FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Chapter 4

Meeting the neighbors

The wyvern stalked into the cave, slipping in with its long tail dragging behind it as it moved closer to Charles, its jaws starting to drool as it growled as it started to quickly waddle on its four limbs towards Charles. But this fear was short lived as as it pounced it was snatched out of the air by a pair of much larger jaws the jaws of the large dragoness named Blue clamped down holding the much smaller wyvern in her mouth before tossing her head back and sending the poor creature down to the back of its mouth were a hearty swallow could be heard as the lump that was the wyvern moved down the large dragonesses neck. Charles was panting trying to catch his breath when he felt Blues mind merge with his again he no longer felt pain with it but it did cause a feeling of pressure on the side of his head.

Blues voice came through the soft voice of his now savior spoke to him. Are you alright Charles? Are you hurt? Did that cliff scamper hurt you? No it did not Blue thanks without you i would have been killed thank you so much Blue. Charles wrapped his arms around Blue's thick muscular neck in a hug that made the dragoness' leathery cheeks blush a darker blue than they normally are. It's no problem Charles what are friends for after all she said still trying to get through this flood of feelings that told her he was a perfect potential mate and soul bond. Charles let go and tried to hide his own blushing from having held Blue like that. Well I guess let's head back to bed said Charles feeling awkward as he brushed his hand through his longer than normal shaggy hair. Blue smiled and the tip of her long tail wagged happily, the tuft of feathers at its end fanning the air and pushing dirt off the ground with how it was wagging. Blue soon laid down again Charles laying now against her side where Blue lowered her wing to help cover him and protect him from the chilly night time mountain air. Blue watched Charles for a while with curiosity and a bit of love, her brain racking though ideas of possibilities wondering if things between a human and a featherin could work out she heard of and once even seen a elf and featherin relationship before why could this not work out. Soon Blue started to grow very tired again and yawned, laying her head back down into her nest as well and slowly drifted off to sleep, her head laying next to her little human friend.

Charles was the first to wake up a chill morning breeze working its way into the cave and under Blues warm wing was enough to ensure that the sun was just coming over the mountains shining through the peaks and starting to light up the valley below as Charles stood up and sat at the cave entrance and stared out into the valley. A minute later Blue joined him and sat at the edge, her neck raised high as she laid her padded front paws over the edge of the cave's hanging lip. Blue smiled and nuzzled her human friend with a purr coming from her she asked him mentally. Would you like to see the valley that the elves put this magical force field up to protect. Charles looked at her confused, but I thought I was not allowed to leave. Blue rolled her eyes and laughed, you're not allowed to leave the protected valley but you should be allowed to explore it and meet with its other resident's right and see the wildlife. Besides, you've been stuck in my nest for a long time don't you wanna explore instead of being a nest lurker? Charles sighed, well blue you are correct i wanna see what's going on here what is around why the elves as you said did so much to protect this land. Blue smiled and lowered her wings to be like a ramp, well then jump on board as I'll be happy to show you around. After all this is where i have been while i was away this is practically my home land. I saw a lot of it and would love to show you around. Charles then moved over and climbed up her wing being careful not to pull any feathers from her wings as he soon got between her wings and shoulder blades on her back and sat down holding onto her neck nervously as as he held on tight he felt the drop as Blue jumped from the cave entrance and into the air falling a small bit before having her wings carry her into the air and into the valley. As they flew across the valley Charles could not see much with the thick tree covering but he could see an area with much larger trees with structures built inside and throughout the tree tops. Soon they came in for a landing at an open grassland and landed near a lake Charles sighing and getting off enjoying the sight of fresh water this watter looking cleaner then most water he has seen where he has come from. Blue could sense his wonder and spoke, the water is so clean because elven magic in the valley keeps the water clean for all living things in the valley except in the biggest bodies of water where fish and other water creatures live. Those areas are kept just clean enough so the fish won't die.

Charles stared at the clean water and wondered if it would be ok to bathe in it but decided not to ask as he stood up he heard crunching of grass beside him he looked over expecting to see blue but instead some sort of wyvern with eyes on the side of its head and domed head was right in his face grass inside its beaked mouth as it stared at him chewing. What is this? Charles asked, staring at this new thing he has never even seen before.

The creature huffed as he kept staring at it before it head butted Charles knocking him down as it let out a loud grunt and continued to eat its tiny winged arms looking way too small to even let it fly, its two powerful back legs looking well built for running. After he was knocked down Blue laughed at him and reached over and helped him up. What was that for why did it headbutt me, asked Charles with a confused stare at blue then at the new creature. Blue chucked before speaking, that's a horker and a younger one they are very common here almost as common as deer they live in herds and eat thorny shrubs and grass elves use them for mounts as well. Really he said rubbing his head as he stared at the horker munching on the grass in front of him using its beak at the end of its mouth to pull up the roots and grass to eat. Soon David heard it make a loud call realize why they call them horkers as the noise it makes sounds very similar to its said name but very loud. Charles covered his ears at the loud call but soon heard something coming through the brush towards the call and out of the tree line came a tall woman with a light gray skin tone this woman standing at 7 feet tall and very skinny but looking well built she looked around and saw the horker what ran up to the elven woman who got on her knees to pet the creature.

The elven woman looked at the Blue with a nod before her eyes soon moved to Charles, which made her gasp. You're the human dragon brought into our lands and that must mean this is the dragon as well. The elf looked between the two and then back at her young horker what she petted. What did you do to my sweetie, she said this pulling out a big knife holding it out in an intimidating manner. Though Charles did not seem to be noticing what she said as for one it was in a language he did not understand and second he was in thought of the pictures and stories his church leader told him and to him it was like seeing these horrifying stories come to life.

demon it's a demon from our stories from the church, Charles backed away and fell down onto his back as he screamed this landing back and knocking himself out as his head hit a rock as he hit the ground. Charles awakened what looked like hours later the sun was dipping down in the horizon outside a nice window covered in pretty plants. A window that can't be Charles thought he was outside when I fell back. Was it all just a dream? Charles sat up and saw he was in a soft bed much softer than the one he used to own and was in clothes he did not recognize looking much nicer than any clothes he used to wear. He stood up on the well cleaned wooden floor and moved towards the window and gasped as he saw many of the demons all around below him. He was in what looked like from his angel a tall building but looking across he realized that could not be so. These were not tall buildings but it was a building in a tree for he saw many buildings like this all around him hanging from the side of trees and having large balconies with staircase inside the tree trunks of the trees these homes and other buildings were attached to that he assumed was how these demons got to each building he was worried as shaking when he heard a familiar voice in his head.

So you're finally awake. Blues comforting voice came into Charles head like a calming wave. As he turned around to greet her he saw in her face she did not look all too happy. You should be glad I was able to talk the elven woman into bringing us here after what you called her otherwise that head injury would have been a lot worse after your fall. Wait elven women wait, those are the elves but I thought creatures that looked like that were demons like they taught me in church. You really are going to believe the word of a church that taught you that my kind were mindless beasts that were also demons and created by demons. Really, like you figured out one thing they taught you was wrong, you did not think that maybe you should not take everything they said as truth when they already lied once.

Charles calmed down and sat on the bed and went to brush his hair back when he realized he had no hair and he was shaved. He soon felt an area on the back of his head that had a large scar now. How badly did I hurt myself, Blue? Blue sighed, if i was not able to get you hear you could have either been totally fine with major memory loss or have died from blood loss the elves are really good healers they are the ones who healed me after your father nearly gutted me the day we separated for the first time.

The door to the room he was in opened and Blue scooched out of the way and onto the balcony and perched on the very sturdy railing to make as much room for the person entering. The door opened and the same elf from earlier entered with a huff holding a bucket that was steaming with hot water as she walked over to Charles and set the bucket down. She cleared her throat and spoke this time in his language, which shocked Charles. Lay down your still not fully healed i don't wanna have to pin you down just to get you back to resting but it will feel good to do so after what you called me but I guess the injury to your stupid head was enough.

Charles laid back down on the bed and the elven woman put a rag inside the hit water and put the rag onto Charles head. Not too hot right, Charles looked at her confused. Why is the rag even hot or wet to begin with? Why are you putting a wet hot rag on my head anyway? It's an elven healing thing now will you shut up snapped the female elf with a stare that could kill a monster. Charles looked turned away and apologized for his questions. The elven woman sighed and stood up.

It's okay. I am sorry I am just not used to helping people who are not used to elven help and that have no clue about how it's done. Your Featherin friend explained why you were in the field with my horker and with some convincing managed to convince me to take you two as guests in the village to help heal you even after the hurtful names you called me. Soon a noise came from the door and the young horker came into the room honking and huffing and soon charged head arched down and rammed into Charles nuts making him yell out. After a bit of yelling and cursing Charles was given a medical mix that helped calm the pain coursing through his balls and made him feel much better. Soon after the elven woman came back with a tray with a bowl of stew inside it and placed it at his feet.

He grabbed the spoon and then looked at the elven woman still staring at him. What asked Charles, you just going to take the stew and not thank me for making it, said the elven woman. Charles realized his mistake and proceeded to thank her for the food she prepared as she was leaving though Charles thought of something else. Um may i ask your name. The elven woman turned and looked at Charles with a sigh as she told him. My name is Eleonora and as soon as I deem you better I want you out of my home. Eleonora slammed the door behind her as she left the guest bedroom.

That was a lovely interaction. What is her problem with me? Blues voice came into his head, i don't know Charles my friend on wait never mind you do you call her a demon when you first laid eyes on her. It's not my fault, it's just what I was taught at the church. Ya human made religion used to indoctrinate you is probably the cause but still you think you have common sense to ask before assuming. Charles looked down at the bowl of stew and Blue sighed, blue slowly walked in from the balcony and sat next to the bed he was laying in. Blue spoke again, Charles you grew up and were raised in a world that is not a fan of anything they did not make or looks to their standards. There was a time where humans and elves got along but that was thousands of years ago when both humans and elves believed the same religion. Charles looked up at her confused wondering what religion it was humans and elves used to believe in. Blue continued, this religion the elves and other sapient races on this planet still believe in but humans abandoned that religion long ago and started making up their own many humans throughout the world either making up their own religions or taking the old religion and modifying it to be a human centric religion. The religion you were taught growing up Charles is just the newest in human made religions where humans did not like the way the old one was and made a new one either based on the old one that came before or completely anew. Since then humans have used these newer religions as a way to persecute and kill off all other races and have an excuse to be as wasteful with the environment as possible since according to them nothing ever dies out since their made up god won't let that happen. Oh said Charles looking down at the bowl of stew. Blue sighed and came closer to Charles laying her head on the end of the bed he was in. I know this changed your entire worldview Charles but it's better to wake up to reality then to keep living in the evil twisted world you were taught existed when it really doesn't.

A few days later Charles was feeling as good as new. He was fully healed and actually felt at least a year younger from being taken care of by an elf. As David was prepared to leave though he was approached by Eleonora with a satchel in her palms, stick out your hand Charles Eleonora said with an unamused face. Charles did just that and she placed the satchel in his hand. In that satchel is enough money to get to start with a life in this valley at least long enough for you to last long enough to get a job so you can support yourself and your dragoness. Eleonora looked to Blue and gave her a look before speaking in elvish to her. Charles did not know any elvish but Blue was blushing as if she said something very personal to her. Blue was blushing hard not sure how Eleonora knew her feelings and such and was embarrassed by what she said as blue thought over what Eleonora said. Now take care of your human mate my dragoness friend he is going to need all the help he can get and if you ever need anything you can always come to me i can make things easier for the both of you after all it's the least i could do after how much you helped me while you were here. She soon heard Charles call her name and turned her head to see Charles was already half way down the elven cobbled street looking back at her she looked back at Eleonora and bowed her head. Thank you Eleonora for all of this and I will consider your offer for the future but I must wait until I think he is into me as much as I am him. Eleonora looked to her and then Charles then back to her with a smirk. I don't know, I think he may be there already but I do agree you must wait to tell the time is right before you court him. farewell Blue the dragoness.

Blue turned to join Charles and followed him down the street with a smile watching him look around in wonder now that he has allowed himself to grow beyond his old beliefs to respect and appreciate what the elves do. As Charles walked down the street elves gave him looks but didn't say anything mean but Charles could tell they were uncomfortable with his presence as they were walking though soon they stopped in front of a large building that was not built into a tree. This building was made of wood and stone and stood tall with a large tower and what looked like some kind of religious symbol that was a eight pointed cross like symbol with all points having equal lengths and surrounded by a ornate carving of circles so many in fact Charles was unsure he could even be able to count how many circles were carved in the halo like ring surrounding the cross there had to be at least over a hundred. Blue saw him looking at the symbol above the building and smiled before speaking in his head. That Charles is the symbol of the gods in each circle in the halo is a repression of every god that exists though it has to be updated every thousand years I heard since a new god can be born or made here and there. Charles then looked over other parts of the building the large archway above the door was a something written in elvish and a large figure standings in a way that showed compassion and care the figure looking semi reptilian with a flat face and a slightly longer neck than Charles felt made it look awkward the figure looked to be hearing the same symbol on its clothing and face on what looked like a face covering helmet. Meanwhile at the stairway up to the doorway on either side were large wooden statues of humanoids with large wolf like ears and tails that were holding chains attached to large hounds with massive serrated teeth. The figures were also holding massive spears looking a lot larger than themselves.

Blue saw him look at the statues at the side of the stairs and spoke up. Those are supposedly the race known as the guardians, a race that live long lives and are devoted to guarding the gods and all they hold dear. They also go by many other names but prefer the name the guardians or hellhounds though those names depend on the jobs they are supposedly given. They are not from here as well. From what I heard they come from a far off world that is close to the place the gods come from. Come on Charles, let's go shopping so you don't think about religion since I guess right now with all that's happened it's kind of a sensitive topic. After all, we need to get you new clothes and maybe stay a night in one of the inns. I hear they have nice bathing rooms in the inns and I can't tell you miss being bathed in actual water instead of my saliva.