FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

So, after many years of being on SoFurry I think it's about time I started to contribute to this amazing website. Here is the first of many adventures that are rolling about in my head. Enjoy reading :3

The character Cosmo belongs to me, ask for permission if you want to use him in your own work. :3

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The land of Sha'Talor, a vibrant green land dotted with small villages, its capitol city Taloi and large mountains with tops coated in snow. The furres of Sha'Talor have always had the reputation of keeping themselves to themselves, besides others.

The neighbouring lands of Sha'Saki and Sha'Solira have been at war for as long as the elder's have been keeping records. The mainly wolf and canine populated Sha'Saki have wanted the lands of Sha'Solira for its farmland, resources and tactical position against the largest land in the continent; Sha'Toric. Over a century ago, Sha'Saki launched a military campaign against Sha'Talor in attempt to gain a better position to conquer Sha'Solira who just called for a three year armistice, so that their lands can recover from the constant upheaval of war.

Sha'Talor, a fairly peaceful land was brought into the chaos of War. It's male population were called upon by the land's King, to defend and repel the invasion of the Wolven and Canine armies that threatened their way of life. The lands blacksmith's, fletchers and woodworkers were all called up to craft enough arm's before they would invade in fourteen rises and falls of the sun and moon. The village's nearest the border were evacuated and all the people were brought to the safety of Taloi and given jobs to do. Everyone was called upon to do their part and everyone did their duty.

The tensions were high over the next few rises and falls of the Sun and Moon. While the male population of Sha'Talor have never been involved in a war, they always practiced their chosen craft and walkway in life. Many of the adventurers and treasure hunters were put in-charge of a small team each and many others devoted themselves to aiding in the strategising of the land and it's troops. Farmer's from the fringe were moved temporarily to the farms around Taloi, helping to keep a stable food supply to Taloi and it's newly constructed guard posts. Miners and lumberjacks were given the job of constructing said outposts and increasing Taloi's defense, mostly by patching up the stone wall surrounding the city and fortifying the gateways. Merchants and inn-keepers from the fringe area's were in charge of the trading in the city, also taking charge of the policing the streets and making sure everyone and the worst case pathway remained open and freely accessible by all.

Since there was no negotiations the King decided that the best direction they could take is defence. Hoping to force the army of Sha'Saki to burn out its resources and retreat, defence would utilize their knowledge of the land and their own desire to not be brought into something so pointless.

In the history of Sha'Talor, they have been attacked twice before. They have never sought out war and prefer to tend to the lands and live their lives as freely as they can.

"This is booooring...Hurry up to the good part about the fighting, i'm going to fall asleep here" a young voice chirped out.

The greying mouse allowed himself a small smile, snickering a little at the youths obvious lack of patience. Closing the book carefully, he looked at the youth, still smiling, and said "History must be remembered so that it can be learned from and not repeated young one."

The young fox, humphed to himself and retorted "But why would we have to learn about something from so many years ago? Surely the elder's and adults already known.."

The mouse smiled once more and simply said "Future lies not with those of age now, but those who will age in the future."

The young boy had obviously given up paying attention and instead of saying anything more, he simply rises from his chair and leaves the hall. While walking around Taloi he gave up thinking about trying to learn history. Maybe his future did not lie as a scholar...He obviously did not enjoy it or have the patience. So, whilst wandering around he decided to think about what else he could try as his craft in life. He had already tried and failed at becoming a hunter, merchant and now a scholar. Heaving a sigh he continued walking around without a care in the world, not paying attention to where he was walking. Also, in this case, who he walked into. After walking around a corner, with his eye's looking up at the sky, he bumped into a furre who was covered in a cloak from head to toe.

"Sorry there, mister I wasn't paying attention" The young fox said, having always been told that accidents happen and to just apologize and be on your way.

"It's quite alright, if you don't mind me asking, could you tell me how far I am from the market?" The cloaked figure asked.

'What an odd question' the fox thought, most everybody knew where the market place was in Taloi. He shrugged it off and thought that this person must be new to the city.

"Follow the street for about a minute and you should start to hear the market, after that it's easy to navigate once your able to hear the stalls"

The cloaked figure put a gloved paw inside his cloak and soon pulled out a small bronze coin which he held out for helper. "Thank you for your help, what's your name if you don't mind me asking?"

The young one took the coin and smiled a little, replying "My name is Shor, Shor Talidre", and after a little bit of thought he added "Pray tell what is yours?"

"Cosmo, Cosmo Windchaser. That's a good name you have there, Shor, wear it with pride. But alas, I have taken up too much time, I shall be on my way now" With that the young one suddenly scurried off.

The sun was almost at the end of its fall before the Cosmo was outside the city with a small pouch of provisions that his house had only just run out of. Making his way back to the stables, and after handing the stable owner the small piece of parchment that was issued to him earlier. Cosmo was soon on his way. Holding on while the horse navigated the long path back to the base of the smallest mountain, that would take quite some time, he let his mind wander about the helper who bumped into him today. He sounded like an honest youth and would surely be helping many more people in the future.

The moon had long since rose and fell, the sun taking its long journey back through the sky before Cosmo was broken out of his sleep, the horse stopping and jerking slightly to let the rider know they are home. Yawning slightly, he carefully dismounted his steed and went to his door, after stroking the horse's neck a few times and thanking it. Cosmo slowly made his way to the door, he reached inside his cloak to a small poach that held his money and took out his key, putting a paw on his door, he felt his way from the frame to the handle, and after a few attempt's, he managed to get the key in the lock and open the door.

Upon entering, he could at last take off his cloak. His paws reached up to the hood and felt to the neck clasp which he undid quite easily and pulled the cloak off in one swift movement and placed it on the nearby stand. Finally breaking free from the robe, he stretched a little. Standing at just under six foot, he wasn't the tall but his height was considered about average for his species, being an Arctic Fox, his fur was pure white but he had a unique sky blue streak running from the base to the tip of his tail. His chest was bare, not to show off his physique which is lithe and agile, but because he found shirt's too hard to get on and off all the time. His legs were covered in leather breeches, dyed in a light green colour that matched the only other thing he wore. Around his head was a thin strip of cloth, also dyed light green that covered his eyes.

Touching the cloth slightly, he was reminded of when it happened. Cosmo wasn't born blind, it happened on the day he reached the aged of adulthood, finally reaching the age of twenty-one.

"Six months now....It's been six months since this happened" Cosmo said to himself, while slumping to the ground and resting his back against the wall. "Half a year and its only these past few weeks I brought up the courage to leave these walls." Putting one paw on the floor, Cosmo thought back to that night.

'It happened so suddenly. I was walking back to his house from the nearby village when a drunken tiger assaulted me. Being one to avoid trouble, I tried talking my way out but it didn't work. He got more aggressive and eventually flexed his claws and swiped at my face. No time to react, in less than a second all I felt was a searing pain and saw black. The claws hit home. The swipe caught both my eyes and I just reacted on instinct. I turned away and just ran. Not knowing where I was going. I didn't make it very far though. Blood loss took its toll and very quickly I fainted. After what felt like an eternity I regained consciousness, still unable to see but I could still smell, hear and feel. I smelled the strong odour of anaesthetic. I heard voices speaking in a little distance about my condition. I felt the cloth around my head, and the covers on my body that went to just under my neck. My will shattered, my courage demolished and my whole life dragged down to the deepest corner of the darkest recess. No longer could I see the beauty of the sky. No longer could I see the hustle and bustle of villages. No longer could I see the smiles on other furres faces. I felt like there was nothing was left. But yet, my body refused to allow me to give up. My body was forcing me to continue, that there is more than just sight. My body was unique, my very own body was improving at such a rapid rate. I could hear so much more, I could smell the land so much better. I could also feel so much more, and notice so much. My very own body was showing me, there is still a reason to live. That I should never give up and never back down. I should continue on.'

Cosmo lay slumped against the wall while he remembered all this. Heaving a sigh he slowly pushed himself up and began to navigate his way to his kitchen, where the pouch of supplies was carefully set on the table. "Too long have I gone off the charity of others. I have spent enough time adjusting and accepting. It is finally time to do something with my life." With that last sentence, Cosmo left the kitchen and navigated to his bedroom, to get some well deserved rest before his resolution can be started. And that his life will not only have meaning, but a purpose to strive for. A long and hard road lays ahead for Cosmo Windchaser. Step by painful step he vows to walk it. Until the bitter end.