FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Deadly Game Chapter 1 By Chayak It's been a while and I've decided to try something a bit different. I'm going to write this in sections and post it up as I finish each. It's more of an episode mindset and it's quicker to get something out the door rather than get stuck in an editing loop. Enjoy.

• * * A leopard stood leaning against the stone railing of the balcony. The wind ruffled her fur and caused her to shiver slightly as it cut through the thin garments she had chosen to stay cool in when the servants stoked the fires in her chambers. It made being inside nearly unbearable as it became so stuffy and hot. She crossed her arms under her breasts and gave her tail a flick as she gazed down at the city below. Shera wondered how many people were looking up and wishing they could be her when they didn't even realize that they were the ones with more freedom. She couldn't leave the castle without an armed guard nor even take a walk in the garden without guards watching over her. She'd heard that she was fairly well liked among the people and a favorite of them from among her siblings. It was all second hand of course as she couldn't actually go out and hear it from their own mouths and with all of her guards looking menacing who would say otherwise? Too bad some sweet prince couldn't come sweep her off her feet and take her away from here, but she only met those her father approved for her to meet. She'd probably be married off like her older sister, Narana, who was given to some aging lecher for an alliance. Shera couldn't help but pity her sister's treatment from her husband, but she herself could end up much worse. That was something only time would tell. She heard the door to her chambers open and shut and assumed it was her servant returning to see if she needed anything. She heard the distinct clank of a guards armor go past her door as she turned to shut the balcony door. She sighed at the ever present reminder that they may be there to protect her but there were also there to keep her put. "Malee, could you get a bath ready for me?" she asked and flicked her tail in irritation as there was no one in sight. Could she have just imagined the sound of her door? "Malee?" she called out as she went from the commons in her suite to her bedroom thinking maybe Malee was in there and hadn't heard her request. She looked around her bedroom and cocked an ear back. Maybe someone had just looked in and left? Shera turned and started to exit the room when someone grabbed her. Her yelp of alarm was cut off as a black furred hand clamped down on her muzzle like a vise and another arm pulled her back against her assailant and pinned her arms. "Shhhh, not a sound," a voice like silk whispered in her ear. Her body went stiff and her eyes widened from fear. This wasn't suppose to happen! How could her attacker have gotten past the guards? She tried to think of something, anything she could do but all she managed was a whimper and she began to tremble. "I'm not going to hurt you," the voice began. "I need you to listen very carefully. If it hasn't occurred to you yet if I had really desired to harm you I could have done so already, so please just give me a moment to speak. I'm going to take my hand away from your muzzle. Will you at least give me a moment to explain?" Shera nodded as much as she could in the grip and the hand gradually let up and slid very gently across to rest on her shoulder as if to choke her should she decide to do otherwise. While part of her wanted to scream there was a little voice in her head that told her the owner of that silky voice was correct that he could and probably would have already hurt her or otherwise if he'd so desired. Though another little voice in her said in a different situation that same voice could make her weak in the knees but she quickly shut that one up. She couldn't help but be aware of the male that held her and the strength in those arms that held her firmly but also gently. "Good, there's some hope yet. I'm here to warn you that someone is going to try to kill you," he said. Her breath caught in her throat and she had to force herself not to question and just listen. This stranger, whoever he was, definitely had her attention now. "There are men who plan on killing you during the winter ball next month. They're going to attempt to place the blame on Prince Nathaniel's party. They want to start a war." "W-what do I do?" she asked ever so softly and was afraid he hadn't heard her. He relaxed his grip on her slightly. "Keep your eyes and ears open to anything strange. On the eve of the ball I want you to find Prince Nathaniel's party as soon as they arrive and ask for his shadow. They will know what you mean. He will keep you safe." "But..." "Shhhh, just remember what I said. I apologize for frightening you, but I couldn't be sure you'd give me a chance to speak. It seems the talk is true, you are very beautiful. Sweet dreams, Princess." he said as his arms slipped away and his hands drew across her body in what was almost a caress then they were gone. Share blushed fiercely for a moment as she'd never been touched like that nor been around any males alone in her chamber like this. She turned to look after a moment only to find her room empty. Shera drew a breath, walked shakily to her bed, and sat down heavily. Someone wanted to kill her and the stranger.... The door opened again and she nearly jumped out of her skin as Malee came in with a tray and gave her an inquisitive look as she sat clutching her chest trying to catch her breath from fright. "Something wrong Highness?" the older leopardess asked as she sat the tray down and began to pour a cup of tea. Shera shook her head, probably a little too quickly, "No, no, no, I'm fine. You just startled me that's all." "My apologies, Highness." she said and handed Shera a cup of mint tea. "There, that should soothe your nerves." Shera took the tea and sipped it. She looked at Malee and for a brief moment thought of telling her about the visitor but that thought was quickly crushed. Malee was loyal to her and to her father. If she knew she'd have to report it and that would just cause trouble. She smiled slightly and her tail curled across her lap as a thought occurred to her. She had a shadowy guardian out there somewhere who had basically risked death to come warn her. If that wasn't something of a fantasy for a girl then what was? Now she could only wonder who that shadowy figure was. "You get a rose from the garden?" Malee asked causing Shera to flick an ear back until she followed Malee's gaze and saw the red rose laying on her pillow. "Um, no, one of the flower girls stopped by and gave me one." She said and Malee didn't question much to her relief. Shera knew that rose hadn't been there earlier. She was positive it wasn't. That meant her visitor had left it. Her ears tilted back and she felt her cheeks warm. If it wasn't enough of a fantasy before it certainly was now. She blinked and looked up when Malee took her leave. She took a moment to undress and crawl up onto the bed before rolling onto her back. She picked up the rose and inhaled it's scent and a smile formed on her muzzle. "Who are you?" she asked and sighed wistfully. It was enough to be scared earlier but now she realized how it had excited her in ways she hadn't expected. This was certainly going to be a ball to remember. She realized she'd forgotten to ask for a bath to be drawn and dismissed it till the morning. She had other things on her mind. * * * The fire crackled in the small clearing concealed by the trees and a lone figure sat huddled near it for warmth. He jumped slightly as there was movement to his right and a panther dressed in black sat down beside him and held his hands out to the fire. "You get in?" The cheetah asked and settled back down trying to keep warm. The panther smiled slightly, which was difficult to see in the dim light of the fire. "Don't I always?" "You know you're going to have to tell me sometime where a Duke learned to sneak around where thieves would fear to tread." "Sometime, maybe, but not now." "So how did you make out with the Princess?" He grinned, the whites of his teeth showing. "I think it will be a night she won't soon forget. I also left a rose on her pillow that I snatched from the garden on the way in," he shrugs. The cheetah groaned, "You take a princess that's been cooped up and suddenly a dark stranger appears warning her of possible death probably in that little whisper you like to use and then leave a rose for her. You'll be lucky if she hasn't worked herself up into a frenzy by the time of the ball and ravages you." The panther laughed softly. "Well, I wouldn't say it that way but I'm sure it will be on her mind from time to time." "You always have tended to understate things, Your Grace. I do have a question on a more serious note, if I may?" "By all means, ask," the panther said. "We know who plans to kill the Princess and put the blame on our Prince. Why all the sneaking around and risking the Princess's life when we could just put a stop to it before the winter ball?" the cheetah asked. The panther tapped the side of his own muzzle with a finger. "That's because, my friend, you are a soldier. You tend to think of direct action against a threat. Yes, it could end the threat now but they would be free to plan and try again. If we wait and foil them in public the news will spread like wildfire and our kingdoms will likely ally against them. Which..." "Puts us in a better tactical position. I understand now." "Exactly, I don't like having to put the Princess in danger but it's necessary. That's also why I'm going to be guarding her personally." The cheetah smirked, "That the only reason, Your Grace?" The panther gave him a look, "You had so many knocks on the head you forget my name?" "No, I simply enjoy your reaction being called that. I'd think most would demand it, but you seem to want to avoid it." "Yes, well, with titles come duties and expectations. They get in the way." he said. "The Prince has his guards, you don't have to be there to keep him safe," the cheetah said carefully, sensing the meaning of the Duke's words. He of all people knew how loyal and devoted to the Prince's safety his master was. "Yes, but if anything were to happen I'd hate myself for not being there." the panther said. "His Highness knows that, but he's also entrusted you not just with his safety but of the whole kingdom, and no man has ever been said to speak for him but you. I don't think there can be any doubt of his trust and belief in you. I've not heard him refer to anyone save you as a brother." The panther just nodded slightly. "I owe him everything. I was a half starved cub when I begged to join his guard. They took me in when I had nothing else." The cheetah listened. He'd heard the stories second hand but never from the Duke himself. "So what I've heard is true?" "At least that I was a blacksmith's son and left to join the guard when we could barely feed ourselves and I had another sibling on the way. I trained hard and learned quickly. I nearly got myself killed and when I woke up the prince was beside the bed. He made me his squire and from then on it's pretty well known." He said, looking into the fire. "So you really held of a group of attackers single handed while the prince escaped to safety?" The Duke laughed softly. "It was more like two and yes I held them off but I took my own wounds as well. I was resolute not to stop fighting till the prince was safe so I did. They fell first though I wasn't far behind when the palace guards arrived to help. I remember asking if the prince was safe and when they said he was I finally passed out." "So about the princess?" The cheetah asked with a slight grin hoping to get the Duke to admit something. "Oh no, enough chatter, get some sleep, we leave before sunrise." The panther said and gave the cheetah a friendly clap on the back before going to find his bedroll. He laid upon it and looked at the sky through the branches overhead and couldn't help but smile a little as he thought about the princess. She'd smelled rather nice, not to mention how she'd felt as he held her. He chuckled ever so softly at the thought that the princess wouldn't be the only one with thoughts of someone tonight.