“Dog!” Siegfried called.
Dog trotted over to where he stood, sweat slick against his scar marred skin. The sun beat down on him like a man with a club, his eyes shaded beneath his hood. Sig smiled down at him, bright eyes full of pride as mercenaries clashed and sparred around them.
“It’s time to get checked out by Doc, Victoria’s orders.” He opened the tent flap, guiding Dog inside, “You put John through his paces today, well done. I'd like to see you and Dread spar a few times when they return."
“Hmm.” Dog nodded, pulling off his shirt and setting himself on the bench.
“Looking better, Dog.” The doctor noted, stepping away from her desk, “Really, I swear.”
He stared the mouse-like blonde woman up and down, noting her strange spectacles, and bright brown eyes. Her skin was a sickly pale from a lack of sun, and she lacked much of the muscle that many of her comrades had.
“I’m fine.” Dog agreed.
“Victoria’s orders.” Sig reminded him.
Dog grunted, and stilled.
“Can I examine you, Dog?”
He nodded impatiently.
She poked and prodded his ribs, listening to his heart and stomach with an ear to his belly and chest.
“He’s free to pick up heavier sparring, Sig. Honestly I’m amazed, I’ve never seen someone recover so quickly.”
“I was fine last week.” He argued.
“I needed to make sure.” She smiled, “Don’t need you getting gutted on the battlefield and having Victoria gunning for me.”
“I wouldn’t.”
“All mercenaries bleed, Dog. Now go, before you tap a hole through my surgery table.”
Dog was out of the tent in seconds, heading towards the enormous tent at the center of camp.
“She spoils him.” The doctor warned.
“She’s fond of her new toy, Miriam.” Siegfried smiled, “The boy isn’t so bad, don’t take it personally.”
“I wouldn’t if he didn’t look at me like he was trying to set me on fire. Watch her, Sig.” Miriam grunted, adjusting her glasses.
“He’ll get better.” Siegfried promised, “From what the Miss says, he’s spent his whole life on the battlefield. He has no friends, no family. Just combat. That does things to a boy.”
“How old is he?” Miriam asked, her glare softening.
“A little younger than Victoria, maybe a year or a bit more, based on his actions.”
“Looks like Harlow’s older than him too, then. He's the youngest captain. That's even more worrisome. He's just a boy. How's he meant to lead anything?”
“He’s learning, slowly.”
“He’d learn better if she didn’t baby him like some child.”
“She’s never had someone to be so honest with. To be herself with.”
“She has you. You being here is exactly why she isn’t a little monster anymore.”
“She does, but I am just someone to impress. This is someone she chose. Another step on her journey, one she personally picked. He’s a part of that dream now, I think.”
----------------------------------------
“Puppy.” Victoria noted, smiling as Dog threw open the tent flap, setting himself on his mat near the door, “How was your check up? Training?”
“I told you I was fine.” He grunted, “When is the next battle? The next campaign?”
Victoria laughed, “Soon, I’m just waiting on our new contract.”
“How long?”
“So impatient.” She chided, “Come.”
He grunted, rising and sitting at the stool nearest to her.
“Here.” She pointed at the spot near her desk, eyes scanning over roll after roll of parchment.
He moved his chair forward, his leg pressed against her own.
“I hear you’ve been fighting with Harlow again.” Victoria said, tossing a piece of parchment in the nearby fire.
“She started it.”
“Did she? And how did she do that?”
“She said I couldn’t hit her.”
“So you did.”
“Yes.”
“Was this in a spar?”
“No.”
She sighed, “Dog, you cannot be taunted into Harlow’s games. You need to try to fit in with your comrades.”
“Why? I don’t listen to them.”
“Because you are all mine. Stop picking fights.” She scolded, “Am I clear? Do not do this again. That was the third time.”
“They should stop challenging me then. I’m not losing.”
Victoria laughed, “True. You’d think they’d learn. Even still, do not make me repeat myself again. You two could really hurt each other.”
“What if they hit me first?”
“Then break them.” Victoria shrugged, “But no more antagonizing them. Words are just that. You do not need to prove anything to anyone, you are mine. That’s all that matters.”
“I’ll try.” He glared at the ground.
She smiled mirthfully, “Good boy.” She pressed her lips to his forehead, ignoring his glare and red cheeks, “You are being punished tonight.”
He glanced towards her, “How?”
“You’ll be attending dinner. You’ll be at my side, so don’t fuss too much. But there will be a crowd.” He hissed, “Relax. You wouldn’t be here if you ever listened. We’re taking donations for the men you killed, so be on time. Be dressed, and not in your gear!”
He grunted.
“Dog, I expect you to listen tonight. Be on your best behavior, and pay attention. You need to start connecting with these people. They’re your brothers and sisters in arms.”
“They challenged me.”
“They did. But the Highgarden mercenary band is more than just a band of mercenaries, we’re family, soldiers. We are honorable, and we look after our own. Toma, Jed, and Cod. Good men, peasant boys too enamored with John. They did try to kill you, so you killed them. But that’s behind us now, behind all of us. Clear?”
“Understood.”
She sighed, “Think of it this way. Do you see my bed?”
He nodded,
“You wouldn’t ruin my bed, would you? Let someone else break it, sleep in it, destroy it?”
“No.”
“Treat the men the same way. All of this is mine. You are my guard dog, so guard it. What is won by the sword must be taken by the sword Dog, fight for what’s mine.”
“Fine. I get it.”
“You’ve fought along other mercenaries before. Why do you struggle?”
“I didn’t have to like them.” He said.
“That’s true.” She admitted, “Try. Clear?”
“Clear.”
“Good.” Victoria placed a hand on his chest, her nose wrinkled, “Go freshen up, then put on the new clothes I had purchased. You need to look nice when-“
“Ma’am.” Siegfried’s hulking form poked through the entryway, “The Bloodhound company is here, their leader is awaiting your arrival,”
“I’ll be right there.” Victoria stretched her arms, “Go, stand at my back, opposite to Sig like we’ve practiced.”
----------------------------------------
“I see you’ve not gotten any less arrogant.” Victoria yawned, eyeing the man say at the end of her war table, “I’m not going to repeat myself, the answer is no. I will not marry back into royalty, Karl. I will earn it through blood, coin, and service. Now did you have any business for us, or was this your only proposal?”
Karl grinned, his teeth like daggers. The man was taller than John, with deep coal eyes and well kept black hair. His body was lithe, and tone like a panther. Muscles rippled and moved like waves as he shifted in his seat. His fingers were adorned with rings of gold and silver, a heavy golden chain around his neck. He carried a lance at his side, his armor still around his horse’s bags.
“You’re certain? I’m sure an arrangement between us would be beyond beneficial.” Karl smiled, “You’re beautiful, you’re a capable warrior, and you’re the smartest woman I know. What could I offer you?”
“Nothing, Karl.” Victoria pressed, “My dream simply does not include you. I will do this for myself, by myself, with no shortcuts. My ability will be undeniable.”
Karl’s lips twitched, “Surely you must see the mountain before you? This is no easy hill to climb.”
“Mountain or not, it will be done.”
“And who’s this runt?” Karl’s eyes were sharp despite his smile, “I didn’t think you took on halflings. Haven’t seen one of those creatures beyond their valleys.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed, “Mind yourself, Karl. Royalty or not, I will not tolerate disrespect to my company. Insult me all you wish, they are to be left out of it.”
“I’m surprised you consider it a soldier at all.” Karl laughed, “Look at it. Look at that axe. Is it a child playing pretend?”
“Karl.” Victoria warned, “Behave, my company is not hurting so much that we need your support, we had a wonderful campaign and I-“
Victoria fell silent as Dog’s axe tapped the back of her chair.
She turned to him, eyes narrowed as she whispered, “Let me handle this. We cannot tolerate any disrespect.”
“His scent is weak. I have handled taunts before.” He rasped, “Stand for yourself. Do not waste words on me.”
“This is about the entire company, not just you.” She argued.
“He’s only belittling me. Let it go.” He shrugged, eyes distant.
“Does the little mongrel speak for you now, Vicky?” Karl laughed, “You even dressed it. How quaint. I didn’t take you to be one to lay with the help. Your dowry will not be large for this, you know.”
“Karl-“
Victoria was cut off as Dog raised his voice, “Ma’am.”
Karl’s eyes narrowed, “What?”
“You are not her equal, so do not address her as such. She is ma’am, or Lady Victoria.” Dog yawned.
“Dog!” Victoria hissed.
“So he’s got a mouth, does he? Just when I thought you’d gotten rid of your problem child, you picked up another.” Karl’s eyes smoldered, “When did you let your pets get so bold, Vicky?”
Dog pulled his axe free, “You will respect her wishes, or I will take your head.”
Karl stood, pulling his spear free, “Really now?”
“Relax, young Cub.” Siegfried hushed, his hands on Dog’s axe.
“I will not. She is my lord, won through combat. Dishonor upon her is dishonor upon me. I’ll not shame my blade.” He raised his axe, “You! Trial by combat. I win, you concede defeat and abandon your absurd mating requests. I lose, they continue and you get my axe.”
“Dog!” Victoria’s hands were daggers on his arm.
“You beat me.” Dog turned to her, “You would allow a weakling to disrespect you? Shall I take another challenge? Against you perhaps?”
Victoria’s eyes hardened, “You have no right betting my hand like this! Obey your mistress!”
“Betting?” Dog asked, “Are you under the impression I would lose?”
“Well- No but… Sig?”
Siegfried eyed Karl, the princeling fuming at the opposite end of their table, “I think he’d beat him no contest. But young Cub, this is not acceptable behavior, you cannot challenge a lord, let alone a mercenary captain to something-“
“Enough talk.” Dog rolled his eyes, “Well? Your highness? Are you a warrior or a browbeat? Which is it?”
Karl ground his teeth, “You’ll soon find out welp, but not for such paltry terms. My lance, my woman, and my horse. Your axe, your woman, and your horse.”
“Done.” Dog shrugged.
Victoria fumed, “You little bastard.”
“Are we doing this or what?” Dog rolled his shoulders.
“You bet your rotten ass we are! The courtyard, now!”
Dog strode past his commanders, axe in hand. He found Karl outside the tent, drawing a square box. He drew a line across the center, and glared up at Dog.
“Don’t blame me if you die!” Karl growled.
“Hmm?” Dog asked, shaking his head, “What’d you say?”
“Argh!” Karl roared, “Sir Siegfried! I expect you to chaperone the match. Let it be known by all that the former lord Siegfried is an excellent judge of character and an honorable warrior. Do you agree, mutt?”
“Sure?”
“Rat bastard! Do you know who I am? Where do you get off acting so nonchalant?” Karl said, “I’m going to take your head off!”
“Dog! I forbid this!” Victoria screamed, “Don’t you dare!”
“Do you doubt me?” He asked.
“This is not about doubt! This is about my life!”
“Did you not take mine by the sword?” He asked, letting her pull him to the corner of the ring.
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“Exactly! You lost! You belong to me! Listen to me!” She demanded.
“I am.” He shrugged.
“How? I’m not your woman to bet! I don’t belong to you!”
“He doesn’t think so.”
“Dog you just got better! He’s no joke! He’s a lord!”
“Then he’d best not let me tarnish his pretty face.” Dog grunted, “Relax, it’ll be over in a moment and you won’t have to deal with him anymore. Let me fulfill my orders.”
Victoria glared as he pushed past her, stepping into the center of the ring.
“Are both parties ready?” Siegfried called.
“Yes!” Karl said.
“Aye.” Dog groaned.
“What the hell is going on?” John asked, Harlow watching at his back, “Ma’am?”
“Dog has decided the best way to deal with our good friend Karl is through combat. He bet me, his axe, and his horse.” Victoria said through gritted teeth.
“Dog don't have a horse.” John paused, his eyes widening a fraction of a second later, “He bet who?”
“Begin!” Siegfried called.
Dog grinned, and Victoria shivered as his axe blurred. Karl failed to register his attacker’s assault. His body crumbled around the blunt edge of Dog’s axe, sending him skidding through the dirt. Karl’s body twisted as he was forcibly dragged across the ground, the gathering crowd gasping in shock as both sides recoiled at the brutality. He'd been smacked as if by a bat, the force so vivid every inch of his body was bent, or broken. An attack so fast, so calculated, that few present could even track it.
Karl groaned, his spear shattered and in pieces around his broken body. He rose, his left arm lower than it should have been, his eye swollen, and bleeding. He staggered forward, collapsing outside the ring in a bruised and bloody heap.
“Did I win?” Dog asked, looking up to Siegfried.
Siegfried laughed, “I do believe so my boy. As per the terms of the duel, his lance, his woman, and his horse.”
Dog approached Karl, flipping him over, his axe held over his crotch as the crowd surged forward, John wrapping him in a bear hug and hefting him off the ground as Karl’s black and red armored retinue launched forward, shoving themselves between their lord and his foe.
Dog blinked, “What?”
“His weapon you dumb bastard! His literal metallic lance! The lance belonging to the Coldharbor household! Not his cock!” John explained through his laughter.
Dog frowned, “Well, damn.”
“Don’t tell me you-“ John laughed again as the crowd receded, “You crazy motherfucker.”
Siegfried cleared his voice, “Would any of the esteemed Bloodhound company bring forth the items of the duel?”
A man eyed Dog warily as he led a black stallion larger than Siegfried through the crowd. A woman sat atop it, lance held across her lap, and a claymore strapped to her back. She was tan around her eyes and arms, and slightly lighter everywhere else. She beheld him with pale blue eyes that shone beneath messy brown hair. Streaks of yellow gave her head the appearance of a thunderstorm atop her head. What Dog found most notable were the two fluffy canid ears cresting her scalp, lined with a similar yellow tufts of hair to the streaks that ran across her mop.
“Are you my new master?” She asked.
“I guess. How old are you?” Dog asked.
“I’m nineteen summers old.” She replied.
“You’re taller than me.”
“I’m taller than most people.”
Dog nodded, “That’s true.”
“By the gods there’s two of them.” John groaned.
Dog turned, taking the lance from his new slave and tossing it to John, “Here. Sell that and the horse, give the money to those kids. That’s my contribution.”
John stared dumbly as the canid girl bowed, before following after Dog.
----------------------------------------
“Why’re you following me?” Dog asked as he sat upon an overturned tree. He stared out across the camp city, watching as the Bloodhounds packed their horses in preparation to leave.
“You are my master. I will go where you go.” She said.
“I don’t really care about any of that. I only challenged him so he’d leave Victoria alone. I was hoping I’d get to cut his cock off, then he couldn’t pursue her anymore.” Dog clicked his tongue.
“You bet your own?”
“I wouldn’t bet something I wasn’t willing to take. What is won by the sword must be taken by the sword. I bet my axe, after all. That’s way more important.” He shrugged, “You’re free to go. I don’t need a slave.”
“Oh.” She nodded, “I think I’ll stay.”
“Why?”
“I don’t really see a reason to go anywhere else.” She shrugged, sitting on the log nearest to him.
“If you want. I don’t know what I’d make you do though.” He said.
“Karl liked my mouth.” She suggested, “I was pretty good at bed warming. I’m decent with my blade.”
Dog glanced at her, “Yeah?”
“Yeah. He said so at least. He said he couldn’t marry me cause I’m an Ishlan, but he promised to make me his concubine.”
“How’d you feel about that?”
“I didn’t want to marry him or be his concubine.”
“So what do you want?”
She was quiet for a moment, “I don’t know. I know I don’t want to die. Or be a slave. I want to live.”
“Well then live till you figure it out, I guess.” Dog suggested.
“What do you want?”
“Nothing.” Dog shrugged, “I can eat, sleep, and fight. That’s all I know or need.”
“That’s it?”
“Why so judgemental? You don’t know if you want anything.” He asked.
“That’s true. Will you keep me till I figure it out?”
“Sure.” He shrugged, “We will go on campaign soon, you ever been?”
“Yeah. Why do you sound weird?”
“Don’t know.”
“You don’t seem surprised by my ears like most are.”
“I’ve met your kind down south. Vicious fighters, crafty too. Their swords are very strong.” He said, “I served with one. He bought me a pie once.”
“Have you been to many places?”
“Yep.”
“Can we go see them?” She asked, “I’ve only been to the north. This is my first time this far south.”
“Maybe.” He shrugged, “Depends on where Victoria wants to go.
“Why do you follow her? You are strong.”
“She beat me.”
“How?”
“I was half dead. She probably could still beat me now, though.”
“She’s that strong?” She asked.
“Yes. What’s your name, anyway?”
“I didn’t not have one. He just called me Ishlan.”
“Were you not born in the south?” He asked.
“No. I think I was born in a slave caravan. I have known Karl since I was very young.”
“You’re not fond of him?”
“No. He didn’t really like me. It’s not his fault, though. The master and mistress aren’t very nice.”
“Sucks for him.”
“You seem nice, though.”
“I’m just, Dog.”
“Why do they call you Dog? Why do you have so many scars?”
“I was traded for one when I was young. So I’m Dog. I have fought in many battles.”
“Oh. That sounds sad.”
“Eh.”
“What should my name be?”
“Whatever you want. You’re the one who has to live with it.”
“Can you think of anything pretty?” She asked.
He looked around, “Yeah.”
“What?”
“Snow.” He said, staring off towards the nearby mountains, “They don’t have much snow in Ishlan. I think they might think it’s pretty.”
“I don’t like Snow. But it is a pretty name.”
“I’m glad.”
“Dog, you bastard!” Victoria hollered from beneath the hill. She charged towards him, tackling him off the log as she screamed, “What were you thinking? What if you’d been killed? What if you’d gotten him killed? He’s a noble, Dog!”
“Then he’d die on the battlefield. Nobles do that all the time. Would not be the first I gutted.” He said.
“You’re an idiot. A fucking moron.”
“What? Now you don’t have to deal with him unless he wants to get beat up again.”
“You thought you were betting cocks? Are you mad?” She slapped him, “You brain dead imbecile. Why on earth would you bet your prick?”
“So if I won he’d have to leave you alone forever.” He shrugged, “Mage can’t reattach what he can’t find. Man I knew paid to have his grown back, didn’t work right. Would’ve been the perfect plan.”
“You are insane.”
“What? You told me to fight for you.”
“I didn’t mean like this! You disobeyed direct orders!”
“You gave conflicting orders, I followed the first one.”
“I refuse to believe you are this dumb.”
Dog cracked a smile.
Victoria glared, “I should skin you for this.”
“Make sure to get my cock too.”
“You little bastard.”
Dog shrugged, “Everything worked out, and they’re after my head if anybody’s. Why don’t you go celebrate.”
“I am so violently angry I cannot even begin to imagine celebrating. What if you died?”
“Then I die.” He said, “I’ve lived on the battlefield my whole life. You only know me because you watched me kill someone. You’re going to send me into battle.”
“Who said such a preposterous thing? You are guarding me at the command post!”
Dog’s eyes narrowed, “Why waste me? You let Siegfried fight.”
“Siegfried has been fighting longer than either of us have been alive. He taught me the blade.”
“He’s taught me.”
“You’ve been around a few weeks at best, Dog. What could you have learned?”
“Enough. Why do you care?” He sighed, rolling Victoria off him, “Just give me my orders. Have some faith, I’m no rank amateur.”
“I don’t want to see anything I own die a pointless death.”
“Mercenaries are expendable by nature.”
“Not to me.”
“Don’t lie. There’s no purpose.” He said, “Why keep me around if not to have someone to be honest with.”
Victoria hesitated, “Perhaps you are right.”
“Perhaps I am.”
“I can’t tell if you’re the dumbest or smartest man I know.”
“Why does everyone keep saying I’m dumb? It worked, didn’t it?”
Victoria sighed, taking his face in her hands, smiling to herself as Dog froze, “I am appreciative of what you did, Dog. But that’s not how to do it. You must allow me to wield you. That could have gone very poorly. You’re lucky Karl is dumb. I do not want to waste your life.”
“I wouldn’t take a fight I couldn’t win.” He replied, “He was weak. I gave John money so he’ll stop picking fights with me, and I scared Harlow.”
“You seriously thought that far ahead?”
He held up three fingers, “Stop fighting with Harlow, get along with the men, and stop your pest. I succeeded at all three, I think.”
Victoria paused, “Maybe you aren’t so dumb.”
“I followed all your orders.”
“Well, most.” She conceded, “I suppose I can’t be too angry, you did clean up your mess. Even if I prefer you discuss this with me first. Really, betting me as your woman?”
“Technically I didn’t bet anyone. I have no loved ones, no horse. I did bet my cock though. He was too stupid to check first. I never even said I had any of those things.”
“Maybe you are an idiot, I change my mind.”
“What? It’s not like I need it.”
She frowned, “Are you truly not seeing anyone?”
He paused to think, “No, I don’t think so. I’ve only been with a single woman, and it was only for a few months during a siege to the north. Mostly for the warmth.”
“You are very strange. Why?”
“Eh. Nobody interesting.”
“You’re fairly handsome too. Especially if we don’t let your hair grow out again. Even with the scars.” Victoria noted, “Maybe I’ll have you breed a pretty peasant, give me a generation of little monsters like yourself. They’d all be short, and unsuspecting. I imagine eventually we’d be able to breed the feral out of them.”
“I’m not even that short, you’re all just tall. Must be jealous that I don't need to duck during a siege.”
“No, you need a stool instead.”
They glared at one another, before breaking into a pair of laughing smiles.
“Ah…” Victoria sighed, sitting up and pressing her shoulder to his, “Don’t do that again, please?”
“Is that an order or a request?”
“Both? I suppose.” She said, “Anybody else and they’d be getting lashes for this. There is a reason they’re all well behaved. I’m serious.”
“If you want. Doesn’t change anything. I’d do it again.”
“I know.” She said, taking his hand in her own, “I know.”
“Sorry.” He conceded.
“It’s odd. I know we’ve just met, it’s only been a little while, and yet I feel like I’ve known you all my life.”
“That is odd.”
Victoria punched him, “You cock!”
“What?” He snickered.
“When did you get a sense of humor? You talk so much lately. I find myself unsure of how to respond at times, I’m so used to all the growling.”
“I can go back to that, if you’d like.”
“Must you be such a pain?”
“You’re free to release me at any time you like.”
Victoria’s eyes hardened, “Puppy?”
“Hmm?” He asked.
“Don’t ever joke about that again.“
He glanced at her, “Aye ma’am.”
The storm clouds in her eyes faded, “Good boy.”
----------------------------------------
“Un-fucking believable.” John slurred, “The little fuck could get away with murder.”
“You’re telling me.” Harlow grunted, “He basically did.”
“Those were good men. My men.” John growled out, “He left those kids fatherless. He thinks a horse and a metal stick is going to fix that?”
Siegfried chuckled, “You attacked him, John.”
“He’s a little monster, Sig.” Harlow argued, “Have you seen his face when he fights? He looks bored. Who looks bored when they’re gutting a man? It’s not right.”
“He’s known this trade longer than the both of you. He’s also younger, I’d bet. You should take the peace offering today for what it was.” Siegfried said.
“Peace offering? What kind of peace offering is nearly killing a noble and betting the Lady!” Harlow exclaimed.
“You didn’t notice?” Siegfried laughed, “He was smiling. I know Karl isn’t any kind of slouch, he’s one of the stronger knights in Cordon. That peace treaty was him telling you he’s been holding back, and it’s frustrating him. He’s saying you’re going to get bit unless you leave it alone.”
“You could tell all of that from a fight that lasted less than a second?” Harlow asked.
“You look at him the wrong way. The boy is feral, you need to remember that. He’s more like a dog than you realize.”
“I see it fucking perfectly. He’s an animal.”
“You dumbasses.” Sig laughed, “Trust me. Try responding to him like you would a guard dog.”
The two exchanged looks.
“You guys gotta give him space. If he needs your attention he’ll get it. Otherwise, leave him be. When I was younger,”
“Like a hundred years ago.” Harlow mumbled.
“Maybe.” Siegfried laughed, “When I was young, an ocean away there was another land the lords to the west had designs on. When we went, we didn’t last. Men who used wood as armor, and wielded blades as thin as paper. Light, and fast. They used these giant dogs as big as lions as scouts, and mounts. You’d hear them in the night, tearing men to pieces. They were violent, merciless, and efficient. Sound like somebody you know?”
John paused, “Yeah, actually.”
“Funny thing about these dogs,” Siegfried began, “They were totally different beasts around their masters and families. Like giant puppies. I watched one go from ripping its challenger apart to slobbering in his master’s son’s lap for ear scratches. Because it knew the boy was valuable to that which it held dear.”
“So you’re saying we just need him to recognize us as comrades?” Harlow asked.
“Essentially. He sees himself as the top dog next to me.” Siegfried said.
“Well he’s not. Especially once Dread gets back.” John laughed.
“He is. Neither of you could take him. Charlotte certainly couldn’t at close range, and our mage’s are gone with the cavalry. The only person I could think of that might overpower him other than me is Brutus, and the boy lacks the brains to utilize all that strength well.”
“You really think Dread would lose?”
“I do. He may never obey you. He simply doesn’t respect you. You’re not strong enough as you are.”
“The hell does that matter? We’re captains.”
“Dog respects strength, that’s it. This social hierarchy means nothing to him. Currently he’s got Victoria, then me. The rest of you are just failed challengers who won’t submit. If you’re not careful, he’ll kill you. It’ll probably be by accident.”
Harlow winced, “When I hit him it feels like I’m hitting metal. I kicked him square in the jaw and he looked like it hadn’t phased him. He was just ready to attack.”
“He’s unusual. But you need to feign submission. Play into being lower ranking dogs, and he’ll ignore you or tolerate you. Maybe even come to not detest you.”
“Not detest us? The boy is nothing but ego.” John scowled, “Who the hell does he think he is?”
“He beat your ass blue, John. He’s not arrogant, he’s confident. He can tell how dangerous people are by scent.”
“Is he human?” He asked.
“Far as I can tell. I've seen the boy naked, nothing unusual. He doesn’t look cursed, I’ve seen those that make pacts. He's a man, for sure. That height? Maybe a dwarf mutt, but you never see them let them out of their sight. The mountain folk are slow growing, and very protective of their young. Usually they hit adulthood at fifty or so.”
“I’m lucky if I make it to fifty.” John grumbled, “He looks too lanky for that. Do the knife ears come smaller?”
“Not that small. The women, maybe. But most are tall, and lithe. They’re all willowy. At least the ones I’ve met. He’s no halfling either, their men have more hair than us. He’s nearly bare outside of that fur on his head.”
“Gross.” John cringed.
“I’ve never seen a man without hair.” Harlow noted.
“His body is unusual, but it’s undeniable that he’s a man.”
“Unusual how?” Harlow asked, “I wouldn’t see him when I was keeping him warm until night. He was… Big, wide.”
“He looks as if someone drew him. I’ve seen it before, our dear doctor agrees. When one too young builds muscle too quickly, it can stunt their height. He looks very similar to some I’ve seen in the Southern Lands. There they buy men young, and neuter them. They beat them for making sounds, cut their tongues free, and force them to understand nothing but discipline and combat. They are all exceptionally skilled, if not the most creative. It’s not uncommon in our line of work, just rare this far north.”
“Well I’m not bowing my head to him. He’s nothing but a bodyguard.” John swore.
“I may try it. He’s a freak, but after today I’d rather that axe wasn’t pointed at me. Maybe it is time I learn my lesson. I’ll speak to my girls, make sure they know.” Harlow said.
“You’re all too easy on him. He needs discipline. I can’t believe the boss didn’t even punish him after today. Unbelievable. The last person to disobey and cause a fuss was lashed and banished! He’d been loyal for nearly five years, and she made no exceptions. You all know how she gets when she’s angry. Don’t you remember? Why is he so special?” John turned, heading for his camp, the fire at his back casting long shadows, “What a crock of shit.”