Dog glared, his nostrils flaring as Victoria and Maestra chatted with the large man-elf, his axe held beneath white knuckles.

“Dog angry.” Ruby noted beneath her hood.

“I’m not.”

“Liar-liar.”

“Shush.” Dog grunted, returning to sharpening his axe.

“Why angry.”

“Enough.” Dog said.

“Okay.” Ruby surrendered, sitting back against his tent, staring up at the sky, “Clouds?”

Dog grunted, “The white things, yes.”

“Pretty.”

“Some would say.”

“Don’t like the sky?“

“It is the sky.”

“Grumpy.”

“Ruby.” Dog warned.

“Come nap. Hot.”

“Can’t. Bodyguard duty.”

“Victoria has elves. She is fine.”

Dog eyed the campground, the elves warming to his companions, but pointedly avoiding him. Many glared, the promise of hostility behind their eyes. The man-elves watched him like hawks, each rotating in unspoken shifts, giant war spears gripped in meaty hands.

“I don’t think they want me out of their sight.” He noted, matching each stare with one of his own.

“Fine. Do I sleep?”

“Go.” Dog nodded, patting her shoulder. She yelped with delight, crawling into his tent. He stood watch, ears and nose on alert for any approaching who felt too righteous about the rats presence.

“How're you feeling?” Ariel asked, striding up to him from a nearby group of elves.

“Unwanted.” Dog said.

He eyed her, still slightly mesmerized by her resemblance to Maestra, her ash white hair a stark contrast to her twins. He noted her thicker accent, and larger quiver. Her hips cocked as she eyed him, her hand under her chin as if she was deep in thought.

“Can I be of assistance?” Dog rasped.

“What’s wrong with your throat?” She asked, sitting opposite of him from his campfire pit.

“Just my voice.” He said.

“Truly? No injury?”

“No.”

“It’s almost kind of pretty.”

“Hmm.” Dog nodded.

“Where are you from?”

“Dunno.”

“Do you have any family?”

“No.”

“Not very talkative, are you?” Ariel asked.

“No. I’m just a bodyguard.”

“I’ve noticed. I felt rather well guarded. Never seen someone so strong outside of our men-folk.” Ariel noted.

“There are many stronger than me.”

Ariel cocked her head, “You know them?”

“My mentor, Siegfried the Vast. He is like a mountain with legs.”

“I suppose everyone must seem tall to you.” She laughed.

“Most.” Dog agreed, “He is big. Maybe bigger than the yearling over there.” Dog nodded to the elfman watching him.

“Truly?”

“Mmm.” Dog said, his whetstone harsh against his axe head.

“An axe is an interesting weapon.”

“Sometimes.”

“Why an axe?”

“It’s simple.”

“How so? You’re incredibly skilled. It's like no axe I’ve ever seen men wield, but then I’ve not seen many men, I suppose..”

“Axes are useful. Chop wood, dig holes, build camp. Easy to swing, easy to use, no special forms or techniques. You just use it.”

“A practical man, then.”

Dog nodded, “I suppose.”

“I wanted to thank you.”

“Don’t.”

Ariel blinked, “Why? You carried me on your back for a full day, shielding me with your own.”

“Don’t do this.” Dog stood, “I killed your friends. Stay away from me.”

Ariel nodded, “Maestra said you might be like this. It hurt her feelings.”

“I’m not good with feelings.”

“You aren’t.”

“You get it, so leave.”

“I can’t.”

“Try.”

“It’s not something you can fight. I didn’t have a say.”

“Hmm.”

“That’s my betrothed.” Ariel said, following Dog’s eyes, “He knows something is wrong, but he takes many lovers.”

“Is it common amongst elves?”

“Very. Men are rare. We rotate in shifts.”

“Shifts?”

“For child rearing. It takes one year and a half, I think is the way you would put it. We are slow to birth, and slightly slower to age. So we rotate, raising each other’s young. There are some who do not fight. They cook, they smith, amongst other things. The forest provides.”

“Hmm.”

“It’s strange. Not even a fortnight ago, and I was certain I loved him. I was ready to spend eternity with him. Now I couldn’t be less interested. It’s painful to see him hurting so, but not understanding why. They all suspect something, but Maestra asked me not to say.”

“They’ll figure it out.”

“They will, our hairs changed, and our other comrades perished. They’ll know it’s one of the humans.”

“Joy.”

“So acidic.” She laughed again, “You are an honest man, if a little short.”

“Why is everyone always so concerned about my height?”

“It’s the first thing they notice. Other than the scowl. Dog is a rather fitting name. You’re quite scruffy. I’m fond of the slobbering beasts, Maestra wasn’t, but they’re so joyful. You’re more like a wolf.”

“You’d think it would be the axe they notice.”

“They notice that it looks too big for you.”

Dog felt a retort on his lips, and killed it instantly, “Don’t. Do not drag me in. I serve another. This will likely be the last we see of each other. Whatever is happening, I want no part of it.”

“I’m not asking you to serve me.”

“Don’t ask anything of me.”

“I saw the look in your eye.”

Dog cocked his head.

“You really are a dog.” She smiled, “Maestra didn’t notice, I did. That fury when you saw her surrounded. She is your comrade now, if nothing else. You must think she’s apart of your pack, in some way. Combat at each other’s side.”

“Stop.”

“Leave, if it bothers you so.”

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“I can’t.”

“Why?”

“Ruby sleeps. I cannot leave her. Too many angry eyes.”

“You care for it?” Ariel asked.

“I made an oath.”

“You’d honor it, to her kind?”

“She is as much a living being in my eyes as you are.”

“Knowing what their kind do, you would persist?”

“Knowing what I did to people you call family, you would.” He pointed out.

Ariel paused.

“You see many species in mercenary work. You learn to live alongside them. All want to live.” He said, “You elves live in bubbles, hidden. Many of you see little of the world. Maybe that is wise, it is a terrible place. But for some so old, you know so little outside your forests.“

Ariel blinked.

“I served once with an Ishlan. He was a decent sort, and bought me a pie. Ended up taking a ballista to the chest while we were shoving a battering ram up to the gates. I brought his armor and sword to his daughter, or what was left of it. We were besieging an Ishlan fort manned by Ishlan and orc mercenaries. That was not a special circumstance.”

“I see. You are well traveled.”

“Unfortunately.” He said, “Or maybe fortunately. I do not know.”

“Are you… Well?”

Dog hesitated, “I do not know how to answer the question.”

“Dog!” Victoria called.

Ariel watched as the cracks in his wall reformed before her eyes. The short hounds' emotions faded in an instant at her voice, his face its usual frown. He stood as she approached, eyes keen.

“They have agreed to discuss terms with Louen. The situation here was dire, they are low on food, and water. Apparently their stock was poisoned by tge rats. The caravan will be returning with us to Korone to defend against the coming siege. I was just discussing your performance with our good friend, Arlan.”

“Is this your hound?” Arlan’s deep voice said, his tone light, despite the rage in his eyes, “Victoria Highgarden speaks highly of you, Dog. My people are in your care.”

Dog grunted.

“Not a man of many words.” Arlan eyed him up and down, “Understood then. My good Lady Victoria.” He gave her a handsome smile, Dog’s lips threatening to curl back.

The wood around Dog’s new hand axe shattered as Arlan placed a warm hand upon his mistress’s shoulder.

“Dog?” Victoria asked, “Good Gods, your hand!”

He glanced down, expression blank at the mangled mess of bone and blood that made up his right first, eyes blank, “Ah.”

Ruby’s eyes watched, studying the scene from the depths of his tent.

“Ah?” Victoria scowled, “What just happened? Ariel, fetch Merlin. The poison must still be acting up, I don’t-“

“I’m fine.” Dog said, wrapping his hand in his cloak and tossing the remains of his new hand axe in the fire pit, “Summon if you need me.”

Victoria hardly had a chance to utter another word as Dog vanished into the trees, Arlan watching with a newfound concern, his eyes unable to track the slayer of his people.

----------------------------------------

What are you still doing here? I told you. He whispered as Dog stared into his reflection in the river.

“Won by the sword, taken by the sword.” Dog repeated, an unfamiliar tightness in his chest.

They’re all going to betray you. They’re all just using you.

“No different than you.”

I didn’t lie about it. I was honest. There’s no need to lie to a dog unless you’re truly scum.

“You are truly scum, brother.”

We both are. Did you honestly think you could help anyone? You’re a killer, nothing more.

“I know.” Dog said softly.

Come home.

“No.”

Why do you insist on torturing yourself?

“I will live and die as I see fit.”

Not according to that whore. Your mind is so open to me these days, she’s done nothing but weaken you. Look at your sorry state.

“Enough.”

Why? It’s the truth.

“You’re a liar. I have not forgotten what you did to her. What you did to all of us.”

I did it for us! For her! You all lack my vision! You all need me!

“Go away.”

I don’t think so. They’re poisoning you, Dog.

“Your words are a poison like theirs.” Dog shrugged, “Why does it matter where I get it from?”

Because you are our family! My family!

“I have no family.”

You little- Dog smashed the blonde reflection in the water. He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to silence the voice there, trying to tame the new sensations in his chest. His mind drifted to a realm it dared not to in the past, a warm, heavy body to his back, her arms wrapped around him. He smiled up at her bright eyes and blonde hair.

“You’re a good boy,” She pressed a finger to his nose, “Do not let your brother convince you otherwise. You did not act out of hate, but out of love, my little light. Your heart is kind.”

“I hurt them, I didn't mean to.”

“You are my pride and joy. I have looked after you since before you could ride across the plains. I know my boy's heart, I know your brother is wrong about you. There is something… Not right in him. Be wary of him. I love him, he is my son, but we must understand that he doesn’t think like you and I. He is sick inside. We will find someone to get him help.”

“Can I get help? Dog’s heart twisted in his chest as her beautiful face morphed into a smile of agony.

“Of course, beloved. I’m sorry I could not do more, my little light.”

“Dog.” Dog’s ears twitched, Ruby in the canopy above him, “What hurts, Dog?”

“Nothing.” He said, “My hand is okay.”

“Not hand.” She said quietly, “Smell wrong. Pain.”

“I’m not in any, Ruby. I barely feel my hand.”

“Different pain.” She sniffed, “Don’t understand. Not the same smell of pain. Different.”

Dog blinked, “I’m not sure.”

“Your eyes. They leak.”

“They do.” Dog admitted, “Don't tell anyone. Okay?”

“Oath?”

“It would be important to me.”

“Ruby swears not to tell of leaky eyes.”

“Thanks, Ruby.” He chuckled.

“Why alone?”

“It helps me focus my thoughts.”

“Alone is bad for rats. Rats die alone.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes. Ruby knows. Ruby is always alone. Dog always alone, too.”

“I wasn’t always.”

Ruby dropped down at his side, not making a sound, “Other dogs? Pack?”

“Once. When I was very young.”

“Strong like Dog?”

“Stronger.” Dog said, “Much stronger. Some are nicer, some are meaner.”

Ruby paused, “You tell Victoria-thing no pack.”

“I did.”

“You tell Ruby pack.”

“I do.”

“You… Lie to Victoria?”

“Sort of.” He admitted, “It's not easy to explain. I don’t enjoy thinking about it, let alone talking about it. Whenever I do, things don’t make sense. Things aren’t clear. I would not want to mislead her.”

“Tell-tell, Ruby.” She said, eager.

“When I was young, I was raised by a very kind person. She was like looking at the sun.” Dog said, “I’ve always only been good at killing. But she was good at lots of things. She could cook, make armor, hunt, anything really. She raised lots of us. I guess you could say the other children were like my family.”

“Broodmother? Nestmother?

“More like a nestmother.” Dog said, “She was very kind. She protected us, taught us. One day one of my brothers did something very bad, and she died. Then he traded me for a dog, and I left.”

“Oh…” Ruby said, “You share nest? Like Ruby and Dog?”

“We lived together, yes.” Dog raised his axe, “This was hers.”

“Strong?”

“Very strong. The strongest. She was not like any other person I have ever met. That’s why the axe is so strange.”

“Ooh…” Ruby whispered in awe, “Claw heirloom?”

“Claw?” Dog asked.

“Yes. Dog Claw. Packmaster Dog. Great axe very important, yes?”

Dog laughed, “You could look at it that way.”

Ruby froze, “Dog laughed? Very rare treasure. New heirloom.”

Dog shook his head mirthfully, “Sure. What brings you here?”

“Saw blood. Saw hand. Followed.”

“Yeah?”

“Yes. What happen? Poison clean. Can’t smell it. Angry?”

“I was.” He admitted, “Now I don’t know.”

“Ruby… Ruby think…I think…”

“Yes?”

“I feel different.” Ruby said, eyes focused, “I don’t understand. Correct? Yes-yes?”

“Excellent.” He agreed, rubbing her head.

“Not fear. Feel different. Shoulders aren’t heavy. Blades easier to swing, to throw. Eyes clearer.”

“I’m not sure what that might be.”

Ruby nodded, “Fear or anger. Think I am sick. Rats only feel anger fear. Greed, lust, gluttony. Hungry. Always so hungry.”

“That sounds annoying.”

“Yes. Less hungry now. Sun is nice. Animals are curious.”

“The sun is nice.” He agreed.

“Why no tell Victoria? Why lie?”

“I don’t see them as family, really. It's less confusing for her this way. For everybody. I’ve never told anyone about this. But they aren’t my family, I can’t see them that way. They might, but I don’t.”

“Not Dog Claw?”

“No.” Dog said, “If you ever see someone who looks just like me, but is as tall as Victoria, with blonde hair, don’t talk to him. Run away from him. Do not let him find you.”

Ruby shivered, “Afraid?”

“Yes. He is stronger than Siegfried. Stronger than Victoria.”

“Danger? Dog weaker?”

“Much weaker. He could kill me in a heartbeat.”

“Clear!” She giggled, “Ruby sound like Dog. Silly.”

“You do.” He nodded, “Don’t tell Victoria. If something happens, I’ll deal with it.”

“Victoria hurt you?”

“Maybe.”

“How hurt?”

“It’s a pain of the heart. But it’s not her fault. It’s mine.”

“Heart? Dog dying?”

“No.” He laughed again, “It’s hard to describe. How would you feel if I said you couldn’t sleep in my tent anymore?”

Ruby recoiled, “Ruby mistake? Ruby lie? What Ruby do?”

“No, Ruby. I’m asking it as a… Hypothetical I think is the word. A hypothetical question. Imagine that situation.”

Ruby sat back, “Don’t want to.”

“Imagine you had to, though. You’d be angry, right?”

“Yes.”

“Then after?”

“Hard to word. Common hard.”

“That after is what I’m feeling.”

Ruby blinked, “I think I understand.” She said, “Dog smart. How do? Magic like Merlin?”

“I’m surprised I worded that so well too, if I’m honest.”

“Dog smart.”

“I’m just Dog.”

“You get Ruby wine?”

“Sure.”