a neat little cheat." She grinned proudly. "I once got caught and had to fight when someone thought I was using weighted dice."

"Does that count as cheating?" He asked.

"Depends on who you ask..." She shrugged innocently. "Don't you gamble with dice?"

"I don't gamble at all." He admitted. "At least not for money."

"What? Not even a little bit?" She held up a pinched finger.

"No." Remus shook his head. "Gambling for money is a sure way to lose your wealth. If I play a game, then it's for fun."

"There's no fun if money isn't involved."

"The game is no different." Remus insisted. "A lot of gamblers remind me of thieves anyway." He pointed out. Vera glanced away and rolled her eyes.

"Hmph. I think you're being presumptuous."

"I am? How so?"

"You can't tell me that you earned all of your money on your own without stealing something from someone." She looked around the human's nice house.

"A small amount was from my family who came from a lower noble class, but I worked very hard to earn everything that I own. I didn't chose the wretched life of a politician. Although, working hard doesn't always guarantee success." He noted. "I've seen plenty of farmers work very hard only for nature to steal their crops from them with a drought. You have to apply yourself smartly with any livelihood. Maybe I owe the rest to luck?" He mused. The wolverine looked away doubtfully.

"Have you ever rolled dice before?" She wondered and set them in the middle of the table.

"Of course." He reached over without paying any attention. His hand accidentally hit her cup, knocking it over and spilling water onto the wolverine's front.

"Sorry." He jumped to his feet and was at her side in a second.

"I hope you're not that clumsy with your papers." Vera grumbled.

"Can you disrobe?"

"I was going to anyway." She didn't mind removing the nice clothes and handed them over.

"It's just water so everything should be fine." Remus hung her clothes up by an open window to dry. "Are you wet?" He approached her back.

"Eh. I'm fine." She felt over her front only noticing a subtle dampness. Her ears perked up feeling him touch her shoulder.

"How did you get this scar?" Remus traced over the faint mark on her shoulder. Vera tensed her shoulder for a moment.

"It was from a swamp fight several years ago." She casually explained and relaxed once again.

"You're lucky that it didn't get infected." He mentioned.

"I don't see it as luck." She mumbled.

"There aren't any on your back, correct?"

"No. You should have noticed that when you breathed me at the river."

"There were a lot of things I should've noticed that day." He grumbled. Vera's ears fell back for a moment.

"I wouldn't mind if you rubbed my back instead of my feet this evening." She rotated her shoulders as he looked over her backside.

"Let's go in the bedroom." He suggested.

"Are you gonna rub my feet again, like you do every evening?" She grinned and walked over to the bedroom. Remus didn't answer, but followed close behind her. Vera sauntered towards the center of the room wondering if he had something in store for her.

"No chair." She placed her hands on her hips and looked around with a grin.

"Just lay down on your back, please." He gestured to the bed. Vera laid down on her back like he wanted, realizing that he had something different in mind. Remus stepped forward and nudged her knees open. The wolverine looked at him expectantly, but didn't refuse the advance. Despite parting her legs, the thick groin fur kept her womanhood obscured very well from view. Despite what was obviously available to him, a different feature of hers attracted his attention.

"How did you get this scar?" He traced his finger over the faint mark on the underside of her dark brown belly. It ran from close to her hip all the way towards the middle of her belly. "It doesn't look like it went very deep." He observed.

"It's a tale to tell, I suppose." She blew a sigh at the distant memory while he rubbed her belly for a moment. "You remember the dice trick I was telling you about in there?"

"Yes. You just told me."

"Just making sure." She grinned. "Anyway, I was in a village close to the swamp one late evening playing a game of dice with a few travelers and locals. Some of those participating were bandits. One person accused me of using weighted dice and after a lot of yelling and cussing he jumped at me. He was a little too fast with his sword and managed to cut me. I escaped with some help and recovered in the woods. You're right though, I'm thankful that it was a shallow cut." By the time she had finished, Remus had completely disrobed. Compared to their chance meeting at the river, their roles had reversed entirely. His hands trailed down and began tenderly rubbing her inner thighs. The wolverine watched him for a moment before becoming impatient.

"When a woman has her legs spread open, do you need to be told what to do?" Vera asked with annoyance in her voice.

"How many times have you... been intimate with another man?" He hesitated to ask.

"As nervous as you are around women, don't feel too shy when asking me about sex." She wryly smiled. Remus felt his cheeks warm but hoped she wouldn't notice.

"I still want to know." He pressed the issue.

"If it's that big of a deal to you..." Vera looking up at the ceiling and thought for a moment while Remus continued rubbing her inner thighs. "There's only two other guys I've slept with before. Well, there was really only one guy that I actually slept with for a night." She clarified. "The second left when he was done. But none of them were human. One was a wolverine and the other was a lynx. There. Feel better?" She asked. Remus grumbled but didn't say anything as he gently lifted her right leg up and eased forward.

The human had to hold onto her large leg to steady himself, but wasn't surprised at how muscular she was despite all of the fluffy black and brown fur. Vera felt his tip brush up against her entrance before parting her labia. Holding onto her leg for support, Remus eased into her. His entire body tingled at the tight heat enveloping his member. The human and wolverine blew a pleasant sigh when their hips tapped together. She huffed a pleased sigh as he began slowly thrusting back and forth. Her breasts lightly jostled back and forth to the motion, but everything about it was slow and sensual.

"You're not just... slamming." She grunted only to shift her hips up slightly. "Uh, yeah. Like that. Right there!" Vera turned her head and groaned.

"Did you want me to?" Remus breathed.

"No! Just like this. Yes..." The wolverine shuddered and tried hooking her other leg around his backside. Remus reached down with his free and began stimulating the top of her sex, eliciting a throaty growl from the heavy gal.

"Mmm. Oohhh!" Her hips lifted up slightly again and wiggled before plopping back down on the bed.

"Better than rubbing your feet all day?" He grunted wearing a knowing grin.

"Y-yes!" She gripped the sheets beneath her as his steady motions rocked her and the bed. "Don't you dare stop..." Her husky voice was laced with lust, and the human had no intention of stopping. Hot sweaty gentle slaps were only matched by groans and moans from the pair. Remus panted as he watched her front subtly jiggle as he pumped in and out of her. With a cry the human pushed in to the hilt and grabbed onto her leg as he came. Each pulsating jerk inside her brought rushing waves of pleasure throughout his body until the last drop was spent. Glancing up, Vera appeared equally pleasured from the look on her face. The wolverine blinked and looked up at him.

"You've surprised me... in a good way." She breathed with a noticeable grin on her muzzle. "What came over you?"

"Thanks." He breathed. "I don't know... Just looking at you naked." He held onto her leg with both arms, but began rubbing the muscular furry limb.

"Pf. Look at me all you want then." She softly giggled and itched her side. "You're still hanging onto my leg." Vera pointed out.

"I'm a little dizzy." He admitted.

"Just lay on top of me." She sighed and opened an arm invitingly. "Let's take a nap." Remus nodded in agreement and steadied himself before Vera lowered her leg. The human climbed into bed and laid halfway on top of the wolverine. Her body felt warm, and her thick fur was soft as always. His hand easily found her available breast and began gently rubbing the soft mass. For a long moment neither said a word.

"What is it with men and breasts?" Vera quietly wondered aloud.

"Everything." Remus admitted, and felt the wolverine's body underneath him as she chuckled warmly.

"I suppose you are right. Just ask whenever you want to enjoy me like this. I won't mind."

"Oh... Thanks." The human lifted his head, mildly surprised at her openness towards him now.

"I'll be back to my usual angry self when we wake up." She said and managed to discreetly wipe her eyes. Remus didn't say anything more and rested his head once more. Her breathing felt calm and rhythmic, like a gentle summer breeze. He felt her arm around his back hold him closely just as they fell asleep together.

The following early morning was quiet and spent sleeping in. Remus decided that due to yesterday's 'activities' they would rest for the morning. Vera didn't mind and was content with cleaning the upstairs rooms for a while while breakfast was prepared.

"Breakfast is almost ready!" A voice called from downstairs.

"I'll come down in a few minutes!" Vera yelled back. "Impatient..." She mumbled under her breath. 'He better come up here and see me cleaning naked.' The wolverine wiggled her nose and shifted her hips while she swept only to feel a hint of soreness.

"It's only morning and it's already warm here." She opened the window and returned to sweeping. A moment later, a sound at the window caught her ears. The wolverine's eyes opened up in surprise at the grey and white furred female rat peering in from the second story window. Dressed in tattered garments, the female rat was slim and donned a hooded robe over her clothes. A strap over her shoulder and a belt around her waist held various necessities like a money pouch and a pair of daggers.

"Vera!" The rat smiled and climbed inside. Pulling her hood back revealed a pair of bright green eyes. The pair quickly grasped hands.

"Grace?! How did you find me?" The wolverine was still surprised.

"I received your message on the tree outside of town." She grinned. "Although I had to wait until nightfall to read it since lumberjacks were around all day."

"Ah, so you did manage to find that." Vera grinned. "I worked with a group of lumberjacks one morning and afternoon. I had just enough time to etch in a little message to you on a bare tree."

"Clever girl." The rat grinned. "You're as sharp as ever."

"Maybe not." Her smile lessened. "I was caught selling a stolen ring, and now I am here."

"I was worried that you had been captured when you never returned to our hideouts." Grace admitted. "This is a really nice place though. Are you living here, or did you rob it a few times already?"

"No, I'm living here." Vera almost laughed at the idea of robbing it several times.

"Well come on." Grace waved to the window. "If we can't rob this place let's escape."

"I can't escape." The wolverine said in a hushed voice.

"What do you mean you can't?" The rat looked at her suspiciously. "If this window is too small, you can barge out of the door easily."

"It's not that!" Vera hissed under her breath. "If I escape then there'll be a bounty on my head, and then my sentence will probably quadruple."

"Are you scared of a bounty?" The rat was surprised.

"No." She shook her head.

"Then if you needed protection, you could always join one of the bandit gangs in the swamps. I'm sure Lipky would let you join without a problem."

"I don't need any protection." Vera argued. "I'm under the protection of the law right now."

"The law?" The rat cocked her head comically. "How? You've never been under the law. You're an outlaw, remember?"

"I was sold for all my thefts worth one year of labor into servitude." Vera explained.

"You hate that!" The rodent was shocked. "You've hated the idea of being sold into indentured servitude since you were a youth."

"I know, I know..." The wolverine closed her eyes briefly and waved her hand. "But he... Uh, Remus is..."

"Who's Remus?" The rat interrupted. "Is he the bastard who bought you like a sack of hay?" She drew her knife.

"Stop!" The wolverine angrily growled much to her friend's surprise. "If he hadn't bought my debt, then I could've been sold to the lumber mill or possibly someone even worse!"

"That's-"

"Vera?" A voice interrupted as the thumping of footsteps approached.

"Hide!" The wolverine panicked with a hushed voice. Grace quickly dove through the window and climbed out in the flash of an eye just as Remus appeared in the doorway.

"What was all that noise?" He asked.

"Nothing... Nothing." Vera lied and pretended that she had just finished sweeping.

"Did someone try to get through the window?" He suspiciously looked at the open spot carrying a fresh breeze into the upper story.

"No! That's ridiculous." Vera stayed calm. "It was hot in here, so I opened a window..." She slowly walked towards the open window and peered outside. "I needed some fresh air." The wolverine didn't see her friend Grace with a quick glance.

"Okay." The human didn't appear entirely convinced, but said nothing more of it. "Breakfast is ready and I didn't want to wait all morning for you." His attention returned to the naked wolverine.

"Sorry. Sure, uh, I'll come down in just a moment." Vera quickly spoke. As soon as Remus returned downstairs, she blew a hasty exhale.

'That was too close.' She told herself and tightly gripped the wooden pole only to hear it snap. Vera blinked and looked in her hands at the broomstick cleanly snapped in half. The wolverine angrily growled and tossed the broken broomstick aside before going downstairs...

To be continued...?