Dog waved as they approached the human tent city, guards wearing Highgarden insignia approaching them on horseback, their lances raised.
“Halt!” They called, “Who goes there?” The lead knight glared, “Elves?”
“Dog.” Dog rasped, his shoulder still bleeding despite his efforts to bandage the wound.
The knight raised his helmet, “By Gods, you’re alive. How’d you make it out of those woods? Victoria was ready to launch an entire unit to find you. You were meant to be back yesterday, Captain. We thought your other injuries may have gotten the best of you!”
“Where is she? Much to say.” He said, short of breath, “Danger.”
“The elves…”
“Comrades. Don’t touch, much to say.”
“Well if you didn’t gut them, there must be a reason. Come, we’ll guide you, Captain.”
Dog and his retinue followed, the elves sharing nervous glances as mercenaries and soldiers alike emerged from their tents, or paused in their duties, glaring as they passed.
“Dog… Are we safe here?” Maestra asked, rubbing her chest as she fought for air.
“Victoria will protect.” He shambled, vision blurring, “Big tent, hers, ours.” He pointed towards the center of the camp.
Dog stumbled as they neared, and Maestra cursed, hefting the tent flap and guiding him in, his arm over her shoulder.
“Elf!” Someone screamed, blades scraping scabbards as the tent exploded in a flurry of motion.
Dog moved, shoving Maestra back as an arrow embedded itself in his chest.
“Dog!” Victoria screamed, “I’ll have your head for that! Who fired that fucking arrow? Get the doctor! Now!” She roared, the tent shaking, Maestra flinching back as she struggled to keep Dog standing.
“Victoria.” He spat, ears ringing, “I’m back.”
“You stupid dog.” Victoria grabbed him, laying him out across the table as she pulled the arrow free, smothering the wound in her coat, “Where have you been? Do you have any idea how worried I’ve been? I should have lashed you for this!”
“Danger.” He wheezed, “Merlin. Elf.”
“What’re you talking about? Why are there elves in my command center?”
“Merlin…” Dog rasped, eyes shutting.
Maestra turned away as Victoria’s blood ran cold, her beloved hound began slipping into unconsciousness. She turned, eyes burning as she found John, his quiver missing an arrow.
“I’ll have you for this, John.” She said quietly, flinching as Dog’s blood soaked hand found her shoulder.
“‘Nuff,” He shook, “Sleep. Not dead. Merlin?”
“I'm here, my boy.” Merlin laughed, Siegfried guiding him through the crowd.
“Siegfried.” Dog grunted, “Protect. Elf.”
“I shall, Cub.” Siegfried nodded.
“The bleeding won’t stop, Merlin.” Victoria said, her voice raised, “What’s wrong with him? He’s never bled like this before.”
“His cheek has been grazed. Shoulder, too. He's got a few nasty wounds by the look of things.” He tapped Dog’s chest, the warrior groaning, “He’s been poisoned. But it’s not common. I’ve only seen it a few times. He can fight it off, but he will need to concentrate, and I will need to aid him. I am no specialist when it comes to healing magic, nor its greater sibling life magic. He will need to persist. A shame we did not have time to practice more of the magic I’ve begun to teach him.”
“Maestra.” Dog said.
Maestra stepped forward, “Yes?”
“Vick. Tell.” Dog collapsed, his body going limp as Merlin pursed his lips.
“He’s going to need a lot of rest. With his given cargo, I’d say he’s earned it.” Merlin lifted his arm, “These are not elf arrow wounds. They are crude, unrefined, and sloppy. What caused such injury? It is out of character for Dog to go beyond orders like this. He’s done much since we’ve begun this campaign, I’ve never seen him do anything Victoria did not ask him to.”
Maestra spoke, wary of Victoria’s ire, “We found him scouting, his armor was clearly a soldiers, although lighter than the men of Korone. We pursued him for many hours, and we thought he would escape after eliminating two other squads, then they came.”
“Who?” Victoria snapped.
“Bovir.” Maestra said, struggling from exhaustion, “Then the rats.”
Maestra cocked her head and Leera stepped forward to obey, pulling the gagged and disarmed beast from their party’s inner circle and tossing it on the table nearest Dog.
Merlin sighed, “It’s as I feared. Murids.”
“Murids?” Siegfried rose from his freshly taken seat, “Merlin, surely not. They haven’t been seen this far from the mountains in hundreds of years. This isn't just an unusual Ishlan?”
“No, my giant friend, it is not.” Merlin rubbed his face, “We are all in grave danger, young ones. This boy might have just saved us all.”
“Where is that slimy-“ Louen fell silent as she spotted Dog’s motionless form, “Dog…”
“Sleeping. He will wake soon.” Merlin shoved past her gently, “Madam Maestra, do you have its weapons?”
“I do.” She confirmed, “Can you brew a cure? This far from the glades? Few of the ingredients exist so far into the plains.”
“I have something in mind, but it will lack the strength of your people’s tonics.”
“I will aid you.” Maestra nodded, “I did not notice. I thought it was from the run, that was foolish of me to not consider.”
“Run?” John asked, shrinking as Victoria glared.
“We have traveled all night.” Maestra nodded, “We could not afford breaks, the herd is moving and all must turn towards the greater threat.”
“How far did you run?” Louen asked.
“The edges of our glade. It has been twelve hours.”
Louen paled.
“Merlin, I want him up and talking by tonight.” Victoria ordered, “Siegfried, rally the lords, they will be here for his report or they will face this threat alone. I’m assuming command, King Louen, I suspect there are no issues with that?”
Louen glanced at Dog, and then Victoria’s barely contained snarl, “No. I find this agreeable. Make it known you have my consent.”
“Good. Go! You, Maestra?”
“Yes?” Maestra asked.
“When he awakens, and is fit, we will go to your people and warn them of this threat. Will they listen?”
Maestra nodded, “I believe so. There is little choice.”
“Your men.” Victoria said, “They are stubborn. Maybe as stubborn as Dog. You’re certain?”
“I am.” Maestra said, “Our patriarch is my betrothed.”
Victoria nodded, “Good. We’ll get answers out of this rodent once he wakes. Are they strong?”
“Not alone, although some are skilled enough to put up a challenge for even our warriors. This one is unusual, I don’t know how he found it.”
“Explain.”
“Their women are usually only breeding stock. This one is a scout, that’s doubly rare, especially the fur. I didn't even know they came in a white color. He assaulted the herd directly, drawing out the guards while I freed my sisters. We expected him within a few hours, he did not arrive till night. He was wounded, as you see him, but alert. He had found the rat, then moved to alert you.”
“John!” Victoria shouted, all present flinching, “Find Snow. He will need someone to warm him while he breaks fever.”
“Agreed.” Merlin said.
“Victoria.” Maestra said, raising her hand.
“Speak.”
“May I have permission to be at his side? I owe him a great deal.” Maestra said, pulling Ariel’s case off her back, the container untouched, “He has done much for me. My sister is encased in here, healing from the battle against the herd. He shielded her with his own body.”
Victoria flinched, all present blinking in surprise, “He did what?”
Maestra shrunk.
“Please pardon, Lady Victoria.” Merlin said quickly, “It’s just… It’s very out of character for our short fellow to do anything he doesn’t need to, or doesn’t interest him. Outside of Lady Victoria’s orders, he is impossible to control.”
“I was certainly under the impression he was unusual for a human. But he will verify my story.” Maestra said.
“He’s going to verify many things.” Victoria’s tongue dripped acid.
“Your common is quite good, madam Maestra, how did you become so proficient?” Merlin asked.
“I was bored.” Maestra answered honestly.
“The curse of a god's lifespan but a mortal mind.” Merlin smiled, “I will attend to your sister with what magic I know. Your people are strong with the magic of the world and the woods, will they aid us? The Murids are known for their pestilence and toxins.” He poked the rat on the table, “She will need to be bathed. I will attend to her.”
“She looks clean.” John noted, falling silent quickly.
“She does. But it hasn’t been unheard of for them to leak plagues they are testing within their kindred and unleash them on their enemies. It may kill many of their kind, but that matters little when there are so many. They are often too busy squabbling and butchering one another, if they’ve risen above to the surface, there may be something worse brewing.”
“Worse?” Maestra asked.
“A Rat King.” Merlin said, “When five of their warlords band together, they become a hoard of flesh hungry monstrosities. The beasts usually consume one another, but when allied, turn their insatiable hunger on the denizens of the surface. It is always costly, but they are species of avarice, gluttony, and lust. There is always more to sacrifice.”
“Our glade was wiped out.” Maestra said, “They were led by a large one. He carried heavier armor, and wielded strange magic. He was surrounded by rats that looked well fed, and disciplined. A mage, or their shameful version of it, accompanied them.”
“They came in waves? Patrols vanishing, people missing? Strange sightings at night?”
Maestra nodded, “Exactly.”
“Concerning. But hope is not lost. I count three clans.” Merlin said, “The large warrior the Strong Claws, the mage is of the Great Claws, and this one here,” Merlin nodded to the albino rat, “Is of the Hidden claws. We may be able to hold, but there is a greater concern.”
“What?” Victoria asked.
“If they’ve infiltrated Korone, we are all doomed.”
----------------------------------------
Dog awoke to his tent ceiling. He rose, his face hot, sweat sticky against his skin as he let his blankets fall.
“You are awake.” A familiar voice said.
Dog turned, scrambling back and smashing his head on his tent post with a yelp.
“I’ve not seen you so fearful.” Maestra laughed from his pillow.
He studied her, blinking tears from his eyes and truly observing her in the quiet of the night around them. Her hair was shorter than he remembered, wavy, and chin length. He blinked, noticing its blackened, ash color. Her bright green eyes shone, and watched him with newfound curiosity. She sat up, and he turned away, unable to face her now exposed skin. She was slender, if curvaceous, and looked comfortable in his bed.
“Why so shy? We are comrades.” Maestra grinned, pulling him back into her chest, ignoring his flailing arms and quiet rasp, “You have done me a great service. You have saved my sister, and my beloved scouts. It has caused you only grief, I’m afraid. I worry I will only cause you more.”
“I have not seen you outside of your armor. I thought… You looked different than I expected.” He flailed, pressing on nervously, “Is this necessary?”
“Afraid so. I’ve grown quite fond of this Dog.”
“You don’t know me.”
“Battle has a way of connecting people.” She said, “Elves of the Glade bond easily. When you live for thousands of years, you find being agreeable more tolerable.”
“I told you before-“
“That you had no friends? No loved ones?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t think you were honest.”
“Why?”
“The humans here trust you. Fear you, but trust you. Those knights of yours immediately accepted your words. Especially your lady, Victoria.”
Dog grunted, unable to escape her grasp, her chest pressing into his back.
“Your Ishlan was here earlier. She was unhappy to leave your side, but she had not eaten in a few days.”
“She’s an idiot.”
“Maybe. But a devoted one.” She said, “I didn’t realize there were two dogs. Both are loyal to their masters.”
“I told her she was free to go.”
“Have you considered that your doing so is why she has stayed?”
Dog said nothing.
“I meant what I said when I told you I will only cause greater trouble for you. I have another concession. I do look different. You’re not wrong.”
Dog turned to look up towards her, “How? I know there's something different, but I can't tell what.”
Maestra huffed, “Really?”
“We were killing each other, and then goats. My memory of who looked like what is not perfect, it would seem. My thoughts are… Fuzzy.”
“Don’t remind me, Ariel will never let me live this down.” Maestra sighed, “My hair, Dog. What color is it?”
“Black.” Dog paused, “Your hair was not black, then. Has it been dyed?”
“No.” Maestra laughed, “There is a special trait amongst my people. It is rare, and almost always troublesome. My mother said it might happen one day, it just was not something I was expecting outside my people.”
“What is it? Your hair changes?”
“It is why our hair changes, that is our problem.”
“Oh.”
“Rarely, an Elf of the Glade will find a strong enough partner to bond themselves to. Someone right enough. Our kind are like the Gods, in that our essence is… Otherworldly at times. Our souls are fickle things, and often very free, unlike our cousins. Or so I’ve heard anyways, mother was vague.”
“So what’s all this mean?”
“My soul calls for yours.” Maestra admitted at last, “I was not prepared. Truthfully, I am already betrothed. But I felt it, when we arrived. My concern for you was greater than I had expected from our time together. It complicates things.”
“How?”
Maestra blinked, “How does it not?”
“You’re betrothed.” He shrugged, “Would you let something so trivial change who you chose?”
“Trivial?” Maestra asked, her tone forcing Dog to look away, “I did not choose anything. I did not choose you or Alran.”
“Good. You shouldn’t choose me.” Dog said, “I’m a dumb soldier. I fight who I’m told, I kill when I’m told. I am just a dog on a leash, have always been.”
“You are more than just a dog!” Maestra scolded, “You are kind, selfless, and strong. You did not have to save my sister, you did not have to save my comrades, and you most certainly did not need to try to unite our people. If you were only a dog, you would’ve come straight back to Victoria with your tail between your legs, and fled with her. She stays because you want to fight.”
“I do as she says. She is my mistress.”
“That may be, but I have seen that you are both susceptible to one another. She fusses over you, her mind is unfocused, distracted. Her men sense it. She yearns for you. She would be here, if her position allowed it.”
“Victoria is my mistress. Nothing more.”
Maestra’s ears twitched quickly for a moment, buzzing quietly, then falling still, “My soul has chosen you.”
“Souls change. Choose someone better.”
Maestra glared, “That’s not how it works.”
“You don’t even know that. You only know what your mother said.”
“I know enough. You saved my life.”
“You saved your own. You made our shelter.”
“You brought me out of my rage.”
“A rage I inspired by killing your friends.”
“We are at war, that was-“
“Something I would do again, if ordered.”
Maestra froze.
“I would. I follow her command. I am bound. What is won by the sword, must be taken by the sword.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“I am bound-“ Dog grunted as she shoved him away.
“You wouldn’t!” Maestra scowled, her ears down as she raged, “Do you know what killing an elf means to my people? A life snuffed out that you spent over a hundred years living alongside? Eating? Bathing? Loving? Do you know what kind of pain that causes? We talked about this!”
“No.” Dog admitted, “I can’t. I don’t live that long, and I’m younger than you. Remember? I-“
“What?” Say it!”
“I couldn’t subject you to something so cruel. Longing for someone who would take your loved ones so casually, so easily. That would be no better than torture. Pick someone who doesn’t shed blood like it’s water. I’ve clearly wronged your people. I understand that.”
“I’m-“ Maestra hesitated, “I don’t c-“
“You have to care. You loved them, and I took them away.” Dog said, “It’s what I do. It’s what I’m good at.” He turned, eyes gazing up into hers, “Don’t put yourself through that. Don’t choose me over your people. You may be able to forgive what I did. Justify it as something that happened during the heat of battle. But I saw what your comrades felt. If your people are anything like them, they’ll never forgive you for this. Or me.”
Maestra’s face fell, her eyes full of tears as she glared down at her hands.
“I must go. Join us when you’re ready.” Dog stood, pulling on his shirt, “For what it is worth, what’s mine is yours till we part.”
----------------------------------------
“Ah,” Victoria smiled, her face lighting up the room, “Dog, you’re up.”
“Weak.” He grunted, axe at his back.
“Maestra.” Victoria nodded at the elven scout, “I’ll summon the lords. We March for the elven settlement tomorrow, only cavalry and our elite. We cannot afford to exhaust our resources.”
“Yes ma’am.” Dog nodded, taking a seat at the table at her side. Maestra pointedly stood near the tent entrance, her thoughts whirling.
Victoria pulled Dog up, guiding him to a corner of the tent, waiving to Merlin as they passed, “What happened? What injured you so much?”
“Bovir. She tells the truth.” Dog confirmed.
“Where was the battlefield?”
Dog scratched his ear, “Some way north, in a small river.”
Victoria frowned, “Could you point it out on a map?”
“Yes.”
Victoria guided him to the war table, “Where, Puppy?”
“Here.” Dog said.
“You’re certain?”
“I am.”
“Dog, we found enough corpses floating down the river to poison that water supply. We had to bring water from Korone and nearby cities. There were too many pieces to count, how many did you kill?”
“I… I don’t know.” Dog blinked, “I was thinking, and then I saw the rat, trapped her, and ran.”
“Puppy, they didn’t see you until nightfall, you set out in the morning?”
“We did.”
“You killed Bovir for an entire day?”
Dog blinked, “I suppose I did.”
Victoria sighed, and then whispered, “Tonight you will make room for me in your tent. Understand?”
Dog paused, “Why?”
Victoria glared.
“Okay.”
“What of John? He shot you.”
“What about him?” Dog asked.
“He shot you!” Victoria spat.
“I’m fine, Victoria. I’ll be better in a few days. I killed his men, he put an arrow in me. We’re even. He saw an elf and he acted, I am not sure I could blame him. We’ve… We’ve killed a lot of elves.”
“We will discuss this tonight.”
“We will not. I don’t want further hate from the company.” Dog said, “Just leave it.”
She sighed, “Fine. But only this once.”
“I doubt he’d shoot me again, knowing you.”
Victoria laughed, “True. Harlow was asking for you, you know. Louen, too. I’m sure you’ve heard how fussy Snow has been.”
And you, apparently. Dog noted, “They can wait. We have important matters to handle. You need me, right?”
Victoria smiled, “Of course, Puppy. Now, the lords are here. Begin your report.”
----------------------------------------
“Impressive report.” Louen noted, “This threat is indeed grave. While the elves of the Ironwood have caused no small amount of bloodshed, this foe is greater than either of us. Victoria Highgarden, I entrust the elven diplomacy mission to you and the Hound of Highgarden.”
Dog raised an eyebrow, and Louen ignored his gaze.
“It will be done, my liege.” Victoria bowed.
“A mercenary? You’d leave the fate of Korone to a mercenary? And elves?” A man with a finely trimmed goatee asked, laughing to himself, his full helm held at his side, “Surely you jest? My Crimson Legion will suffice, my lord. I will burn the elves out or force their hand.”
“I, Leoreo of Champagne will go, my King. My Pegasus knights are unrivaled, and the elves cannot kill what they cannot reach. Allow myself.” A man with a shaggy brown beard, and heavy eyebrows countered.
The room descended into chaos as men with tabards of a dizzying array of colors argued, and bickered, Louen’s temper rising.
“Oh Hound,” Merlin called, “Looks like Louen could do with some blunt assistance.”
Dog glanced at Victoria.
“If you wish.” Victoria shrugged, “If they refuse, we will leave. They are in no position to argue, and the other companies will follow.”
Stolen novel; please report.
Dog sighed and stood as Siegfried chuckled. He pulled his newly crafted helm over his head, the familiar canid visage bringing a small smile to Louen’s face as Dog raised his axe. He brought the flat of it down against the metal railing of Victoria’s war table, several men jumping in shock, the weeks of battle wearing against their nerves.
“Silence. All of you.” Dog demanded, “Bickering like children. Are you lords of Korone?”
“How dare you-“ Dog silenced the man with his axe, raising it in challenge.
“Are you a lord of Korone?”
The man paled.
“Go on? Unless you’d like to prove it on the battlefield? I’ll trade you. My axe, for your lance.”
“He means cutting off their cocks. We almost learned that the hard way with Karl.” Siegfried loudly whispered to Merlin, the old man nodding in understanding as he stroked his beard. Several lords paled.
“How dare you! You have no right to speak at this table. You are nothing but a peasant-“
“Ahh.” Dog said, “Sounds like a lance for an axe to me.” He embedded his axe in the table, steel shrieking as it was torn asunder, “Come on then, shall we bet horses? What do you think, Leoreo of Champagne? You after? As a matter of fact, why don’t you form a line? I'm tired of Bovir, give me a man to carve up. A man to hunt!”
The room fell silent.
Louen looked on haughtily, “Any challengers for the Hound of Highgarden? The White Death’s chosen warrior?” Nobody spoke, “Then my order stands. You all shame Korone and your king. Merlin, Victoria, you will plan our defense. We do best amongst the grasses, not in a siege. I will rely on you once you return to lead our mercenary forces.”
“As you command.” Victoria bowed.
The lords exited quickly, chatting between one another as they rallied their men, and Louen approached with a smug grin on her face, many grumbling once they’d been convinced they were out of earshot, “Look who’s joined the land of the living.”
“Surprised you didn’t kick the bucket without me, your highness.” Dog rolled his eyes.
“You up for a rematch?”
“No. Your blasted sword dulls my axe.”
“Coward.” Louen sang in a sing-song voice.
“Victoria asked me to behave.”
“What? Afraid of your mother getting upset?”
“What’s brought on this change in attitude? You’re usually trying to stab me now.”
Louen flushed, pulling strands of loose, short blonde hair behind her ears as she sputtered, unable to make eye contact as Dog pulled his helmet free.
“Well?” Dog asked.
“Hmph!” Louen decided, exiting the tent quickly, her neck burning.
Merlin laughed, Siegfried hollering alongside him as the two mocked the fleeing girl.
“Be quiet, Merlin!” Louen called from outside the tent.
“What?” Dog asked, the pair doubling over.
Victoria glared, pulling Dog aside, “Dog, you need to listen very carefully. You are not to spend anymore time alone with Louen.”
Dog blinked, “But he’s paying us.”
“Don’t be so jealous, Lady Highgarden!” Merlin wiped tears from his eyes as Siegfried turned around, trying to smother his laughter, “They’re young. He’s impressive, strapping, and mysterious. He was willing to give his life for you, but it's possibly saved my Louen’s Kingdom. It’s only natural. Even took him riding!”
“What I do to you will be unnatural!” Victoria spat, “Now mind your business, Wizard, and ready yourself for our trip!”
“As you wish, c’mon Sig we’ve got good beer to pack.” The two departed.
“I don’t understand.” Dog said.
“Dog, the young king is a bit sweet on you.”
Dog staggered, “Excuse me?”
Victoria allowed a small chuckle, “Okay, it’s a little funny.”
Dog glanced around, whispering exasperatedly, “Me? I beat her up!”
“And if you want to wake up next to me tomorrow, that’ll be the only touching you do.”
Dog sighed, “Tell that to her. Not me.”
“Come, we need to interrogate that rat.”
Victoria led him to the rear of her tent, Harlow waving as they passed, “Good to see you up, Dog.”
“Hmm.” Dog nodded respectfully as they entered.
He found the rat he’d captured suspended in the air; her hands tied apart with several segments of rope, legs twisted in on themselves, her claws covered in thick steel mittens. Her eyes had been bound, and her nose twitched viciously as Victoria’s eyes darkened.
“Guess who’s awake, rat!” Victoria laughed, spinning the murid in it's binds. It froze, ears twitching up and down with fear, “They really aren’t so brave, are they?”
“I suppose not.” The rat’s nose twitched, and she turned, eyeing Dog.
“Don’t you dare!” Victoria snapped, slashing the ropes suspending it with her blade. It fell with a grunt, the air knocked from its lungs as she drove her boots into its back, “Don’t you dare look at him! You are vermin! Scum! Worth less than garbage!”
It whimpered beneath Victoria’s assault, small hisses of pain escaping it as Victoria kicked it, driving her boots into its head, and neck, stomping on its ribs.
“Mercy! Mercy!” It whispered, voice dry.
“No mercy for useless garbage!” Victoria laughed, flipping it on its back and grinding her foot into its stomach, “You nearly took what was mine. This is only what you deserve, you understand? Just like I told you!”
“Yes mistress! Sorry mistress!” It cried, tears red as blood.
“Vick, we aren’t interrogating it, this is just torture.” Dog sighed.
Victoria turned to him, eyes wild, and blazing, “And? This is what it deserves for what it did to you! For hurting what’s mine!” Her boot lashed out, and it curled up in pain, sobbing pitifully in its bonds.
“Go.” Dog cocked his head, “I’ll call you back if I have trouble. She’s had enough, and I’ve done this before.”
“Truly?” Victoria asked, the look in her eyes fading as he watched her, her cheeks red.
“Yes. Go, I’ll call if anything. Just wait nearby.”
Victoria lashed out again, cracking the back of it's head with her fist, “As you wish. If she continues to cower, I’ll beat her like I’ve done till now.”
Dog eyed her bloodied knuckles, “Mmm. Go clean off your hands.”
“Alright.” Victoria agreed.
Dog sighed, pulling the beasts blindfold off and covering her eyes with his hands. It blinked, wincing as light blinded it for the first time in days, watching him with untamed fear.
“You are Dog-beast.” It whispered.
“I am. From the forest.”
“Yes-yes.” It nodded, “You hurt-hurt?”
“I’d rather not. It’s useless if you don’t know anything. But she will kill you.”
“No kill! Pleases! Pleases!” It begged.
“What do they call you?”
It chittered.
“Right. Can I pick a name for you? That’s not something I can say.”
“If strong hound wishes, yes-yes.”
“Your eyes.” He noted, and she shrunk back in fear, “They are red. Like Victoria’s.”
“Sorry-sorry. Whitefur apologies for insult.”
“It’s not insulting.” Dog replied.
“Honest-honest?” It chittered.
“Honest.” Dog nodded, “I will call you Ruby. Like your eyes.”
“Ruby-thing, gem-thing?” She chittered, “Red rock? Shiny-shiny? Money?”
“Very money. Very shiny.” Dog nodded.
“Yes-yes.”
“Victoria has been mean to you, hasn’t she?”
Ruby shrunk, “No-no. Never. Mistress is only kind. Yes, kind-kind.”
“It’s okay if she’s been mean.” Dog said, “I won’t be angry if you’re honest.”
Ruby hesitated.
“I promise.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed, “Promise? What is?”
Dog paused, “Like an oath.”
Ruby’s eyes widened, “Oath? For whitefur? Oath pledge?”
“Yep. That’s a promise.”
“Promise Ruby-thing?”
“I promise Ruby, that I won’t be mad if you’re honest.” He said, “That’s how you make a human oath.”
“What call you, hound, hunter-slayer? Dog-thing?” Ruby asked.
“Dog.”
“Dog-thing? Bark bark? Small dog? Truly-yes?” She asked.
“Yep. Just like that.”
“Bad name. Strong like Blackfur-strong, need strong name like Muscle, Anger, Hate.” Ruby explained, “Dog not strong.”
“That’s okay. I’m used to it.”
Ruby cocked her head, “Used to? Dog-Hunter not care?”
“No. It’s okay with me.” He said.
“Hunter-hound strange. Oath to whitefur, but blackfur? Weird-strange.”
“I get that a lot. Listen, Ruby…” Dog said, watching as she leaned in, “You need to tell me the truth, or Victoria is going to be mean again. Do you want food? Do you want water?”
Ruby’s eyes sparked, and she looked away.
“We just need to talk. Do you like talking to me, or Victoria?”
“Dog-hunter.” Ruby said.
“Then let’s talk, and I promise I’ll be nice.”
Ruby froze, “New oath-pledge? Another?”
“That’s right.” He said, “So let’s talk about you. I hear girls like yourself are just mother’s. How come you’re up here?”
Ruby hesitated.
“I won’t tell anyone but Victoria.”
“Pledge-oath? Promise?”
“Promise.”
“Cannot break pledge-oath.” She said, “Else you are worm-tail.”
“Worm-tail?”
“Worse-worse than whitefur. Worm-tail bad-bad. No live in warren-hive. Killed-eaten.” She explained.
“Ah. I won’t then. I don’t want to be a worm-tail.” He nodded.
“Yes. Blackfur Dog-hunter smart-clever, yes.”
“Mhmm. So how come you’re up here.”
Ruby thought for a moment, “Hunting elf-flesh for blackfur. Ruby smart-clever whitefur, speak common good. Hear?”
“You do speak it well.” Dog agreed, rubbing at her chin. She froze, hair standing on edge as he stroked her fur.
“What Dog-hunter do? Wormtail liar? Cheats? Kill Ruby?”
“Of course not.” Dog said, “I’m helping Ruby,” He paused, watching her leg shake as he neared Ruby’s ear, “Did you like that?”
“Whitefur not touch. Dirty-impure.” Ruby said, her eyes slit, “Why touch Ruby?”
“Did it feel nice? You kind of remind me of a dog. I knew a girl who'd keep rats. They were good at finding holes or imperfections in castle walls. She rubbed their heads like this.”
Ruby said nothing as he pulled his gauntlet free, his warm palm pressed to her head, her tail twitching.
“Ruby? Could you make me a promise?”
“Maybe-possible.” She whispered.
“Will you promise to tell me the truth if it doesn’t make you a wormtail?”
“Deal? Trade?”
“How about I get you something yummy to eat and scratch your ears?”
“Maybe-maybe…”
“Some wine?”
Ruby sniffed.
“What do you say?”
“Oath-pledge acceptable.”
“Can you say a human promise?”
“Do.” Ruby nodded, “Ruby promise to tell what not make wormtail. Good?”
“Very good, Ruby.” Dog said, rubbing the back of her head and neck, watching her tail go wild, “I just need some questions. If you’re extra good, you can sleep in my tent tomorrow. I’ll get a bigger one where we can keep you bound, but not like this.”
“Sleep-you?” Ruby’s cheeks flushed, “Blackfur bring whitefur to nest-den?”
“Maybe.” Dog said, “You can sleep next to me on my bedroll. No more of this stuff. How’s that sound?”
“What need know?” Ruby asked.
“Tell me about your clan.”
“We are claw sneak.”
“Hidden Claw?”
“Yes-yes!”
“What’re you doing here?”
“Packmaster follow Strong Claw. Strong Claw kill old Packmaster, we follow. Strong Claw try to bind tails.” She said.
“How do you fit into all this?”
“Scout-hunter. Hunt elf-thing camp. Fresh meat.” She said.
“Why you? A whitefur and woman?”
Ruby looked away, eyes darting anywhere but Dog, “Whitefur garbage. Bad luck. Bring poor pups. Eat-kill. No good for pups.”
“Yet they let you scout?”
“Old Packmaster smart-clever. Say if die, fine. If not die, kill-hunt. Maybe mate-breed.”
“He was going to give you a mate?” He asked.
“Yes-yes. No want. Want fight-hunt. But old Packmaster old. New very strong. Old very dead. No chance for mate-breed. Whitefur.”
“Nobody wanted you?”
Ruby shook her head, not meeting his eyes.
“Hmm.” He lifted her chin, “Are there rats in Korone? The big human settlement?”
“No tails. Only me. Strong Claw send die-die. No nest mates. Alone. Less food to share.”
“They sent you to die?”
“Work with stinky cow-goat. Report message. Not important. Great Claw trick cow-goat. Dumb-stupid.”
“So you’ve been abandoned.”
Ruby chittered.
“Hmm?”
“Yes-yes. No pack. No warren. Ruby alone. Honest-truth. Not even good for eating, meat bad.”
“Are you lying, Ruby?” He asked, stroking her cheeks.
“No lie-lie! Pledgekeeper! Ruby not Wormtail!” She wailed.
This is maybe going to be slightly evil of me. Dog acknowledged, You better be pleased, Vicky.
He called out with his thoughts, “Merlin?”
“Yes my boy? You learned this quickly. As expected, I suppose. You only had a days worth of lessons on the road.” Merlin answered telepathically.
“This rat tells me that they take promises seriously. That breaking it is essentially dooming yourself in their people’s eyes. How much can I trust a promise from one?”
“Greatly. She is being honest, I could sense it through your memories. In a civilization of liars and thieves, they need some method of guarantee. Essentially they honor very specific oaths, and nothing else. You must be detailed.”
“Clear.”
“Try monitoring her heartbeat. Do you hear what I’m sharing with you? That’s a calm murid heart. If it’s higher, they’re lying. They are terrible at staying calm, excellent at looking like it. Listen.”
Dog nodded, “Ruby?”
“Yes-yes?”
“How about we make an oath?” He asked.
“Oath-promise?” Ruby asked.
“Mhmm.”
“More-more?”
He felt her heart shift, assigning it to hopeful, or optimistic, “Mhmm. Here’s the deal.” He cut the braces on her legs, pulling her upright so she could meet his eyes, and undid the braces around her arm, “You are going to belong to me. In exchange, I will feed you, clothe you, and take care of you. You’ll do anything I say, even over other paths and promises, and I’ll never lie to you, or break a promise.”
He felt Ruby’s heart rate launch into the atmosphere, Shit.
“Or, I can give you back to Victoria.”
Her eyes twitched.
“Calm down.” He said quietly, grabbing her hands and rubbing them in his own to get her blood circulating, ignoring her shiver, “If you don’t want to, I’ll still speak to Victoria about letting you live. But it won’t be as comfy.”
“Think-think.” Ruby nodded.
He felt her heart rate slow as she focused, gnawing at her free hands claws.
“No, Ruby.” He said, “You have to be presentable. No chewing.”
She sighed, nodding and relenting as she crossed it over her chest.
“Here.” He said, grabbing it in his own again, “Think. Take your time.”
“Would make me wormtail.” She panicked, “No want. No want!”
“I won’t make you break old oaths. But I will make you honor ours before old ones.”
She shifted on her feet, unwilling to remove her hands from his.
“Calm, Ruby.”
“Calm-calm!” She hissed, wincing, “Sorry-sorry. Thinking.”
“That’s okay.” He nodded.
“Hurt?” She asked, “Hurt-kill? Kill Ruby?”
“No. I’m not fond of wasting lives. I’ll take them, but only if I’m being paid to.” He admitted, “But I will have to hurt you if you don’t listen.”
“Would listen!” She hissed, “No hurt!”
“I might if you need training. Training sometimes hurts.”
She began to cry, red tears staining pale fur, “No! Kind-gentle to Ruby! Like packmother before fur! No hurt!”
“I’m sorry, Ruby. I might have to.”
“Agh!” She grunted, bouncing on her toes, “Why-why? Hard!”
“Because I have to teach you. Being a mercenary is dangerous. You need to learn.”
“Smart-clever! Ruby no stupid-dumb!”
“Then you understand.”
Ruby hissed, twisting on her feet, “Hard!”
“Take your time. There’s no limit.”
“You feed, Ruby? Feed and take care of? Only hurt to teach?” She asked.
“Only to teach.” He agreed.
“Argh!” She grunted, “Fine-fine! Ruby,” She chittered, and rattled her teeth, “Swear-promise. Dog-Hunter is Ruby belong. Promise.”
He listened, “Merlin?”
“Genuine. Well done, this will go a long way, my boy. She will be a wellspring of information.”
Sorry, Ruby. He sighed to himself, “Good girl, Ruby.” He said, “So smart, so clever.” He rubbed her shoulders and her arms, watching her melt before him.
“Do you like being touched, Ruby?”
“No touch whitefur. Bad plague. Stink-smelly. Wrong-rotten.”
“Nobody’s ever touched you?”
“Only hurt-punish.”
“Poor thing.” He admitted, “Me too.”
“Yes-yes! Poor Ruby. Touch-stroke more.” She purred, leaning into him, “You keep oath?”
“I keep oath, Ruby.”
“Food-drink?”
----------------------------------------
“How’d you make it so docile?” Victoria asked.
“I talked to it. I made you docile, didn’t I?”
“I’m fairly certain that my civility is a requirement in my life at this point. Besides, didn’t you bite Harlow?”
“She started it.” Dog shrugged as he pulled off his shirt, readying himself for bed, “So what is it?”
“Is it so wrong that I lay with my Puppy?”
“Yes.”
“Cock.” Victoria sighed, relaxing into the mat at his side, “You’re growing, you know. I see it everyday. You’re talking more, you’re fighting less. You don’t even growl at John as often. You might be civilized by the time this campaign is over.”
“Maybe.”
“What happened?” She asked, “Between you and the elf?”
“She said her soul longs for mine.”
Victoria turned to him, eyes wide, “You Soulbound an elf?”
“Not on purpose. You know what that is?”
She laughed, “That is perfect, Dog. She’s tied to you now. You can make her do anything. We could have an in house elf. That opens so many contracts.”
“I told her not to.”
“Of course you did. Good Dog. But it doesn’t work like that. They can’t fight it, it’s basically a curse. She’s tied to any offspring you have as well, until your line dies or she’s killed. They’re incredibly valuable.”
“I don’t want it.”
Victoria paused, “Why? What bothers you?”
“I killed her comrades. It feels wrong to force that on her.”
Victoria smiled, her hand on his cheek, “My sweet, Puppy. You didn’t do anything, she did. A link like that starts on their side. It could only start because deep down she cares less about what you did then an elf should. It’s the only explanation.”
“It feels wrong.”
She frowned, “When did you get so sympathetic? It’s just an elf.”
“They aren’t just elves, Vick. They’re people like us. Don’t be so short sighted.”
“Excuse me?”
“They live, they feel, they think. I was less of a person then they are.”
Victoria eyed him.
“You need to rule over all kinds of subjects one day. Accept them now, learn them now. Many are complex, it will make your job easier.”
“You sound like Siegfried.” She sighed, “Stop learning so much, let me be the smart one.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I need you for this, Dog. Moments like this. Where someone will be honest with me. Moments like with the rat.” She said, “You help me gain focus, gain control. I need you.”
Dog felt his chest tighten.
“I’m so fond of you, you know.” Victoria said, “I don’t ever want to share my, Puppy. But I think I may have to learn to. You’re just too special.”
“I’m just Dog.”
“Here I was thinking you’d learned.” Victoria laughed, “Sleep, we ride in the morning. Don’t speak of your elf to anyone, it’ll ruin negotiations with this patriarch. We still need to get paid. I’ll find a better collar for your new pet in the morning, but don’t make Snow jealous.”
----------------------------------------
“Feet hurt-hurt.” Ruby whimpered, “Ride with Dog-hunter?“
“I can’t believe you’ve brought this thing with you.” Maestra eyed Ruby warily from Dog’s back.
“She is named, Ruby.”
“Ruby! Stupid elf-thing!”
“I am Ruby, stupid elf.” Dog corrected.
“I am Ruby, stupid elf!” Ruby laughed.
“Dog! Do not teach it how to insult me!” Maestra hissed.
“I’m not. I’m teaching her proper common.”
“Yeah elf-thing!”
“Elf.” Dog glanced back, “Elf, Ruby.”
She pouted, “Yes, Dog.”
“This is insane. It will be a miracle if they don’t execute her on the spot.” Maestra sighed, “Alran hates rats.”
“No!” Ruby hopped up onto Dog’s mount, “No let! Protect Ruby! Dog-Hunter promise-oath!”
“I did. He will die if he tries. They all will.” Dog said.
Ruby cheered.
“I’m doubting fate.”
“Good.” Dog said, “Why ride with me? Ariel has room.”
He watched the white haired woman ahead of them, the spitting image of Maestra.
“You know why. It’s awkward!”
“I barely spoke to her.”
“I already told you, that’s not how this works.”
“It should be. This is dumb.”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I want you to ride with Ariel. Your twin. Who's older…”
“We may emerge from our hollows at different times, even twins.” She shrugged, “She's fond of her hero, you know.”
“I didn’t talk to her more than once. It must be someone else.”
“It’s not. We know who it is, Dog.”
“Ugh.” He growled, lips curling. He pulled his hood over his head, Victoria eyeing him from the front of the column wearily.
“You are uncomfortable.” Maestra noted.
“Incredibly.”
“Very well, I shall try. We should speak anyway.” Maestra rose, leaping with the grace of a cat. She somersaulted through the air, landing on her sister's mount, the twin shifting nervously as they began to converse.
Ruby cheered, clambering onto Dog’s steed with a small hand up from him, rubbing into his back.
“I’m not going to disappear if you’re not touching me, Ruby.”
“Never had-had nestmate before.” Ruby chirped.
“So you’ve mentioned.
“Warm-warm. Dog-hunter is soft, and warm.“
“Your common is improving.” Dog noted, “How're your new clothes?”
“Comfy-tight.” Ruby said, “Need to fix later-sleep. Thread-needle?”
“Sure. I’ll ask around for something.”
“Can make old armor-leather better-fix. Will be fast-quick.”
“Ruby.”
“I can make old leather armor better. It would be fast.” She reiterated, mind focused on her tongue in her mouth as she did so.
“Good job.” Dog noted, “Why do you repeat yourself so often?”
Ruby beamed, “Murid speaks about posturing a lot. Lots of repeating. Lots of forcing points across. Carries over into common.”
“Very well done. I can tell you were trying.”
“Not try-try! Easy!” Ruby paused, cursing as she realized.
“You’ll get the hang of it. Give it some time, it’s only been a few days.”
“Promise-yes!” Ruby agreed.
“She’s almost civilized.” Victoria noted, dropping back from the head of the column, “And I thought I was a beast tamer.”
“Ma’am.” Dog nodded, “How goes the journey?”
“Steady. We are nearly upon the forest. Your pet elves say we are close.”
“Good. I’m tired of horses.”
“Grumpy boy.” Victoria chuckled, patting his shoulder, “Worry not, it will be over soon even if we must camp outside, which I expect.”
“Good.”
“Don’t fight anymore elves, Dog. Unless they hit you first, then massacre the damn knife-ears and be done with it.”
“Understood.”
“You’re looking better. Less green, for certain. How is your sight?”
“Recovered. It was not as painful as Merlin suggested. His magic works wonders, but I am too ill to fully use them. His lessons give me headaches. But i am learning.”
“That is because you are a monstrous little fellow!” Merlin called from the back.
Dog grunted.
“Dog is strong.” Ruby said, eyes focused on his back once more.
“Oh? How so?” Victoria asked, taking no small amount of delight in watching the rat-woman shiver.
“Stabbed with-“ She grunted, trying to enunciate correctly, “Beast-Kill venom. Very potent. Kills horses quick-fast.”
“He is rather durable.” Merlin agreed, “Running through the night at a sprint would have only circulated the poison, he fought it off mostly on his own. Nevermind the blood loss and existing wounds.”
“Strong.” Ruby said, eyes twinkling as she beheld Dog.
“Ugh.” He grunted.
“Stop being so fussy.” Victoria laughed.
“It’s not the first time I’ve been poisoned. It won’t be the last.” Dog shrugged.
Merlin hummed, but said nothing, winking at Victoria.
“Maestra? Ariel?” Victoria called, “Are we-“ Victoria yelped as Dog’s arm shot out, catching the arrow aimed at her eye in his muscle. He shoved her, letting her slide into the saddle sideways, her horse used as a makeshift barrier.
“Ambush!” Siegfried roared, “To your posts! Circle up!”
The mercenaries of Highgarden needed no further instruction, rolling their horses around and ducking behind them, readying arrows and lances of their own.
“Riders at the flanks, be prepared for-“ Dog cursed as a thundering pounding sounded out, goatmen charging out of the underbrush.
“Victoria!” Dog called.
“I’m fine!” She grunted, “Your arm-“
“Later. Lead!” He said, “Ruby, stay with Victoria.”
Dog leapt off his horse, bringing his axe to bear. Several goats paused, eyeing him and his weapon with knowing eyes as they slowed their assault. He spun it with ease, the head of the weapon whistling around his head.
“You know me, don’t you?” He asked.
“Killer.” A female goat bleated.
“So that’s what you call me?” Dog said.
“Dog! That one’s mind is weak! She will be good for intel!” Merlin called.
Dog grunted, swinging abruptly, and cleaving a Bovir in half. The others recoiled in horror, unable to overcome the instant death inflicted upon their tribesman, and unable to escape what followed. He charged, a hurricane of death and steel. He pinned the ewe down, ignoring her panicked cries and clumsy kicks, bringing his head forward in a sickening crunch.
“Dog!” Maestra called, and he turned through the carnage, watching as she and Ariel spun spears of ironwood, trying to drive their attackers back, Ariel’s thigh bleeding freely as she stumbled.
He cursed, dragging the ewe back and tossing it towards Merlin, before vaulting over his horse, his hand axes drawn. He brought them down on an unlucky ram’s chest, tearing it open in a shower of gore, before whirling on his knees to cut another apart at the legs. He twisted back, kicking off the ground and driving his third foe into the earth with his shoulder, smashing it's head apart against a rock in the road with a violent swing.
“Argh!” Dog howled, Victoria turning from her combat momentarily in surprise, watching as Dog butchered the remaining goats at their flank, absentmindedly cutting down her own foe as Ruby dashed through the trees, daggers sinking into throats or eyes with hardly a sound.
“Dog?” Maestra called.
He turned, hair dripping with another’s blood, “Are you alright?” He asked, his early tempered fury tamed.
“We are well. Ariel was only lightly wounded, she is not fully recovered.”
“Merlin?” Dog called.
“Coming! Any wounded come to me!” He called.
“Victoria?” Dog said, “Losses? Shall I pursue them?”
“None. Not alone. I’m not letting you out of my sight again.” Victoria said, “Leave them, we’re in elf territory. We don’t need anyone getting shot.”
“I can hunt.” Ruby said.
“No.” Dog replied, the urge to pursue heavy in his chest, “They’d definitely shoot you. You are not to leave my side. I told you to stay by Victoria.”
“I kill-kill! Protect Lady! You bleed.” Ruby noted.
Dog glanced at his arm, “Ah. I’ve got bandages.”
“You must ensure the arrow did not damage the muscle.” Maestra rolled her eyes, “Let me-“ Maestra grunted as Victoria shoved in.
“Apologies, Maestra. He requires a special medicine Merlin brewed due to his unusual constitution. I have it.” Victoria said easily.
Maestra slowly acquiesced, stepping back as Victoria turned her back to her, “You must not let anyone know. Wrap it for now, it was not deep. You will tell everyone I’ve applied a special medicine.”
Dog nodded, watching for a twist in Maestra’s ears, and finding none.
“There. All better.” Victoria smiled, “How did our foes sneak up on us? I thought they were mindless beasts.”
“They are clever in a cruel sense.” Maestra said, “Their hooves are quiet amongst the crags, it surprises me little that they could ambush most. Though how they escaped Dog’s nose is a wonder.”
“Poison is dulling my senses still.”
“That explains it.” Victoria sighed, “We move on once the wounded are treated.”
“I think not.” A firm voice called, “What brings the men of Korone so deep into our woods? Carrying a banner of diplomacy, no less?”
The woods moved, and Dog hefted his axe. They emerged atop trees with legs, and arms. A pair of yellow glowing eyes sat engraved in bark woven faces, the rumbling emanating from the enormous creatures making the ground shake. Heavy things that shambled with no sense of grace, each step a tribute to their mass as the earth rocked beneath them. Elves with bows and spears drawn, their angular helms full of wrath, and a promise of ruin.
Dog growled as a large creature stepped out of the trees, its legs as large as he was tall. It walked with an eerie grace, the ground shifting to accommodate him as if he was royalty. Long, muscled arms carrying a bow larger than Dog had seen, brandished with a casual familiarity. His human half was handsome, a strong jaw, and chin, with bright green eyes. Long, straight brown hair that matched the fur on his deer-like haunches flowed around a set of enormous antlers, his eyes heavy beneath a firm brow.
“Arlan.” Maestra said, “We have returned.”