FSE

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CHAPTER NINE

The rain splattered against the window before running down in rivulets some even

merging to form larger versions as they travelled down the vertical sheet of glass, in the

distance the dark clouds flashed followed by the rumble of thunder seconds later, James

watched in the comfort of an old chair that he was sure he may have made himself for

Lady Erillia though for the life of him he could not remember exactly when it might have

been he had been through so much the last year that it was all a blur to him at times and

even trying to focus on it just brought memories he would sooner forget.

Such as the loss of his wife or rather Mate as the land he lived in would refer to them as

then there was that small young feline who had been there for him kept him sane only to

die protecting him during his time as a slave.

Life was so cruel but he refused to let the pain of loss and sadness consume him though it

was so hard not to as the Dorothy leaving believing him dead and taking their child who

he never even got to see or hold this was the hardest.

Oh he could not blame her after all every one believed him dead or in a situation where

he would never be able to return ever again so it was understandable his beloved would

move on since their child be it a son or daughter would need a father to help raise him or

her.

And of all the people she could have chosen James was glad it was Asland, that proud

kind hearted Lion would protect them and help raise the child to become a good and true

he was sure of it he only wished he could have seen the child at least once maybe even

held his son or daughter in his arms.

But that would have just been caused to much pain to Dorothy and even greater same to

Asland so no he could not do that, it may have been selfish of James but he could not

bare to put them through that even if they deserved to know he was back.

They could live a happy life ignorant of any knowledge of him still being alive so as

much as it pained him as much as it hurt him to the very depths of his soul to the point it

would be the one regret he would take with him to the grave he would never change his

decision to accept the letter and move on.

Besides he guessed fate had compensated him for his sorrow by guiding him towards

someone who was proud stubborn and would rather die than leave him not that he

doubted any could stand against her and survive in a fight.

He only wished he had met her years ago so he could have shared his first moments into

man hood with her but that aside he loved her dearly as she did him even if she was a bit

brutish in her ways at times but then perhaps that was what he needed to keep safe and

not get himself into the kinds of trouble that had started to happen way to often for his

liking.

Behind him a Lioness in a thin white silken gown poured out some wine from a decanter

in to a flute, the thin elegant stem seemed all most too delicate for a the large paws of a

lion to hold without breaking but she did so with little trouble showing the sheer quality

of the drinking vessel as it was carried to the small round table he sat near.

**“If thou hath need of anything thy lord, please do not hesitate in commanding oneself

and one shalt perform whatever task thou might wish upon this most humble servant”**

The Hand Maiden rumbled softly to him, James was sure he herd the undertones of

something else in her voice though he couldn’t be sure turning his head to watch her

leave she paused by the fire place picking up one of the ornate pokers to rekindle life

back into the fire with a few swift somewhat unnervingly accurate thrusts into the

partially burnt wood.

Looking back to him she gives a smile that made his body shudder nervously at the

intentions in her eyes, she didn’t even move her gave as she lightly tossed a couple more

quartered pieces of wood on to the fire feeding the flames as they flickered and danced

onto there latest prey.

The smile spreading across the female’s lips increased as she gracefully got to her feet

before taking her leave, James watched as her hips deliberately swayed in a provocative

manner.

It was not the first time since he had recovered significant enough strength the last few

days after collapsing out on the court yard to Lady Erillia’s private estate that the hand

maidens had tried seducing him.

The first and by far not the last was the way they would caress his flaccid man-hood

when they used sponges to give him a bed bath hoping to force a reaction they could

utilise for their own needs but his body had been still too weak and drained to even

reward their efforts with even a semi-erection.

Even now his own body was unable to react to the carnal allure of her body language, the

Human almost felt scared at the thought of recovering and the Lionesses finally gaining

the reaction from him they sought.

“Hold thy self in check wench and cease thou's torment upon this cub!”

A gruff voice rumbled, he recognised it as the old Lion Warrior he had seen at his

workshop shortly after returning home from his adventure as a slave, he gave a grateful

nod to the large imposing figure of the heavily armoured male who returned it with one

of his own.

True James didn’t like being referred to as Cub but then he wasn’t about to argue with a

bipedal Lion who pound for pound out muscled him that and the fact the Warrior sported

a fearsome looking sword sheathed on his belt that looked so heavy that James had little

doubt he would struggle to pick it up even if he were to use both of his hands.

The double doors to his chambers closed leaving him alone once more as a flash of

lightning far off in the distance illuminate the room brighter than the wall mounted oil

lamps that provided illumination on that dark damp and dreary day, his thoughts began to

wander to is workshop and the work he still had yet to finish.

This ate at him as he felt a sense of unfulfilled duty form in the pit of his stomach and a

bitter taste in his mouth, part of him contemplated sneaking out and heading home to get

back to his work but the Prides Alpha Female had thought of that already since she had

ordered her hand maidens to take his clothing away from him and dress him in a silk robe

that while suitable for use indoors of this palace like estate she called her private quarters

it was no good for being out and about in.

A sigh left his lips as he also had to think about how he would be able to shake the Old

Warrior standing guard outside the door, James doubted he could get past him as for

trying to overpower him there was even less chance of that.

Even if by some miracle he did get home Shadow Claw his beloved mate would greet

him with open arms then break his knee caps and ankles before crushing his feet in her

large powerful paws so he could not try such a stunt again before dragging him back here

where he would have to face Erillia’s scornful glare as she scolds him like some small

child for leaving her care like that.

Reaching for his flute of wine he took a small sip scrubbing the train of thought from his

mind deeming it as foolish if not downright dangerous to his health, the sour taste in his

mouth didn’t go away though the quality of the wine did make it more bearable.

“DAMN IT…I’m going stir crazy in here!”

He grumbled tempted to fling the glass flute at the marble wall but he restrained himself

as he was a guest after all even if it did feel more like a prisoner right now, taking a few

more deep breaths he looked once more across the chamber something he had done so

many times now that he had lost count.

The furniture was lavish from the large ten foot tall vanity mirror to the lush deep plush

mat at the centre of the chamber that surrounded the king sized four poster bed had been

crafted in walnut that looked spectacular against the golden expertly weaved mat which

stuck out by a good four foot in all directions as if acting like some circular frame for the

bed itself.

The walls and floor where black marble with golden coving and baseboards gave it a

strong contrast to Erillia’s own private bed chambers, where the marble walls met a long

golden seam was present to help finish the look off perfectly.

Along the windows held in golden sashes tied neatly in bows through a ring in the wall

two long thick drapes of jet silk sat ready to be freed so they might blot out the windows,

James hated to admit it but who ever had designed the chamber had done a wonderful

job.

Even the ceiling hadn’t been neglected as the gold painted plaster had been crafted to

represent some old historical battle the Pride may have at one point fought against the

Tiger clans, it was brutal and savage yet at the same time captivating.

Either side of the large double doors two portraits hung with when he had at first he

looked at them James had thought they were the Prides Alpha Lioness but then latter he

noticed the subtle differences, he began to wonder if they were the former head females

of the pride who had ruled ages past long before both Erillia and her Mate had even been

born.

Both the females in both portraits while different where extremely beautiful almost breath

taking he could only gather they were of Erillia’s family blood line, grudgingly he tore

his eyes away from them before scanning across the rest of the room.

The rest of the furniture was nothing to special the odd chest here and bookcase there

along with a handful of vases and ornaments otherwise this for the last few days had been

his world and to say he was growing restless and sick of it would have been an

understatement.

** -OOO-**

It had taken James a good month to fully recover via rest and treatments supplied by the

House of the Blazing Moon’s own healers, their balms and ointments having helped his

body recover in fraction of the time it would have normally taken.

“Mnnnn feels good!”

James moans lying face down over the massive queen sized four poster bed, beneath him

was a soft thick sheet to absorb any of the oils that where being applied to the Humans

body while astride him he could feel the powerful feminine thighs of one of the Prides

healers a lioness naked astride the small of his back.

Her hips rocking slightly as she rubs her large paw like hands along his upper bad

caressing and massaging the oils she drizzles into his skin, he could hear a soothing

chuffing sound come from her accompanied by soft rumblings sounds as she works the

tension and knots out for his muscles turning her patient into putty beneath her hands.

“Thy lord please one bids thee to turn over”

She whispers tenderly and he complies without question to feel his flaccid length touch

the groove of her lower lips, she adjusts her position swiftly before his body could

respond to this since she was not there to pleasure his body just to sooth and relax it.

Closing his eyes he sighs softly as she lifts up off of him for a few moments only to feel

her ease back down across his midriff only this time she felt a little more heavily and the

paws while still sizable where smaller.

The moment she began to rub the massage oils into his skin he knew it was someone else

as the touch was harder and much rougher despite an obvious attempt to be gentle,

opening his eyes he found himself looking directly into the eyes of the last person he ever

though he would see.

“Kamballa!”

James mused looking up at the Imperial Guardswoman a smile playing across her muzzle

she was dressed only in her fundoshi style undergarment to his left gathering up her white

robes the female Lioness who until moments ago had been making him feel as if he was

in paradise was making a swift exit not wanting anything to do with what might happen

next.

**“I would have paid you a visit sooner but you were in no real condition to go any where, as

it is your well enough to come with me, you do know it was inevitable that I would take

you into protective custody for your own good right?”**

Kamballa noted softly with a smug expression, she felt a strong sense of victory welling

up inside of her as she ran her paws along his well-formed chest, she had to admit for a

Human he was not to bad looking and from what she could feel swelling against one of

her large powerful thighs he was more than capable of satisfying a female.

Where it not for the guards outside she would more than likely taken him into custody but

right now she was not really in any position to do so, she had verified his presence in the

Prides compound that was enough for now.

“Tell me Human have you ever been with a Kangaroo?”

Her question took James by surprise as he shook his head wondering what she was

planning to do now she had him in her clutches, easing herself further down his pelvis

until her covered female parts touched against his exposed and very much swollen shaft

Kamballa smiled as the Human gave a sudden intake of breath.

**“With the guards outside I cannot render you unconscious tie you up and cart you off

without considerable risk and injury to my person not to mention being hunted by the

entire pride, I have reservations I would make it beyond the wall before I am dragged

down and torn apart piece by gruesome piece.”**

She started slowly grinding herself against him while whispering in a soft gentle tone to

her voice, she felt quite disgusted with herself for offering the use of her body as a

bargaining chip to achieve her goals.

She was a highly honoured member of the imperial guard not some lowly harlot in a bar

looking to entice some lust full fool to ugly or stupid to attract a mate of their own,

unfortunately since guile and intelligence had so far failed her as had diplomatic methods

That left brute force but as she had just said to the Human Male beneath her this wasn’t

an option either which left her two choices failing her duty or belittling herself in such a

shameful manner but since the former possibility was something she refused to even

contemplate she had to act like some lowly tavern whore to achieve victory.

**“But, if you were to freely come with me instead?......I could in turn make it more than

worth your while.”**

The Kangaroo emphasised the last word by pushing down and grinding herself instead of

just rocking her hips then to sweeten the deal even more she eases up his hand to her lips

before easing one in and sucking firmly upon it.

Every fibre in James’s body screamed out at him to refuse her, he was happily mated

with two females three if he included Erillia though that was more of a contract of mutual

connivance But the male in him had its interest piqued by this offer and despite his desire

to remain true it remained a constant presence as she continued gyrate against him as if to

try and influence his decision.

“NO!”

He managed to reply stopping her mid stroke a look of surprise in her eyes this soon

turned to outrage that he would even contemplate refusing such an offer, it was too much

for her mind to comprehend.

To be in the imperial guar done had to be of noble blood line whose family name was

free of any criminal activity for at least five generations, yet this low born peasant

refusing the carnal pleasure of one who not only was of noble birth but whose family

name form the very beginning of her blood line to the current day was pure and unsullied

in deed or name.

Part of Kamballa was relieved as it would have been a disgrace to her name she would

have to keep hidden to her dying days and even then into the grave itself to keep her

blood line untainted by shame.

However the rest of her was now fuming at being rejected by the like of a mere carpenter

whose status was as far below that of even the lowest levels of the nobility such as the

merchant elite whose positions in the more civil spectrum of society was achieved

through wealth alone rather than by birth right.

“You Dare Refuse?”

She snapped at him incredulously, sense of indignation flowed through her for being

turned down which was something that confused her even more and fuelled her

frustration and annoyance.

The desire to start punching James repeatedly in the face with her fists felt justifiable to

her angered state of mind but she held back at least for now but the more he resisted and

refused her offer to mate with him the more conflicted she felt.

“FINE!”

She finally sneered slapping him hard across the face leaving a large palm shaped red

welt, easing off of the human the Marsupial began gathering up her coverings before

dressing turning the tension in the room so thick it could be cut with a knife.

Watching Kamballa leave he let out a long breath as a sigh of relief as the door opened a

crack to allow one of the old lion warriors posted outside his chambers popped a head in

through to see if James was okay.

“Tis everything well?”

The Warriors voice rumbled, for a moment all James could do was nod still a little

shaken and unclear of what had just happened to him, the Lion just tossed his head back

as he laughed a deep rumbling laugh.

“Trouble doth indeed seek thee out”[/b]

He chuckled finally calming himself enough to talk again.

** -OOO-**

The wagon bounced and rocked lightly as the beast of burden pulled it along behind it,

the animal was a feral one of the living ancestors that still lived all most everywhere on

Third Earth, James didn’t really care that much as he held the reigns enjoying the feel of

the crisp chilled breeze blowing through the air it felt good to be free at last. It had been

one of the most tortuously month of his entire life being stuck like some helpless invalid

in the private quarters of the Alpha Female.

The time had passed at a snail’s pace and had felt like a sheer eternity before James was

finally allowed to head home but thankfully in all that time he had been kept from the

advances of a whole multitude of Erillia’s handmaidens and daughters thanks to the two

grizzled old warriors assigned to him in the hopes of keeping him from harm’s way. At

first the two old lions had felt outraged at being given what boiled down to being

babysitting duties but this did not last as they settled into their new roles, James had room

to put the two felines up at his house in fact he had enough room for six more people

should the occasion be needed.

He could hear the occasional movement form the two Lions in the back each slumped

over in the benches running along the inner sides of the wagon as they slept soundly or at

least that was how it sometimes seemed but every now and then a large gauntlet covered

paw like hand would drift down to the pummel of a sword whenever they passed by

anyone.

“Little jumpy aren’t you?”

He mused playfully receiving a quiet grumble form one and a light growl from the other

as a response but they got his meaning and tried to relax their guard a little, it was not

easy for them though with a life time served as warriors fighting and killing those who

would challenge the might of the Pride had developed particular reflexes and instincts

that could not simply be turned off.

It took a good hour by Wagon to reach the dirt path leading towards his home but the

closer he got the more something did not look right, a tall wooden wall that now

surrounded the land around his home, the stream behind his workshop still flowed freely

but otherwise the only way in or out was a sentry box either side of a twenty foot gap in

the front. To say James was not amused would have been an understatement, the only

consolation was the immediate treeline area just behind his property had been pushed

back for the wood required to make the changes.

Manning the entrance was a number of March Hares on sentry duty, the moment James

drew close enough they crossed their spears as if this would be enough to stop a wagon,

he was tempted to plough right through them but commons sense won over emotion and

so the wagon was brought to a halt.

“HALT WHO GOES THERE!”

One of the sentries bellowed only to raise his spear upon recognising the Human, a smile

spread against the Hares face as the others stepped aside allowing James passage though

one darted back into the camp which as James was about to find out had also changed.

Along the inside of the walls a number of workshops had been erected from a carpenters,

black smiths, tanners to a infirmary, store houses and barracks all located along one side

or the other leaving a large space in the middle as the parade ground.

Beyond this fenced off by a three foot stone wall was garden area where vegetable and,

spices, herbs and other botanical items had been planted for consumption or use

medically. By the time the wagon had reached the parade ground Apollo had exited from

the barracks flanked by the sentry who had headed back into camp only moment earlier.

“Welcome Back!”

The commanding officer beamed unfazed by the scowl James gave him even the Lions

behind him didn’t seem to amused with what had been done, one thing was for sure

Apollo had a lot of explaining to do.

“So what’s all this?”

James asked firmly gesturing to everything around him again the Hare just smiled his

warm disarming smile something that was starting to irritate the Human greatly but he

waited to hear Apollos excuse.

**“Ah the fortifications, good job my Hares did on them a very good job indeed wouldn’t

you say”**

Apollo noted with a proud tone to his voice, James sprang down towards the Hare with a

clumsy swipe of his fist to which the Hare pivoted aside to avoid then ducking under the

next as if it was some mere game or combat drill with his troops.

“I can tell you’re not entirely happy but if you would just let me explain for a second”

The Commanding officer noted keeping that infuriatingly polite smile across his face,

another punch sailed harmlessly through thin air as the Hare stepped backwards easily

reading the Humans moves as he would a new recruit receiving combat training. The two

lion watched with some amusement from the back of the wagon, they were happy enough

to let their charge fight his own battles unless the Hare or anyone else drew a weapon

against him then they would step in.

**“You have to understand this is necessary and if you would give me but just a moment to

explain”**

Apollo stood there watching the Human pause to catch his breath, he had his paws held

behind his back the whole time avoiding James’s easy to read punches, he could

understand the guys response hell had the situation been reverse he would be doing the

same. Truth be told this had been a decision discussed and agreed upon by himself and

both Lady Erillia as well as Shadow Claw in accordance with imperial decree to keep all

Human citizens of the empire safe.

It was this or James being locked away under protective custody or to be more precise to

keep any Human from being influenced by the Kingdom of man and its radical views on

Humans being the only species worthy of existence.

”Look I need you to calm down and just think about thing for just a moment!”

Apollo noted his brow frowning now as he began to grow tired of reasoning with just

words as he moved away from another blow form the large ham like fists, stepping into

the next punch Apollo delivered a sharp short well place punch of his own just under the

Humans diaphragm.

Instantly James crumpled up unconscious his eyes rolling up into his head while Apollo

held him doubled over top of him, it took the Commanding Officer every ounce of

strength to keep from collapsing under the Humans weight let alone laying his friend

down on the ground.

“Perhaps I should have just done that from the start?”

Apollo sighed shaking his head slowly.

** -OOO-**

James groaned as he started to come round his mouth felt dry like it had been filled with

clumps of wool, shaking his head a couple of times he sat up right realising he had been

laying on his back on a bed or rather is own bed the smell and reassuring sensation of

being in his home filled him.

It took a few seconds for him start remembering what had happened and felt quite

embarrassed and ashamed at reacting like he had, even he had to admit that it had been

quite out of character for him but then with all that had been happening of late and trying

to just ignore all the trauma and carry on as if nothing had happened was just asking for

him to lose it like that.

“While I’m impressed and proud that you actually stood up for yourself with your fists

like a true male should, it was stupid to pick a fight with some one way out of your

league.”

Spoke the deep gravely Tigress tones of his beloved mate just next to him, her paws

crossed in her lap as she sat on the side of the bed, reaching down she tips a wooden cup

to his lips allowing him to sip the weak beer that it held; beer came in a number of

strengths form the highly expensive strong beverage that could curl the toes of an

elephant to the weak watery stuff used for normal every day drinking since to drink just

plain water was to just ask for dysentery or some very unpleasant illness to befall its

foolish drinker.

“You should count yourself lucky Apollo counts you amongst his friends.”

Shadow mused softly to him putting the drink back on the bed side cabinet, a chuckle left

her thick back lips as she ran a paw along his cheek before reaching down with her feline

muzzle and kissing him softly with a rumbling sound that echoed physically through him;

James had to agree it had been a stupid thing to do.

It was like a mouse picking a fight with a cat but with him being the Mouse, he guessed

having seen the one constant in his life that had been his comfort zone suddenly being

changed like that had uncorked all the bottled emotions that had been buried rather than

dealt with, to just burst out like a breached dam. James felt her lips touching his once

more as the force of which pushes the back of his head firmly into the pillow.

Her large paw like hands pressing down against his chest as she deepens the kiss as if to

dominate and show she was the alpha in their relationship, it was somewhat instinctive to

a big cat like Shadow not that her Mate seemed to be displeased when she did little things

like this to him.

”Mnnn you like that don’t you my beautiful little human?”

Shadow teased him, her fingers drifting lower and lower until coming to a rest just inches

from his thigh, she didn’t wait to hear his reply as she eased astride him making the bed

creak beneath them, she was careful to take her own weight as she laid down over him

with her thighs drawing firmly around his legs, then with slow purposeful motion began

to grind and slide teasingly against him.

**“Stay still and let me Show you just how much I’ve missed having you inside of me my

love!...or resist so I can be rough with you like some wild beast”**

Her soft rumbling words rippled through his body adding extra definition to what she was

saying to him as she made it clear one way or another she intended to have some canal

fun in the end it was several hours before he was free to get up and get dressed however

he did have a slight limp to his walk as he made his way outside eager to apologise to

Apollo for his actions earlier.

He sighed softly trying to ignore the looks form the Hare’s as he passed them by they

seemed to be smirking some even chuckling and whispering something under their breath

but he ignored it the best he could, the air was moist as if threatening rain and the ground

was muddy and filled with small digitigrade boot prints.

**“From the way you’re walking Looks like either the Commander really let you have it but good

or that Tigress of yours kissed your boo boo all better!”**

Came a familiar female voice form right next to James making him jump, looking down

he saw Thyme looking right back at him a wide grin about her face then with a more

serious expression asked sternly.

**“You’re not going back for a rematch are you?...He was going easy on you last time I

doubt he will be so gentle this time around.”**

James smile defiantly to her easing a hand between her long elegant ears something the

female Hare seemed to like immensely her face changing from a serous to all most

dreamy expression.

“No, I’m just going to apologise to him for my actions”

This made her frown at him as if apologising was weird concept but he was not that

surprised by this as Hares tended to loath saying sorry for anything if anything they

preferred to fight than offering up a heartfelt apology to anyone, shaking her head slowly

at his decided course of action as if he was some child being foolish she lead him towards

the command tent where the March Hare’s Commanding Officer was lecturing three of

his subordinates for some reason or other James didn’t know why nor did he really care.

James waited patiently for Apollo to finish and dismiss his subordinates before making

his way towards the front of the tent, of course the Hare had herd and smelled him

coming some time ago.

“What can I do for you?”

He asked sternly hiding the anxiousness in his voice, he had been dreading this moment

as he knew he had to do what did not come naturally to one of his kind but this was the

Humans Land and they didn’t exactly have any contract filled out on parchment yet so

the March Hare so could easily be evicted without a legal leg to stand on.

**“Look Apollo, I’m sorry for the way I reacted I was completely out of line and I feel

ashamed of myself for doing what I did”**

James blurted out while trying to think of more words to use but he had to admit he was

finding hard to swallow his own pride and say sorry himself despite feeling guilty for

attacking his friend.

“Think nothing of it!”

Apollo mused sitting down with a relieved smile about his muzzle, the Hare was glad the

Human had apologised he doubted it had come easy either but it saved him from doing it

instead; kicking out a seat for James to sit in he poured himself a glass of drinking wine.

Just like weak bear used in the place of water so to was weak wine and tossed it down his

throat.

“You have picket duty don’t you Thyme?”

Apollo noted to Thyme who popping up a salute took the hint and left the two males to

their own devices.

Kicking out a chair Apollo poured out a second wooden goblet of wine as the Human sat down,

the chair creaked but held together as the beverage was placed down in front of James who

with a brief nod of thanks took a few gulps finding what was considered as table wine for causal

drinking was considerably more stronger than he was used to. Clearing some of the parchments

into a somewhat messy pile the March Hare officer hooked out a rolled up map of the property

they were currently on, it was not spectacularly well drawn work of art but it gave a good

overhead picture of how everything now looked.

**“As you may know what with the business of the Human held territories from across the sea’s

stirring up a bunch of trouble, Pride Harbour is just perfect strategical position to gain a foot

hold should they try to make a landing.

It’s one of the major reasons we came down to this way in the first place with that said there are

two main reasons to the wall we built, the first being to keep you and any possible family you

might have safe should there be an invasion that and to get around the whole Imperial order to

having Humans rounded up for protective custody”**

Apollo paused there to take a few mouthfuls of wine before going on.

**“Protective Custody?...yeah right more like putting all of you in some form of detention Camp so

the Imperial Advisors can keep a suspicious eye over all you Humans, they probably told the

Emperor it would be best way to guard you from the enemies influence.

Anyway there is a loop in this imperial edict, as long as the Human or Humans are within a

fortified area then they are considered a being in protective custody, it was the Lions who came

up with that work around.

We spoke about it with your Mates an both of them agreed it would be for the best though

Shadow Claw did warn us you would not be pleased about it, guess she was right but I hope you

can understand now why we’ve erected the fortifications now?”**

James sat there rubbing his chin while gazing at the map of his property as he processed all of

this, he had to admit it did make a lot of sense which made him feel even more foolish for his

earlier actions towards his long eared friend.

**“You’ll need to extend it out wards more maybe towards the road, after all where will you put

Blacksmiths, Barracks, Tanners and Armours not to mention the Armoury along with other

necessities like the kitchen and Outhouses and so forth?

I mean you can’t really rely on the ones in the village now can you?”**

Apollo looked at James for a long while before chuckling softly and shaking his head slowly

before hooking out a second rolled up parchment showing another drawing this time with all

the buildings a walled outpost would require, the wall though was much longer along the sides

reaching all the way to the long dirt road leading from the Harbour to the village.

**“I was going to slowly increase it in time while adding buildings along the side leaving the centre

as a parade ground.”**

The Commanding Officer admitted slapping a paw against the Humans back, James jerked

forwards almost spilling his wine and sighed slowly shaking his head slightly at Apollo’s pure

unadulterated cheek Apollo had but he had to admit the Hare was as sly as they come. James

was reminded of the old expression give a Hare a branch and he’ll want the whole tree, he

should of know something like this would happen but he really didn’t mind so much as they

were growing on him.

**“I would like to talk to you about something else if you don’t mind, basically I was wondering

how you would feel about taking Thyme on as your Mate?”**

Apollo noted out of the blue as if it was the most casual conversation starter ever, he wore a

warm disarming smile normally reserved for scam artists trying to sell wares stolen form off the

back off a cart. James gave the Hare a weary look wondering what more the guy wanted from

him, like perhaps his soul or maybe even enlist his carpentry skills for the March Hares needs.

**“Now what’s with that look James do you really think I would take advantage of your good

nature so willy nilly now?”**

James remained quiet and his expression remained the same, he was not going to fall for any

more of the Hares tricks not if he could help it so he waited quietly for Apollo to continue

speaking. The Hare waited for a minuets listening to the awkward silence, his eyes fixed on the

Humans face hoping to read what James might be thinking from his body language.

**“Look I’m not trying to play you, I think you and Thyme would make a perfect couple maybe

even throw in a couple of other females form her unit, just to make things interesting during

those cold winter nights yeah?”**

It was then a dark foreboding shadow engulfed him from behind, Apollo was about to speak

again when noticed the shadow that pooled around him and the smile playing across James’s

lips, a cold shiver rand down the Hares spine as the soft breeze blowing through the camp

changed direction allowing for a familiar cent to register on is sense of smell.

Slowly turning around while attempting to give a confident smile about his face he tried to get a

few word soul only to grasped by the through by a large powerful feline paw.

“Speak and make it fast!”

Came Shadows growl her eyes narrowed and her fangs bared, she was glad she had decided to

check how things were going, while Hares were for their meritorious courage an soldiery not to

mention their rowdy if not sordid practices when drunk and eager to milk opportunity should it

arise. But while she loved her Human Mate dearly he was a soft touch and an easy mark for

someone like Apollo.

“My good Lady, I was merely….ughnnnn!”

The hare started to say only for Tigress to increase her grip around his throat to remind him she

wasn’t about to tolerate any attempts to sweet talk her, after a few seconds she loosened her

grip enough for him to speak again as she raises his face level with her own.

“I just wanted to cement our new alliance by having a March Hare become one of his mates”

Apollo blurted out swiftly, a number of the March hares had backed away after having been

confronted by her once when they had first arrived none of them where that eager to get

involved if they didn’t have to.

**“I see, I will discuss it with Twilight, I will get back to you on what we decide BUT bare this in

mind any further attempts to take advantage of my mates good will shall end poorly for you!”**

Rummbled the large warrioress her paw opening and letting the hare drop to the ground before

easing her paw around James hand and leading him away her expression softening as she gazes

down at him. Once out of sight several of the March Hare rushed over to help their commander

up.

“I think she likes you sir!”

One of them remarked causing Apollo to smirk and reply in good humour.

“Well if she does I would hate to see how she acts towards those she doesn’t”

** -OOO-**

The foul rotten egg smell drifting in form the sea for those not used to it would make most

visitors to Pride Harbour feel as if their last meal was rising up, in truth it was the smell most

harbours and sea ports possessed. The day though was a bright, warm and reasonably pleasant

with a soft breeze rolling in as the clouds drifted lazily along the sky as if the threat of a possible

war was little more than a fairy tale. A woman strolled at a leisurely pace with her parasol open

and raised above her head, form the looks of it no one would have known that it and her

expensive gown had been torn and ruined several nights ago by some drunkard trying to make

her breed with him; fortunately for her the Captain of a privateer vessel had come to her aid.

It was the same Captain who walked long side her swaggering in a proud overly confident

manner, a scar ran down the wolf-bitches left eye that was covered by a black eye patch as a

paw like hand rested on the pummel of wicked looking cutlass sheathed upon a belt fashioned

form silver coins.

“I do find myself most grateful to you Captain for your gracious hospitality and protection”

The well-spoken Lady spoke as every step she took was graceful and full of poise, next to her

dressed like the Pirate she was and striding like some thug was Scar Fang scourge of the seven

seas and currently employed by the Local Lion Pride as a scout and general all around nuisance

to the Human warships playing mischief around territorial waters.

**“It be no problem lass, but Ol’Scar Fang be wondering why ya be wanting ta be doing such a

thing?”**

Scar Fang mused her white blouse like shirt beneath a black frock coat was caught slightly by a

breeze drawing it closer to the Wolfs body, revealing the shapely curves of the female for but

a brief second, her lower half was draped in black hose and a cod piece while a pair of long

knee high boots covered Scar’s digitigrade paw like feet; the whole look was finished off by

a black head scarves tied like a bandana underneath a tricorn hat.

**“That is quite simple, you cannot protect me and fulfil your duties at sea, at least in doing

this I shall be safe form all harm”**

The Human Female calmly and softly replied, the tone of her voice was soft and polite never

once rising in volume or allowing any hint of exasperation even her eyes refused to betray

any form of annoyance, Scar could never tell one way or the other with the Woman what

she was thinking of really felt. She was like an enigma that both frustrated her yet at the

same time enthralled the Pirate Captain, that plus Scar Fang had hoped to charm her into

sharing her bed so she could bury her knot deep into the Noble Woman’s tight little

passageway; However the Human was right and it galled her to even think it. Just ahead of

them a carriage waited with five Imperial Guards, each of the Kangaroos sported armour

that glinted like gold and carried halberds that even sent a nervous shiver down even Scar’s

spine.

“My Lady we are here to escort you into safe custody”

One of the Guards boomed firmly while bowing his head in respect to the Wolfess for

delivering the Human to them safe and sound.

“Be sure to keep her safe ya Wags”

Scar growled firmly as her pride refused to allow her to lose face by showing any fear

especially to some land loving pretty boys in golden armour, the Kangaroo bowed his head

respectfully as he spoke again.

“On my honour you have my word Good Captain”

This was good enough for Scar Fang who took a moment to take in the Woman’s scent one

last time before giving a sigh and turning on her heel and heading back to the ship, she all

ways did hate goodbyes. They were messy things that she could not abide that and they

caused to much heart ache for her to deal with, not without a bottle of rum anyway.

Watching the Wolf leave the Woman felt a tinge of relief at being away from such a uncouth

animal not that those before her now where any much better, they were an affront to the

goddess for just being alive but she had to maintain her act at least for now.

“Might I have your Ladyships name please so that I might present you properly?”

The Guard asked in a quiet subdued tone of voice to which she answered.

“I am the Lady Katherine”

The four other Guards bowed to her with long sweeping motions then one of them opened

the door to the enclosed carriage and waited patiently for her to climb in so that they might

begin, after being offering a paw to help Katherine up and in, she eased herself into the

coupé sitting down respectfully on one of the old crimson worn leather seat.

**“We shall be underway shortly with only one stop to make at Pride Village for one more

passenger assuming Kamballa has completed her mission, then onto the citadel where for

your own protection you will be spending your time during the upcoming war”**

The Kangaroo in charge noted informing her of their plans for their journey ahead, the door

was closed behind her as she leaned her head back against the head rest as she felt and herd

the Imperial Guard climb up into their places then a few seconds later the carriage began to

move, Lady Katherine smiled cruelly at how easy to manipulate these foul abominations

truly where.

The next five hours where passed by watching the scenery go by, she hated herself for

admitting it but the these animals who dared to walk upon two legs had been wrongfully

blessed with a beautiful land filled with so much nature, there wasn’t a single cloud of smog

anywhere let alone steam powered factories and other industrious buildings with putrid

smoke billowing chimneys that reached far into the sky. Only the untamed land in all its

glory as the Goddess intended it to be, it was something these heretical creatures did not

deserve with their heresy of existing on the world; a world that belong to mankind alone.

** -OOO-**

The sounds of blade on wood could be clearly heard emanating from the old wooden work

shop, area on the hut like building had clearly been repaired by the sight of newer wooden

planks along the base reach up half way a stone wall had been erected to add extra support

to the ageing building. Inside James whistled a happy tune as he worked his lathe, once long

ago it had been a foot driven device but that had been back when the hut had also been his

home after graduating from under the tutelage as an apprentice craftsman.

His master had also been an averagely skilled carpenter who had recognized the Humans

potential and helped cultivate it the best he could giving James the basics before throwing him

into the deep end with actual paying work so that he might gain the experience and skills his

mentor lacked and as such could not teach.

James though still had a deep loved respect for the old grey quilled Hedgehog, he was dead now

and at times James missed the old task master of mentor; a sigh left the man’s lips before giving

a soft smile as old memories of how the old craftsman would all ways find problems and pick at

even the slightest flaws in his work.

At the time he had hated that but now he understood why the old guy had done that, if his old

mentor had allowed such things to slide and not made him redo it every single time he doubted

he would have become the Craftsman he was today. He owed that old grumpy male so much

and the only way he could think of to repay him was to put his heart and soul into everything he

created no matter how minor the job might be.

“Okay enough reminiscing James you got a lot of work to catch up on!”

He chided himself as he shook his head clear and focused on one the legs for a dressing table,

the length of wood clamped to either point of the lathe as it cycled rapidly, the device these

days was powered by a wheel a short distance from the hut and turning in a stream. The design

was old and more than likely older than the great rest itself and commonly used in other fields

of work from fanning the flames of a black smiths forge to operating the large saws in sawmills,

the list of its uses could go on to fill a small library.

Applying a little more pressure with curved chisel spirals of wood bean to curl down towards the

floor as the smell of fresh wood being worked on surrounded him as he worked his trade slowly

but surely the leg began to take form in all its beauty. Occasionally he would swap out one chisel

for another of another type before putting the tool down and reaching to the side to pull the

two foot tall level to slow the lathe to a stop, tying the handle in place James unfastened the

table leg blowing the sawdust off of it before raising it up to look up along what he had done

slowly turning it to check for any imperfections.

Satisfied that all it needed now was to file down the rough area he placed it down next to three

other identical to the one he had just carved with a sense of a job well done, just outside sitting

on a couple of stools he had put together for them the two old lions sat patiently enjoying the

different sounds and smells of the goings on around them.

“I could get used to this Grim”

One of the tall old warriors rumbled his grey main showing specks of the black it had once been

he closed his eyes for a second taking in the scent from all around him feeling as if he was but a

cub again.

“You just don’t want to stand around that great hall doing nothing but looking pretty Snag”

The other Lion bellowed in laughter his main was just as grey but with spots of golden brown to

it but just like Snag his full plate armour, it was dulled lacking any real shine to it but it served its

purpose well enough despite its age. Grim circled his right shoulder listening to it click and creak

from old war wounds from when he had been much younger and eager to prove himself.

“At least I can still look the part you old snaggletooth”

Retorted Snag, to any one listening to them it was clear the two had a long history with one

another.

“At least my blade hasn’t grown rusty from lack of use you old goat”

Came Grim’s reply a comment that had it come from anyone else would have been answered

with brutal if not extremely vicious response but the other Lion just laughed like it was some old

ongoing joke between them. Despite their age their instincts and reflexes remained razor sharp

as they got to their feet large powerful muscles tensing as two large claymores swords filled

their paws as a female Hare came bounding around the corner.

Their eyes fixed upon her as if contemplating weather to cleave her in two or send her packing

with a boot up the rear, looking up at the two of them without even a shred of fear the Hare

glared right back at them as if daring them to just try something.

“These Hares are no fun!”

Snag grumbled sheathing his massive weapon and pounding on the wood next to the open door

and calling out with firm gravely tone to his voice.

“Hey you have a visitor!”

A few seconds later James stepped out into the light of the midday sun and winced slightly

before looking around and spotting the female.

“Sir, you have a visitor at the main entrance”

She smiled warmly up at him ending her message with a slow suggestive wink.

“Okay lead the way please!”

James sighed hoping this was important as he had a lot of work to catch up with, the two old

warriors stood there for a few seconds admiring the Hare’s rear end as she bounded alongside

the Human each contemplating what they would love to do to a female like that.

“Like what you see?”

Came a rumbling female voice from behind them, both males tensed up recognizing the voice

and sense of dread that filled them but they were too old and experienced to allow it to show

for too long.

**“One of these day’s stripes I’ll have to take you over my knee and spank those haunches of

yours”**

Snag rumbled in reply as he turns his head slightly to look at the Tigress, he had no idea how she

did it but the female had the uncanny ability to sneak up on them unheard and unseen,

sometimes he wondered if she was part spirit but he pretty much kept this to himself rather

than risk embarrassing himself by giving voice to such thoughts.

“You could try old man, though I’d probably have you over my knee instead”

She joked back at them making both Lions laugh loudly, they had gotten on well with the Tigress

despite the prejudice both their species had towards each other. By the time Snag and grim

arrived at the front entrance they found the Human talking to Kamballa neither seemed too

pleased with what the other had to say.

**“By imperial edict you are compelled to surrender yourself into my custody and place yourself at

the Emperors pleasure, until either successful negotiations or military intervention with the

external threat has been resolved.”**

The Kangaroo bellowed thrusting the parchment holding the decree along with the wax seal of

authority towards him as if to emphasis her words.

“I couldn’t care less I am not leaving my home, I have too many commissions to complete!”

Was James retort to this brushing Kamballa’s hand aside from his face something the Female did

not take to kindly to, reaching out to grasp his wrist her attempt was stopped by the iron vice

like grasp of Grim’s massive hand like paw.

“We’ll have none of that Ma’am, this Human is under Pride protection”

He growled sternly while trying to sound respectful since she was still a member of the Imperial

Guard and while the numerous Lion Prides had a degree of self-autonomy even they could not

get away with assaulting a representative of the Emperor at least not without some extremely

good reason.

“And I have the authority of the Emperor”

She snapped glaring at the large old warrior, grudgingly Grim let go and stepped back, as much

as it irked to do so, as he did so the Hares on sentry duty crossed their spears to bar Kamballa’s

way.

“OUT MY WAY!”

The Kangaroo yelled only to have the two sentries impudently ignore her command as the

Human stepped further behind them.

“March Hares don’t answer to imperial guard”

One of the Hare’s sneered as if daring the Kangeroo to just try something, the large marsupial

frowned then stared at the smaller yet no less deadly male lagomorph, eventually she sighed

frustrated as she backed away before bounding away knowing well the reputation of the Hares

disregard for authority outside their own chain of command. Kamballa sighed to herself, she had

hoped to do things the easy way with a little fuss as possible, but with the due arrival of her

commander she felt the chance of ending this little fiasco without resorting to violence starting

to seem less and less likely.

** -OOO-**

Kambella huffed frustratedly as she tore into a vegetable pastry yanking free a good chunk of it

with her teeth before chewing it up, normally she would have taken her time to savour the

flavour but right now she was too upset to do anything like that. She was leaning against one of

the outer walls of the village though in her opinion it was large enough to be a town since it also

had its own wall surrounding it, up on the battlement area a number of guard of differing

species kept an eye out for any trouble. They were little more than the local Malitia that

answered to the local pride of Lions, they were dressed in leather armour with cheaply

produced helmets each carrying a spear in one hand and a round wooden shield in the other,

the spear was for all intense purposes a relatively easy weapon to use that needed little if any

training to utilise effectively in combat combined with its considerable range in melee made it a

most efficient weapon. While the Buckler could be used to defect as well as parry blows,

sacrificing defence from projectile attacks to allow its user to wield it as an additional hand

weapon should an opponent get past the guards spear.

She watched as a coach pulled by numerous feral equine came into view, minuets passed as it

drew closer until at last stopping a meter away. One of the Kangaroo’s aboard the drivers bench

clambered down with surprising ease considering the plate mail armour that donned his

powerful body, his face held a disappointed expression which made Kambella’s stomach tie

itself into knots.

“So where is the Human you were meant to acquire Kambella?”

The Imperial Guard Captain mused quizzing his subordinate on her lack of prisoner, she looked

away forcing down her sense of foreboding as she began to explain the whole thing to her

superior making sure that she left out the part about how she had been relieved of her gold

after being confronted by the Human in one of the local inn’s moments before being rendered

unconscious.

The Male Kangaroo nodded as he listened with a serous expression about his face.

She went on to speak about how she had even tried to seduce the Human into her custody only

to be refused something that earned her a raise of his eyebrow though other than this his facial

expression didn’t change at least until she got to the part of the Tigress being the Human’s Mate

and the March Hares camping out in front of his home. With a sigh her commanding officer ran

a paw across his face while slowly shaking his head then looking Kambella in the eyes laughed

loudly making her face flush at his response.

**“Forgive me Kambella I laugh not at you but at the fates that have thwarted you at every turn,

though in all good honesty I fear even with a full contingent of Imperial Guard I fear it would be

fruitless to take the Human by force if not impossible, with both a Tigress and the March Hares

watching his haunches.

This said I do however strongly disagree with the tactic to seduce the Human as it should be

beneath someone of the imperial guard to perform such deeds to succeed in their assigned

roles, though between us the Human is either a fool or extremely loyal to his Mates to refuse

your favours. As your commanding officer I greatly urge you speak to none other about the use

of said tactic now let us speak no more of it.”**

The Male mused with a matter of fact toe to his voice, Kabella lightly bowed her head in

compliance to both the advice and criticism she had just been given as he suddenly asked

curiously.

“Is there any moment in time when the Human is more vulnerable?”

She thought on this for a moment recalling the surveillance she had performed upon James and

his routines, she had to admit there where a few times he was more vulnerable, yet even those

few times fortune seemed to smile upon the human placing the presence of others who would

all ways actions bar her way be it deliberately or purely accidentally.

**“I believe so sir, he does head into the forest alone or at least for the most part, to gather wood

for his workshop…..This might prove to be a more advantageous opportunity.”**

Kambella spoke making the Captain smile as a plan began to form in his head as he asked with

as clear a voice as possible.

“And you are sure the Tigress does not accompany him during these visits?”

He asked slotting together a plan he felt may well work for this troublesome Human, The

Female Kangaroo nodded her head as replied to the question saying with absolute certainty

“Apart from those two old lions assigned to his protection sir!”

The Captain grinned knowing full well the Lions would be of little trouble when shown the

Emperors Seal, of course such an operation would require time to successfully pull off and he

had neither the tie nor the inclination for such skulduggery.

**“Good, for now you will come with us as we provide escort to those serving at the emperor’s

leisure, once we reach our destination I shall request the use of individuals more suitable for

less tasteful undertakings.”**

He mused tactfully referring to other Human’s that had been with any luck been placed under

protective custody in other villages, townships and cities by other members of the emperors

guard. With a firm salute which in turn was returned Kambella made her way to the rear of the

coach clambering up onto the back where a platform along with a hand bar was located, already

standing there with one paw like hand gripped onto the metal bar was the familiar face of one

of her colleagues. He was new to the Emperors Guard as such cocky in the eager to prove

himself sort of way but overall likeable with still joey kind of face that had yet to experience just

how ugly the real world was.

She was sure he must have been a son from one of the lesser noble family, not that she held

that against him if anything it made her pity him since he was no longer in his sheltered little

fantasy life. For the most part she had taken him under her wing forcing him to face the truth of

what things where really like, at first he had been a whiny spoilt stuck up snot of a joey that she

just wanted to throw off a cliff. She had resisted that urge instead she had took him to one the

more seedy rough taverns near their barracks where she had tricked some the most largest

most brutal thugs there in to picking a fight with youth. The recruit received the bloody nosed

wakeup call he needed at which point she stepped had in pulverising the thugs a bottle of run

against the back of one’s head and placing the sharp jagged end of the bottles remains to the

others throat threatening to give him a more sunnier smile if her didn’t back off.

**“Greeting Kambella, One would wager that you have most undoubtedly succeeded in pulling off

your assignment?........What is one saying, of course you did it would be folly of oneself to

believe otherwise.”**

The young Guard chirped eagerly reminding her that he still had a lot left to learn before she

could let him out from under her wing.

“Hello Charles, and no I ran into a Tiger problem!”

She grumbled.

“T…Tiger?”

Charles began to say only to drop the subject completely when she gave him the stink eye.

** -OOO-**

It was mid-day at the Double ‘D’, the feral birds chirped their heart lifting songs as the day to

day affairs of life filled the air, the small shapely hare that was Thyme looked up at the sign to

establishment her brown fur catching the shine of the sun as she walked in through the front

doors to the luxurious lobby where Daisy waited to welcome clients and other visitors to the

establishment.

“Hello are you hear to apply for a position or the services we provide?”

Came a shy timid sounding voice emanating from a slender nervous looking deer, Thyme Raised

an eyebrow as she stared at the Doe for a while before answering the question.

“Drop the act I’m here to see the boss, she expecting me”

Daisy whole body language changed becoming more confident like some different person all

together, a smile played across her lips as she jerked a thumb towards the stair case her voice

holding slight tone of disappointment.

**“Shame would have loved watching you get serviced, just head up the stairs to the second floor,

you’ll want the last door at the far end!”**

With a nod of her head Thyme followed the directions heading up to the first floor mezzanine

where all manner of sound could be herd coming from the behind the row of doors along the

wall before heading to a spiraling stair well leading to the second level and the corridor she had

been told about. Passing a number of doors either side of her the hare carried on as the familiar

sound of Shadow along with an unfamiliar voice could be herd talking. The thick oak door

though muffled the conversation even for her sensitive lagomorph ears, reaching the door

Thyme raised her paw and rapped her knuckles against it causing the two with in to stop talking.

“Come In!”

Came a stern female voice, taking a small quiet gulp of air the Hare turned the handle and

headed in, the room had a strange musty old paper books filling the shelves of numerous book

cases along one wall while a large ornate desk that she recognized as James work was near the

window behind which a tall slender wolf-bitch could be seen with quill in one hand while the

other held a piece or parchment stead in the other.

Closing the door behind her Thyme felt the soft rugs beneath her feet as she walked towards

the desk, behind her along the third wall was several chest of draws with various items of what

could probably be considered as being of sentimental value. The last forth wall had a bed up

against it, the covers had been made with sharp straight folds that showed considerable

attention to precision at least until the blankets reached the tigress who lounged upon the

covers ruffling and messing them up.

“Please take a seat?”

Twilight noted firmly putting the quill down and flipping the cap back over the top of the ink

well, the hare calmly keeping herself calm’n’collected she sat down on the chair on her side of

the desk as she waited patiently for the wolf to speak again.

**“From what Shadow has informed me you seek to be one James O’Dales mates, your actions to

date have proven your worthiness as both loyal and willing to fight to protect him, as a Hare

your body is more than fertile enough to bare him many kits.”**

Thyme thought back the urge to give a smug smile, reverting via default to her poker face she

listened respectfully her eyes focused on the Wolf but not making direct eye contact while the

madam of the whore house continued to speak.

**“While Both Shadow and myself would be more than willing to allow you this privilege it is

primarily up to our mate, you must convince him to accept you as one of his. On this I believe

Shadow may be of some assistance.”**

With this Twilight fell silent allowing the tall powerful feline to speak.

**“It’s pretty simple, James will soon be finished with the main set of commissions as such he’ll be

gallivanting off to deliver them, now since trouble seems to find him when does this someone

needs to go with him and keep him safe from others as well as himself.

Now I know those two Lions Snag and Grim are supposed to keep him safe, but they are let’s

face it to old and long in the fang to keep him safe during such long journeys. As for me I’m

heading off to pick up a couple of mercenary contracts in a couple of days since my line of

business is going to start booming what with the looming conflict, Twilight here can’t just up and

leave her position here at double dee which means someone needs to keep an eye on our

Human.”**

Shadow rumbled pausing at this point to let this sink into Hares mind, Thyme give a nod of

understanding so far and so the Tigress continued.

**“Now this will allow you to work on courting James and possibly winning his affections but it

might not be as easy as you might think not after the Dorothy incident.”**

At this part Shadow gathered her thought before carrying on, she still felt considerable anger

towards the Rabbit who had run off with Asland taking James unborn child with her. It vexed her

so much all most as much as how her beloved accepted it despite how clearly she could sense

his pain, she knew if she ever met up with the bunny she would eviscerate the female with her

own claws then hunt down the traitorous Lion she had run off with. Shadow was grateful when

Twilight to the innovative in bring Thyme up to speed about the incident, as the whole thing still

left a foul bitter taste in the back of throat.

It took a good ten minutes for the Wolf to run through the basics some that allowed the Tigress

to go through her plans for the couple of days before her trip, she had gone over her plans a

good fifty times already but as professional killer she never liked to leave things to chance unless

she had to and even then she would all ways try lean the situation to favour her own needs.

**“I understand, it does make things more difficult but then I’ve never known a Hare to back down

from down from a challenge!”**

Thyme boomed banging the palm of her paw against her left breast a wide grin playing across

her muzzle as if she was some crazed lunatic causing both Wolf and Tigress to chuckle in

amusement.

** -OOO-**

The day churned on slowly brightening by midday as sun the spread its warm rays from high

above as a soft breeze caressed fur, feather and skin alike with it cool refreshing kiss something

that was not lost on James O’Dale as he picked his way through town just across the way form

him he could feel the searing heat of the Blacksmiths forge. He could not help but wonder just

how anyone could work in such unbearable conditions, yet there the smith was his large forging

hammer slamming down against a piece of glowing malleable metal. Waiting patiently for the

Smith to finish his brining the blunt end of the hammer down hard against the block of metal,

James watched as what would eventually become long metal straps for the local ‘Cooper’ to use

in making barrels.

Flanking both side of him Grim and Snag stood with an air of boredom about them as they easily

kept pace him about, he didn’t blame them at all he doubted it was much fun following his

Human keister about all day long, he made a mental note to treat them to something once his

business with the blacksmith was completed.

“Greetings Carpenter, come to see what real work looks like?”

The heavily muscular Bull chuckled; it was one of those harmless jabs that most Smith’s would

make to those of a differing skill set. James raised an eyebrow retorting to the Blacksmiths

comment.

“Is that what you call it?”

A deep booming laugh left the Bulls muzzle as he drove the piece of metal he had been working

on back into the hot coals before slipping his hammer into one the loops of his thick worn

leather apron.

“It’s good to see you James, HEY JUDY!....JAMES IS HERE!”

He bellowed towards a closed door, his large black coat of hair was singed here and there not

that it belittled the sheer mass of muscle that made the Human look both skinny an frail in

comparison. Save for the apron all the Bull wore where a pair of thick heavy leather leggings to

provide some protection while he worked. One of two hobnailed digitgrade boots designed to

accommodate hoofs was working the bellows for the forge itself, the constant burst of air

keeping the burning coals fed with oxygen.

The door opened to reveal an equally tall mare, her chestnut body complimented her long black

mane which flowed over her broad powerful Mustang shoulders; despite the powerful physique

the equine retained a sensuous hourglass figure.

“Why hello there James, I take it your here for your handles?”

She whinnied tenderly Gesturing for him to follow her, taking a deep gulp he watched her spin

around so that her blue dress lifted just enough to reveal her lack of under garments and a very

inviting pair of dark chocolate coloured labia. Behind him the Bull had gone back to work, the

sound of steel on iron rang out the Human walked through the door. The moment he was

through it slammed shut with the Mare standing between it and himself causing a sudden

sinking sensation filled the pit of his stomach as the wooden barricade was lifted into place to

keep the door from being opened from the outside. He had unnerving suspicion of what was to

come next, by Human standards James was pretty strong but he doubted he could push past the

female equine as pound for pound she both outweighed him in both muscle as well as strength.

“Please don’t make a scene!”

She whispered her tone of voice sounding apologetic as she advanced on James; she looked

remorseful as she was determined for whatever she had planned to do with him, her blue dress

began to slip down over her shoulders as the poor by now nervous Human began to back away.

By the time she was a few feet away from him her dress was down around her waist then falling

to pool around her hoofs, the horse shoes made by her husband made a distinct sound against

the stone floor as she drew up close to him her naked body towering over him. Stepping out of

the puddle that was her dress James tried to move back further only to find one of the walls

blocked off his escape route, the single set of shutters where closed with a heavy length of

wood slid into place across the window.

“Shhhh just relax and you will enjoy this”

Judy whispered soothingly into his ear as she leant down, her large powerful hands slowly

pulling and tugging at his clothing as she undressed him, James found himself unable to move or

make a sound other than the odd hushed squeak. It had been no secret even to him that the

couple had been trying for children of their own for years, but a Bovine and an Equine where

just not compatible no matter how much in love they were or how desperately they prayed to

their ancestors. With enough gold one could be assigned a ward from an orphanage but that

cost money the Blacksmith could never in a whole life time earn, a segregate partner was an

option but chances of the segregate keeping the child was high.

“Shhhh!...good boy, such a good good boy!”

The Mare nickered as his shirt was deposited over her shoulder, it landed near her dress as she

ran her fingers along his well formed chest in pure delight; her upper equine lips curling back to

take in his scent as her nostrils flared in excitement at the scent of how virile he smelt. Judy

began to nudge and rub the side of her muzzle against his face followed by the occasional light

nibble at his shoulder to show her none aggressive interest towards him, James felt as if his ribs

were about to collapse under the pressure of her palms as his back was pressed against the cold

stone surface of the wall.

**“Shhhhhh!...Please, Please don’t struggle Shhhhhh!.....I can make this feel so good for you if let

me!....Shhhhh! Please I really don’t want to hurt you!”**

She hushes the Human leaning in close while lowering her long muzzle down towards his face,

her lips part against his mouth in an attempt to mimic a Human kiss.

“There we go, see its okay, I won’t hurt you!”

She continued to whisper reassuringly, her large strong hands grasping around his waist as she

lifts and carries him towards the straw mattress lined cot. Laying him down she swiftly straddled

his hips taking care to keep him trapped beneath her yet at the same time not crush him

beneath her own body weight. The male’s eyes squeezed tightly closed as he felt her lower lips

spread themselves around shaft of his man-hood, the slowly controlled motion of her hips

rocking back’n’forth leaving a trail of warm sticky fluid that eased down around his member

before pool around his pelvis as she readied him for her unwholesome intention.

“Good Human…Such a Good Human!”

She moaned softly to him, hearing his bones creak Judy adjusted her body as she took a little

more of her own weight as the last thing she wanted to do was kill him before she had chance to

take make him sire her young. She could feel James grasping at her wide hips now though

whether or not this was his own lust taking hold or just a futile attempt to try and push her off

she didn’t know for sure.

“Mnnnn I think you’re ready now dear!”

The Equine neighed tenderly, James replied with a whine as his sternum felt as if it was about to

break as her hand pressed down as lightly as she could against his chest to prevent any attempt

at escape. This worked perfectly as the poor Human was more occupied with trying to breathe

than entertain any thought of making a bid for freedom. Grunting loudly she eases herself up

into a crouching position, the finger tips Judy’s other hand touched and levered the bulbous end

of his erect reproductive muscle to press against her moist entrance that was all ready winking

at it with a great deal of approval.

“UGHNNNNN!”

Judy sighed drawing a deep breath in before letting it out in a loud snorting burst from just the

touch of that strange shaped member of his against her most intimate opening, every few

seconds her vaginal opening would discharge her juices soaking both his entire shaft and lower

body. Swallowing a deep lung full to calm her lustful hunger she dropped down into a kneeling

position, the female Mustangs weight forced his entire length to ease up through the snug

passageway. The whole action was over in the blink of an eye but the aftermath hit with all the

force of a sledgehammer sending over stimulated sensations velvety tearing through both of

their bodies as she sat astride him, her thighs parting around his lap having taken the brunt of

the impact. An impact that had forced James’s body to attempt to sit bolt upright from the

sheer force of the penetration it was only the pressure of her hand against his chest kept him

down fully.

“uhnnnnn!...munuph…shuuuuuth!”

She gasped in coherently as she swiftly found the bulb shape of his gland more than made up for

the lack of length and girth that a stallion would have possessed her eyes where wide as she

stayed perfectly still. Her trapped lover was close to unwillingly release his load inside of her,

the way her opening spasmed around the base of his man-hood was not helping matters any.

The Equine could feel the wonderfully different shaped head with in her depths twitch and jerk

as if demanding to be allowed to impregnate her, while she would want nothing more than to

oblige she also wanted this experience to be a pleasant one for the both of them. After several

minuets Judy began to gradually gyrate her hips, he was not endowed enough to come close to

touching her cervix let alone penetrating it but then again she doubted few other male

mammals could. Not that this diminished how good he felt inside of her if anything it was quite

the opposite as it allowed her to move more freely to slide him back and forth through the

velvety vice that was her vaginal tract with little restriction, she found she could so easily fall in

love with the wondrous sensation created by the shape of his gland as it plunged through her

soft moist foal making tunnel with an irresistible force born from every circular thrusting motion

she made against him with her firm muscular flanks.

“UHHNNNNNNN FUUUUUCK!”

Judy’s grunted loudly, her tail flicking as she leans down over him her chest heaving heavily; her

equine eyes closed tightly as she snorted with every sliding stroke of her body. The Mustangs

tempo and technique giving way to a more primal rut, every bone in James body felt as if it was

about to shatter into pebble sized pieces. He felt two different pressures assaulting his body

one bearing down upon him threatening to squeeze the very life from his Human body as his

breath came in ever increasing labored bursts while the second at the base of man-hood as she

rode him towards his climax whether he wanted to or not. James found his vision blurring as

darkness began to encroach the peripherals of his vision. As he began to pass out the sudden

intensity of his orgasm snapped him fully awake his eyes opening wide while his back arched up

towards Judy’s relentless strokes, the pressure that had been building to near unbearable levels

was finally released engulfing his senses. His mind mercifully engulfed by a sexual high that

spirited him away from the present as the Equine continued to milk him her entrance

continually winking around the hilt of his fully engulfed man-hood.

When eventually James came around he felt disoriented, looking up he could see a shape

looking down though at first he could not make out what or who it was; the sound being made

by the individual or maybe even thing was making was seemed to distant to comprehend until

the shadows retreated from his line of sight. The word began to make more and more sense to

him.

“Twilight?”

Murmuring incoherently trying to sit up right only to feel a firm paw like hand pressing against

his chest, with that typical stern expression of hers playing across her face; her words drifted

down tenderly with a commanding tone to her voice.

“Shhh don’t try to get up just yet”

Looking to the left then right he found his surroundings had changed, from living area of the

Blacksmiths forge to Twilights House of Devine Delights, the walls where brighter having been

white washed and draped in the occasional tapestry portraying varying scenes or carnal acts

between different species in all number of positions. A purple drape had been pulled across the

window allowing some light in but keeping out what ever activity that took place, turning his

eyes back towards the Wolf-Bitch noticing the expensive looking gown draped across her

shapely body.

“You where supposed to come see me first, I wanted to warn you about the black smiths wife!”

She sighed sternly her fingers gently massaging his chest as she spoke to him with kind of tone

one might expect from a disapproving mother, truth was though she had known about Judy’s

plans because her husband had signed a contract to provide a year’s free work for her Human to

copulate with the Mare. Of course this was without having run it past the Shadow first but what

the Tigress didn’t know left more profit for Twilight.

”Now let’s see about getting rid of that mare’s scent before Shadow gets a wiff of you”

Twilight added softly to him a sly smile playing across her lips, the Wolf-Bitch loved James dearly

but he was such an easy mark that she could not help but take advantage of him especially

when he was so oblivious to what she wanted from him. Leaning down beginning to groom the

top of his head with long slow strokes of her tongue while her paws reached lower an lower

down along his body, with a long intake of breath he felt her warm breath against his left cheek

as the realization he was naked beneath the blanket struck him.

“I’M NAKED!”

James squeaked wide eyed sitting bolt upright trying to cover his chest and genitals in-spite the

fact he was beneath a cotton sheet, the Wolf chuckled pressing her fingers down against his

shoulders. Leaning down over him Twilight brings her thick black canine lips down to his

brushing them tenderly as she whispers.

**“How you survived your ordeals in the past is beyond me my dear, your just lucky I find your

bouts of blockheaded naivety to be your more endearing qualities but so as you are under no

delusions of what is about to happen next I shall make it a clear as I possibly can for you!”**

Pausing for a few seconds to let this sink in she smiles mischievously to him, the Wolf-Bitch

continues to speak in hushed tones. The females hand once more slipping under the blanket to

coil around his flaccid member, while her words reach his ears.

“I…Am..Going…To…Fuck…You!”

A deep audible gulp was all the confirmation she needed that the Human understood her lewd

intentions towards him, slowly Twilight began to squeeze rhythmically with the digits of her paw

like hands in an attempt to bring the Human’s shaft to an erection but after the abuse at the

hoofs of the Equine from earlier his member wasn’t cooperating with her demands. So easing

his blanket down the Wolf softly huff upon the bulbous end of her mate’s shaft while easing the

foreskin down something that often worked. Narrowing her brow she began to focus a little

more as she flicked the pouting lips at the very tip of the bulbous head something that worked

for most Primates especially Humans. For her efforts the Wolf-Bitch was rewarded a twitch and

nothing more.

“Seems I get to practice my oral skills”

Twilight chuckled parting her muzzle wide around the head of his organ before sucking as if she

was some cub suckling from her mother’s teat again, at first nothing seemed to happen then

gradually he began to swell just enough to stroke her hand along James’s smooth warm shaft if

she had to be honest of all the species she had been with it was the Humans she liked the most,

it was that taste she loved most that along with the strangeness of their unusual shaped falic

members that felt so good inside of her as they pushed to and fro with in the depths of her

body.

“MNNNNNNNNNNNN!”

Twilight vocalized as she slips her inhuman lips around his thick bulb shaped gland, her long

greedy tongue started curling itself around her lover’s tip as she savored the flavour of his erect

muscle. The pads on the tips of her finger tips began to press firmly into the skin of the by now

fully erect length, with a deep hungry growl vibrating around his organ Twilight continued to

feed him further into her muzzle.

Part of her contemplated if she should let him rest so that he might recuperate so she might be

afforded a guaranteed amount of his seed to impregnate her body but she dismissed this out of

paw since she did not feel like being patient not when she had already invested so much time

and effort into this. No, she was going to mate with him right there, though there was the

chance it may well fail to take especially after how he had been so heavily drained by the mare.

If this was so then the Wolf-Bitch was prepared to take him again the following day to make

sure it did.

Releasing James twitching length from her muzzle she allowed him time to calm down while she

began to slowly ease out of her green velvet dress, the woven silk fitted her curves perfectly

complimenting her wolfish features perfectly. Slipping free of the garment Twilight carefully

folded it and laid it down upon her desk to keep it safe from accident tears should their love

making get a little too intense, James gasps as he watches her body clothed now only in her dark

brown digitigrade boots ease herself astride him so that her knees pressed firmly into his sides.

Running her tongue from one side of her muzzle to the other she eases herself up onto the bed

before straddling her Human mate, the she Wolf was panting now as she eased her hips

back’n’forth trapping the thick trunk of James length between her lower lips lubricating him as

she leaves a film of her own juices along his twitching member. It wasn’t all one-way pleasure

though the feel of his girth against her cliterous and the sensitive under sides of her labia

sending shivers of unrelenting ecstasy through her body, the fire in her loins became an inferno

as every instinct in her body screamed at her to breed.

“I would ask if you are ready but I believe we both already know the answer to that question”

The Wolf-Bitch growled in a low husk voice, she could feel her nether regions easing up along his

bulbous end before sliding back down along the Human’s shaft while the sounds of his gasps

and whimpers only proved to empower her sense of dominance. A few more seconds of this

was more than even she could stand as the burning urge to feed him to her vaginal passage way

was just too great to ignore any longer, reaching down with a paw like hand as she eased her

pelvis forwards once more Twilight lifts herself up slightly so as to angle him into position before

pushing back down sinking his swollen gland up against her tight moist entrance then beyond.

James groaned feeling the tight constrictions of her inner walls as his tip passed into the Wolf’s

incredibly warm passage way, he was about to reach out to her hips to draw her down but it

was as if she had anticipated him and was already pushing herself down fully forcing him further

up inside of her body. James could feel it now, that sheer pressure building within him

screaming at the Human, demanding to be unleashed upon this willing female whose body even

now was being offered up to its carnal hunger.

“Brace yourself!”

Twilight warned loving how he made her feel so full not to mention stretched wide open, his

bulbous head was touching against her cervix now; all she had to do was apply a little more

pressure and he would be locked into place until he had served his purpose in giving her a litter

of pups. With a few breaths to calm herself she pivoted her hips clockwise before turning them

anticlockwise, she could feel the pressure against the pouting entrance to her womb slowly start

to give way to relentless pressure building behind James bulb like gland until with a sudden rush

of exhilaration not to mention a popping sensation her Human mate was inside of her child

bearing cavity. All most straight away her cervix close back up just under bulbous head of his

man-hood to prevent it from being eased back out any time soon.

“Here we go James; there is not backing out now!”

Twilight growled, she spoke as if he had even been given a choice in the matter but such

thoughts where driven from his mind as she began pushing herself forwards before pushing

back as she worked those few inches of his shaft that her body would allow to leave her

stretched little opening. Closing her eyes, panting deeply her jaw began to gape open as her

long canine tongue drooped out along one side of her muzzle.

“Ughnnnnnnnn!.......ancestor that’s good!”

She whined, panting deeply she rests her palms against his chest pressing her pads into his soft

warm skin. James gasped for breath as the sounds of Twilights body slapping against his own in

a steady repetitive beat. His fingers begun to dig into her grayish coat of hair as he did his best

to push upwards in to her downward thrusts taking him down to the very hilt splattering her

juices against the warm smoothness of his skin.

“Come on James…..Hnnnnnnnnnn…..sire my young!”

She grunted pressing down hard against him, she could feel his girth twitch inside of her in its

desperate need to force feed its warm stick cream to her child bearing cavity. The canine could

see his face contorting from the sheer pleasure building inside of him as he tried so hard to hold

his impending release at bay. The female Wolf found it to be all most admirable how her Mate

was trying to hold back for her sake, most Male tended to just fill the female regardless weather

they had reached their climax or not.

“Just…Uhnnnnn…..do it!”

She snarled squeezing the inner walls to of her all ready skewered passage way, her taunt

haunches grinding in short sharp gyrating thrusts urging him to just let go and impregnate her.

For James, it was just too much to handle; the over stimulating sensation of how her hot moist

velvety inner walls squeezed rhythmically around the length of his man-hood. Pausing in her

ministrations she felt her Human lover’s hips twitch as his imprisoned bulb jerk inside her

womb, spilling its virile seed. James mind was a sea of bliss and serenity everything had

happened so quickly it took him several seconds to even realize what had just happened as she

started moving again, Twilight panted as she grinned lewdly at how she had managed tricked his

erect length into remaining hard even after having just unleashed its life-giving load.

“We’re not done yet!”

She growled, the canine showed little mercy and equally as less mercy as she continued to

piston herself against him with the full intentions of bearing him a full litter of cubs that or until

she had climaxed herself. For a few seconds he squirmed beneath her but Twilight soon put a

stop to by leaning down over him her jaws clamping down around his throat is a show of

dominance, she had to admit to feeling a sense of exhilaration in doing this since it’s what the

males of her species would do to a young female when they get a little too excited or somewhat

unruly and need to be reigned in before they hurt either the male or herself. She was pleased it

had the same effect on her beloved Human as it made gaining his compliance that more easier

than having to resort to tying him down with strap like restraints she had stored in the chest at

the bottom of her bed.

“Ghuned Hoy!”

She growled with her mouth full, the words ‘Good’ and ‘Boy’ came out unintelligible as the

canine continued to grind and push her lower lips against the very hilt of his thick swollen

member. Releasing his throat she leans her brow to James’s sliding with short sharp strokes her

chest began to brush against his forcing all eight of her erect nipples began to graze his skin

leaving little red lines where they pressed into his skin as they moved up and down against his

smooth skin.

“UGHNNNNNNN!...Yes I can…*grunts* feel it building!”

The Wolf-Bitch panted squeezing her haunches to get as much of him inside of ‘T’ shaped

opening as her body would allow, she felt so full that she was caught between yelping out in

discomfort and moaning in absolute pleasure. Her own orgasm was swiftly approaching as she

began to bare down fully against James, it took only a few more seconds before she jerked her

head from his to clamp her fangs around his shoulder biting down hard as she howled against

him. Gripping tightly with her paws as she felt the hot pressure in her loins finally release

sending her rover the edge as the coppery taste of his blood filled her mouth as she claimed

him, James though wasn’t having such a good time the pain was excruciating more so as she

began to gnaw at his shoulder while her mind was engulfed in a sexual high.

A few hours later Twilight with a guilty expression about her face as she sutured the wound

closed with treated gut from some feral animal, she had gained fair amount of experience in

doing this during her days as a slave allowing her to become quite the dab hand at it. Piercing

skin and flesh with the curved bone like needle the female kept the stitches small and close

together, James winced and grasped handfuls of blanket with every insertion of the needle and

draw of the thread through his wound as it was gradual drawn close.

“Nearly Done James!”

She whispered swallowing back a whimper as she swapped the needle for a jar of green gel like

salve and applying a layer of it along the area she had just stitched, the Wolf smiled faintly at her

handy work before bandaging his injury in rags. With a tender caress of his cheek with her paw

she brought her lips to his kissing him slowly.

**“Try not to exert…mnnnnn!...Too much pressure…Mnnnnnn!... on that shoulder…Mnnnn!...for a

few days”**

Twilight whispered between kisses, the salve would help promote rapid healing allowing what

would normally take years to be healed in months just like the balms she had used on him when

they had first met some time back in the slavers caravan.

“What do….munph…put in these….munph…Twilight?”

James tried to ask as she continued to kiss him, both her paws where moving along the back of

his head as she refused to let up on showing her affections for him. For a while she didn’t reply

as she focused more on making her apology than anything else, easing astride his lap as he sat

on the edge of her cot. Parting her mates lips fully as she locks her jaws around his cheeks,

eased her long rough tongue down along his in passionate gesture. Easing him back down over

the bed she continued the kiss for as long as possible before coming up for air, part of her

wanted to continue breeding with him but she knew he would be in no mood to carry on at least

not for the time being anyway.

** -OOO-**

The next few days proved most uneventfully much to James delight, even his own mate Shadow seemed somewhat subdued as she prepared herself for her journey to meet up with other mercenaries flocking to the hire their services to throne. War for someone of the Tigresses profession was highly lucrative for those with the prowess to capitalize on such potential. Even pregnant with their off spring she was more than capable warrior not that James dared to try and talk her out of any high risk jobs; it wasn’t that he didn’t care about his unborn child quite the opposite. But how could he force a big cat that pound for pound easily out muscled him, just as he would a mouse, if anything attempting to talk the Tigress out of taking advantage of such a contract rich environment would only cause tension and strife during their last few days together before she left which in turn could well distract her upon the field of battle and in turn lead to her demise something neither of them wanted. Instead he had carried on as normally except proclaiming his love for her every chance he got when they were alone together, he was proud if not anxious of losing yet another mate and offspring but he hid his concerns well mostly for Shadows sake than his own.

An so it came to pass that during their last night together for some time to come they sat there at the kitchen table laughing over old memories while paying tribute to those who had been lost during their adventure together until finally with the bowls washed and put out to dry overnight he slipped his hand into her paw as he announced for the possibly tenth time that evening.

“Shadow Claw I love you more than life itself!”

Blowing out the candles upon the table bathing the room in near darkness she looked at him as if he had just said something incredibly cheesy, her other paw reached out around the small of his back before dragging him in close to her anthromorphic body; her voice a husk rumbling sound that echoed through his very being as the words vibrate down through his bones.

“Shut Up, and Kiss Me!”

With this the Tigress slammed her thick black feline lips against his mashing them together in a show of dominance to which he submitted to willingly, on some occasions he would via for dominance in playful game with her, an act which he would be rewarded for by her pressing him firmly to the ground and bred hard to show him just who was in charge. Of course, last time he had been unable to walk to well for days afterwards but that was the price one paid when teasing a big cat like Shadow; right at that point though, the mood was more subdued if not downright tender as the feline showed the softer and more gentler side of a Tigress. The touch of her pads against his skin as her paws eased up under his jerkin pushing it up over his head and away only to rest up against his warm chest was as close to paradise as he dared hoped possible he felt her muzzle parting as her long feline tongue pushed its way into to his mouth to man handle his own lesser tongue as though it was its prey. The Tigresses control was absolute, not once did the barbs on her tongue touch let alone brush against the soft vulnerable inside of his oral cavity. James was well aware of how her barbs could shred his own tongue like a hot knife through butter, the risk and helplessness only served to intensify the sheer thrill of being used like some toy by this larger stronger being.

“I love you James O’Dale!....*pants*…Ancestors forgive me if this feeling…*pants*…for you I have is wrong but…*pants* I do, I truly do love you sire of my unborn!”

Shadow pants breaking their kiss, her deep rumbling husk gravelly voice echoing through his body as she leans firmly into him as if trying to fuse their bodies into one, she doesn’t give him chance to catch his breath and announce his love for her as her muzzle clamps once more around his cheeks to force her tongue back in along his only stopping when she was yet again forced to break for air.

Dragging her lover along the wall and into the hallway her chest heaving heavily against his Shadow slips her large paw like hands up around his firm taunt buttocks as she scoops him up over his hips before carrying him with little effort to the stair case an dup it. James could hardly hear the creaking of the wooden steps as they cried out in protest at their combined weight, all he could hear was the rumbling chuffs of the heavily aroused big cat and the beating of their two hearts separated only by skin, fur, flesh and bone. No more words where needed from either Human or Tigress as she paused half way up the stair case to grapple with his mouth just long enough for both to pant deeply for breath when their kiss was broken. Looking into her deep amber eyes James leant his brow to hers as she carried him the rest of the way up the stairs.

The house was dark with only small beams of light from the moon piercing through meniscal gaps in wooden window shutters, he was grateful for the night vision Shadow inherited from her feral feline ancestors. He could see very little as everything became fuzzy having turned a granny form of black and white, but his beloved Tigress could see perfectly well all most as clearly as if it where day. Pressed up against a wall at the very top of the stairs minuets passed by in mere seconds as her lips continued to make there hit and run attacks against his own while every now and then she would clench his lower lips between her front teeth teasing him as she carried him in her inhumanly strong arms. To say he felt safe in her grasp would have been a major understatement, his trust and sense of security pressed against her silky soft skin made him feel more secure than if he were in a full suite of plate armour. Even when she let loose a deep rumbling growl moments before unsheathing her claws and making light work of his hose, the strapping to his cod piece fared even little better as the hardened leather bowl bounced down the stairs. In moments her own jerkin was discarded upon the floor, leaving her with only her boots and leather studded leggings to cover her female body.

“Looks like your exposed and vulnerable, just how I like my prey!”

She rumbled wrapping her paw around his aroused cub siring organ, a whine escapes his lips as her grip tightens around his organ her lips once more seeking out his as she pumps her clenched fist twisting s she does so. James was trembling with his back against the clay paint of the cold stone wall and the heat of the aroused Large feline against his chest, her six nipples scraping against his skin. Clumsily Shadow shuffles to their chamber door her free hand thumbles for the black pig iron ring, opening the sturdy oak door the Tigress all but dragged her Human mate in with her kicking the door shut behind them.

“Your Boots..…Loose Them!”

Shadow rumbled firmly releasing his man-hood and pushing him down over their bed, taking a seat on the edge she began to wriggle and pull at her own digitigrade foot ware easing each boot off at a time. Looking over her shoulder she watches him struggle and none to elegantly push off each of his boots and the remains of his beige hose before looking up at her to be rewarded with a slow meaningful wink.

“Good Boy”

She teased patronizingly while getting to her feet and turning around, first to drop noisily to the rug covered floorboards was her heavy belt landing with a deep thud before uniting the cord laced through the eyelets at the front of her leggings. With a soft rumble, she eases them up over her hips while bending over deliberately as she slid the thick leather down along her taunt firm rear. Her long orange and black striped tail slipping free from its tail hole leaving only her fundoshi to cover her most intermate of parts as the studded article of clothing pooled around her paw like feet.

“I hope you’re ready because I am one hungry kitty!”’

The Tigress chuffed stepping free of her leg coverings, she runs her long rough tongue along her muzzle while maintaining constant eye contact with her prize; straddling astride her mate Shadow reached down her fingers tenderly exploring his features as every time he went to turn his gaze from her cold predatory eyes she would move one of her large paw would guide it back into place the leathery pads on her palm cushioning the side of his face.

“All mine, I shall make a feast of you my little bite sized morsel!”

She rumbled, James could feel her words vibrating all the way down to his bones which felt as if they were rattling with in him. With slow deliberate motions her firm impressive buttocks began to squeeze and push in a compliment to her inner thighs, Shadow could feel her oblique’s along with her lower abdominals tensing then relaxing in repetitive action as she slowly rocks against her lover.

“UGHNNNNNNN...MHNNNNNNNGN!”

James groaned unable to form any words let alone a sentence, the pressure of her pubic mound grinding against the base of his swollen manhood was causing an addictive sensation to ripple through his body as his large feline rocked herself against him. Reaching his hand up along the soft white of her front fur he could feel the hard immensely powerful muscle beneath, it was both awe inspiring yet intimidating all at the same time. Pushing up against her with his own pelvis in time to her slow forceful grind he could feel her body quiver from their combined interaction, only her fundoshi acting as a thin barrier preventing them from becoming as one.

“Ancients Breath, that’s good….but *pants* c…considering your adventures…uhnnnn….I really shouldn’t be s.so surprised…Ughnnn!”

Shadow panted her jaw open as she drew in deep full breaths making her chest heavy rapidly, the Tigress was close she could feel the hot pressure deep within her loins. That wondrous thought of experiencing that sensation of his bulbous gland scraping along her inner walls as it ploughed to and thro inside her cub making channel sent her mind into a delirium of pure delight. No barbs, no flared ends or knots let alone of any myriad of different phallic organs that she had experience din her life time could ever come close to the joy she felt with a Human trapped within her depths. Shadow could take it no more she had wanted to draw out the experience by going slow but at this point the large feline needed him inside of her right then and there, not in a few minutes; but right now.

“ANCHENTS DAMN IT!”

The Tigress bellowed balling up her fists, it only took a few seconds to undo her fundoshi and toss it over her shoulder, the feel of the length of his thick hard muscle pressing between her lower lips sent a shiver of pure delight through her body.

Looking up into the lust addled eyes James watches her pupils turn to slits making him gulp deeply as he realized all pretense of going slow and gentle was out the window and she meant business. He flinched with a sharp instinctive intake of breath as her large paw like hands slammed down either side of his head while her face lower towards his, her razor-sharp fangs bared as she growls deeply paralyzing him with the low vibrating tones beyond his ability to hear. But he sure could feel them vibrating through his body, her jaws parted wide before lunging down to clamp around the front of his neck in a display dominance.

He remained deafly still and silent as if ancient primal instinct took hold, he was literally without consciously thinking about it acting like prey and she loved it. She loved how empowering it felt to make a male act so pitifully; she loved the smell of fear and desire created by the fusion of their combined scents.

Shadow didn’t even try to be gentle as she adjusted her hips, it took a few minutes and her frustration of missing the mark several times could be felt as her jaws gripped around his neck before loosening as she noticed how close she would get to cutting off his air supply. After a few more failed attempts, he felt his foreskin being drawn back as she pressed his bulbous gland between her labia to nudge firmly against that tight moist feline entrance to her forbidden depths.

“Sh..Shadow?”

He dared to whimper her name and was rewarded with the tip of her tongue running against his throat, James was grateful she had enough of her mental facilities in check not to use the flat as the barbs might well have done him some considerable damage in her current state mind.

There was a creaking sound from his body as his skeleton creaked form the pressure se began to apply, the tight heat was like an inferno around the tip of his man-hood as the head began to stretch her opening before with a popping sensation vanished into the void of the man eating passageway.

“uhnnnnnnnn”

Was pretty much all that could escape the trembling Humans lips, the Tigress pressed home the advantage sinking down further along the twitching rod of muscle. She could feel his body desperately wanting to push up against her despite his mind refusing to allow it to move even an inch, it was cute at least she thought. James closed his eyes as he felt her lowering her larger frame down over him, her thighs drawing tight as they eased down along his legs squeezing them together.

“UHNNN….S…Sha…UHNNNN!”

He gasped trying to say her name but unable to force the words to fully form, Shadows jaws released his throat with a deep rumble to convey just who was still in charge, soon her white silky soft front fur was pressing against his warm skin adding to the intense cocktail of sensations tearing at mind. James could feel the sheer power of her inhuman heart pounding like a drum as it echoed through his ribcage and into his chest cavity, forced to turn his face to the side so as not to be smothered by her soft warm fur he sucked in as much air as he could. Despite holding the majority of her own body weight, James still felt as if his skeleton was going to crack and shatter like glass even more so when her body began to push and slide against him. Ever wave like stroke of her frame along his sent a mixture of pleasure combined with concern that she might lose all control crushing him alive beneath her that or tear him apart with her claws and fangs when she reaches her first orgasm.

Experiencing every single spasm every single detail of her inner walls gripping at his girth, the Human eased his hands up under her arms as if he was the female being taken by the rampant wildly lunging male. This seemed to spur Shadow on as she picked up the pace, closing her eyes tightly as she grunted at him like some neanderthal using cave speak. The Tigress claws began to dig into the blankets beneath her mate while the bed itself squeaked and groaned under the relentless assault, she was taking no prisoners in this carnal battle between Human and Feline let alone showing any mercy as she let loose with everything she had with only enough mental awareness to keep from leaning her entire weight against him. Other than that James was pretty sure she didn’t care if she shattered his ribs or snapped his pelvis as only the need to attain that sexual high, held any influence within her savage state of mind.

“GHNNNNNNAAAAANGHHHH!”

Shadow growled, though whatever she had tried say had been lost the moment she parted her thick black lips to speak. The Tigress could even in her lust addled condition the burning pressure in her loins building to a feverous pitch as she increased the tempo of each and every one of her aggressive pelvic assault. The headboard began to drum out a steady beat against the wall while his hands grasped her firm well round back side for dear life, this pace kept up for a few more minutes before she felt the warmth wash over her and the buildup off pressure finally release as she reached her climax.

James felt himself press up firmly against the female big cat as he unleashed a deep sizable donation of his life-giving cream inside of her, he could feel her body twitching and giving slight gyrations as her body remained stiffened up against him in a further show of dominance before slumping down. Laying there partly on her side partly draped across her beloved Human mate, panting rapidly Shadow smiled in a way that only a big cat could with her soft white furry chest heaving heavily. For a good ten minutes, she couldn’t move let alone do anything but gather her breath after having exerted herself so vigorously. Her mates now flaccid member partly remained within the spasming entrance, she was still caught up in the afterglow of her sexual high as she began to groom James’s head; running the barbs of her tongue along his hair as she might if he where her cub.

“A few more moments of rest my love, then we start again”

Her words where gentle and tender despite her gravely husk voice, her thick long fingers softly running along his cheek as if he was some prized possession not that he minded one bit. He felt secure in her powerful embrace as he listened to her words spoken as a matter of fact rather than a suggestion or request. So for the rest of the night and in to early morning she continued to breed with him even as he slept, until come the late in the day when the sun was already out the rays of the day having long since passed through the bed chambers window James awoke stiff and sore but most importantly alone. He had no idea when exactly she had left but she was gone. James was not really that surprised she had left without saying good bye firs, Shadow wasn’t one for such things this.

“Safe journey shadow, please return safe”

He whispered in a hushed tone, rubbing the sleep from his eyes he blinked a few times to adjust to the day light. It took a few moments for him to notice on the pillow next to him was Shadows knife safely sheathed in its black scabbard. It was her way of saying that even if she was not there in person she would continue to keep him safe.

** -OOO-**

Some time latter...

“Careful Now!”

James noted firmly as watched Snag and Grim the two old Lions, they had been charged with keeping an eye on him; as usual they muttered their grumbling complaints about being warriors not laborer’s but for all their griping they were precise with grace accuracy born from a life time of fighting. Most of the furniture being loaded up so far had been restoration work of ancient family heirlooms passed down through the different noble households throughout the Mammal Empire. James had spent most of the last three weeks busying himself with in his workshop eager to keep from dwelling upon the absence of his mate not to mention the dangers she might be putting both herself as well as their unborn child in. He didn’t wish to give himself time to think about it or to let himself become worried and even angry that she would put their son or daughter into such peril, James knew well he could not have done anything to have stopped her anyway besides he had faith in her. Of course, the up side to his beloved no longer being around to catch his eye with her beauty or to sneak in a few rounds of heavy petting from time to time; the master carpenter was able to storm through his commissions turning out the level of work he was renowned for at least by name anyway.

His face let alone his race was not that well known, he had heard would be craftsman use try to pass themselves off as James O’Dale only to latter be found out as a fraud or to con the wealthy of their gold. He tended to be sent commissions from ‘Layman & Chester’, one the craftsman’s guilds a in ‘Port Maw’. Any one wished to acquire an imperial crafting license needed to be in one of the guilds, true there were plenty of individuals who sold their services cheaply yet as a trade off had no access to guild barristers to protect them from disgruntled or unsavoury clients. There were also unofficial guilds that worked in the more shadier underbelly of the criminal underworld, though that was something James knew little about save for rumours.

“Okay, ready for that last piece Grim!”

Snag rumbled snapping the Human from his train of thought, looking up into the cart he took a deep breath. the item the two long in the tooth warriors spoke of was a finely crafted desk; there was not a straight edge upon it. Every corner was an elegant curve, each piece had been painstakingly carved from cherry wood before being carefully stained to give off a most beautiful dark crimson finish. The legs and panels had been carefully engraved with a rose vine pattern that flowed from one part of the furniture to next. The only flat surface was a sizable oblong on the top of the desk since this would be where its user would be busy with whatever parchment they might be reading or working upon. It had taken James months to create, the wood itself had to be brought in by ship alone, with this said he had found cherry wood to be wonderful to work with unfortunately unlike the material he would normally use he could not just pop into the forest should he make a mistake that could not be fixed.

“Don’t worry human, it’s in good paws!”

Chuckled grim noticing the nervousness in his scent, true to his word the large muscular feline made short work of the job before with surprising gentleness strapped it into place to keep it moving about and as suck become damaged during transport. As if on cue now all the heavy work had been done Thyme came bounding up dressed in brown breeches designed for those with tails in mind, a brown leather jerkin covered her top half along with a green cape over her shoulders. Charcoal coloured knees high digitigrade boots covered her lagomorph feet while black leather wrist guards finished off her outfit just perfectly.

“Careful Human she may get the wrong idea and pounce on you”

Snag teased him for the way the Human stared his mouth open almost comically, the comment made James blush even more brightly triggering the old Lion to laugh even harder. It was not until she drew closer that he noticed the short sword sheathed in its plain scabbard, it hung from her belt tied via cord around her right thigh. James had seen how efficiently the March Hares had utilized their short swords during their combat drills. The way they would draw their short bladed weapons with the same hand they wielded their gladius style weapon, twirling the hilt in their paw like hands allowing the Hare to get the first strike in while their opponent was still reaching across their body to draw their own weapon; by which time the Hare would have inflicted a swift decisive blow upon their opponent.

“Like what you see?”

Thyme asked drawing in close to James her body stretching up to its fullest though even doing this she found he still dwarfed her not that this would have made much difference to her in a fight, before he could speak her small dainty paw reached up to his shoulders while with a wicked smile playing across her muzzle she tugged him down, her lips smashing hard up against his only letting him go several seconds later.

“I guess so!”

She chuckled as he staggered back looking a little woozy from the sudden encounter; Snag shot a large strong paw grasping the Humans shoulder to help steady him his own thunderous laughter filing the air as he threw his head back in amusement.

“You were fairly warned cub”

Grim smirked admiring the Hares slender frame with a slight lick of his thick black lips as if contemplating something in his mind, Thyme turned her attention towards him as if feeling his eyes upon him. Giving her tail a slight twitch and her hips a little teasing wiggle she spoke to the warrior in a flirtatious tone.

“Do you really think you could handle a hare?”

Grim’s smirk grew into a wide toothy grin as his lips drew back to reveal his large feline fangs, his reply came with a firm cuff with the leather pads of his palm as he spoke to the March Hare with a matter of fact voice.

“Little one not only could I handle you, I would ruin you for any other male”

Thyme blushed brightly under her cheek fur and squeaked from the firm impact of his paw like hand against her well rounded rear, she tried to glare at him with her tiny paws on her hips but he simply ignored it as if treating her like petulant child. James wasn’t sure if he should admire Grim’s bravery or wince at the stupidity of doing that, he was sure if he did that he would either have her fist in his gut or be knocked of his feet with her slipping under him before he landed face first into the ground.

“Uh, Well then you can have my turn then Grim”

James noted with a nervous laugh, this didn’t seem to go down to well though with the lagomorph as she huffed and stormed off to the front of the wagon. Scrag sighed shaking his head slowly as he said with a condescending tone to his voice.

“You really know how to make female feel wanted don’t you cub?”

Loading the last of the commissioned items as well as few things he made to trade with James with the other two lions help dragged a wax coated sheet over top, fastening it into place with the wagon via cord threaded through the various rows of iron eyelets the Human gave a sigh of relief feeling glad they were done. Giving a drawn out stretch he made his way around to the front where a large feral cart horse stood patiently its muzzle dipped into its feeding bag, gently patting the mare on the side it let out a soft quiet nicker.

“Hello girl, I’ll be counting on you okay”

James whispers into the bowed head of the giant equine, in turn she gives him a gentle nudge before glaring at Thyme who was still all of a huff as she leant against one of the front wheels. The Hare gave a snort turning her cute twitching nose up as if trying give him the cold shoulder but she looked just too cute doing so not that he intended to say as much since he valued his teeth right where they were. Instead he choose to ignore her behaviour and carry on regardless, she would get over it eventually.

”Why don’t you just breed her if you like her so much!”

The March Hare interjected not happy with being ignored.

** -OOO-**

James had found the stress along with the strain of the last few years evaporate from his shoulders, gone was the traumatic strain of when he had been a slave as well as a sex toy for a well endowed pirate captain. Flanking either side of his wagon the two long in the tooth Lion’s kept up with an easy leisurely walking pace despite their heavy armour and formidable looking weapons sheathed upon their backs.

To be quite honest he was about ready for a nice quiet uneventful journey to the city of ‘Port Maw’, it would take several days to traverse the distance but he was in no rush to break any land speed wagon racing records even if Thyme looked board out her mind but then again she was a ‘March Hare’ for those lagomorph’s their lives revolved around eating, drinking, fighting ‘n’ screwing and not all ways in that order but at least he was glad she had stopped sulking even if she did from time to time look at him with some carnal intent playing out in her twisted little perverse mind of hers. A few hours more into the journey, James had lost all track of time as he took in the surrounding scenery, it was all so peaceful that he could not help but feel a sense of ease settle over himself.

As the dusty well worn dirt road trailed on for as far as his eyes could see, James would occasionally see the odd fork in the road with a wood sign post pointing to one location or another.

A smile formed across his lips as he remembered his old friend Asland and the adventures they had shared, Thyme cocked her head slightly with an unspoken curiosity so he began the tale if only to give something other to do other than sneaking into the back to pleasure herself with her paw or taking a short nap. This suit James fine since as much as he liked the March Hares their mood shifts took some getting used to at the best of times, it took the Human a few seconds to realize Snag was trying to get his attention as he moved at a swifter pace to keep his position along the wagons driver box.

“Blast it all ready for if thou art ignoring me then truly a beating thou shalt receive!”

Snag growled showing just how fit even as old as he was that a Lion was, James blinked a couple of times before opening his lips finding them to be dry and his eyes sore.

“What’s wrong?”

He asked looking down to the old feline who gave a wide toothy grin, his eyes though showed a portion of concern as he sprang from a semi jog alongside to being right next to him.

“You’ve been zoned out for hours and the sun is starting to set.”

It was Thymes turn to speak as she made her presence on the other side of him known, to say he jumped a few feet into air would have been an understatement while the Mare pulling the wagon looked back as if to say ‘hey what you doing back there I’m trying to work here’. He looked at Snag then Thyme as both watched him as if expecting some reply, he sighed softly as he used the reigns to lead both Mare away from the beaten track before coming to a stop and pulling back on the break leaver.

“Sorry, just old memories creeping back from the past”

The old Lion nodded acknowledging his experience with such things though Thyme didn’t seem comprehend James meaning as he climbed down to unhitch the large equine from the wagon. The Mare lowered her head making a chewing motion with her muzzle her head giving a gentle nickers as she nudges the side of his face before giving a louder nicker as she shakes her head, she started nudging against him instantly as if trying to expresses her interest in the Human or at least until Grim came padding up carrying the equines nose bag filled with good portion of oats as reward for a hard day’s work of lugging a heavy load behind her for so long. Lifting her tail in delight as she caught sight of the nose bag, she turned right around and trotted over to the large muscular feline who had just for that moment in time become her best friend. Grim chuckles as she nuzzles and blows through her nose at him in a sign of friendship.

“You know she’s giving you the come on, right?”

Thyme teased jumping down from the wagon to give Snag a hand setting up camp for the night, he blinked a little confused as to what the hare meant so put it to the back of his mind. Leaving Grim to look after the Feral horse James untied the shovel strapped to the side of the wagon to dig the fire pit, it didn’t take long before there was nice crackling away providing heat and light as the two old Lions grabbed handfuls of dried salt jerky from a large open bag. While Thyme turned her nose up at the horror fest on display from the two long in the fang warriors, James had decided to keep back mostly for fear of losing his arm then having to watch it being devoured in the feeding frenzy.

This said there was one thing the Human liked more than even a succulent gourmet steak with the finest of rich sources, it was a simple vegetable but oh so versatile in so many ways. It was the plane old potato, he loved it greatly as he found it went with just about anything, as such he had a several jacket potatoes just on the edge of the fire all covered in burning hot ashes.

“Ever had jacket potato Thyme?”

He asked the Hare who had edged nearer to him to avoid the odd scrap of meat shooting from the jaws of the two big cats, she shook her head as she slipped her hip up so close to his he was sure she would soon be sitting his lap.

“No I can’t say I have, normally they are boiled or mashed as its quick and easy to do on mass.”

She mused slipping an arm through his, leaning her cheek against the side of his shoulder she wrinkled her nose in the typically cute fashion common to most lagomorphs, not that he intended to comment on this since calling Hare cute was extremely dangerous. One thing to send a Hare from all soppy lovey dovey to psycho rip your intestines out with their bare paws and garrote you with them, would be to call them cute.

“You’re in for a treat then”

He winked using a stick to uncover one before rolling it closer, he tossed the hot vegitable from hand to hand until it had cooled down sufficiently enough to peel of the black charred skin to reveal half of the soft white goodness beneath and handing it to Thyme with a slight warning.

“Carefully it’ll be extremely hot, best blow on it a few times between bites”

James noted, the Hare smiled sweetly at him letting go of his arm as she took the offered meal and sniffing it a little then blowing on it, her eyes lit up as took a bite, it had a slightly sweet taste to it. The white vegetable flesh was both moist yet dry at the same time something that was a complete contradiction in its own right but she loved it.

James smiled as he watched her for a few seconds before rolling out one of the potatoes for himself, with a sigh he looked up at the cloudless night as the stars sparkled like miniature jewels in the dark abyss. The sudden sensation of Thymes thick black lips against his rouged cheek filled him with a sense of warmth deep within, turning his attention back down towards Hare he found himself staring into her deep brown eyes as they looked right back into his. With a sudden blush, he looked away his hands feeling a little tender from peeling his still extremely hot meal.

“Stars look beautiful tonight!”

He announced to break the silence, this caught the attention of Grim and Snag who looked up as they paused their gruesome assault on the jerky to admire, loosing intrest after a few moments the two warriors continued with the horror fest that was their meal.

“I’ll take first watch!”

The Human mused biting in to his Potato only to open his mouth wide and fan the hot vegetable contents with his hand in an attempt to cool it down.

[writers note real life rabbits & hares should never be fed potatoes or there skins period!]

The night dragged on at least for James during his watch though when eventually it came

to Thymes turn and he gave her a gentle shake the Hares first reaction was to stretch

look up at him with bleary eyes before draping her arms around the back of his neck to

draw his mouth down to hers lock her muzzle to his mouth. Her thighs parting as she

clamps her small powerful lagomorph legs around him, the hard pressure of her pubic

mound nudging just above the thick hardened leather of his cod piece forced him to give

a sudden intake of breath.

“Mnnnnnn you want something sweet stuff?”

She whispers quietly as seconds later she smashes her lips hard into his, by the time she

pulled free her chest heaving heavily for air his mind was more than a little blurred such

was the sheer passion she had put into the kiss. It took him several minutes to gather his

senses, during which Thyme would lean up to brush his lips with her own until at last he

opened his mouth to speak only to feel her tongue ease down along his as she engulfs his

mouth yet again.

“I..uh..you ..erm…uh….erm!”

Was about all he could say as she broke away for a third time leaving him somewhat even

more befuddled than he had been only moments ago, looking deep into his eyes the Hare

unhooked herself from around him to begin wriggling out of her brown breeches. Thyme

had them down around her knees as she gently bites her lower lip eager to breed with the

Human when at last he remembered what he was supposed to be saying to her.

“It’s your turn for the watch!”

The Hare paused mid wiggle her eyes blinking in dumbfoundment at what she had just

herd, Thyme’s brow furrowed while her eyes narrowed after which she gave him a hefty

shove knocking him on to his backside before drawing her breeches back up over her

hips. James watched her grumpily gather up her green cape and stomping off towards

the fire in a foul mood, but he was too tired to care let alone understand why she was

being so moody of late though once he had managed to locate where he’d set up his

blanket he hunkered down allowing the night to just fly by.

Come the morning Thyme was still giving him the cold shoulder even when camp had be

struck the Mare hitched up to the wagon, come midday though she was back to snuggling

up against him making some rather inappropriate comments about the things they could

do that involved the furniture in the back of the wagon while Snag or Grim took the

reins. Every now and then the March Hare would playfully nuzzle his arm, her small firm

body quivering at times as she let out tiny grunts as she occasionally rub against his

shoulder with her chin.

Unfortunately for the Hare her intentions where lost upon the Human who just simply

did not understand her intentions let alone all the signals she was putting out for him to

pick up on, after a fashion in the distance plumes of smoke from chimneys to numerous

to count could be seen as the walled city port was silhouetted against the distant sky.

**“I’d say we should reach the city by tomorrow midday or at least come early evening at

the very most”**

James mused giving cause for the female lagomorph to look up from her attempts to lure

him into breeding with her, squinting her eyes as she tried to make out more detail but

they were still too far away for anything more than a teaser of one a city that not the

capital was arguably the most prosperous in the whole of the mammal empire. He smiled

softly slipping a hand around the Hare’s shoulder sending her all a flutter as she all but

melted against him her eyes growing all most glazed over, slipping her head up against

the pit of his arm she felt herself becoming all giddy like she was some young kit with her

first crush all over again.

**“We’ll stop off at the ram’s gate Inn, they have stall’s you can hire to lock up wagons over

night as well as stables. I’m sure we could all do with a decent night sleep not to mention

a decent hot meal inside of us.”**

He chuckled softly remembering his time there with Asland, he began to wonder if the

land lords Daughter was still there. a smirk played across his lips as he recalled how the

young sheep had a thing for predators of the feline persuasion , James wondered how

she would react to two hulking great Lion Warriors, though this time he would be sure to

get several rooms rather than one the large ones that was one mistake he would not

make a second time.

“While truly this is a most excellent plan one doth wonder if it is wise?”

Snag grumped, the old Lion’s stride had increased to keep level with the front of the

wagon while Grim soon came up along the other side to give his opinion upon the idea as

well, both of them were like the old men you might see sipping at glasses of beer outside

an old bar complaining about the flaws of the young and how things where so much

better when they where young themselves. It was a grand feat in itself how these two

grizzled veterans could find just about anything to moan about but even in spite of all

this James pitied any one foolish enough to incur their wrath.

**“One would heartedly quite agree, if any where bold enough in courage or wisdom to

attempt any mischief, twould be there!”**

Grim rumbled firmly looking up as the Human his fierce predatory eyes not once

blinking or flinching; the Human though still had an ace to play to in the his two over the

hill nurse maids.

“Three words is all it will take to win you both over, Fresh….Hot….Meat!”

James spoke seeing all desire to argue rise up then fizzle away in their faces as he hit

them where they where most vulnerable, their stomachs and while he would have to

admit it was a sneaky under handed tactic yet Thyme nodded her head in approval as she

licked the side of his face in a show of admiration towards him. Unfortunately this rather

sticky and messy action brought back the kiss she had given him the previous night

which much to his distress caused his cod piece to grow ever the more confining towards

his manly organs that hid beneath the cod piece that he wore, worse yet he was sure from

the way the Female Hare‘s attention fully focused upon him that she could smell his

arousal just like a predator would the blood of it s prey. James did not need the

heightened sense of smell a good majority of mammal kind took for granted to know her

intentions towards him, even a block head like himself could understand the none verbal

messages her body was putting out.

** -OOO-**

Nightfall had fallen, the clouds where round as they where fat as they begun to gather, as James entered the ‘Ram’s Gate Inn’ with Thyme and Snag in tow, the inside was just as he remembered it. The sense of joviality from the patrons drinking, eating and dancing filled the senses while others played card games or dice rolls for money. The crackling of the fire as the grand fireplace filled the cavernous bar room brought a smile to the Human’s face that and the touch of wood work of the paneled walls, each panel making part of a larger picture that told a story of some great war from before his time.

“It was here I first found my desire to work with wood, these very panels caught my imagination and set me on the course to where I am today.”

He sighed softly his eyes closed as he ran his fingers along the forms that formed the scenery and figures locked in mortal combat, opening his eyes he found Thyme poking her head around from behind to look at his face. A tender smile graced her thick black lips before brushing his lips softly without saying a single word unlike the large armour clad Lion next to him.

“Verily, Cub! ‘Twas something not that unsimilar that led oneself unto becoming the mighty warrior that stands before thou!”

The old veteran Snag chuckled paffing James the back of his shoulder, sending the poor Human stumbling forwards along the ale stained wooden floor boards, along the walls above the wooden panels shields and other artifacts brought back by patrons of the establishment whose professions take them to distant places of the world. He could see a small statuette of Tyranus probably from the reptilian and Amphibian territories, it brought back uncomfortable memories that forced his eyes to swiftly turn away.

“Such is how thy greatness came to be!”

Snag concluded his long-winded elaboration of how he became a warrior, Thyme looked as if she was either about to fall asleep on her feet or run herself through with whatever pointy long object was closest to hand. Mercifully though Grim returned from locking that cart away and settling their Mare down for the night.

“Truly the way thou doth bray would put even oldest of donkeys to shame!”’

Grim gruffly chuckled deliberately having a dig at his old rival and friend, not caring for one of their regularly occurring bouts of insult throwing, James absently slipped a hand around that back of Thymes waist causing her to make number of cute though silent squeals of pleasant surprise. Leading her away towards a counter just beneath the mezzanine stair case he could see the familiar old face of the grey furred Ram, the top of his head bald save for a few wisps of hair brushed across his scalp to hide the considerable lack of hair.

“Jame O’dale is that really you or are these old eyes playing tricks on me again?”

The old Sheep bleated with a wide smile across his face, hobbling out from behind the counter the decrepitude male met James half way with the use of a well-used walking stick. His breath was vile as his smile widened to reveal the few teeth he had remaining as he adjusts his wire framed spectacles to get a better look.

“Why as I live and breathe, it is you! Tis been a while since I last saw you my lad, in fact last I heard you’d been sold into slavery!”

James smirked only to all most choke as he felt Thyme cheekily squeeze his rear as she asked politely.

“So James, who’s the old male?”

This caused the old male let out a rattling laugh that soon turned in to a stint of coughing, after calming down a bit the Ram peered at the Hare through his glasses his grin growing once more as he spoke with a jesting tone his voice.

“Young whipper snapper I’ll have you across my knee and deliver a good spanking you’ll never soon forget!”

Thyme just threw her head back an laughed so hard she felt as if her sides were going to rupture, a few tears from her mirth rolled down her fluffy cheeks before gaining enough control to lean over and whisper into the old mammal’s ear.

“Mnnnnn sound like fun old man, think you can handle a gal like me?”

With this she ran paw along the top of his head, this made James groan and shake his head slightly much to the old Ram amusement who rebuked with a near toothless smile.

“Where I but thirty years younger I’d rock your world!”

Taking the time to count quietly to ten only to concluding that this didn’t really help James slumped his shoulders and was about to introduce the venerable inn keeper when he was interrupted by a soft warm voice followed by the something soft pressing up against his back.

“If you were thirty years younger father you’d still be old enough to be her great grandfather!”

James blushed brightly as he felt a pair of black arms wrap around his from behind and the touch of a female’s pelvis on his buttocks, the same voice spoke quietly to him as its own sniffed at his scent all most as if needing to be sure he was real.

“The old man was quite beside himself when he heard what had happened, you have to tell me your tale over dinner latter, mothers making her vegetable stew again.”

Gulping deeply James turned around to face the young female sheep that was holding him a little to intimately for his comfort, the softness he had felt had been her wool under her green dress. Her coat was sheered in the style most female Sheep of her generation preferred leaving some across her chest and never regions, leaving her midriff along with her neck bare. Of course, to look at her you could be forgiven for not noticing this especially with her coverings, but where she to press up close to someone, which she was prone to doing especially to a male that catches her eye, it would be quite obvious. Not that he was going to say anything especially with the aging father so close to hand.

“So I see you brought me two gorgeous Lions to play with this time hmnnnn? Maybe you can join in this time instead of hiding away on the other side of the room like last time you can even have the little cotton tail participate?”

It was at being referred to as cotton tail that stirred Thyme into motion as she nudged her way between them her hands on her hips and a look that would have sent most men packing.

“Back Off, if he’s gonna be going down any one’s hole tonight, it’ll be mine!”

The Hare huffed making eye contact with the Sheep, at one-point Jame’s felt he was going to have a fight on his hands, even Snag as well as Grim had stopped their normal game of who could out argue the other and was making a bee line towards them but the Sheep just laughed softly as she took a step back her palms held up in submission.

“Can’t blame a girl for trying!”

She announced before heading rather swiftly towards the two large Lions a wicked glint in her eyes, James watched her flirt with the old veterans for a moment before giving relived smile as Thyme eased up alongside him slipping her arms through his and easing herself close to him rubbing her chest up against his arm in a show of her affection, she looked up at his confused face, Thyme just smiled and nuzzled her furry cheek against his shoulder as if what had just happened had been little more than a figment of his imagination.

“I gave up trying to figure out these female long ago, all it does is hurt the brain!”

The old Ram chuckled gesturing for James to follow, taking a deep breath as he resigned himself to having a new arm warmer he followed the venerable old male to the counter where a large ledger sat closed with a thick long ribbon showing the page currently in use. James had to admit it was the thickest and largest book he had ever seen.

“You be wondering to just how far back this old place be going don’t cha? Well let’s just say it’s older than even my own grand pappy who first opened the Ram’s Gate Inn.”

The Ram wheezed out a chuckle before opening the book to page with the ribbon marking its position, James blinked trying to figure out just how long ago the conclusion made his own business seem insignificant in comparison. He just hoped he would have at least one heir from his mates that he might be able to pass his carpentry skills on to. Who in turn would do the same with their off spring. James was broken from his train of thought by a discrete cough from the old Ram who had finished filling out the new line and had turned the book around for him to make his mark. Taking the offered quill from the old male James signed the register, he traded the quill back for a two large iron keys each with a wooden tab with the rooms number on them joined via a strip of leather.

Later that evening, having been shown to their rooms, James struck a match against the striker pad upon the candle stick holder held firmly in his hand and filling the air around him with scent of sulphur. As the candle flame flickered it illuminated the darkness of his room for the night, the door creaked as it closed behind him before the sound the lock turning place made his body quiver nervously. The march hare licked her lips as she slipped the key onto small half circle table next to the door, it was just enough to fit the ornamental vase upon it along as the large wooden toggle attached to the room key.

“Well uh heh wow it’s getting late we should get some sleep heh!”

James gulped deeply as he felt the females small body pressing up next to him from behind, her soft breathing was clearly audible in the dimness of the room, the soft gasps of air sounding from the lagomorph’s parted lips let out a soft moan made him hose become that much more restrictive.

“We…uh..should let more light in so we don’t trip over each other when we strip off, no uh I mean when we get ready for bed..heh!”

The human whimpered swiftly moving forwards to the window pulling the shutters open, the room was immediately bathed in a surreal blue hue of moon light that shone through the lead lined glass. With a deep gulp, he turns around watching Thyme slowly walk towards him with a deliberately exaggerated sway to her hips that made his hand tremble, he watched how the moon’s rays shed a pale hue glow around her body making the shadows across her features seem to dance just for him. James squeaked as she drew closer and closer until she was a breaths distance, pursing her lips she lent down ever so slightly blowing a kiss upon the flickering candle snuffing out its flame and slipping the simple candle holder from his fingers order to place it upon the window ledge.

“Your acting like a kit that’s never been with a female before, we both know you have plenty of experience”

Thyme moaned in a quiet lustful voice her cape tossed on to one of the nearby beds, even in the low light he could see the need in her eyes that filled him with the urge to run squealing in fear like prey from a predator, he felt a slight sense of relief as she took a few steps backwards as she slowly started to undress in a seductively provocative manner.

“But…”

She started dropping her jerkin on to the discarded cape, with a wide grin she eased his hands up to her exposed chest, running his fingers through the soft white fur of her under belly so that he could feel how swollen each of her eight nipples had become while she continued to speak.

“I do so love to play games, I’ll be the dominant female teaching the inexperienced kit how to be a man!”

James felt his body shudder in arousal at her words as she with a foot drags a stool just feet away before hopping up on to it to be at eye level with the Human she intended to bed. In seconds her lips slammed hard up against his sending his mind into dizzy whirlwind of emotions and sensations, her small hands easily controlling his large palm as she guides them into sliding down along her sides, around her hips, coming to a stop up over her taunt little rear where she manipulated them into squeezing her firm cheeks.

“And you….you can be the poor kit I shall utterly demolish!”

She added enjoying the way his body trembled as she broke their kiss, Thyme draws his body in closer to her own while her paws release his hands as they continue there hold upon her firm rear cheeks. With confident groan Thyme begins to lift his top slowly up to reveal the smooth skin of his toned torso, she felt her breath growing heavier as she pressed her snout against him breathing in his scent loving how he felt and smelt.

Lifting herself up as far as her digitigrade feet would allow as she eases his top up over his head then with a flick of a hand threw the garment onto the rest of the discarded clothing. With little warning Thyme crushed her lips yet again to his slipping her warm agile tongue along his own as she draped her arms around the back of his neck to help ease the pressure on her ankles.

“MUNNNPH!”

Came James’s muffled cry, his eyes bulging wide open before slowly closing, leaning down into the kiss the Human scoops her up allowing her thighs to ease over his hips, the deep passionate lock of muzzle to mouth was broken only through the mutual need to breathe. Their chests heaving against the others as both Human and Hare panted heavily for air, with her eyes closed, her cheek pressed against the nape of his neck, Thyme trembles against him savoring the moment while taking the opportunity to catch her breath the moment felt so perfect for her to lure him into her plans to make him her mate. She was fine with not being the alpha female, as long she got her fair share of off spring Shadow Claw could strut around all she liked.

“Come my naughty little kit don’t you want to learn what teacher has to show you?”

Thyme grins, with her breathing having evened out she fixes her prey with a look of pure carnal hunger that makes James shutter much to her delight. Easing the pads of her paw like hands along his cheeks she draws him towards her parting lips ready to ease her tongue along his, her eyes closing as she prepares for a deep passionate kiss until a sudden squeal of surprise left her thick inhuman lips as she felt James suddenly carry her towards the second bed, Thyme could feel herself sliding up and down against his body with every step they took. The way her sensitive nipples brushed against his skin made her emit all manner of cute sounds that even she had no idea she could make, coming to a stop quivering Hare felt a mixture of both relief as well as disappointment though only for a moment as he sat slowly down, much to her delight she felt his large powerful hands ease up from her haunches as the moved up along her sides forcing the burning need deep in her loins to grow even more intense.

“Please breed me James, please….I’m begging you!...Please choose any hole, but please rut it hard please!”

She begged rubbing the side of her muzzle against him, her body shaking as she pleaded to be used like some cheap common harlot, her entire body tingled with excitement at the touch of his hand as it eased up further to her throat making her whimper submissively to him. Thyme began to shake in his arms, her breath coming in shorter sharper pants until at last his palms eased along the fur of the lagomorph’s cheeks directing her face up towards his face where she found him waiting to part her lips. Thyme stiffens, her back arching towards him as a tiny wave of sheer bliss ripple through her body in the form of a minor orgasm making her desire to beg him once more to take her like the animal she was. To plead for him to pump his highly virile seed into her sinfully wanton womb so she might bare his young, all she could do though was moan into the deep passionate kiss as her body gave itself over to him freely, she was completely consumed by the desire to be claimed by this magnificent male holding her so close to him.

Gasping softly for breath the Hare pushed James’s shoulders down to the blankets her tiny paws trembling with anticipation, pausing to take a few deeper long breaths with the hopes of gaining even the slightest amount of self-control she starts to ease off his hose to reveal the part of him that her body craved the most. It stood proudly in all its girth, longer than any male of her own species that she all most winces at the thought of it sawing through her tight little body though despite this she felt her hunger to push as much of it up into hot moist entrance become overwhelming.

With his legging down by his knees she stops realizing his boots prevented her from going any further, straddling a leg she grips and twists the boot one way then the other in her attempts to force it free. James watched her taunt little rear sway this way and that as her groin ground against his thigh driving her already lust laden mind deeper yet into the depths of carnal desperation.

Her small frame began to jerk with shorter sharper thrusts along against James until she let out a squeal as her body reaching another minor orgasm; his boot sent clattering to the floor. It would take her a few minutes to gather both the strength as well as the composer to straddle his other thigh to repeat the process, only this time he was ready for her little performance.

Reaching down to pop Thyme’s fluffy little tear drop tail free from the tailhole in the rear of her leggings he slips the Hares breeches down over her hips to reveal the moist pink grove of her lower lips, she gave a sudden squeak from the sudden chill of the air against the heat of her neither parts. The horny little lagomorph was too far down for him to orally tease so James made do with a finger, running his finger tip along outside of her sensitive labia, watching how her haunches squirm and shift as he does so.

“No…*pants*…Fair!”

Thyme gasps looking back over her shoulder to meet his eyes with her own only to close them and squeal as she feels the tip of his finger slip slight along the undersides of her puffed up vaginal lips, James watched her tremble while pressing her chest against his leg, she had forgotten all about trying to pull his second boot off, instead the Hare just pushed herself towards his hand eager to feel something ease inside of her, Thyme howled in frustration as he kept her waiting by simply teasing his finger around her tight little entrance watching as she twisted and swayed her taunt little rear in attempts to swallow his digit whole with her hungry vaginal maw.

“Aren’t you supposed to be doing something?”

James asked her, his finger tip tapping against her opening just enough to press cuticle deep then exiting just as swiftly, Thyme gave yet another squeal followed by a whining sound of disappointment. Narrowing her eyes, she tried to push back against his hand when next he tapped at her tight little orifice this time she managed to ease the intruding finger half way in before clamping down and grinding against it with deep lustful grunts.

Wincing at the considerable grip the Hare’s inner walls applied to his finger as it clenched around his digit, he tried to pull free an act that caused her to moan in delight while squeezing tighter as if to show him just what she had instore for him. After a few seconds he finally drew free forcing a deep groan to escape Thyme’s lips, pulling at his boot once more with side to side twisting motions she managed to finally draw it free tossing it aside shortly followed the last article of clothing his hose, James’s naked body was exposed before her.

She was all most drooling as she looked at his body with greedy lust filled eyes, with less grace and care than she had shown her lover the Hare kicked her own boots across the room, by the time they hit ground she was already wriggling free of her leggings only to fling them away. With her chest heaving heavily Thyme reached out with feverish paws, grasping base of James’s thick swollen organ she eases her small pink tongue along the shaft as her other small paw like hand eased the skin down over his bulbous gland to groom the object of her desires.

“I….want…it….need…it”

Thyme moaned, her words strained as she tried to form her words, already the tip of her tongue traced around the pouting lips at the very tip of his bulb forcing a dribble of pre’ to leak out, something she lapped up in an instant like it was godly ambrosia. Closing her eyes, the Hare began to nuzzle the head of the Human reproductive organ as her thick black lips kissed lustfully at James’s sensitive man-hood. The sound of snuffling reached James as she breathed in his scent, easing her muzzle up over and down along the bulbous end, force it past her puckered lips.

“MNNNNNNNNN!”

Was the only noise she made as he felt the underside of his length ease along her tongue to the back of her throat it was then the sound of a wooded head rail and shrill of an excited sheep’s bleating accompanied by the bellowing roars of two lustful Lions echoed from the other room utterly killing the moment as his erect member grew flaccid inside of her small hot muzzle as it slipped free from her lips.

“NO!”

Thyme cried out a look of desperation in her eyes as she rapidly worked her fingers around his sexual organ in the hopes of rekindling some life into it but the sounds of bleating and bellowing cries put pay to this. Angrily the Hare dragged James into a kiss hoping distract him but the mood she had so carefully cultivated was gone.

“I’LL SKIN THOSE CATS ALIVE AND RIP THAT SLUTS WOOL OFF!”

Thyme yelled under her breath, her brow furrowed as her eyes narrowed, hopping down from the bed in a state of undress the Hare marched over to the door pausing only to grab a vase before heading out of the room. For a while there was only silence until suddenly the sound rang out of the vase shattering and the muffled screams of the Sheep from next door where swiftly followed by Snag shouting out a warning to Grim.

“GRIM ATEND THY SELF, MISTRESS THYME HAS DRAWN THOU’S BLADE AND SEEKETHS MUCH HARM UNTO THEE!”

This Was soon followed by more screams from the sheep followed by what could only be a momentous struggle, James could only lay there listening to the commotion going on in the other room.

** -OOO-**

The first ray of the new day came shining in through the window to awaken James from his slumber feeling refreshed, he could feel something warm and soft curled up next to him figuring it to be Thyme he eased the cover up a fraction to find he had been wrong. The Inn Keepers daughter was draped against him her chest wool pressed firm up against his skin, for a brief moment he wondered if anything had happened during the night between them but dismissed this as nothing felt different as one might expect after a night of carnal pleasure so he eased the blanket backdown and enjoyed the warmth of her body for a little while longer. The minuets passed until eventually he could feel the young Sheep starting to stir her small hand running along his exposed chest for a few seconds before sitting bolt upright blushing brightly drawing the cover around her body and looking at him with bright wide eyes, her jaw a gap unsure if she should be shocked or happy at her predicament.

“Good Morning!”

He chuckled softly to break the tension as the first signs of recollection of the nights events filtered down through to her conscious mind followed shortly by the covering her face with blanket covered hands as she squeaked.

“So, what exactly happened last night?”

James asked receiving another squeak of embarkment for his troubles. Waiting patiently for a few moments for her to gather herself he eased his hands to hers gently drawing them away from her face and looking softly into her eyes.

“It’s okay, please I just want to know, please?”

He asked her with a clam gentle tone, she cleared her throat as she tried to waste as much time as she could before speaking.

“w.when the hare came in al screaming and biting the lions tried to wrestle her to the ground with little luck, she was to limber and swift for them so while they were busy, I fled seeking refuge”

She blurted out, James nodded softly easing her into his arm and holding her to him while looking up at the door in and out of the room, a chair had been propped under the handle to keep any one especially some berserk Hare form gaining entrance. Turning towards the windows he could see the dawn rays filtering through the gaps in the shutters that had been bolted into place, he could put the rest of the story together himself but he let her continue on.

“I barricaded the door and locked the shutters scared of what might happen if she managed to get in here, I noticed you sleeping and it was far too cold a night to be spend alone, so I eased into bed with you…BUT I swear I didn’t do anything untoward while you slumbered!”

The female bleated softly as she nuzzled her face against his chest letting the covers fall away from her naked body, she loved how his fingers felt against her wool free hips sending a thrill rippling through her body justifying the latest trend amongst her kind to have the wool sheered save for the chest area, it was supposed to resemble the lumps on a female Human’s chest, especially underneath a Sheep’s clothing. Biting her bottom lips, she drifts one of her small hands down his well-formed body until her hand touched upon his man-hood, another bleat escapes her mouth as it springs to life at her touch, swiftly swelling as she wrapped her tiny fingers around the warm swelling organ.

“I deserve a reward for being good, yes?”

In answer to her question he pulled the blanket back over them both concealing them both fully while bringing his lips to her inhuman mouth while guiding himself between her thighs causing her to give a loud intake of breath followed by long joyful moan as he took his pleasure of her, enjoying the tight heat of her insides as his girth relentlessness sought to enter as far as the females body would permit.

Later that morning down stairs sat around a table James, Grim, Snag and Thyme sat enjoying a hearty breakfast that would fuel them on the last leg of their journey to the city of ‘Port Maw’, the Hare sat muttering and muttering under her breath throwing dark menacing glare sat the Human every time she caught the scent of the Sheep he had lain with.

“Verily ones’ friend benefitted well from the favours of that woollen wench!”

Snag chuckled as the sound of grinding teeth and quiet growls escaped the lagomorph just feet away from him, if the old Lion cared about the danger he was currently courting he showed no sign of it as he tore into his raw meat with gusto. Thyme meantime was gingerly munching upon her salad with extra helping of chopped carrot as she contemplated upon her next plan to get James into her bed.

Though first she would have remove that damned sheep’s scent off of him, the Hare did not want to try and explain to either Twilight, the Lions and especially not Shadow why he smelt of such of a weak female who would rather scream and run rather than stand and fight.

** -OOO-**

With an awkwardly silence during breakfast and a fond farewell from the tavern owner’s daughter; something that further fuelled Thyme’s dark mood, they were once more on their way, the March Hare’s state of temperament had lightened as the journey continued even if she still glared at her companions with the occasional murderous glare. It was about midday when the scenery began to change from the rolling hills accompanied by dense pockets of vegetation either side of the wide dirt road, to the occasional farm or home along with an uneven cobblestone road that led towards the looming city walls of port maw.

All around the sounds of people going about their daily lives could be clearly heard as the wagon trundled along at an even pace though the outskirts of the city beyond the walls themselves where the poor scratched out an existence but despite this most seemed happy filled with comradery of their neighbors. A few eyes watched the wagon go past suspicion playing across their filth caked faces, a number of children chased after the wagon laughing, each one blind to their eventual fate as adults.

By midday they had reached the main gates where upon the wagon was checked then cleared to proceed, James listened to the same scripted warning about being mindful of his own safety due to being a Human before being waved through. A gentle flick of the reins, the large powerful mare trotted on its hoofs clopping against the flagstones. There was something about the hustle and bustle of city life that disagreed with the Human, he could never quite put a finger on what it was, weather it the loud noises or the smell, what ever it was James found himself feeling ill at ease with buildings so similar in design as they towered above him. Every now and then an alleyway between building could be seen leading into darkness, he could only imagine where they led to.

“First stop is just past the next gate, into the merchant district”

He mused as Thyme gives him an absent-minded nod, the comment had been more to distract himself. Nothing had changed since his last visit to port maw, save for the odd establishment having closed down or in the process of being replaced by new owners, though such things where common place in any city. The security at the second gate was just as tight as the first one, the guards checked the parchments that carried their permit to trade with in the large coastal city before waving them through. It would take them another fifteen minutes to reach a large semi attached building with a long foreboding alleyway separating it from the building on its left, a large sign in the shape of a table slowly swung a few inches as it was caught by the brisk breeze blowing in from the sea to whistle down through the back streets and narrow passageways.

Looking up at some random building that like every other building in the city was coated in limewash with pitch painted upon exposed wooden section, the slate and lead on the roof instead of thatch was further sign they were in the merchant district.

Bringing the wagon to a halt by the store a corpulent well attired Pug came waddling out all flustered waving his arms about.

“Wha…what do you think your doing?...you …you can stop here, this is my store!”

The portly canine blustered his body staring to hold both his own considerable girth along with the obscenely excessive amount of jewellery worn about his neck, the Pug stop dead in his tracks when he bumped into Snag who just looked down at the male and growled.

“You know trying to pick a fight with a Lion is a pretty ballsy thing to do, stupid but still ballsy!”

James chuckled easing the locking lever back to prevent the front wagon wheels from moving, tying the leaver off he eased down to cobbles in order to get some feeling back into his legs again. Thyme was soon to join him her slender body bending and stretching in a deliberately sexual manner in her ongoing attempts to attract his attention, something that not lost on the Pug who just stood there drooling as if undressing her with his mind.

“Ah James My boy it’s you, and who’s this fabulous creature with you?”

The dog asked wiping the drool with the sleeve of his olive green surcoat, a braided leather belt was barely visible beneath the large overhang that was the male’s belly though the sizable coin purses tied along either side of the belt was quite visible to any one present including would be pick pockets. The whole look was complimented with a pair of red hose covered the merchant’s small legs leading down to a pair of shoes that curled up at the toes, finished off with a drab green duerer topped off with a peacock feather that must have cost the dog a small fortune.

“CREATURE?”

Thyme snarled, a feat quite remarkable for a Rabbit especially one whose paw like hand had dropped to the pommel of the sheathed short sword, a dark glare was fixed on the over stuffed canine. It was all most as if she was unsure whether to cut his bulging gut open from left to right or from top to bottom.

“Uh Mr Chester, a word to the wise, it’s best not to antagonize her”

James noted with an air of warning to his tone, placing a hand over her small paw like hand Thyme snapped her gaze up towards him only for those furious eyes to suddenly melt as he brought his lips to hers causing her to all but melt against him as her body language softened completely. Easing her fingers away from the pommel of her sword the Hare leaned up on tiptoe to deepen the kiss, her paws slipping around the back of her beloved Human’s neck. For the small bundle of fury all time seemed to stand still, every last person around them seemed to fade away into the background, nothing seemed to matter to her at other than the kiss.

“Verily thou hast escaped deaths grasp this day, twere it not for the timely action of yonder man then truly thou’s body would lay eviscerated by thy careless tongue!”

Grim noted with a grizzled tone his eyes seeming to burn right through the portly Pug, a few minutes passed before the kiss between Human and Lagomorph was broken, Thyme was still trembling from the effect as she absently slips her arms around his. Her eyes where glazed over completely.

“So Mr Chester, about the furniture?”

James coughed discreetly to gain the rotund canine who blinked a few times before blushing profusely, retrieving a fine silk handkerchief that had been tucked into his cuff to dab his brow.

“Yes, Yes, My god boy you are quite right and time is wasting, so snap to it my good felines!”

The Pug noted gesturing for the two Lion’s to unload the wagon, both Snag and Grim looked the canine as if deciding whether to remove his with sword or by claw

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[And this as far as I got when Bad-Dragon deleted the story, now that it has been archived here I can work on remaster and and fixing any major errors while posting each remastered part, though I fear it will take some time to get it all done considering just how much there is to get done, heh!]