FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Author’s note: This is a companion piece to a picture inspired by a Kinktober prompt, the prompt being Prime. This being a nonstandard prompt, I took this in every direction I could so there’s quite a few references to prime here!

I wanted to add that this is alternative history, a different branch of the timeline as it were. Some parts of this look superficially the same as our time and have the same trials and tribulations as was present then but ultimately with some variance. It’s interesting to play with history in this way and do some what ifs.

Final note: This is a furry/human world but I don’t really like the idea of the two groups at loggerheads. This is just my preference though!

1858, somewhere on the southern border of Sweden and Finland

‘Ready for Helsinki?

Torsten nodded to his feline companion, who nodded back then returned to packing his bag in stoic and concentrated silence.

‘Good. You know where to go. Meet Jalo Korskinen and he’ll take it from there with the full details.’

The feline, a blue striped forest cat with a large white moustache, beard and head fur fashioned from the fluff about his face, looked up and frowned as if a train of thought had been broken.

‘Jalo?’

Torsten chuckled and leaned back in his seat.

They were in a room at the the nearest boarding house bordering the Swedish-Finnish border along its southern edge. It wasn’t a place that he recalled the name of but it wasn’t important, just very convenient at this moment. He’d told Timeo Jalo had yet again requested him specifically, and that it was two targets this time. Besides that, Jalo had been quiet on details.

He hadn’t told Timeo some of the other unspoken things. The letter requesting Timeo had been very lurid. Jalo had it bad for the blue striped cat and his reward had been in part currency, in part favours of another sort entirely. While Torsten had disclosed the reward amounts, he hadn’t mentioned the extra on offer. But once Timeo knew he had a go-ahead, he could never resist showing off (just a little, mind) as to why some knew him as a passionate lover.

‘He trusts you. You don’t talk, you don’t ask too many difficult questions.’ The boar grinned. The upper teeth that curled upward into tusks curled up even further as he grinned. ‘And they like you over there. I don’t know why they keep sending ambassadors when they have you right here.’

Timeo shrugged and tied his bag together. He was smirking. ‘Because I’m a soldier and part-time assassin. They rarely do well as diplomats, trust me.’ He inspected his rifle critically. ‘Besides, more fun this way. I get paid, you get paid. The next coach leaves here in… ten minutes, I think?’

The boar nodded. ‘Two or three days travel at most, provided there’s no bandits. Jalo will make sure you get in.’

‘Then I’d best get there before the coach fills up.’

—-------------------------------------------

He did indeed get a seat before it filled up. He never liked being inside, instead perching at the top like a vigilant crow. The driver certainly appreciated it, even though he had a dour-looking mountain sheep ram next to him with a rifle that had seen better days. Two heads were better than one.

It was autumn. Autumn in Sweden and Finland was something he appreciated for all its colour and splendour before the snows fell, although the further north you went, it seemed to skip autumn altogether in favour of total darkness. It also made for clearer lines of sight with less foliage, in case there were enterprising bandits who’d try their luck.

As the coach filled up, his thoughts turned to the task in hand.

Two targets this time. Hmm.

Jalo Korskinen was a curious one. The Finn was one of the first in the new government set up in the light of the release of Finland from Swedish royal control. Although Timeo never did politics in the way the diplomats did, he paid enough attention to know what was important so he didn’t misstep.

The release of Finland was a big deal. It had largely been for practical reasons (he interpreted this in practical terms as ;’It was costing us too much to run you and us, so look after yourselves’) but also to create a friendly ally in light of the decision to never participate in foreign wars again, a decision he’d alternately despised and then favoured at times.

Timeo had to smirk at that. His scars hadn’t come from peacetime. He’d been a rebellious idiot of a youth to seek combat and pay where he could. Imagine that. Getting dressed up in your nation’s flag to just stand around and look impressive and not do anything with it! Yet his sometimes contrarian nature despaired of where war had got their continental cousins. Such was the nature of war, and Europe generally. It made a hypocrite out of anyone, especially if money was involved.

Where was he? Oh yes. Jalo. The man was pretty much the prime reason he came to Finland.

He spent more time there than his own country and it had changed him, but to be fair, he’d spent months in Europe as some sort of mercenary and that couldn’t have left him unscathed. He had a rougher edge about him, sharp even with the infamous Nordic reserve in a way most Swedes weren’t quite used to. He didn’t mind this. It was actually fun and those who hated it deserved to be pissed off. Especially the older sorts in the court and Parliament who were a dying breed.

Jalo was one of a new breed, the sort that realised the old ways were not as secure and so snuck through with a charm and willingness to work their way up, usually with patience and garnering favours, contacts and resources in a way Timeo could respect with some caution. It was a good approach but all too easy for one such as Jalo to forget where he had come from to start with.

He was now the Minister of the Interior. He had money, Timeo had skills and a tough stomach for killing others. It was a partnership that worked for now.

He set his eyes back on the golden brown road behind them and watched the treeline carefully, sinking into that distinct patient hunter’s watchfulness.

—-------------------------------

Jalo Korskinen, Minister of the Interior, ambitious but subtle and charming to a fault (said some), examined his reflection in the mirror.

He often thought of himself as blessed with exceptional charm and so far, if the word from the street was right, he had succeeded in putting that impression on others. Oh of course, he had his detractors but they’d been quieter of late. Propose a law here, offer a backhanded fee there, it had worked out.

If nothing else worked, there was Timeo. His secret weapon.

Jalo examined his features critically, more so than usual. He was a goat of mixed heritage, fur a light dappled brown with paler spots along his back. Neat trimmed hooves he always made sure looked their best and horns that were kept tidy.

He felt an excitement within as he thought of blue furred and white tipped paws gripping both horns. Maybe a lingering touch beforehand to take in the effort the goat had gone to get them looking perfect. Tracing from base to rounded tip…

Had his letter to Torsten been too daring maybe? The boar had been a man of his word before and never divulged anything. So far.

His stubby tail wagged furiously.

Timeo’s first job for him had been to visit one of the smaller towns of the Lappi region and discreetly dispose of a rival of his, both having been early in their careers at the time and rivals for the same position. Election was not a surefire win either. Timeo had exceeded all expectations, making it look as though a hunting accident had caused him to fall into the path of the wild boar they’d been pursuing.

Not a question asked. He’d expected ‘Wait, why do you want him dead?’ or ‘This sounds tricky, I think I’d like to think about it’ as he’d had from so many others. The latter usually meant ‘I can do it but give me a higher figure, you’re really desperate, I can just tell’. Other assassins would have done the equivalent of sucking air through their teeth then shaking their head before asking a higher price.

Timeo had simply checked the name, where he had to go then asked him about the protection this rival had. Then he’d gone. In two weeks he returned and with the requested signet ring as proof and an extra scar.

There’d been three other times he’d had the feline’s help. Each time, it was easy. The cat was so easy to work with and not once had he had to prepare a backup reason for the task in case he said no. He had the feeling Timeo liked his work but was ever curious about how big a challenge it was going to be. And he liked money.

What had not been so easy to deal with was the fact that his summoning of Timeo had another edge to it he was finding harder to ignore.

His letter had been lurid but it skimped on at least half the detail if not more.

Once his imagination took hold, nothing could stop it. He imagined those strong paws gliding over his horns from the base to the tip, a weak spot to be mercilessly exploited. Then a gentle touch soon turned into a tight grip, forcing his head to wherever the cat wanted him. Possibly sank down onto what he imagined to be a thick girthy length, or tugged backwards if he was to be pounded into the table, bred like there was no tomorrow, nothing more than a sleeve for lust to be sated with.

He may have held power but in the bedroom or even just here in his office, he wanted nothing more than his power stripped from him and to be simply a willing and compliant servant for someone below his station. It was a raw need he sated with others but had wanted to indulge in with Timeo for a long while.

Only a few retainers knew of his desires. A stablehand called Jarkko who happened to be equine himself was often his go to and was under a strict vow of silence regarding these extra duties. The head butler was sometimes roped in. A mere two nights ago, right in this very office with the door ever so slightly ajar, they’d made a mess of him and he’d loved every second.

And now, he’d made his intention clear with a part of Timeo’s payment being to let loose on him. If what he’d heard was true, the cat wouldn’t decline the invitation.

Jalo felt his breathing quicken as memory and imagination worked hand in hand to heighten his mood. He considered a quick few moments to ease the sudden stiffening that made his trousers a little tight but he decided against it. Instead, he forced his breathing to calm and adjusted a few stray hairs then his waistcoat. The current expectation was a few hours from now. Besides, it’d be like having a dessert before the main course. It’d spoil it all.

He stepped out of his office and waved down a junior butler. ‘I want to know the moment Timeo Ericsson is here. Make sure he comes in through the back entrance as normal but do not block him, is that clear?’

‘Understood, sir.’ The butler nodded and bustled off.

—-------------------------------------------------

Timeo hadn’t long left the coach as he headed towards the small stately home that housed Jalo, his family and retainers.

He knew the streets as soon as he felt the cobbles through his boots. He had visited Helsinki enough that he must have known several districts and regions by memory alone. He could tell where he was by the feel of the streets at times which was useful when it got darker earlier. In one case, he knew a particular barber because the cobbles changed just outside his shop in Helsinki and nowhere else. It felt like a second home from Gothenburg.

He nodded to a few familiar faces, greeting them in Finnish with ease. It was a northern dialect he’d picked up and somewhat retained. Picking up languages was one of his big traits and he appreciated its usefulness, although it still bemused him that it was only English (which he’d just learned from his late teens and found its grammar strange to him) and Russian (which sounded like he was talking with a mouthful of marbles) that gave him trouble, although English had thankfully only been a short hurdle.

There was a market in full swing as he arrived. He paused to go through here as he was hungry. It had been a long trip. A nod of acknowledgement here, a wave there, a cheeky wink to any who caught his lecherous eye and a friendly joke here and there. It greased the wheels for minimal haggling and a cheap breakfast.

At the house, it was the back door as usual and he was let in by a fresh-faced junior groom. A butler took over from there to guide him through the maze-like corridors to the grand office.

He didn’t take in his surroundings much. Largely because he was here for a job and his mind was focussed on that, but also because once you’d seen one stately home, there wasn’t much difference. They were all the same, just a glorified storage for wealth that was worthless. Maybe one or two new things like a new lick of paint that was still fresh as his nose indicated, but otherwise nothing of note.

‘Mr Timeo Ericsson.’ The butler announced then closed the door behind Timeo.

Jalo stood up, his stubby tail wagging excitedly. He gestured quickly to the seat opposite. ‘Come on in! Please, take a seat. I have coffee if you’d like.’

Timeo nodded to Jalo then headed to the offered seat. He took off the bag on his back and set his gun ever so gently over the fireplace and then took the seat. ‘Maybe later. I did have breakfast on the way.’

‘Ah of course. The offer stands.’ Jalo sat down and crossed one leg over the other, watching Timeo closely. He’d half wished Timeo didn't wear such heavy coats. They hid too well what his eye wanted to see. ‘Honestly I’m glad you made it. No trouble on the border I hope?’

Timeo shook his head. ‘None. The open border policy is paying dividends, I see.’

Jalo smiled. ‘Not one of mine but it was mutually agreed. I can only imagine some of yours are seething quietly but we do still rely on each other. Trade and expertise and what not, all being allowed to flow freely. And of course, it makes it easy for yourself to make it across without trouble.’

His eye met Timeo’s but for a second it wavered. The thoughts had made an unwelcome return. He coughed to distract himself and stood up to pour himself some coffee.

‘Timeo, I’m sure there’s those on your side who hate how this all happened. But likewise we have those on ours that don’t think it should have happened at all. Then there’s the Europe question. I’ve had to take desperate measures to make sure we have a fighting chance of actually functioning without interference.’ He turned back to Timeo, sipping his coffee slowly and leaning on the table. ‘Torsten told you there were two targets this time, I assume?’

Timeo nodded. ‘And that you’d fill me in on where, when and, possibly how.’

‘Yes. Let’s see… ah!’ The goat plucked some paper from the desk. ‘On this piece is where you need to be. It’s the Kainuu region this time. Not so remote but a little out of the way.’

The cat took the paper. He read it carefully. Not even a hint of a smirk. ‘Interesting name. How’d you know they’ll be there?’

Jalo’s face was also neutral. It was a house of certain reputation that no politician would be seen dead coming out of if they were sensible, which these two weren’t. Well, there was gambling too, but gambling was somehow lesser of a crime. ‘They have a reputation. It’s either there, their hunting lodge, or the small town nearby, no doubt upsetting everyone.’

Timeo noted this and folded the paper to tuck into his pocket. ‘You have the names?’

The other paper was handed over. ‘That’s them. They won’t register under those names there, but trust me. The madame knows them by sight, knows their tastes pretty well too. If you treat her right, she’ll let you know if they’re there.’ The goat sat down, still sipping his coffee. ‘I have every confidence they are absolutely there.’

He was handed another slip of paper. This had two names and immediately he hummed in interest.

‘You know them?’ Jalo noticed and sat up attentive.

‘One of them very well indeed. The other I don’t know too much about.’ He raised his brow and tapped one of the names. ‘Von Kruppe is Bavarian. One of the last old guard, the old old guard if you catch me.’

Jalo Korskinen was immediately curious. ‘How do you know Von Kruppe?’

Timeo put the paper in the same pocket. ‘I met him once, unfortunately. When I say that, I only saw him. It was across a very long room and he was more interested in the young lady with him. That was in… Dusseldorf I think. It was a few years ago. I only know of him by reputation. Wants to be an industry magnate and doesn’t have the brain for it. Wanted to be a politician, doesn’t have the knack of lying. Don’t leave your daughters with him either.’ He shrugged. ‘Interesting to see him here. How do I get close to them?’

‘Ah!’ Jalo jumped up again and went to the desk. He then took out a signet ring. ‘Wear this. They call themselves the Adders. Probably thought it was impressive. But this denotes them as co-conspirators. I have met both these gentlemen before and trust me, I don't think they have much common sense. So wear that and they should trust you. Then... Well, I don’t want two deaths at the madame’s door. Try to kill them discreetly and away from the establishment, please?’

‘Timeo nodded, taking the ring. It just about fit his finger. He took it off again then examined it closely. The ring itself was a snake which was impressive. Where a jewel would be was instead the adder’s head and a closed mouth. He tested it in case it opened, concealing something secret. It did open but it was empty.

‘Thank you. By the way, how long are they going to be there? Trip like this... I think a week to get there, do my job then back, maybe a week and a bit. I don’t want to lose them.’

The goat shrugged. ‘If reputation says anything, they could be there for days. Oh right, one last thing I need before you go. The proof. Their signet rings as proof. Just those. No fingers attached if you can help it.’ He shuddered, recalling another situation he’d wished Timeo had been on hand for. ‘Your reward, as always, is 5000 for each upon receipt of the rings. Extra 1000 each if you make it as discreet as you can.’

Timeo nodded then stood up, scooping his bag up then his rifle. Same reward as for the tasks before (the boar one had been more but that was for the risk factor) but that amount for two was nothing to sneeze at.

As he stood, Jalo started to say something. ‘Are you… staying nearby, or haven’t you got that far yet?’

The tone seemed enquiring, even hopeful. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that the goat’s eyes had roamed in the particular way that suggested Timeo was being mentally undressed. It was still a little ego boost. In his turn, the ring on the goat’s finger had not gone unnoticed either. It had been all he could do to not comment.

‘Not yet. I was going to find somewhere reasonable for one night.’

Jalo spoke quickly, lest he forget what he was about to say. ‘I was going to suggest a room here. Not a fancy one as I suspect you’d prefer functional, but…’ Jalo tailed off, looking hopeful. ‘I have a room for guests and it hardly sees use. Seems unfair you’d have to pay out of pocket for one night, yes?’

For a moment, Timeo considered saying no. Some sense of wanting to support his fellow workers and paying them fairly for it was almost always paramount. But the fact was that he had barely any money as it was. There was being true to his principles. Or he could do the other thing and take advantage of being put up for the night and do as he pleased till nightfall. He then nodded.

‘I leave early though. I’ll make sure it’s out at the back as usual.You’ll hardly know I’m here.’ So it was a yes in his own particular manner then.

He was shown to the room.

It wasn’t servants’ quarters but it was a small room quite near them. It was ideal. Small and not so fancy as the others doubtless were. If anything it looked rather dark. He briefly inspected the fireplace, seeing it topped up with wood.

Then he noticed the sheer amount of portraits along the walls. Either a dump for these often unremarkable paintings or they were adapted in some way. He had heard about some homes having secret passages but this particular home didn’t look nearly big enough for them. He shrugged and lit the fire. The toasty warmth would help later when he went to bed.

It had amused him how happy it had made Jalo that he accepted. And his thoughts turned to his reward.

How much extra was it, another 1000 on top, he’d said? He’d be sorted for a year if he wasn’t stupid with it, like he would invariably be. Fraser had been on him about that.

It wasn’t just money though. Given how much Jalo’s eyes hadn’t met his and instead had focussed on other parts of him with a gleam in the eye that suggested lewd thoughts were passing through, he could almost hazard a guess as to how else he’d be repaid.

All he had to do was ask. The forbidden crossing of social boundaries was among his particular wheelhouse of sexual experience. It was amazing how many of the upper classes wanted that (usually very profitable too.).

The image of slender fingers with a plain ring crossed his mind. At the court in Sweden, it was a bit of a game as to who he hadn’t slept with yet. The clue was to look for those who were married or about to be. He had a type and they were not unobtainable for long with him around.

Timeo liked to think he had some standards though. For instance, he’d never once thought of approaching the Queen in such a way or any of the royal couple’s daughters. He may have been a rake but he also knew when it could get too difficult to lie your way out of without causing a national scandal. That was asking for a risk too far.

He put his bag on the bed then drew out the papers again, tearing his mind from other leisurely thoughts for the moment and back onto his work at hand. He chuckled as he glanced over Von Kruppe’s name. Not a name he thought he’d see again, if he was honest. Well, well. What a reunion.

He had time. He’d find out how to travel to this place now and then maybe bide his time until sunset. Who knew, maybe there’d be fun on the way.

—--------------------------------------

As the day wore on, Jalo was doing his usual ministerial duties. Meetings, directives, careful and methodical persuasion of his point versus another who was disgustingly reasonable to a fault (a civil servant who worked under another minister who had the most annoying smile and a voice he’d very much not want to hear ever again… but he made some very good points, more was the pity).

None of this new government stuff was easy.

It had been four years since independence. They were still taking missteps, battling the conflicting tide of public opinion. He’d told the House quite firmly that sometimes you had to screw public opinion and just do something the country badly needed. Not always a popular approach but sometimes slow and steady got you nowhere. Especially now with the country in the eyes of many from mainland Europe.

Ah. About that. He had also had a meeting with one of the spies who had given him the information.

The good news was that Timeo wouldn’t be wasting his time. The bad news was that whatever half-baked plot they were trying for now seemed to include the Russians. With them sharing a large border and always hungry for more, it didn’t take a genius to work out this would be a bad thing. Best nip that in the bud right away.

He was beginning to see why the Swedes had decided conflict was not for them, not only because being a colonial power was proving to be an expensive business.

Continental Europe was a minefield. They liked one another then plotted silently behind each other’s backs as though it were a schoolyard. Russia seemed friendly enough but liked to look in from the sidelines and sneak into affairs as though they’d always had a stake in them, before imploding with either crises from within or the royal families once again having an off day with each other.

And the less he thought about what was happening on that tiny isle off Europe and its own sticky fingers in its own imperialist affairs the better. All he wanted was a country that functioned and not to have everyone trying to be nice and telling them how to run themselves.

Still, the business of the day was done and he could relax and his thoughts turned elsewhere. Deft fingers stroked the wedding band on his finger distractedly.

Jalo Korskinen was technically married. The Hungarian born Helga whose portrait hung on several walls throughout the house did technically live there. They did functionally live under the auspices of the law, it was on the marriage certificate after all.

Technically was the best word to describe it.

Put simply, they’d had sex once. It had been agreed between them both that it wasn't for them. They got on otherwise but it was purely as two people who liked each other enough to say that they’d support each other but anything more was off the table. His own preference for men and hers for the fairer sex put nails very firmly in that coffin. It had, overall, been very amicable as far as agreements went; they stayed married but lived apart and had their own lives.

He glanced at the wedding ring and wondered if what he’d heard about Timeo was true.

A serial seducer of the married and engaged. A rogue who would promise and deliver a good time and all you had to do was flash the wedding band. The greater the risk of being found, the higher his chance was a yes and to immediately ask where they’d do the deed.

Only one way to know.

His thoughts shifted and then there he was, clear as anything in his mind’s eye, his imagining of how Timeo looked under all his layers. The image of the feline only a little taller than him but broader with a powerful back and shoulders, white fur that made him look older than he really was adding fire to those flames of desire. His thoughts from this morning came flooding back with renewed vigour.

Jalo was a young man, in his early twenties. There was an allure to the older male that couldn’t be denied.

If only he could have seen what was under that heavy coat of his. He had been undressing Timeo during their meeting and his mind’s eye had been very pleased with what he had imagined.

Maybe he’d go see how he was settling in and while doing so give the hint and invitation that now they were alone, anything could happen, and if it did, please let it be now.

That was one thing he had learned about the cat; he only took advantage if the advantage was offered freely and communicated as such. So he’d be direct.

He knew the guest room well. That pretty much was where any lovers ended up. For this reason it had the most comfortable bed, specifically added rings to each poster of the bed and the numerous portraits had been adapted for those of the voyeuristic inclination to look in. The bed itself was suspiciously sturdy too in case it got rougher than usual.

It was also darker than the other rooms in decor and conspicuously plain. The main focus there was not the ostentation but the activities within. Decor didn’t matter if his eyes were only for the one or two who’d be pushing him into the mattress.

It was dark outside by the time Jalo made his way and the lamps in the halls had been lit. He found the room and peered in, as the door had been left ajar.

Timeo wasn't there. The bed had been slept in but the cover had been dragged down to the floor and his coat rolled up as some sort of makeshift pillow. Huh. Curious.

Jalo frowned then an ear perked. There was some sort of sound towards the kitchen. By some gut feeling, he headed there quietly, making sure he wasn’t seen.

Making no sound, he noticed the door was wide open. It opened outwards and he almost crossed the threshold but something stopped him and made him hide behind it.There wasn’t even an attempt to hide what was going on inside.

It hadn’t taken Timeo long to acclimatise at all. The kitchen was one of the warmest places in the house but even so, Timeo had taken a love of showmanship a little further and his nude form was completely on show. Below him, pinned to the table and gripping it for dear life was the head butler.

Wait. Yes, he was gripping the table but he was also pushing back to meet the cat’s slow grinding. The look on his face was pure ecstasy.

‘Easy there.’ Another voice spoke up. It belonged to the head of the stables, a rather handsome borzoi with off-white fur that really showcased how lithe he was under it. He moved a little to see what the canine was doing, mindful of his shadow.

Ah. Now it was clear.

Timeo had been crudely but effectively leashed or rather, tacked up with a rope as if he were in a halter. Bare teeth gripped the rope that acted as a bit in his mouth and occasionally his lips would curl back and a soft feline yowl was suppressed by the rope. The borzoi was holding his tail aside and visibly buried deep inside him, barely moving, yet not quite knotted securely.

Jalo felt weak. This was one of most lurid fantasies he had seen come to life and it only pained him to see it wasn’t him getting this. Yet at the same time he felt some sort of elation that Timeo was and at the hands of such a skilled master too.

At every movement, the stablemaster just holding onto what control he had and pushing Timeo forward to the butler. White fur blended with blue stripes which met bare pale skin. It was all Timeo could do but grip the presented hips tight, his white tail tip thrashing as he sought to control the urge to dive headfirst into his primal desires.

‘Good. I know what you want to do. But good boys get their reward eventually, heh?’ The stablemaster sounded almost smug.

To Jalo, it just added to the overall carnal ambience. It wasn’t spoken with a growl but a confident calm manner, the sort that made you listen and want to obey. His hand moved just a little more south to firmly press against the bulge through his clothes.

‘Now I’m going to pull out. But I want you to fuck him until he comes, is that understood? Not you, him. If you do then I’ll be very disappointed. Now nod.’

Jalo saw the slightest nod. Timeo was trembling but it wasn’t with fear. A brief glimpse of his fiery amber eyes was proof enough he was exactly where he wanted to be.

The canine length that had plugged below the tail for God knew how long was withdrawn. The stablemaster kept hold of the rope holding it as if Timeo were a stallion he had just tamed. The tail was dropped but still it thrashed with barely contained excitement.

There was a brief window of opportunity to see this tableau before the cat, driven into a heated frenzy, mercilessly pounded into the man below him.

Timeo looked magnificent! Now shorn of any clothing, nearly every facet of the cat’s strong form was on show. From here, his broad powerful shoulders were obvious, even through the thick fur. The tail was thick and powerful, the tip lashing from side to side. Arms and legs thick with muscle he yearned to touch through the fur. His fingers itched to trace the slightly barer patches along the broad back where old scars had healed.

The rope halter was secure yet loose enough, strong enough even, to hold the rutting feline into some sort of subserviency. His paws, the flexible digits and their white tips, gripped bare skin tight and dug claws in to leave indents and some lines of red as skin was pierced. The rope in his mouth was flecked with foam and spittle, some of it drooling onto the exposed back below him.

It was primal. It was vicious. Timeo’s muffled growls and yowls joined a chorus of the sounds of bodies meeting in frenzied unison and the long-drawn out moans of the butler. It was also joined by the frantic and slick sounds of Jalo’s fingers edging his own (and now freed from its cloth confines) cock. He didn’t dare let out a single grunt as this erotic display before him continued.

The butler seemed to do it for him with how sudden the sound came from him. It wasn’t so much a grunt but a halfway point between a grunt and a moan that almost obscured the wet sounds of a pent-up stream of fluids to the flagstones below.

It did conceal the sounds of Jalo’s own peak. Some fluid had escaped to the floor but he’d caught most of it on his clothes. His chest heaved. His waistcoat and shirt was sticky and his hand was damp.

It had been one of the best climaxes of his life and all he’d done was watch.

He reacted quickly to hide behind the door when the man passed him. He was still naked and he'd not yet cleaned himself up so the drooling fluid leaked down his leg. He’d simply grabbed his clothes and was headed to the servants’ quarters to clean up.

‘Stand up. Let me check you. Up, lad, up! Good boy.’ The stablemaster had moved into the light again and a weary but still very much aroused Timeo stood up fully, his arms folded in such a position with fingers curled in at his chest in a manner that suggested utter subservience and that he’d been ordered not to touch anything unless told to. Drool dripped copiously at the corners of his mouth and it looked for all the world in that single moment that Timeo could easily have been a prize stud stallion in another life.

The stablemaster stroked the blue muzzle gently as if praising a horse under his care. ‘You did well. See, wasn’t so hard, was it?. And now you get your reward. I got you, just lean here… Good. Now raise that tail… A little more… good.’

Timeo gripped the edge of the table, claws scoring into the wood. His tail rose then swished aside, conveniently showcasing the best angle for any would-be voyeur from the door. His breathing was harsh, chest rising and falling. The spittle coated the rope and made every breath out sound like a muffled wet wheezing.

Jalo almost gasped audibly.

Timeo wasn’t hugely endowed but he didn’t need to be. He looked perfect, with the full girth on show, the somewhat bulbous head showcasing the soft feline barbs. Then at the base… Was that a leather cord there? It was! It was bound tight enough that he still remained firm and ready, but not enough to cut off circulation. Even in this light, the light pinkness of the presented cock contrasted beautifully with the blue grey fur of the sheath and balls beneath.

The sounds of claws scoring wood was joined by a deep growling rumble from Timeo’s chest. It sounded so delightfully feral and wild and made Jalo once again stand to attention. He could only watch in awe as the cat was once again plugged and filled with a length Jalo wished were going into him.

Slow and torturous. Back and forth. Slick sounds joined the near-feral sounds of Timeo trying to hold back. The barbed cock dripped its fluids in one long trail. The tail thrashed, not just the tip but the whole thing now, swaying like a frantic snake.

Jalo had to look around briefly but there was no one in sight. He swore his breathing, becoming rapid and fevered, would have alerted others.

He could only imagine how gloriously torturous it all was! Would that he were there getting the fullness of that inside him right now! As he watched, gripping the base of his own cock to forestall any sudden climax, the display before him became quicker. Then the rope halter was gripped and yanked, forcing Timeo’s head to remain upright, the pace frantic as the stablemaster lost all composure to chase his own pleasure.

Lips curled back, exposing pale teeth that gritted together or gripped a rope bit that was beyond wet. Timeo’s tail thrashed violently, his claws left renewed scored marks in the wood. The cat’s ears, as long as his head at least, suddenly flicked back to press to his skull and despite the gag, his yowl of satiation, of pleasure finally reached, echoed in the open space of the kitchen.

It was joined by a sharp bark and another wet sounding spatter against the flagstones. The stablemaster had, despite the impression given, not tied and with some suspicious practised ease, pulled free and undid the rope halter about Timeo’s head.

Jalo didn’t linger. He knew they’d be preparing to leave and it was harder to hide from two. Despite part of him wanting to see so much more of those two, still looking cosy and intimate in the midst of what was looking to be aftercare, he had to finish himself off more discreetly.

In the privacy of his own room, he closed the door.

He was at once struck by so many pangs. A pang of need, to have been the one tied up and made to comply with all those requests. To have his own cock tied at the base so that despite stimulation, it couldn’t be relieved just yet. To be held at that edge of pleasure until given the go ahead and just to let it all out.

Then there was that edge of jealousy. It should have been him there, a small part said. All those detailed woodcuts and privately commissioned pictures that were safely secured in his room were of things he specifically knew full well would like to be done to him. Admittedly some were pretty advanced and a little scary to think about but it didn’t stop the fantasy being stimulating enough that he often had to go twice before being satisfied.

His clothes were deposited at the bottom of the bed. With some frantic urgency, he sought his relief. Leaning heavily on the upright support beam nearest him, his arm wrapped about it to grip it tight. Imagination set in quickly, filling the void with a Timeo-shaped partner who was rutting him senselessly against the beam.

Then the jealousy passed, replaced with another feeling. He wasn’t sure what he’d call it but it was a sort of warm feeling. He’d enjoyed seeing Timeo like that. He’d enjoyed, above all, seeing him enjoy it. He could have stopped at any time he chose but he hadn’t because he’d wanted that. And that had made him, Jalo, happy too.

He wanted to see that again. The scene, maybe, if he knew he could trust the stablemaster. But that feeling, seeing how Timeo had loved every second of that? It had only made every sensation and sound all the more alluring.

Now that he was alone, he didn’t feel the need to quieten himself.

The heady scent of the earlier rutting was still fresh in his nose. It spurred him on, faster and faster he stroked himself until…

His breathing became whimpers then moans and finally, accompanied by his body stiffening and a sudden dampness on his hand, belly and partly on his sheets, and a garbled utterance that wasn’t completely words, but more an exclamation of the ecstasy he’d had to hide behind the door.

In the dim light of his room, he leaned on the beam heavily and caught his breath. He felt tired, but satisfied.

It was a new day tomorrow. He didn’t bother getting dressed as he settled under the sheets.

—----------------------------------------------

The next morning was bitterly cold. A cold wind had come from overnight so the autumnal chill became an almost early winter chill. It wasn’t long before nights would be longer.

Timeo had slept soundly. The night’s earlier activities had done its work in making him drowsy enough to sleep the moment his head had touched the makeshift pillow of his coat.

Any aches were removed when he took his bath in front of the fire. He took out most of the moisture with the towel on offer, opting to dry out naturally the rest of the way as the fire roared.

It was early enough in the morning that he could afford to take the time to take apart his trusty rifle and this he did with some concentration, laying out all the parts neatly and then setting his toolkit out in the same manner.

He’d left the door ajar and barely looked up as he heard a knock. ‘Come in.’

‘Timeo? Ah, you are up.’ Jalo Korskinen’s voice sounded a little drowsy. He entered and glanced at the cover still on the floor. ‘You don’t like the bed?’

Time sighted along the long barrel of the rifle. ‘I’m a soldier. You get used to floors and cots as soft as stone eventually. That felt like I was on a cloud, felt strange.’

Jalo shrugged and then noticed Timeo still hadn’t got dressed. And was in the middle of some weapon maintenance. You could do some maintenance on me, his inner voice supplied. He filed the image away for later. He restrained biting his lip as he watched Timeo work.

‘Understandable. I understand you’ll want to be off soon but before you go, maybe an early breakfast? I have something additional I’d like to share with you that came to light last night.’

Timeo’s bushy white brow raised.

‘Some fresh news from where you’re going.’ Jalo finished. ‘I think it could be important.’

‘Ah. Then I’ll finish this and join you. Where will you be?’

‘In the drawing room. I don’t tend to have big breakfasts so have however much you feel you need.’

Jalo left and Timeo watched him go. He could have sworn the goat was a little redder there. Come to think of it, he was sure there’d been a voyeur at last night’s entertainment.

He turned back to his rifle, disassembled in the neatest array of parts a sergeant of any country would have been proud of. Then he smirked. Well. If it had been Jalo, he hoped the show had been good. It had only taken half a day to plan after all.

—------------------------------------

The meal was brief. As it turned out, Timeo wasn’t big on food so early on either. He did take some with him for the trip in case but otherwise he sat and listened, opting to have his offered coffee in a larger and less delicate mug.

‘So we have the Russians in on this too. Complicates it a bit.’ He frowned. ‘You think they’ll retaliate?’

Jalo shrugged expansively. ‘Who knows? They have enough issues of their own as is. This could be them pulling some elaborate hoax. All I’m saying is be careful. Get to those two first and as soon as you can. As far as we know, nothing else is affected in this plan.’

Nothing else yet. That made getting there soon all the more important.

‘I’ll be careful. I think I’ve got three lives left to lose before death decides to come knocking.’ Timeo chuckled then saw Jalo’s horrified expression. ‘Relax. It was a joke. I’m going to go before it gets too late. See you in about a week or two.’