FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Kaelmin; a grand fortress city built within a towering mountain range created and maintained by both Kobold and Dwarf alike. I had been there many times to mingle and do business among the creatures there that crafted and toiled upon stone and gem among various other materials, and I knew I would be welcomed back with open arms, even should I have an odd guest with me. There would be no place safer for a runaway troubadour slave and a gnoll traitor, even if both of us were still paranoid of shadows that didn't exist. It had taken us a good few weeks of restless travel and open eyed nights to arrive before the grand stone gates of the city, the trip taking a toll on our mood as every day and every night we had to watch our backs. From where I sat upon my mount I looked down towards Gaerr who looked a bit tired of it all which seemed to be the standard fare for our little journey. His stoic glare was upturned to the great gate before us as we awaited for a guard to see us in, there was no sense in being impatient. During our travels I had learned a few interesting things about my fellow musician and lover. Originally we had another horse, but as it turned out, Gaerr had simply stolen the second horse for an extra meal so he wouldn't need to hunt more than necessary. I was still amazed that he had managed to keep up with the horse on our travels even through a full gallop, more so when he had eaten the other horse, bones and all. It made me feel terrible for complaining about a few saddle sores and the occasional night without sleep and tough cooked meat. A sense of fear and dread had followed us as we traveled as well, I assumed what fear I felt, doubled for Gaerr. He had been loyal to his tribe for the entirety of his life, and now because of me he had abandoned that all, surely his tribe wouldn't forgive him, and if he should ever come to be punished, then it would be my fault. The fear looming over us had left little room for fraternizing or idle chatter. He only ever seemed to sober when I sang to him during the few nights that we were comfortable enough to set up camp, and even then he had been so quiet. More than the tension between us during travel, the silence absolutely killed me, his eyes always chasing shadows while his lips were far too tightly shut. Even now Gaerr seemed intent on remaining quiet and lost in whatever thoughts plagued that thick skull. Even now I prayed that some sort of miracle would happen to break the damnable silence.

My salvation came in the form of a passing guardsman that seemed to appear out of nowhere, a familiar short kobold with bright red scales and thick leathers covering his body, a lantern upon his tail, a crossbow in his arms, "Hail! What business do you have here friend?" Amused at the confusion upon Gaerr's mug I stepped forward to introduce ourselves, glad for a bit of a distraction from the dreary silence that plagued the air.

I bowed as I would to any uniformed individual of any size and brought my voice to a respectful but chipper tone as I responded, "Good day. We're here to enter the city for visitations and business. Believe it or not my friend here is in the market for a new instrument, finely crafted at that. If you question our credibility than simply ask an artisan by the name of Jorn, he'll vouch for me, and my special friend here."

For a moment the kobold seemed a bit bemused by my little play. He looked from me, then to the gnoll, back and forth a few times before he snorted and hefted his crossbow over his shoulder, "A gnoll seeking fine craft huh? Well, this is the right city. Doubt any elf or kradeen would give you the time of day, nope, not at all. Since you know Jorn I guess I can let you in...Besides, I never forget a face. Bit of routine talk will satisfy anyone on the top who asks any questions, but you don't have to put up that whole respectable guest act. Well, anyway, follow along."

As the kobold turned tail to begin walking away, Gaerr gave me a bit of a sideways glance before looking towards the large stone gate. Finally he broke his own silence to ask as I slid off my horse to follow the kobold, "Isn't that the gate?"

I chuckled, easing the horse in the kobold's direction while waving Gaerr over, "You don't actually think they use the gate for one or two people do you? The thing is massive Gaerr."

Gaerr snorted as he followed along, "What is a gate's use if not to be opened and closed."

The kobold answered that with a chirp as we continued on along the mountain wall, "It is used to keep things out, that's what. Now, you've got a horse with a few packs. Can you manage to carry those for a bit big guy?"

Gaerr raised a brow, the curiosity all over his face far too delectable for me to handle, "I can..." He answered warily.

When we arrived, the kobold guard brought a claw against the rock, pressing it in and making a few swift movements that were far too quick for my eyes to follow before stepping back, the wall cracking open to reveal a dark passage, "Welcome to the commons gate for passage of a few people and their steeds and what not, you can leave your horse at the stable just inside the entrance."

Stepping inside of the passageway I smiled. It never ceased to amaze me. On the inside the stone was smoothed out, to the side of the entrance a few stables with hay and plenty of feeders for various horses and other mounts. It was almost pitch dark as we entered except for a few torchlights, but the guard was also a kind sort, the lantern on his tail acting as a guiding light for guests. I remembered the little kobold had always been the one to greet me, always been the one most excited to hear my songs, and thusly he always gave me a proper welcome; not all the gate guardians were so kind as to bring lanterns. It felt nice after such an ordeal with both rude humans, and those captive gnolls. Looking to Gaerr I could see the emotion plain as day upon his face. His eyes were wide and his movements were slow as he stepped inside the large passageway, the stone slab doors closing behind us, "This way, this way. I'd hate to be responsible for another lost pair." After hearing the sour growling of Gaerr who now had his arms full of saddlebags he amended, "Though, no one has ever been lost on my watch so no worry. Just a little joke. Troubadour, please tell me you're going to teach him humor if you have him off of his leash."

A snarl and a snap sent the little kobold hurrying along, with both myself and Gaerr following the firelight coming off of his tail lantern, my own lips shut tight as I tried my hardest not to giggle at the kobold's little quips. At the very least surrounded by the stone walls I could feel safe and at ease, nothing weighing upon me at all, however I could not say the same about Gaerr. I would just have to wait until a time to chat with him privately to see if I could improve his mood, or at the very least get him to talk.

Again Gaerr could not suppress his wide eyed surprise as we traveled through the stone clad city. The city itself was cut into three great levels that circled around a central pillar that held political offices and the sort. During a drunken stint, Jorn had told me that there were little escape routes through every little nook and cranny of the giant pillar, and that the council were weaker than marble, but hopefully we wouldn't be dealing with politics or the heavens forbid, bureaucrats. We were simply here for a new instrument and sanctuary, that was all.

Jorn lived in the artisan's district on the third level, so the walk there took us through winding corridors, markets, mines and so much more. Gaerr looked a bit unpleasant through it all in part because he had to duck underneath so many passage and doorways, and in part because of all the stares he received from folk who were generally smaller than he was. Gnolls were a strange sight in human cities, within caves and rocks they were practically non existent. To me their curiosity came off as just that, but perhaps Gaerr thought that curiosity could have been tinged with a bit of fear. Yet again it was hard to tell with the silent treatment he seemed to be keeping. I'd have to lecture him on bottling things up, that or liquor him up to loosen those lips a bit.

When finally we arrived at Jorn's home and shop I was already remembering why I never stayed for too long. Along with being massive, the entire place felt like the inside of a forge, or a dragon's gut, steam flowing through the districts that the kobolds preferred, but at the very least there wasn't a blade at my throat at every corner. In fact, the arts were quite welcomed as a craft of their own, a section of the city dedicated to bards scribes and more. Commendable considering most human kings still strung up mummers for making a joke about their fat daughters.

Jorn's home was built against a stone wall finely cut from the mountain like a grand temple, the bottom half of it serving as a sort of craftsmen's hall. As we entered and said our goodbyes to our fair guide, I marveled at the inside of the dwarf's home. As I said it was a craftsman's hall, rather than a simple smithy or shop. Every tool and station imaginable filled the lower portion of the home along with various dwarves and kobolds who worked each of those stations. Jorn himself could be seen with his great gem encrusted stone arms yelling and pointing in between stations, instructing all as he would his own children; strict but with a hint of love and care. His beard was long and a rich brown, and yet his head was entirely bald, a leather smock tight against his muscled chest. Occasionally he'd stop at a station to take hold of a tool and amend mistakes or yell some more; truly a beautiful and tactful man. Not wanting to get in the way of anything I stood there and placed a hand gingerly on Gaerr's wrist to keep him still while we waited to be noticed.

The stone armed dwarf raised a crystalline blue eye over towards the entrance of the hall, a fat toothy grin crossing his features as he approached us, my hand idly waving. As he got into earshot I heard him shout, "You musical pansy bastard, did you break the lute I gave you already or are you here to actually sit down and learn a craft while sharing some drink!" I chuckled even as his arms crushed my bones in a tight embrace, my own arms unable to return the affection, my mouth opening but not before he interrupted, "And a big one with ya! A gnoll? Is he a good drinker? A bodyguard? Yer not sane if you don't think I won't pry, though, if he's a lover, he looks a bit sour for you."

Finally with a pause and his arms loosening I could get a word in edgewise, "I've come here for business, not to learn any of your crafts, perhaps a drink, and he's most definitely not my bodyguard, though he did save my life."

The dwarf turned to the gnoll, their eyes locking for a moment before Jorn gripped onto Gaerr's strong paw hand and gave it a heavy squeeze, "Good man then! Though, I'm starting to wonder what the story here is, and what business you could need with one of my own masterpieces still strapped to your back."

Gaerr surprisingly was the one to speak out, his voice low and respectful, "Craftsman...I require an instrument to play. I saved Aellen from my own people, because he encouraged me to perform...Unlike my people."

I felt a bit offended that Gaerr had broken his silence just now, instead of on the trip or perhaps a bit earlier with me, but I said nothing and instead watched with a bit of interest as Jorn grinned, "A gnoll bard huh? I've made swords, bows and even some armor for gnolls, but never had a gnoll ask me for a lute or lyre. Lute might not fit you though, I'll be making this a special order and I'll hear nothing of complaints."

Gaerr brought his mouth open, what a terrible mistake. Jorn wasn't one to be denied or questioned when it came to his crafts, "Now see here. I'll make you an instrument you'll love, with strong strings for those claws and a sound to betray that appearance of yours mutt, now come. We'll drink to you, Aellen's safety, and new friendship!"

What a funny sight to see. A strong gnoll tight lipped and unsure of what to say in the face of a smaller and yet just as strong dwarf, on the subject matter of what instrument the gnoll would be playing of all things. Even as we began heading to the stone steps at the back leading up into the housing area of the craft hall I could see the gears turning in Gaerr's head. Humorous to say the least. Up those familiar stone steps I found myself glad to be out of the heated kilns and forges of the crafthall, glad to be with just Jorn and Gaerr out of the noise. The upper level of the craft hall was simply Jorn's home. We stepped through a simple hallway and followed Jorn into the dining room where he sat us down with very little ceremony and went on his way. Jorn never had any servants of his own, never saw the need for them when he was a free man, powerful and liberated, even if a bit lonely at times he admitted. I myself was glad for some place to sit, chuckling just a bit as Gaerr shifted uncomfortably on the stool.

Jorn returned soon enough with a three bottles of something honey colored, and clay mugs that, all of which he slammed onto the table nearly shaking a few candles off of a nearby cabinet and began to pour for each of us while chattering, "So, Yer story. Tell it and that'll be enough to pay for that order."

I looked to Gaerr for a moment, wondering if he'd be okay with it, but as his eyes met mine he snorted and turned his attention to downing the mug of alcohol, no doubt his way of telling me to just get on with it, and so I did. From the shoddy tavern, to the romantic night spent alone with Gaerr, to being near raped by a drunk gnoll, I told Jorn every single little detail, a flush on my cheeks both from the embarrassment and from the burning alcohol that left my stomach warm and my head swimming from just one mug of the stuff.

When I finished with my little recounting of every event that had happened, Jorn frowned hard and stared into his mug, "So you'll be needing protection. Yer friend there is an exile, well, more of a traitor in their eyes...That's a mess with the council I'll have to bring up, since I'll be harboring both of you as my guests and as my wards. I'll vouch for you."

I raised my brow at that. I'd never been a fan of friends staking their honor on my mistakes, nor was I too comfortable with the notion that our safety was in the hands of a political group, "Jorn...We could just re-supply and be on our--"

With his stone hand Jorn silenced my words, slamming it upon the table and slurring, "What is this?! You think I'd leave a friend to the wolves...err...No offense Gaerr, but regardless. You're a welcome friend here. Many people know you, and if this one saved you then he can't be bad either. So like I said, you'll be staying here and tomorrow I'll work on talking to the council, tonight I'll work on Gaerr's instrument and everything be just fine. Now c'mon, both of you are drunk I can see it in yer faces. I'll show you to yer room."

Jorn hopped off of his own stool, nearly stumbling, his cheeks flushed red, and I had to smile just a bit. Loyal friends were a difficult thing to find for troubadours and the sort, just as difficult as finding people who respected the art. Both Gaerr and myself slid out of our seats to follow the tipsy Dwarf to the guest rooms, a soft bed awaiting us along with few chests here and there to store our belongings. When Jorn left us be, my face met the furs of the bed immediately, my body glad for the chance to finally rest, I could feel myself ready to sleep already, but I heard Gaerr near me, speaking, "You have a good friend."

Ignoring the desire to sleep I brought myself off of the bed to begin helping Gaerr put away our equipment, as well as gladly strip out of sweaty leather, "Well, yes. I've come here to play and to buy craft many times, and to hide. These are good folk, both the kobolds and the dwarves."

Gaerr much to my surprise then asked with a chuckle, "Bedded any dwarves or kobolds?"

I looked to him with a sideways glance, a small smile touching my lips as I slipped out of my trousers, "Gaerr...Are you fully drunk?"

Gaerr himself had just fully disrobed when he snorted and slapped at the air idly as if to bat away my remark, "Me? I only drank...Three of those mugs, couldn't be that strong."

With a sigh I took his hand gently to sit him upon the bed, my lips reaching to peck at his head. Even one mug and my head was feeling a bit light from the alcohol. Dwarves and kobolds liked their alcohol strong, strong enough to knock them out on a bad night, "You should probably rest Gaerr."

Gaerr's strong hands then grabbed at my hips, pulling me atop of his lap, his chin on my shoulder as he spoke ever so quietly, "Will we really be safe here?"

My eyes widened as I heard such a weak and insecure voice coming from Gaerr. For a moment I was silent, my hands reaching to touch his sides gently, caressing them as I replied, "Yes I'm sure Gaerr...Why are you so worried?"

I felt him shudder then almost as if he were choking back tears as he uttered the words, "I betrayed my people...I was a warrior, a hunter. They relied on me...And I betrayed them. Exiles are left alone, but traitors are hunted down...All for a stupid ideal."

My hands trailed up his body to grip upon his cheeks gently and bring his face before mine as I spoke, "You did what was right for yourself, you left for your passion...And for me."

"But are you truly mine?" he said, those words cutting deep enough to keep me silent. My eyes fixated on his. We hadn't decided whether or not we were truly lovers, that one passionate night not enough to decide, and for all he knew I had just taken advantage of him just as I had that guard that had wanted to rape me. Taking a breath I leaned my head against his and kissed at the top of his muzzle while running a thumb through his cheek, "Gaerr...I'm a free spirit, a lover of many...I've had countless lovers and seen many beds before, but you...You're something special. It'll be hard to be truthful to one, but if you want...I could try."

Gaerr's grip on my waist tightened, his lips pulling back as he growled, his eyes shut tight as he leaned in to whisper to my ears, "Not enough...But it'll have to do...I'll just have to remind you every night in this bed that you're mine...And if I catch you with anyone else then I'll remind you again what it means to be taken by a beast."

My cheeks flushed red, my heart thumping quickly. I didn't expect Gaerr to be so passionate about our relationship, nor had I expected him to be so possessive. The anger and hunger mixed in that voice urged me to see what he meant by cheating on him, or just teasing him right now. Breathing out I shuddered and leaned to whisper to him, "You know...That kobold that we first met...I did sleep with him Gaerr...I can't and shouldn't lie." I goaded him, I wanted him to show me what he meant, for him to claim me. I wanted to experience his jealous love.

Already I could feel his claws digging in just a bit, a sore reminder that he was losing his temper, the alcohol perhaps helping him let loose. For a moment I thought he would tear me a apart right there, but his thick tongue dragged out against my chest all the way to my lips, capturing them with his powerful mouth, his tongue pushing past my own lips and against my tongue to twist and dance, his hands clawing up my back to grip at the back of my head, forcing my lips to stay against his in that heated kiss. My own cock was growing stiff from just the simple touches and kisses, but my excitement grew as I felt his canine cock touch against mine, my shuddering body pressing closer to his, desperate for the feeling of his body against mine.

Even drunk it was still a relief to finally be upon his lap, to have his lips against mine and our tongues intertwined. It had been so long since I felt his passion, felt his love, because of that fear surrounding us while we were traveling. Now that we were safe here and Gaerr was loose I could enjoy him fully. Carefully my hand moved to grip at his cock, taking it gently to stroke it while our mouths parted, his own hands moving to reach to grab at my rear as he breathed out, "You'd better wet my cock with those lips of yours..."

I shook at those harsh words, my body moving to obey as he allowed me to get between his knees, my mouth moving low to kiss at his bulbous knot, licking at it gingerly before trailing my tongue down to his balls, suckling upon each as I reveled upon the little groans that he provided, encouraging me to keep going as I brought my tongue back up the length of his cock, taking my time before kissing the tip to suckle upon it. I was very glad that the walls hard cut stone, they would block out any noise that I would make as I rode the massive thing that I suckled upon. It filled me with a mix of fear and excitement, I knew it would hurt, I knew it would feel terrible in the morning since I hadn't felt him inside of me in so long, and yet I wanted it all, hopefully I would be able to move in the morning. Surprisingly Gaerr's hands upon my back and head felt soft, gently pushing me to suck down more of his cock, his claws only grazing my back. Perhaps even drunk he remembered the fact that after our first time I had needed bandages and plenty of alcohol to dull the aches and pains of gashes and a sore rear.

With his warm cock in my mouth, I rolled my tongue around, my lips kissing the knot before I gagged, a bit of disappointment touching my heart as I couldn't go any further. I would need to keep in practice if I wanted to take in all of his cock, and perhaps that would be the same way for my rear as well. I was then taken by surprise as Gaerr hefted me up by my arms upon his lap, his thick cock twitching against my puckered hole as his powerful hands gripped at my hips. My eyes were wide as I looked up to him, his eyes narrowed and twinkling with a feral hunger that had my heart racing as he brought my hips down to force the tip of his cock inside of my puckered and unprepared hole.

I grit my teeth and shut my eyes tight as I felt his massive cock begin to penetrate. I didn't even try to defend myself or speak out against him, because in part I wanted this. I wanted his feral passion to break me, to make me his and force me to understand what I would be missing, and hopefully keeping me loyal. As the tip of his cock pushed inside, Gaerr spared no time in pushing deep inside of me, his hands gripping tight upon my hips as he snarled, his hips working to thrust his cock deep inside of me. I gasped out and shuddered, my voice echoing off the walls as my insides were suddenly assaulted with that heated member. For a moment Gaerr paused, his hot mouth against my chest planting soft kisses, a sudden gesture of tenderness and love that was betrayed by the sudden thrusting of his cock into my tight rear. Again and again he would plant those soft kisses that had my body shivering, his cock burying itself deeper and deeper with every thrust. I dared not move, wanting instead for him to direct and control my every action. The guard at the gate had it entirely wrong, it was me who was collared, me who was tamed like a common dog, and I loved every second of it.

Soon I felt the knot kissing at my rear, his fangs bared as he snarled and struggled to push the knot in me already, his hips working feverishly to pump that thick thing inside of me. At the same time I watched in wonder, eyes wide as his powerful body worked to fill me with his massive canine cock. At the same time his claws refused to dig into my skin, only ever softly grazing, a sign that he still had control over his action, even though his movements told me that he desired to show me that I belonged to him and only him as a beast would show its bitch. Again and again he brought that massive knot against my puckered hole, pushing and grinding until finally it entered, my entire body jolting from the sudden stretching. I felt sore, far too sore and groaned out from the pain and pleasure mixed together, my body shuddering, tears staining my cheeks as the pain became far too much, but Gaerr was there with a soft touch upon my cheeks, his ears flat back against his head as he leaned to whisper to my ears in such a caring tone, "No love...Don't cry...Was this too much?"

With a sniffling breath I shuddered and spoke shakily, "N-no Gaerr...Please continue...Show me that I belong to you."

Rather than continue grinding against me, he allowed his cock to simply twitch and throb inside of me, his strong arms coiling around me and tugging me close against his powerful chest. His love reflecting in every little movement made me remember the passion we shared that first night, the reason why I had even thought to continue traveling with him, and then perhaps he did something that brought my heart closer to him. He began to sing. A soft and soothing melody that flowed freely from his lips in a sweet tenor tone that sounded like magic to me. It made my body feel heavy and my heart just the same. He was my gnoll bard, my precious lover that could be so fierce, and yet so soft.

Shakily both of my hands reached to return the embrace as I began to move my hips; Gaerr simply sat there, stroking my auburn hair back and whispering sweet things to my ears after he had finished his little love ballad. I rocked my hips faster to him the more he loved me, the more he whispered those sweet words, my own cock twitching and throbbing in response to the desires of my body, my toes curling as I suddenly felt the embrace between us tighten, his cock twitching violently as warmth filled my insides, warm love and passionate semen that stuck to my inner walls in beautiful ways. When his orgasm finished I shuddered and suddenly felt so very weak, remembering that I had wanted to sleep. At this point I didn't even want to orgasm, I only set my head against Gaerr's chest, tears still staining my cheek, his arms keeping me safe against his body as he laid back slowly, our hips still connected, our hearts just the same. I hoped we could start a new life here, a life full of peace, where his past wouldn't come to bite us in the rear, but even in the afterglow of our lovemaking, my dreams were full of dread.