FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

Original story by: Courgus

Translated by: Erazaa

The evening passed quite quickly while the three talked about what had happened so far. Even though Varshgar still had no insight into what had happened to him. Nevertheless, they kept a record of everything they had found out. Darios had been particularly impressed since Varshgar didn't seem to hold any grudge against them. In the end, one couldn't blame him, but Varshgar seemed quite happy to have allies. It quickly became clear to Darios and Adriana that he had no one else either. The Bloodfang Wolves had moved on to a new area. This was absolutely necessary after the incident with the baron and his men. It was the only way they could protect themselves, and they had been doing so for several years.

Varshgar got back on the bed that was right in front of the fireplace. Darios used his sleeping mat that he had set up by his desk. Only Adriana had no place to sleep because Varshgar was using the bed. Actually she wanted to lie down on the carpet in front of the fireplace, but Varshgar saw that and asked her a crucial question:

>>Wouldn't you rather come up here?<< Adriana looked at him with wide eyes.

>>I know that you have laid next to me several times and enjoyed it.<< he said to her with a grin. For him, it was no problem, but Adriana hesitated for a moment. Lying next to Varshgar when he was unconscious seemed different from when he was with himself. She blushed a little even if she shouldn't have been embarrassed.

>>You don't have to be embarrassed.<< he said with a very gentle tone in his voice. Adriana was still hesitating. But the offer he made her had been very tempting. The floor was not exactly inviting or soft. Let alone that it would have been quite warm even in front of the fire in the fireplace. After all, she knew very well how comfortably warm his fur was. She had had enough time to test it extensively as she lay next to him night after night.

>>So...I...<<

Varshgar smiled at her and then said something that broke an inner dam.

>>I can imagine that you might be embarrassed because I'm not wearing any clothes but only fur. Watch out.<< he said to her and grabbed a small blanket that was lying at the foot of the bed. He put this blanket over his waist and looked at her. Again he smiled at Adriana. For him, it was a matter of course to share the night camp with someone who had helped him so much.

>>What do you say? Can I convince you to come up here now, or do I have to come down?<< he asked in her direction with his charming smile on his muzzle. Adriana looked at him and saw the smile he offered her.

She finally nodded and took Varshgar's hand. He pulled Adriana up onto the edge of the bed, put his arm around her and hugged her to him. Adriana let herself enjoy the embrace as his fur was incredibly soft and warm. Immediately she felt safe. And again she looked into the eyes of the wolf. His eyes were still smiling, and then she closed her eyes with a sigh. That night Varshgar slept very quietly and peacefully. The same was true for Adriana until the morning when the sun slowly came out over the horizon. Slowly but surely, the light rays of the new morning fell in through the window, on the night camp of the two. Varshgar opened his eyes and saw that Adriana was still in his arms. In the meantime, the two of them had turned to each other, and he had pulled the blanket up and put it over Adriana. He was not immediately aware of it, but he liked to watch her sleep. He did not avert his eyes even when she slowly woke up. The first thing Adriana saw that morning was the beautiful face of the wolf still holding her. With a very satisfied sigh, she stretched in his arms and smiled.

>>Good morning.<< Varshgar said softly to her.

Adriana was still smiling and put her left hand to his face. Gently she stroked his chin and his right cheek and then said to him:

>>Good morning to you too, Varshgar.<< He grinned, enjoying the moment more than he might have liked to admit. For him, the moment was the most beautiful in recent days. It also calmed him on a deeper level of his soul. He kept this grin even when his thoughts drifted to Lariana for a short moment. But he knew that she would be unreachable at the moment and even if he would come back safely, she would surely be bound already. The two remained on the bed for a while, just looking at each other. Neither of them wanted to end or even ruin this moment in which anything was said. But finally Varshgar had no choice and had to follow the call of nature.

>>Unfortunately, I have to get up now. Nature calls.<< he said and just smiled at her.

He fully wrapped the blanket around Adriana and slowly rose from the night bed. She looked down his back to his waist. It would have been a lie if she now claimed that she had not looked. Varshgar stood up and walked out the door while his tail now covered his backside. In her mind she had been fully fixated on him and could not take her eyes off him. For a moment she took in the sight and then stood up herself. Her first course was the kitchen where she prepared everything necessary for a proper breakfast. Shortly after, while Adriana was busy in the kitchen, Varshgar came in again. In his paws he held some logs that he had fetched from the shed. Immediately he went over to the campfire and threw two more logs, the rest he put into a small box that stood next to the fireplace. Gradually a delicious smell from the kitchen drifted through the whole hut. Adriana had cooked her soup again. It was simple and quick. Attracted by the wonderful scent that now hit Varshgar's nose, he rose from the fireplace and walked over to the kitchen.

>>That smells delicious!<< he said. Adriana turned and smiled. >>It's almost ready.<< she said with a smile on her lips. Darios had also already noticed the scent and rose from his desk. He came out from behind his books as Adriana was filling the bowls.

>>This smells wonderful again!<< he said to her. She also gave Darios a smile, which immediately reminded him of the better days in her life. He was still thinking when Varshgar looked at him and smiled.

>>Come. Let's eat!<< he said very happily and handed him his bowl.

All three sat down at the dining table and began. Each of them was excited. Even if it was nothing new for Adriana it was always a pleasure. Varshgar was completely enchanted by the delicacy that was offered to him. Some time ago he would not have counted on it and certainly not believed it. If he had been told that in the future he would fight side by side with humans, he would have declared the person crazy. But now he sat here in the middle of them, and he enjoyed the presence of the two. When everyone had enjoyed the delicious meal, Darios explained what was on the agenda for today.

>>So Varshgar we have something planned for today.<< he said to Varshgar and he listened carefully.

>>Tomorrow, when our fourth man has arrived, we will reveal to you what we intend to do to end this war.<< said Darios. Now Varshgar's ears perked up. It was the first time he had heard a human speak as many of his tribe spoke themselves. His ears instinctively perked up, listening even more to Dario's words.

>>But first, I would like to discuss and absorb as much as you can tell me.<< Darios continued. Adriana stood up, took the bowls away and then went to get her brother's book. In it, a book bound in leather, he wrote down all the discoveries and reports he wanted to record.

>>What do you want to know?<< asked Varshgar.

>>Well... I... we only know what the scholars tell us. We have never heard, first hand, what has happened on the side of the wolves. Also, I would like to know more about your physiology so I can do more for you and then possibly for your people.<< Varshgar nodded, taking in Darios' questions. Adriana slid the book over to Darios and to it, she added his ink pen. All the utensils Darios needed were now ready and Varshgar thought about where to start.

>>Well, it's complicated with our story... I just don't know where to start because I'm not a shaman who can tell our story better than I can.<< he said. Darios nodded.

>>So the shamans are your clergy.<< he asked Varshgar.

>>Yes. They have close contact with nature and use its gifts to heal illnesses and other ailments as well as injuries. But they are not our leaders. They are only responsible for the spiritual welfare of the tribe. But they have withdrawn.

<< Varshgar elaborated. Darios understood this and recorded it in his notes. Then Varshgar continued. What exactly had caused the war Varshgar was also unable to reveal. It was simply too long ago, and those responsible were certainly no longer alive. On the side of the wolves there was a great nation. All stood united and marched under one banner. In themselves, the wolves have always been peaceful. Therefore, they had built their then stronghold, the capital of the nation, on the slope of a large mountain surrounded by forests and meadows.

At the time when the war against the humans broke out, Varshgar was still a pup. He can hardly remember his childhood, let alone remember the faces of his mother and father. There was, for him, much in the dark, but that was also true for many of the people. Like Darios and Adriana, some wondered what exactly had caused all this. The war was already raging from the beginning and claimed many victims on the part of the people. The fighting continues to this day. Not a day goes by that the wolves do not have to defend themselves. The Bloodfang Wolves have therefore again and again left their camps and looked for new places far away from the settlements of humans. But this became more and more difficult as time went by and the humans spread out further and further. Even if they moved on, it became more and more difficult to advance. The forests were partially cleared and the natural habitat of the wolves thus diminished.

Since the culture of the people was now on the way up, the resources were also increasingly scarce. At least at the settlements and cities which already stood for some years why also they wandered always further. Darios, Adriana and all the others were aware of this behavior and therefore the consequences for the wolves. Darios looked at Varshgar, who was now sitting in the square, introverted. Actually, one could guess what was going on inside him, but on the other hand it was not so obvious because his facial features hardly allowed an interpretation of what exactly was going on inside him.

Adriana looked at him and then at Darios. She didn't want him to worry about what Darios wanted to know, but on the other hand they had to find out as much as possible in order to do something. But she finally stood up and then said to Darios:

>>Let's take a short breather. I think it will do us all good.<< Darios looked up and finally nodded.

>>Yes, I think you are right.<< he said and Darios rose from his seat.

But Varshgar was still sitting on the bench and finally said to the two: >>Excuse me. I need a moment to myself but I will stay near the hut, don't worry.<< With these words and a saddened look, he made his way to the door of the hut. He opened it and let the wind, which passed lightly through the forest, blow around his nose as he stepped outside. Varshgar looked around briefly and then headed for the first tree in front of the hut. In one leap he had disappeared into the branches of the tree. His thoughts were heavy as he was about to climb the tree and when he reached the crown the sun shone in his face. The light warmth it offered warmed his fur as well as his soul. So Varshgar turned his gaze towards the sun and the horizon. He enjoyed the warmth of the sun more intensely than he had in a long time.

But in his inner mind many thoughts and fragments of old and forgotten images were pelting down on him. Again and again he tried to bring peace into the events, but he simply did not succeed. The more he tried to bury everything, the louder the memories and fragments that reminded him of a time long forgotten. At least for him.

Varshgar remained on the crown of the tree for quite a while and in his thoughts he was with his newly won friends. At least he hoped that he could call them so. Even in this respect his thoughts were heavy and uncertain. It was clear to him that he would not see his friends in the trunk again so soon. Varshgar knew where they were going, but if they were in danger, it would be difficult for him to help them. They were now on their own. But even here he had, he hoped, friends to protect. At least that was what moved him now. He looked down for a moment in the direction of the ground. Even if he couldn't see him, he was sure that Adriana would be waiting for him when he came down. Then he directed his gaze, once again, to the horizon and climbed back down the tree. As soon as he reached the lowest branches, he saw Adriana, who had made herself comfortable on the tree.

From the last branch he made a jump down and landed next to her in the grass. Varshgar looked at Adriana who was smiling at him. Actually he wanted to return the smile, but he didn't feel like it, because he still looked gloomy. She reached out her hand for Varshgar's paw, and he grabbed it.

>>Come sit down, if you like.<< she said to him briefly. It took a moment but then Varshgar gave in and sat down next to her against the tree. After he sat down, Adriana leaned her head against Varshgar's shoulder. She looked up at his face and just gazed at him. His gaze was restless and wandered around the surroundings.

Aimless he even seemed but when he met Adriana's eyes his gaze calmed.

"What's going on in your mind, Varshgar?" she silently pondered. She was still smiling even if she had liked to say something to help him but there was nothing she could say now. So the looks they exchanged were worth more than any words she could spare. Varshgar looked at her for some time, but then his feelings got the better of him, and he said softly to her while his gaze turned towards the hut: >>It's not easy for me.<< he said curtly.

Adriana looked up as he addressed these words to her.

>>What do you mean? Can I help you?<< she asked Varshgar whose gaze was now firmly fixed on the house.

But Varshgar could not yet put his feelings into words. He tried, but he came to the conclusion that he himself was not yet clear about what he was feeling. Too many thoughts and too many impressions were hitting him when he thought about the past.

>>I can't put it into words yet... But... I will keep trying...<<

Adriana nodded when he said that and now grabbed the wolf's paw. She looked at him as she did so and continued to smile. Adriana's smile seemed to him like the rays of the sun that had warmed him not long ago. Slowly but surely, a comforting feeling rose in him as the two held hands.