FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Original story by: Courgus

Translated by: Erazaa

Adriana and Varshgar sat for some time leaning against the majestic tree just outside the hut. Darios picked up some old books from the time before the war broke out. He liked to turn those old pages in search of some sense in all this nonsense. But the longer he spent his time, the more he realized that there seemed to be little sense in this nonsense. At least he was sure that what was not said would be much more interesting. For there was no concrete record of the beginning of the war with the wolves. It was as if it had started overnight. Darios had often encountered this fact, but he could not, even in the guild of scholars, simply denounce this lack of history. Everyone knew that doubting the aristocracy would have consequences.

Darios shook his head and put his face in his hands. His feelings were mixed and very confused. Even though this was not the first time he had experienced these feelings, they were now much more intense. The anger he felt was very strong and superficial. In his mind he tried to understand the side of the wolves. War had been declared on them seemingly overnight. And since this would not happen just like that, it obviously happened without notice. The humans marched off and did what they thought was right. Still anger rumbled through his body, making every fiber of his self-hate his own race. Again and again he went over it, searching for an answer. But he didn't know what answer he was even looking for. His descent was aimless and the bottom was not in sight.

Just as he was about to clear his desk in anger, he felt a warmth around him. For a moment, the anger inside him evaporated and gave way to a deep balance he had never felt before. Peace settled over his anger and simply smothered it. When Darios opened his eyes and slowly looked up, he realized that this feeling of warmth and peace was coming from Varshgar. Varshgar had placed both his paws on Darios' shoulders and remained in silence. Finally, he looked down and then said to Darios: >>Are you feeling better?<<

Darios himself didn't know what to say right away. Let alone how he could have described this feeling. So he just looked at the face of the wolf and was still filled with this feeling. A smile slowly spread across Varshgar's muzzle. He felt that the burden that wanted to crush Darios was gone and this calmed him down a lot. Varshgar took his paws off his shoulders again and looked at him. Darios had still not been able to say anything, because he was still hung up on this feeling. A moment later he had regained his composure and addressed Varshgar, who was already eagerly waiting for it.

>>What did you do?<< Darios asked simply. Varshgar was still smiling, and the wolf's face had been a welcome sight to Darios.

>>I had a feeling. Somehow I had a feeling that you could use someone at your side.<< Varshgar finally said and smiled wider. It was the same smile that had enchanted Adriana the first time she had seen it. Still he looked into the face of the wolf that seemed to enchant him.

>>Thank you.<< Darios said and stood up. At that moment he couldn't help but to hug Varshgar. And he let him. Immediately the feeling of peace spread through him again and made Darios much calmer and more concentrated. His thoughts were much clearer and sharper. When he released the embrace he looked again at the face, and he had a flash of inspiration.

>>Varshgar... that's it.<< Varshgar put his head down and looked at Darios.

The look on Varshgar's face was more than questioning as Darios' reaction seemed very out of context.

>>Now that means what...?<< he asked curiously.

Darios had to smile at the idea that had come to him. The answer he was looking for had been there all along. Even if he did not know its wording, he now knew where to look. And so Darios led Varshgar over to the dining table and spread out some books in front of him. Then Darios began to tell. Darios grabbed the first book in the series. The cover of the book was also held here in leather and accordingly in brown. On the spine you could only read the name of the author. This was held in an old script in which the letters were very artfully decorated.

Varshgar continued to look at the book and thought. Of course, the name meant nothing to him. With the name of a human being he could do only heartily little. So he turned his gaze back to Darios.

>>Everything has a beginning and an end. Like this book here it describes the beginning of all things as it was assumed at that time.<<

Now Varshgar turned his gaze to the front of the book and read the name: "The Origin of All Things"

Varshgar did not say a sound and let what he read sink in. Then Darios addressed the charismatic wolf again:

>>The creator of this work assumed, according to the state of knowledge at that time, that everything was created.<<

Darios paused for a moment, waiting to see how Varshgar would take what he had said. He hoped for a certain reaction from Varshgar from which he could draw certain insights. Varshgar thought for a moment and then looked at Darios.

>>I think I know what you mean...<<

Varshgar fell silent for a moment and put his left paw to his chin. He seemed profound as he did so even if it was not his intention.

>>Our shamans had, at first and even if only briefly, a similar view. But quickly they realized that it could not be true.<<

Darios was taken aback. Even if he had wished for such a reaction from Varshgar, the insight he was given was much deeper than he could have imagined.

>>They quickly found out that the earth and all the things that exist on it were not the product of a higher power or a being that was above us.<<

Again, Varshgar's words echoed through the room, slowly filling it with a certain essence of knowledge. This was like a blessing to Darios' ears as he missed being able to exchange ideas with his colleagues.

>>Understand. What did the shamans assume or find out then?<< he asked.

Varshgar looked down shortly after at Darios again.

>>I'm afraid I don't know. They never passed on this knowledge.<<

This was the moment Darios had been waiting for. Here the first sticking point was given.

>>There it is.<< Darios said excitedly to Varshgar.

The latter now looked at Darios again and nodded.

>>Our clergy disagree.<< he said curtly and then elaborated on his answer with the next book.

>>The essence of all things and our existence.<<

For Varshgar, this title of the book seemed even duller and stranger than the first. On the one hand, it was meaningless, but on the other hand, it raised countless questions that needed to be answered.

>>How am I to understand this?<< asked Varshgar in confusion. Darios shook his head.

>>You can't understand that.<< he explained briefly as Varshgar bowed his head.

>>No one can.<< he continued his sentence as Varshgar now raised his head again.

The expression on his face was questioning and confused according to the situation.

>>Why do you write books if you don't understand what they are about?<<

Darios grinned at the question, which seemed both apt and appropriate.

>>That's just it. This book was created by a clergyman. People are very concerned with finding a divine being. We try to justify or explain a lot of things or if possible everything with it that does not want to come into our mind. This is also nothing bad but it leads us to the next problem.<< Again Darios reached for a new book and put the old one right there beside it. He pointed to the text that was written on the front:

"The Divine - Code of Conduct."

Varshgar read the title and wondered what it meant. He had an idea, but he could not believe it was true. However, the question burned within him.

>>Does this mean that your people will have their opinions forced upon them?<<

The question rushed around the room and would have been like a wildfire that would have set a whole church on fire

>>Not quite but something like that.<< Darios paused for a moment and saw Varshgar shake his head.

>>By searching for something to attribute all these wonders and things to, we tend to lose sight of the essential. That is what guides us.<< Darios pointed to the last book in the row.

"Divine Intervention."

Now it got even crazier for Varshgar but Darios elaborated on what he wanted with it now.

>>In principle, it is that we are guided by a few, a few, people. Just like the shamans guide you through your spiritual development. They guide you and give you a direction.<<

Varshgar nodded and was about to interject when Darios elaborated: >>However, there are those among us who throw everything into the hands of a god - or several - to deal with their lives. They let themselves be guided and directed without questioning.<<

When Varshgar heard these words, he immediately became aware of several things. Darios' explanations brought him new knowledge concerning the incidents.

>>I need to sit down.<< Varshgar said briefly and he settled down on the chair right next to him.

Darios looked at him, curious to see what might be going on now. Varshgar seemed depressed and Darios wanted to know why. Slowly he put his right hand on Varshgar's shoulder. Basically he had not hoped for it, but he assumed that he would have to feel this feeling again. However, there was nothing he could feel.

Varshgar felt empty. As if only a lifeless shell was sitting on the chair. This remained for a moment until Varshgar realized some things. Then a dark feeling sprouted in him.

Darios now felt the presence of something he could not explain. It seemed to manifest itself in Varshgar, or at least to want to. As if it was trying to take over his soul. This feeling confused Darios very much, because it now seemed as if Varshgar was not himself.