Ba Gau chuckles,

“Speaking of infernos that consume themselves, I met this official on the road, she just couldn’t get out of her own way.”

Lan Anh growled low, “You know the archduke’s the reason I had to… you know. What happened when you met her”

Flashback

The sun beat down mercilessly on Ba Gau's fur, turning his already unkempt travel cloak into a sauna. He hadn't seen a proper bath in a week, and the dust of the road clung to him like a second skin. His stomach, well-fed on the bounty of the farmers he'd passed, protruded comfortably beneath his worn leather armor. He was a picture of a wandering warrior, powerful and unburdened by vanity.

Rounding a bend in the path, he spotted a commotion near a field of golden wheat. A woman, her clothes as opulent as the midday sun, stood fuming, surrounded by a gaggle of flustered guards. A chest lay overturned on the ground, its contents spilling out like a merchant's bad day.

Ba Gau, ever the helpful soul, lumbered closer, offering a warm smile. "Seems you've had some trouble, miss," he rumbled, his voice rough from the journey.

The woman, her face contorted in a mixture of anger and disdain, swept him with a glance that could curdle milk. "This is none of your concern, vagrant," she snapped, her voice tight with controlled fury.

Ba Gau blinked, momentarily stunned. He wasn't used to such hostility, especially from someone so clearly well-off. "I just wanted to offer assistance," he mumbled, his smile faltering.

"Assistance?" she scoffed, her gaze lingering on his dust-caked fur and protruding belly. "You wouldn't know assistance if it bit you on your... well-fed backside."

Ba Gau's face flushed, the heat of the sun adding to his embarrassment. He opened his mouth to retort, but the woman cut him off.

"My guards were accosted by a brute of a farmer," she continued, her voice dripping with indignation. "He stole my chest, containing vital records and… inspection fees."

Ba Gau raised an eyebrow, the pieces clicking into place. This woman, with her haughty demeanor and overflowing chest, was likely a noble’s aid, assessing how much they should increase taxes this year because of the good harvests. He wondered if she worked for Lan Anh. If he did marry her and become a duke, he'd definitely have to change things like this.

"Inspection fees, eh?" he said, his voice taking on a playful lilt. "Sounds like you lost more than just paperwork, miss."

The woman's eyes narrowed. "Are you mocking me, mongrel?"

Ba Gau chuckled, his amusement genuine. "Not at all, just stating a fact. But hey, maybe the farmer just wanted to help you lighten your load."

Her lips thinned into a white line. "This is no laughing matter! Those records are vital for the Archduke's assessment, and the fees… well, let's just say they ensure a smooth inspection."

Ba Gau's smile widened, she didn't work for Lan Anh, that was good. "Seems like you're more concerned about your own pockets than the Archduke's assessment, miss."

The woman's face contorted with rage. "How dare you! Do you know who I am?"

"Not a clue," Ba Gau admitted, shrugging. "But I'm Ba Gau, the Butcher."

He offered a mock bow, the heat of the day making him dizzy. The woman recoiled, her nose wrinkling in disgust. Just then, a gust of wind whipped past, lifting her parasol and sending it spinning. Ba Gau, instinctively, reached out and caught it before it flew away.

As he held the parasol above them, providing a welcome respite from the sun, the woman's eyes widened in surprise. She looked him up and down, her expression unreadable.

"Ba Gau, the Butcher," she repeated slowly, her voice laced with something akin to curiosity. "Interesting."

Ba Gau, despite his initial annoyance, found himself intrigued. He returned her gaze, a playful glint in his eyes.

"And you, miss inspector," he drawled, "are…?"

A fleeting smile crossed her lips, momentarily erasing the anger. "I am Elara," she said, her voice softer now. "Regional Inspector Elara."

A tense silence fell between them, broken only by the chirping of crickets and the distant laughter of children. Ba Gau held the parasol, its silk canopy creating a small island of shade in the harsh sunlight. Elara, her anger momentarily forgotten, looked at him, her gaze lingering on his worn armor and dusty fur.

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This was a beginning, an unlikely encounter between a wandering butcher and a haughty inspector. Whether it would lead to cooperation, conflict, or something else entirely, remained to be seen. But one thing was certain: the sun beat down, and the shade of the parasol was welcome, even if it was shared with a most unexpected companion.

c12a2part 2

As the smoke plume grew thicker, Ba Gau didn't hesitate. He barked a sharp order, his voice surprisingly easy to understand despite his gruff exterior, "Elara, stay here! We'll put out the fire!"

The Cau Binh, known for their strength and agility, sprung into action. They dug into the ground with their powerful paws, throwing dirt with surprising speed and accuracy, burying the flames with a practiced efficiency born from generations of living close to the land. Elara, however, remained rooted to the spot, her fur ruffled in distaste.

"But my carriage!" she shrieked, her voice high-pitched with panic. "It's filthy now! I can't possibly—"

Ba Gau cut her off, his voice firm but calm. "Later, Lady Elara. Right now, lives are at stake!"

His words seemed to pierce through her initial shock. With a reluctant sigh, she retreated a few paces, her eyes glued to the burning carriage. The farmer, ever practical, grabbed a fallen branch and started fanning away smoke, his daughter following suit with a smaller stick.

The fire crackled and roared, but under the combined assault of dirt and air, it began to weaken. Ba Gau, his fur already singed and dusty, felt a surge of pride in his people. Their raw strength and unwavering cooperation were their greatest weapons.

Finally, with a sputter and a sigh, the flames died down. The carriage stood blackened but intact, a testament to their quick action. Elara, however, remained far from pleased.

"Look what you've done!" she wailed, gesturing at the dirt-caked carriage. "It's ruined! Do you have any idea how much this will cost to repair?"

Ba Gau, covered in mud and ash himself, couldn't help but roll his eyes. "Perhaps less than the cost of a new carriage, Lady Elara," he retorted dryly. "Besides, a little dirt can be cleaned. Lives, however, cannot be replaced."

Elara opened her mouth to argue, but the farmer stepped forward, his voice gruff but respectful. "He speaks truth, milady. We owe these… folk our thanks. They saved our belongings, maybe even our lives."

Elara's haughty demeanor faltered. She glanced at the blackened carriage, then at the soot-covered Cau Binh, their faces etched with fatigue but a flicker of pride in their eyes. She sighed, a reluctant concession escaping her lips.

"Fine," she muttered. "Thank you… Butcher Fang. And you others."

Ba Gau inclined his head, a faint smile playing on his lips. "A simple duty, milady. Now, perhaps you should see to your carriage. And we," he added, glancing at his people, "have a well-earned rest to claim."

As the Cau Binh dispersed, Elara watched them go, a thoughtful expression on her face. The gruff, dirty Butcher Fang had saved the day, and she, the esteemed Inspector, was left covered in ashes and humbled by the experience. Perhaps, she thought, appearances weren't everything after all.

And as the setting sun cast long shadows over the land, the smoke from the extinguished fire carried with it not only the scent of burnt wood but also the faint echo of a grudging respect, slowly blossoming between a haughty inspector and a dusty Butcher Fang.

part 3

As Elara fussed over the blackened carriage, her words tumbled out in a stream of frustration. "Look at this mess! How am I supposed to conduct an audit of the whole northern district looking like a mud-caked scavenger? My papers are ruined, the chest looks like it was dragged through the underworld, and this carriage…" she trailed off, kicking the charred wheel with surprising vehemence.

Ba Gau raised an eyebrow, surprised by her outburst. "An audit, you say?" he rumbled, curiosity piqued.

Elara hesitated, then straightened her posture, a flicker of her usual haughtiness returning. "Indeed," she sniffed. "The Regional Archduke himself tasked me with investigating potential mismanagement amongst the northern aristocracy. A delicate operation, requiring tact and… well," she glanced down at her mud-streaked paws, "a slightly more presentable appearance."

A ghost of a smile flitted across Ba Gau's lips. "I see," he said, his voice laced with amusement. "So, the esteemed Inspector finds herself… less than impeccably prepared for her mission?"

Elara's cheeks flushed a fiery red. "It's a temporary setback, Butcher Fang," she snapped, regaining her composure. "And one that you needn't concern yourself with."

With a huff, she turned back to the carriage, barking orders at the remaining guard to clean it as best he could. Ba Gau, however, felt a pang of empathy for the flustered woman. Her arrogance was grating, but even an inspector deserved a fighting chance.

He continued on his way, his gaze sweeping the ground unconsciously. His keen eyes caught a glint of metal amidst the mud and debris. He picked it up, the weight heavier than its size suggested. The inscription on its round surface, At the center, a majestic griffin stood proudly Surrounding the central griffin, an intricate border ran along the seal's edge. beneath the griffin an inscription ran in elegant script, held the most weight and carried the seal's true authority. As Ba Gau studied the seal, he couldn't help but wonder what information it concealed, A slow realization dawned on Ba Gau. This simple seal, easily overlooked in the chaos, held immense power. It could grant access, legitimize documents, and even influence the course of the audit. In the wrong hands, it could be disastrous.

He tucked the seal safely within his pouch, a sense of responsibility settling upon him. Elara's plight had become more than just an amusing inconvenience. It was a potential scandal waiting to happen, and Ba Gau, the gruff Butcher Fang, found himself inexplicably drawn into the midst of it.

He glanced back at the smoke-plumed horizon, where Elara and her carriage were disappearing into the distance. With a determined stride, he turned in the opposite direction, finally back to his pup and betrothed.