FSE

Furry search engine

formerly SoFurry search engine

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CHAPTER 4

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Aceh

The sounds of over a dozen Zangarian dragons filled the dojo, their grunts and cries of effort reminded me of my youth. It brought the dojo to life, just as it did back when I was learning martial arts myself when I was but a cub.

I lived and breathed martial arts in my younger years, dedicated some had called me. But was it dedication to do something you loved? And now I had the joy of teaching martial arts to the youth of Zangar. Nothing brought me more pleasure seeing a youngster embrace the discipline that martial arts brought. It reminded me of my own youth.

One such youngster was Reece.

From one of the farming families. In most settlements farmers are common, and often not the richest of families. But here in Zangar, farmland was minimal, and all of the land was owned by the houses of Zangar. The families that manage the farms were well paid for their services, often running the farms for generations at a time.

Reece at first had only come for a couple of hours late in the day, his time spent doing chores on the farm. But over time he began to spend more and more time in the dojo until he seemingly spent all his time here. He had a passion for martial arts, and watching him now as he sparred with an older student you could see that passion flourish.

We have had many warriors and non warriors join the ranks of the dojo, and now I have nearly fifty students. Many only came every now and again, others came where they could, fitting in their training around their lives and responsibilities. But then there are the few like Reece who was here nearly every day.

His dedication to his training brought a surge of joy to my heart. Just to have one student like that helped to heal the pain of loss over losing Malakye. Malakye had made me remember my joy of teaching. He was an exceptional student, but more than that he had been family. Maybe not by blood, or by species, but through an understanding that could only be shared between those who sought for a place to belong after going for so long without one.

I watched as Reece grappled his opponent, leaping from the floor and spinning himself around as he wrapped his legs round their neck. A moment later his opponent, a warrior named Grax, was dragged to the floor onto the flat of his back. Grax struggled for a few moments, but Reece had the hold firmly locked in, before he patted Reece's leg, indicating his submission. Reece released Grax and helped him up. The youngster had learned nearly everything I could teach him about Tigers Palm, he was now at the most difficult point of his training, now it was up to him. I would help him where I could, but it was important for him to realise the hidden truth behind Tigers Palm in his own way.

Once he had discovered the truth he would be awarded a red uniform, the colour of uniform granted to advanced students. Currently only two other students of the dojo had attained said uniforms. Karnal and Barnus. Two of the first students here at the dojo.

When I had been searching for warriors interested in training, they had been two of the few who had stepped forward to challenge me. I could understand their resistance, I was an outsider, my skills and abilities unknown to them. But afterwards they had knelt before me and asked for me to accept them as students.

Said pair would no doubt be sleeping, as they both were posted onto the night patrols in recent moons. They always retired to bed for some sleep before coming to the dojo to train. Like Reece they spent nearly all their free time here, sparing only a day or two each week to go and practise their bending. They were both both adepts, warriors acknowledged for their strength of kii... or nen as they called it here in Zangar.

The use of kii was expressly forbidden here in the dojo, only the advanced students like Barnus and Karnal would be allowed to use their kii here, and only in private training sessions with myself. Too many warriors who are born with the gift, both here and back in my home land, relied too much on their kii to make them strong. I would ensure that such a thing would not happen with my students.

"Urgh!" A grunt of pain caught my ears and I turned towards the weapon practise area.

I sighed as I saw that Kassandra had once again gone overboard and had bloodied her sparring partner with one of the wooden swords we used here for sparring. While we did have real weapons here for practise with, I have previously forbidden Kassandra from using them against the other students.

She was a real paw-full. Since her grandfather had passed she had been coming here to practise, and I have not stopped her. She is a strong fighter, using techniques from her homeland of Erythea*, taught to her by her grandfather. She would come here and spar with some of the more advanced students, but only Barnus and Karnal were any real match for her, and no one but myself was able to match her when using weapons.

She was quite formidable, and when I thought of her I always thought of Malakye. They had been friends, to every ones surprise. She hid it well but I could see the pain and sorrow in her eyes after Malakye's death. From what I'm aware Malakye had been her only friend, and while Laguna had tried to befriend her she had not made it easy for the poor drake.

I'm not entirely sure why he still tries. She does nothing but try and push him away, but no matter how much she pushes he keeps on trying. Anyone would think he was smitten with her if it wasn't for the fact that he is not that way inclined.

"Kassandra." I sigh as I approach her and the drake she was sparring with.

I stop a moment to check his wound. A cut above his right eye, a bit of blood was rolling down the side of his muzzle. The wound was minor, it might leave a scar but it had already stopped bleeding. I tell him to go get it seen to. He nods and follows the request leaving me alone with the moody dragoness. She is staring off towards the entrance, her arms crossed. She is obviously expecting a lecture. She will not be disappointed.

"How many times have I told you to go easy on the other students?" I ask, trying to keep my tone level. Getting angry with her will just make her more stubborn and bull headed. "You are a talented fighter but that does not mean you can bloody your sparring partners!"

"It was an accident." She huffs.

"Once or twice I'd believe to be an accident." I grunt back at her. "But you manage to do it more often than not!"

"It's not my fault if they can't defend themselves!"

I feel my tail flick in annoyance and a growl grow in my throat, but I stifle it before continuing. Her disrespect is irritating. But if I get angry it will just make it more difficult to talk to her. She is a troubled female. She definitely needs a good hard fuck! If someone could seduce her, and give it to her on a regular basis it would help to calm her down. But I feel sorry for the male who thinks they can tame her. Hell if she'd even go for another female, anything that might improve her attitude would be a blessing.

"You're grandfather was a good friend of mine." I said, hoping that mentioning her grandfather will help make her listen to reason.

He had been extremely eager to help me get the dojo up and running and was always at paw to help out if someone got hurt during training. We had spent many a night sharing a drink of one sort or another. He was a wise old drake who reminded me in many ways of my own grandfather.

"When he fell ill he asked me to watch out for you. But I can't have you injuring the other students!" I said sternly, leaving no doubt in my tone that I was being deadly serious.

"So you keep telling me." She huffed.

She was a little dejected now, but at least now she wasn't challenging me. While I have her attention I need to drive my point home.

"If you continue to do so... you won't leave me a choice." I said with a tone of warning. We had had this discussion before, and she knew what the threat meant. I would if needed banish her from the dojo. It was not something I wanted to do, but she was becoming a problem and I couldn't have her hurting the other students. "This will be your last warning Kassandra!"

She made a noise of annoyance, huffed, and dropped the wooden sword to the ground. It clattered loudly on the stone floor. She stormed off towards the exit. It was for the best that she left now. She has a temper on her and she'd probably end up hurting someone if she continued to practise. She'd probably not show up for a couple of days.

When she stepped out of sight I felt myself relax, the twitch in my tail finally settling.

The rest of the day went by without incident. Karnal and Barnus appeared late in the day. They spent their time practising their own individual fighting styles, running through the drills I had helped them create.

They were talented fighters, dedicated and focused. They were pretty evenly matched as well, and better sparring partners could not be found for each other. After a few hours of practise they both left. They would be starting their patrols in a couple of hours and needed to get ready.

This state of war was tiring.

Everyone was stretched thin trying to ensure everything ran smoothly. The warriors were constantly on patrol, blacksmiths working overtime creating weapons and armour for the warriors. Even the regular citizens were tense.

Eric and the others had volunteered to help. They had volunteered to join the trading wagons, to join the group heading to nearby settlements to do what Eric did best. Eric is a restless bird, the elderly Falcon has lived most of his life moving from one place to another. The time we spent here in Zangar is probably the longest I've ever known him to stay in one place. But after Malakye... he just became restless. Joining the trade caravan made sense, Eric was a merchant by trade and had made many contacts throughout the tribal lands, and even a few in Erythea*.

When I heard that I wanted to go with them. Eric had shot me down. Reminding me that I had responsibilities here. Despite my arguments Eric had persuaded me to stay. Convinced me that they would be fine. There was weight to his words. The trade caravans have been allocated a large number of warriors to protect them ever since the war started.

It still didn't help assure me that they'd be safe. There were reports of several caravans being attacked here in the mountains of all places. It still irked me that I wasn't there to help protect them.

I slumped onto one of the mattresses in the back. Nearly all the students had left for the day, the last few were currently changing out of their uniforms. My foot-paws were sore from being on them all day. What I wouldn't do for one of Cody's massages... but thinking of the fox just brought the worries of not being able to protect them back into focus. Michael, Jason and Cody went with Eric. It made me feel a little better knowing that they would look out for him. He's not as young as he once was and would overwork himself. He still had plenty of years left in him, but I know him better than he cares to admit. He never complained about his aches and pains, and smoked those plants from Rengilar to help with the pain. Since Rengilar* was taken over by the wolves getting hold of the dried lytium* has been impossible so we've had to resort to finding other ways to help with his aches and pains.

I let out a sigh and rubbed my muzzle as I tried to stop thinking about my friends. I looked around the room. This room had been made for chosen students to come and relax. A place of comfort and relaxation. But these days it acted as my home. I didn't want to return to the home I shared with the others while they were gone. It just reminded me how alone I was.

They are my friends and my family and I miss them dearly. I even miss Jason's rather blunt sense of humour and how he speaks his mind, as inappropriate as his thoughts may be. I miss talking to Eric, I miss Cody's energetic enthusiasm and Michael's overly serious attitude. I also miss Malakye... still. The family hasn't been the same since he's been gone.

"Master!" A voice cried in the distance but my ears faintly caught the cry of distress.

I was up in an instant and heading down the darkened corridor towards the meditation room. When I pushed the curtain aside I saw Reece and Talrin. Talrin was the same age as Reece but had only joined the dojo a few moons ago. He was currently helping Reece to stand.

Reece was favouring his right leg. The white dojo uniform was torn and stained slightly red with blood on his shin. I motioned for Reece to sit. Talrin helped him gently to the sit on one of the meditation mats and stepped away as I knelt to examine the injury.

"What happened?" I asked.

His injury wasn't serious. After quickly running my paws along his leg I could tell there were no broken bones. He grunted in pain as I checked his ankle, he's probably sprained it. The wound on his shin was just a cut, a pretty nasty one but nothing overly serious; it would probably leave a scar.

I looked between the two young drakes after finishing examining his legs. Neither of them had answered me. Talrin looked reluctant to speak and Reece couldn't look me in the eye. Reece had done something he shouldn't have and Talrin didn't want to rat on his friend. Knowing this much I could quickly surmise what had happened.

"You were on the balance beams weren't you?" I asked with a slight scowl, looking at Reece.

"Yes Master." He responded reluctantly.

"You know that you're not allowed on them without supervision!" I growled slightly to show my annoyance.

The balance beams were a number of wooden logs that were driven into the ground, a couple were also suspended length ways above the ground, to force the users to practice their balance and physical awareness while preforming drills.

A fall from one of them can easily lead to an injury and I only allow the older students to practise on them without supervision. Reece while capable is still relatively young and I don't want him injuring himself. Not to mention the headache I'd get from his parents if they were angry with me for allowing him to be injured.

"I'm sorry Master." His tone was sincere.

"I'm not angry." I huff. "But you know better!"

"Yes Master. Sorry Master."

"As long as you don't do it again." I turn to Talrin who is standing watching. "You may go Talrin. I will see to Reece."

"Yes Master!"

The young drake turned to leave reluctantly. Stopping to look over his shoulder several times on his way out the door. Once he is gone I turn my attention back to the injured drake.

"Lets get you cleaned up." I say. "Are you able to stand?"

"Yes Master."

He hobbled up to his foot-paws but isn't able to put much weight on his right leg. I helped him to balance as we made our way into the private area. It's a little awkward helping him to balance while trying to reach round his wings. I don't know how these dragons put up with them! When extended their wings are much larger than I'd expect! Despite the awkwardness of his wings in the narrow corridor we eventually made it there.

Once there I helped him sit down on the mattress I had been sat on before I had heard Talrin's calls. He looked around, brown eyes wide with curiosity. This is his first time back here. Only a paw-full of students have been allowed back here and I'm sure he had heard about it and all the things that go on in here.

While it is a place of relaxation it is also where the more 'adult' needs of my students are taken care of. Thinking about it Reece is of an age where he can now be married and have a family, but he still looks much too young. I wonder if the drake has a particular female he fancies or if every female catches his attention. I remember being that age... although back then I was betrothed and didn't really look at any other females... anymore than what you'd expect from an adolescent fur.

I might spend some time and get to know my student a little better while I have the chance. The company wouldn't go amiss either. I've been quite lonely since the others left on the last trade mission three days ago. Karnal and Barnus haven't stopped by for a while since they've been so busy with their duties. And when they stay it usually leads to sex rather than some meaningful conversation.

I sigh mentally. Maybe I'm just getting old. I do enjoy the sex, very much so, but sometimes all I really want is to talk with someone. And if we have sex after then that's just a bonus; I snicker slightly to myself.

I busy myself with boiling a pot of kantis root* tea. While not the most tasteful beverage it works wonders for dulling pain and for relaxing you after a hard day. Once it was ready I give some to Reece, and watched with some amusement as his muzzle scrunched up in disgust at the bitter taste. I make him drink the whole cup. Partly as punishment for breaking the rules, but also to help with the pain. As he drank I gathered some bandages and some ointment to clean the wound on his shin.

I tell him to take off his pants, an order which earns me a look of confusion and embarrassment. While I don't think he's got anything more than a cut and a sprain I want to check the rest of him for injuries. He starts to strip, not failing to notice he's looking away from me as he does, tossing his pants to the side and sits up on the mattress naked in front of me. I take his pants and rip a strip of cloth off to use as a rag, dipping it in the still warm Kantis root tea I've poured into a bowl, and then begin washing the blood from the wound.

He hissed in pain at first, the kantis root in the water taking a few moments to help dull the pain. Once I'm happy it was properly clean I put some ointment on it. The ointment is thick and cold on the pads of my paw. It's medicinal smell slightly burned in my nostrils. Once the ointment is applied I wipe my paw clean using what remains of his pants and begin to check the rest of him for injury. I start with his ankle, again he mumbles slightly in pain when I touch it. He'll need to take it easy for a day or two to let it heal.

I talk idly to him as I continue to examine him. Asking him various questions about the farm, his friends and his family. I half listen, focusing on the task at paw but enjoying the sound of his voice filling the silence that had encompassed my life of late.

There are no signs of any other injuries, and he makes no indication of pain as I slowly work my paws up his leg and then down the other. His legs are strong and muscular, already showing some definition, particularly in the calves. I suspect the hard labour on the farm has helped him build up muscle from a young age.

While I have him here I may as well give him a full examination. All too often student try to hide injuries, many of which are minor, that are not properly treated. Infections are dangerous, but small cuts and grazes untreated can easily become infected.

I tell him to take off his top as well.

There's that embarrassed look again. He was one of the shy ones. He always took a uniform home with him and came in wearing it. He never got changed here, not that that was a problem. Some of the other students did it as well. But no... he was far more hesitant about removing his top. I scowl in thought.

Even now with me looking at him silently he hasn't moved to remove his top. He looks... ashamed. His paws fiddled with the hem of his top awkwardly. He wouldn't look at me. I felt my tail flick behind me in silent frustration. I repeat the order, now using a tone that made it obvious that it wasn't a request. The tone works. He hesitantly begins to pull the top off and as he does my eyes go wide.

It was my worst fear. His torso was covered in scars. His grey scales visible stained a pale white where the wounds have healed. I scour his body. He has nearly a dozen scars all over his body varying drastically in size. Not only that but he's thin... so thin that I can see his ribs slightly against scales. Most of the scars are old, but some of them still look recent.

"Who did this to you?" I ask with more of a growl in my voice than I intended.

He looks away from me, unable to look at me but I can see the pain in his expression. I suspect I know who's done this but I want to hear him say it.

"Reece..." I grasp his shoulder and give it a squeeze to reassure him. "Did your father do this to you?"

I had met his father only once. The drake struck me a self-important snob. He had money and influence due to the fact he ran one of the farms. He had a large family, all of which worked long hours on the farm. I had heard he was a hard taskmaster, and not afraid to punish his sons. But I had never expected anything like this.

Thinking back now, when Reece was talking about his family a few moments ago, he only spoke about his family when I asked questions about them and answered in short answers. Not wanting to talk about them...

His thinness worries me as well. He obviously hasn't been eating right. But his father is rich and can easily afford to feed his family. Was he starving the poor drake as well? What would possess him to do such a thing to a sweet, hard working drake like Reece.

"I can't help you unless you talk to me." I say. "You're not in any trouble. Now tell me who did this to you."

"Father..." He squeaks, nearly in tears.

"Why?"

"B-b-because I was spending too much time here..." He sniffles, the tears rolling down his muzzle now. Leaving a damp trail that darkened his scales in their wake.

I pull him into a hug and he cries into my chest. I can feel the hot, wetness of his tears soak into my top. I let him work it out of his system. It would be pointless trying to get answers out of him the way he is now. I just hold him. I don't know how long he remained in my arms, his muzzle pressed into my chest, his body rocking as he sobbed. Eventually he pulled away, rubbing his eyes but a lot more relaxed than he had been before.

"Feel better?" I ask and he responds with a simple nod. "Are you up to talking now?" He nods again.

He tells me the story. His father disliked how he was 'wasting' his coin to participate in the dojo. Apparently he doesn't believe in his sons becoming warriors when they have responsibilities to maintain the farm. The farm is run purely by family members, no one hired from outside the family to help. Any member of the family who turn their back on the their responsibilities to the farm are essentially exiled from the family.

Reece defied his father and told him he was not allowed to return until he gave up training at the dojo. His mother secretly gave him some coin from time to time, but she couldn't spare much without raising suspicion from his father. What little coin she could get to him he had spent to remain here at the dojo.

This all happened around the same time he started spending all his time here. He was half starved because he couldn't afford to eat properly with what little coin he had left over. He had been staying in one of the many empty homes down by the old mines.

As he told me the heart breaking story I felt like I needed to protect him. I made him lay down and sleep. He was asleep in moments. I'm sure he was exhausted after a long day of training and then that emotional flood that he had just gone through.

I find it hard that any parent could just cast out their cub like that. But it happens. I felt angry at Reece's father for what he's done to his son but I know better than to get involved in family politics, even when I don't agree with them. What I could do was make sure Reece is taken care of. I would do the same for any of my students that had fallen on hard times, at least I'd like to think so. I won't lie that I am fond of the young drake, he reminds me of myself when I was his age.

I try to take my mind of my anger and frustration by busying myself with making a meal for the two of us. I make a simple stew, I want to give Reece a good meal but nothing overly taxing for his deprived stomach, and I have some bread that I bought this morning. Once the stew is ready I fill a bowl and go to present the meal to the hungry drake.

I place the bowl down and gently shake his shoulder. He rouses, his brown eyes bleary and full of sleep. A look of confusion until he realises where he is and remembers what had happened. Wordlessly I hand him the bowl of stew and lump of bread. He takes it cautiously but quickly begins to devour the food. I sit and watch him eat. When he finishes I smile when I see that expression of contentment.

"Would you like some more?" I ask.

"Yes... thank you Master!" He says eagerly, holding out the bowl to me.

I take it fill it once again, a smaller portion this time as I don't want to make him sick, and fill one for myself. I share the last of the bread with him and we eat together in silence as I consider what my next course of action should be.