“So all these people are lords? There’s a lot of them.” Dog munched on his apple quietly, watching with Victoria at the head of their campground as men on horses marched through the prairie like a wave. Dozens of banners, flags, and symbols moved like a painting across his vision, in more colors then he knew the words for.
“Korone is a great kingdom of men. Don’t let Louen’s behavior fool you. The King fully deserves that title. There are more knights in this kingdom then maybe all the realms put together. They put little stock in the footman, you see. That’s why we’re here.”
“Our footmen are up to snuff.” John sniffed, wiping at his nose, “My boys can hold a line just fine. Pikes are simple things, dig in, don’t move, let 'em go around you.”
“These elves, how do they fight?” Dog asked.
“Like animals.” John replied, “They’re feral, vicious, and the trees themselves come alive at their call. They love their bows, many are tipped in a variety of poisons, some even burn like fire. Nasty bastards. They’ll punch right through a good set of plate, put a man on his ass. I’ve seen men lose hands. Don’t underestimate them.”
Dog nodded sagely.
“They’re also absolutely hellions in the woods, which should be obvious. They run across the treetops as easily as I do the fields, or a horse for that matter, they’re fast. They’re all about average with a spear, don’t favor blades too much. Heard their eyes ain’t like ours. They see better farther, but struggle more up close. Get in their guard, make em whirl. They are fast, but you can only be so fast if you can’t see what’s coming for you.”
Dog nodded again, mentally filing the information away.
“One last thing, the beasts they ride most commonly are deer.”
Dog glanced back at John.
“You ‘eard me boy. Deer. Big nasty bastards. Twice the size of a horse, and with antlers that’ll skewer you to a quick. Smart too. Beast and rider work together, two heads. Their armor is all wood, too. Harder then most metal. They call it Ironwood. Don’t be fooled, swing as hard as normal.”
Dog shifted, “Tree like iron.”
“Crazy, innit?”
Dog hummed, “What’ll be our task, Victoria?”
“My task until Dread returns is to lead our cavalry as another wing for Louen.” Victoria explained, “The Highgarden company is a relatively well balanced force. We lean on the heavier side, but Harlow’s scouts make up a decent amount of our ranged fire power. John leads our infantry, Siegfried takes up the vanguard, and Dread usually mans the cavalry. What I am in need of, Puppy, is light infantry. That is where you come into play.”
“But I am wearing plate.”
“You will have multiple sets of armor to utilize at all times.” Victoria said, “I put in a commission for six sets, which you will rotate through depending on circumstance. I need you to guide men who are fast, thorough, and merciless. We need to find their campground, their supply trains. War is won and lost based on if men can eat, sleep, and arm themselves. You have experience as a raider, you will be useful there. I cannot put you on a horse to follow but, but Sieg will be at my side.”
“I can’t quite lead ma’am.” Dog frowned.
“You won’t lead. You will guide.” Victoria reiterated, “Your senses are keener then even Harlow’s. She will point out a target, you will ingratiate yourself upon it, and then evacuate as many men as possible. Keep them in check, but otherwise allow the man John appoints his leeway to lead as he needs to. Cut them down, find their supply lines, their camps, their fallback points. The forests here are unknown even to the men of Korone, but we must cut out this blight before it spreads, and follow them into their den.”
“Understood ma’am.”
----------------------------------------
Dog watched from the rear guard as the knights of Korone engaged a swathe of green armored, fair haired humanoids. The Raiders at his back crouched low in the mud, and filth, camouflaged against the sodded horse fields as they prowled around to the edge of the conflict, three hundred men strong. Massive deer unlike anything he’d ever seen pranced across the field with all the grace and agility he’d expected of them, but somehow better. The clash was thunderous, and violent, a furry of motion and calculated carnage that devolved into
“The elves…” Dog whispered, “They don’t fight like men. I knew that to be true, but I haven’t seen these ones. They’re like water.”
“Aye. Tedric, you and the Captain have fought woodland folk, no?” Another mercenary called.”
“Aye, we ran them off once for a kingdom to the south. They were in a forest a local duke was trying to establish a town in.” He spat, gray beard flecked with mud, “Nasty fuckers. All women, too. Cut down a swathe before we had time to blink. Watch those spears, they’re light, and quicker than even us.” He pointed, “They’re going to screen for the archers in the back, and then retreat and drag us into the woods. Some of those lighter folk can outrun horses in a short sprint.”
True to his word, the infantry peasantry clashed. Men in raggedy tabards and leather armor smashed against women a hundred years their senior, spears whirling, blades slashing. They retreated like ghosts, withdrawing as soon as their lines connected, arrow fire cutting men down the second they were clear. The human infantry was scythed apart in a hail of whistling death, men too slow to raise their shields. The woodland folk came again, and again, spears like wraiths. It was ethereal, their movements, their synergy, they fought as if their minds were one. So flawless was their martial authority they didn’t even seem to intersect to Dog’s keen eye.
“Don’t envy John and the other boys.” The first soldier said again, “That is nasty work. Are those exploding?”
“Aye. How they answer human plate. You’d never tell it apart from another arrow, were it not for the blood red tips. Burn and blister all at once. Incredibly painful. Don’t let it touch you, if it does, pour your canteen on it.” Tedric said, “John’s a tough bastard. He’ll manage. Those aren’t our folks. We’re in reserve, waiting for their cavalry to chase after ours. I reckon Victoria will crush down on the backline.”
“Straight into spears?” The soldier asked.
“Aye, but their spear lines aren’t like a man’s. They’re lighter than us, it's why they’re so much faster. See them moving? Like ghosts.” Tedric explained, “They also don’t like horses much. Even if they dig in, a battle horse like the Captain’s unit will run right over them. They can’t dig in. That’s why they move. See?”
Dog snorted.
“Sir?” Tedric asked, eyeing him like one might a bomb.
“Nothing, sergeant.” Dog replied, “I don’t like horses either.”
“Is that why you’re with us sir?” The first soldier asked.
“Dunno.” Dog admitted, “Doubt it.”
“Didn’t Miss Victoria say?”
“She did. But dunno if what you’re suggesting had any part.” He clarified.
“Can you… Keep up sir? We’re the fastest in the company.”
“You idiot.” Tedric laughed, “The captain can outrun a horse.”
“Captain?” Dog asked.
“Yessir.” Tedric repeated.
“I did not know I had a rank.”
“Of course you do sir. You’re Lady Victoria’s bodyguard. You, sir Siegfried, Harlow, John, even Captain Dread. You’re not like us rabble.”
Dog snorted again, “I’m not any better. Trust me. I’ve been on the fronts.”
Tedric shook his head, “We know, sir. But you’re her bodyguard.”
“It makes no difference. My job is to guide you in, and guide you out. I am to police as needed, but otherwise I am not to interfere in your leadership, sergeant.”
Tedric nodded, “Understood sir. We’ll try not to cause you too much trouble.”
The pair turned as thundering sounded out across the planes, the ground beneath them shaking.
“That’ll be the Lady.” Tedric grinned.
Men on cavalry led by a sterling white knight smashed into either side of the elvish infantry, catching them in between their retreat to the forest and their carving of the peasantry. True to Tedric’s word, they were trampled like leaf litter, crumbling apart beneath their warhorses. They were quick enough to retreat, but bloodied. The knights curved in a wide arc across the field, slipping out of the range of their bows in time to avoid any serious casualties, returning to the rear of the bluff to begin their punishment anew.
“That’ll be our que. Go!” Tedric ordered, “Up along the right prairie road low against the stone wall! The other cavalrymen will be hitting the rest of the formations all along the western and eastern front! North!”
Dog dodged, sliding along the forest floor and flipping himself up and over the elf as she peppered where he’d been with arrow after arrow. He twisted, leaping into a roll and bringing about his axe, cleaving her bow and swiping her chest open in one smooth arc.
“Watch him! Watch him!” They screamed from above, “Do meet him on the ground!”
“The other scouts are coming! Do not lead them back!” A second screamed, gasping as an arrow found its mark in her throat and she tumbled out of the branches, fair hair cascading around her like an angel's halo as her lithe body smacked into the forest floor, her blood spilling out into the earth.
“No!” Another screeched, men calling out warnings as arrows thudded against armor.
“Firebark! Firebark!”
The forest was alight with conflict as the elvish rangers were hassled and harried.
“Captain Dog! Where are they!” Tedric called out from his south.
“North!” Dog dodged behind a tree, slamming his axe into its base hard enough to shake the branches, “North! I’m in pursuit! Do not let them escape! Cut them down!”
“You heard the man! At them boys! At them!”
“Rotten apes!” A flash of auburn slammed into Dog, and he twisted, shoving it back over his shoulder and into a nearby tree, “Kill the axe wielder! Kill him!”
Dog snarled, slamming his axe down into her spear, her shock clear in her face as he smashed through her guard, cutting her weapon apart with ease and digging into her chest. Sons of man clashed with daughters of the wood everywhere, a chaotic mass of flesh on flesh in a wood stained red with the blood they’d spilt. Through foliage and brush, Dog’s eyes twisted and scanned, searching for movement, a flash of silver, anything. It was carnage.
“Aeris!” A woman screamed, “You animals! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!”
“He’s strong! He cut right through her spear! Pull back! Where are the men?”
“They’re holding the cavalry!”
“We’ll manage! Cut him off!”
They pelted him, his axe spinning, knocking arrows out of the air or dodging them entirely, his eyes focused, body low.
“What is he? He’s no ape!”
“It matters not! Cut him apart!”
They descended upon him moments later, spears lashing. He twisted, dodging around their tips, his axe slashing out and driving them back in wide arcs.
“Kill him quick! He’s the one tracking us! There’s no hounds!”
“We can’t-” She screamed, her cry strangled short as Dog sliced her apart, moving onto the next.
“Pullback! We have no choice! Where is the infantry!”
“They’re gone! Pull back to the western front! Do not move towards the camp!”
“Captain!” Tedric called, “Help!”
Dog spun on his heels, dashing back towards the Raiders, the elves all too happy to let them go. He stumbled upon the clearing they battled in to find dozens of the axe wielders laid low, others bolting back to regroup the way they came as Tedric duled a titanic gnarled tree. It stomped towards him, heedless of the fire arrows peppering its bark, its humanoid shape swinging out and crushing whole groups of men with ease.
“Bring it down! Bring it down!” Tedric roared, “Set it aflame!”
“What is it?” Dog called, the wooden beast turning towards him, it's bough creaking, and groaning, limbs morphing into gnarled fists, and hands, four arms swiping out at it's attackers.
Tedric rolled between its legs, his axes swinging, and his men obliged. They grouped up and charged, torches raised, arrows aflame. It continued to rampage in spite of the fire coating half of its body, men set alight by its attacks now, bright red eyes full of an unmatched rage as it shambled onward, roots biting into the ground as it went, their attacks failing to knock it over. It was sturdy, and stout, unwavering in its onslaught, men clubbed into the ground or pulped between massive limbs.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
“Treeant!” Tedric called, “The legs! Cut down its legs so we can hack it apart!”
Dog charged, launching himself into the air and slamming into one of the twin trunks with a cacophonic crunch, his axe cleaving straight through the beast. He crouched, twirling his axe around his body and bringing the flat of it back against its leg with his entire body in a wide arc, knocking the limb free. The beast groaned, its leg buckled, and the raiders were upon it in an instant.
“Fire! Set it on fire!” Tedric lept onto one of its arms, his axes biting deep as he hacked them apart like a man gone mad.
The raiders roared, launching themselves forward with reckless abandon in a rage fueled fury. It roared low, and deep, silenced when its limbs were hacked off, its body falling still as the red coals in the center of its misshapen face slowly dimmed, and died. The massive corpse smoked, and popped, the flames washing over it greedily, eating away at its wooden flesh, the air filled with a sulfuric acrid scent.
“By the gods!” Tedric scoffed, “We were crossing the grove when it reared up on us like it knew. Did you get many?”
“A few.” Dog rested against his axe, “I’ll slow down. Stay closer. Sounds like a camp to the north.”
“Should we report back?”
“I think.” Dog nodded, “Your call.”
Tedric rubbed at his chin, his blue eyes bright against the murk and mud on his face, his leather armor in tatters, “Aye, I agree. We got info, we bled them. Better to move back now that the element of surprise is lost.”
Dog nodded, “I’ll range ahead. Watch for the smoke.”
----------------------------------------
Dog stumbled into camp at the head of the Raiders, Tedric waving farewell as he headed towards the back of the camp. Men weary from battle rested openly, still armed. The mud was wet, and slick, grass trampled and stomped away by the hoards of cavalry. Dog noted the medic tents packed to bursting, dozens of men walking around bandaged, and bruised, their eyes hard. He knew the wrappings they wore, ideal for burn wounds.
“Dog!” Victoria called, waving at him as she marched towards her tent, “Come! Report!”
He trotted after her, shoving aside the tent flap to find John laid out on a bench, a cloth to his forehead. Harlow looked up to him in greeting, her face bruised, dozens of cuts littering her arms, and cheeks. Siegfried smiled, patting him on the back with a grin, his armor flawless.
“Welcome, Puppy.” Victoria smiled, “You returned early. Something to report?”
Dog nodded, standing straighter, looking at Siegfried and relaxing slightly as the man confirmed he’d taken the correct posture, the large man laughing as Victoria sighed and smiled, exasperated, amused, and exhausted.
“Go on, then.” She rubbed some dirt from below his eye, “What’ve you found?”
“Tedric did very well.” Dog noted immediately, “The men respect him. He managed to rally them against a giant tree monster.”
“A tree monster?” Victoria laughed.
“Treeant, ma’am.” Siegfried nodded.
“Ah, yes. Did you kill it?”
Dog nodded, “We all did. They rallied, and set it afire. After, we cut it apart.”
“Good work.” Sieg nodded in praise, “They’re nasty buggers. I have cut down a few in my day, and they are always rather sturdy.”
“Fire.” Dog said.
“I bet.” Sieg laughed, “And?”
“We chased them towards the north.” He said, “They fought me while I ranged ahead of the other raiders. I pulled back to cover Tedric and the others, but while I was fighting, I heard their battle plans. They refused to fully retreat north, opting instead to move towards the eastern or western battle groups. I would imagine that their actual base is somewhere towards the north, but it could easily be a trap.”
“Were they speaking common?” Victoria asked, “That’s unusual. Sieg?”
“Could be an effort to misdirect. Elves are clever, I’d doubt they’d say something so openly unless it was to confuse, mislead, or redirect. It's possible they’re beyond the cliffs to the east, we’ve trounced them in the east outside Korone. Louen broke their frontlines, sent their main battlegroup rushing back. We are moving camp on the morrow to avoid being sandwiched. She slew the captain in single combat, her Griffin gutted his mount.”
“They were speaking sylvan.” Dog said.
The tent blinked.
“You speak Sylvan?” Victoria asked.
“Only enough to understand simple directions, basic words. None of the niceties.” Dog confirmed.
“Where in all the hells did you learn the elven tongue?” Victoria asked.
“I served with a half elf once.” Dog said, “We were dealing with the dark ones to the north. Slavers.”
“I see.” Victoria nodded, deep in thought.
“My boys.” John rumbled, “How’d they do?”
“Well. They are well organized, and well equipped, Lady.” Dog nodded, “They are unused to this line of work. Have any raided before?”
“Some. Tedric. I haven’t had him lead this many men before.” John explained.
“I have some tips I learned from my trip to the Great Plains.”
John blinked, “Halflings?”
“They are merciless.” Dog nodded, “Slow to rouse to war, but adept at it once angered. They boil great batches of oil, and use it in their artillery in the field. It spreads faster, and burns hotter. Will melt the skin off their bones. They use it for cooking.”
John blinked.
“They were fond of fire. Very fond of controlled flames. They would set woodland paths alight, or burn through others. Nasty little creatures. They’d ambush you, so you’d be stuck between scorching oil, or the burning woods.”
“Wouldn’t they choke on the smoke?” John asked.
“They’d wear masks, I can ask Merlin of their make and method, the memories are hazy.” Dog explained, “But being as short as they are, they are often too low for the smoke to affect them.”
John nodded in understanding, “Clever beasts.”
“Their men carried satchels with oil, or other flammable materials, so they would be ready to set fire wherever they went. Accurate too. I’ve never seen any so good with a sling.”
“You’re suggesting our raiders bare similar armaments?” Victoria asked.
“The northern folk apply such theories to battle.” Sieg noted.
Dog nodded, “Scorched earth, they call it. Raze everything, so nobody can have it. Bad for morale, bad for supply. Very effective to drain an enemy dry.”
Victoria nodded, “Tomorrow you, Sieg, and I will rally with Louen to confer. I cannot raise Korone’s fields without permission, but it sounds beneficial should we need to retreat, or give ground. Go rest, I’ll call for you in the morrow. Wear your plate.”
----------------------------------------
Louen brightened as Dog walked into camp at Victoria's side, her bright white horse trotting lazily along. Merlin waved, and Louen sat up in their makeshift throne, her hand resting on the titanic beast at her side.
“Sieg, what is that.” Dog whispered.
“That'd be a Griffiin my boy.” Sieg laughed.
“Oh. They brought a throne to the battlefield? I get it's a camp, but here?”
“It's important for the King to keep up appearances. His lords conspire against him. Yesterday's victory, his mount, it's all to show he has no fear. He is strong. Best behavior. Korone's lords are petty.”
Dog nodded.
“Hail, Highgarden!” Louen called, “Welcome to my camp. My regents tell me you were successful?”
Victoria dismounted, kneeling, Sieg and Dog at her back, heads down.
“Aye, King.” Victoria nodded, “The force sent to scout out past our forces was cut down. My Raiders forced their retreating forces to bleed. We move to regroup with the main fist in time, my Riders are making their way here as we speak.”
“Excellent. You have more to discuss?”
“In private my liege.” Victoria nodded.
“Come with me for a ride. Neera grows restless.” Louen rubbed at the beast.
“Korone’s Griffins are mighty. I wish to congratulate you on your victory.”
“Accepted. Come. Merlin!”
They sallied north, just shy of the frontline fortifications, the elven wood looming in the distance. Dog studied the feathered and furry beast, and it studied him in turn. It's eyes were large, and intelligent, a bright yellow beak set against golden eagle feathers. The front of a bird, and the rear of a lion, it walked on lazily, and with rippling power in each step, it's muscles shifting beneath thick hide. It was twice the size of Victoria’s horse, with a tail it's body length and a half, spitting out sparse feathers like a fan.
“They help her turn in the air.” Louen said to him, a big grin on her face, her saddle emblazoned with the lion head that was her emblem, the armor along it's flanks, torso, and back bright in the light. It chittered quietly, letting out a soft chirp as it looked back at Louen.
Dog blinked.
“She says it's rude to stare.” Louen laughed, “She asks why you smell strange.”
Dog averted his eyes.
“I think my dog is enamored with your mount.” Victoria laughed, “She is beautiful.”
The Griffin preened, bronze eyes bright as it chirped again, Louen giggling, “If you'd like, I'll take you for a ride.”
Dog perked up ever so slightly, looking up to Victoria from his canid healm.
She rolled her eyes, “When the battle is done. Before we set off.”
Dog said nothing, eyes locked on the beast. It chirped again, butting it's large head into his torso and pushing him into the dirt. He grunted, a quiet wheeze escaping him as it nuzzled into his chest, and armor, large eyes boring into his.
Louen and Sieg laughed, “She says if you're going to ride shower next time. You smell better now though. How do you like it when she stares?”
“Sorry.” Dog grunted, the beast picking him up by his collar with another chirp, and chitter.
“She says you're forgiven?” Louen smiled, “Chatty bird. Maybe she has a crush on you. Neera?”
The Griffin looked scandalized, cawing loudly.
“You have a good heart, master Dog.” Merlin grinned, “Griffin are incredibly intelligent. Very good judges of character, too. Neera, especially, did not choose a rider for many years. She's older for a Griffin, with much personality.”
“I didn't know they could speak.” Victoria noted.
“Not as we do. They aren't quite as intelligent as men, some would say. But close behind.” Neera squeaked, “Yes, yes. You're the smartest and strongest. I'd never forget that Neera.” Louen smiled ruefully, “Cheeky bird. What do you need, Victoria?”
“Dog has a plan.” Victoria said, “I'd like permission to arm my men according to his suggestions.”
Louen blinked, “Hardly need my permission for that, do you?”
“It involves… Fire bombs…” Dog added.
Louen stilled, “Why?”
“Puppy.” Victoria cocked her head.
“There are people to the west here who raid better than even our northern kin. They use fire, scorch anything they cannot hold. Bombs of fire armed on men made to raid, to destroy, to harass. It can be effective.”
Louen exhaled slowly, “I do not like the idea of scorching my lands. My people have fought and bled for every inch. Why destroy what I could come back for? Or better yet, not lose.”
“It is a worst case scenario. Sometimes depriving the enemy of something valuable, even if it means losing it yourself, can lead to victory.” Dog explained.
“That sounds paradoxical at best.” Louen frowned.
“He does speak some truth.” Merlin nodded, rubbing at his beard, “Sieg, he speaks of the halflings?”
“He does.”
Merlin hummed, “I see. I do not think this is wise, but perhaps arming your troops should the worst come in such a manner is not a bad idea anyways. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst?”
Louen shook her head, “I don’t like this at all. I will not rule this kingdom through that kind of warfare. I will not treat my enemy with that kind of apathy.”
Dog nodded, his eyes lighter, a sudden respect blooming in his chest for the king before him, as he acquiesced.
“The elves may be my enemy, but I do not hate my enemy anymore then I do the next man. My father said-”
“Your father is dead.” Victoria cut her off, ignoring her glare, “He is not fighting for your people right here, and right now. You are. Why sympathize with your enemy? You said they declared this conflict with no warning. Just a messenger. Do not be naive, girl.”
Louen stiffened, “A messenger is more than some humans give. I will respect their integrity, and honor. I have faith that my people will prevail. Remember your place, mercenary.”
“My place is dependent on your coin purse.” Victoria shrugged, “I grow tired of your insolence. You’ve fought in a battle or two, I’ve fought in hundreds. I’ve won wars. Does my counsel mean so little? Perhaps you’d prefer the council of the men who wait in the wings to betray you.”
“You dare?” Louen gripped her sword.
“I dare, princess.” Victoria spat, “You don’t win wars through honor, integrity. You win wars by surviving, by killing them before they kill you. My servant is no amateur, he is a veteran. A warrior with real experience. Not some prissy boy king.”
“Victoria.” Dog whispered, her eyes scathing as they turned towards him, “Mistress, perhaps it is wiser to heed the lord King’s wisdom.”
Victoria grit her teeth.
“The cub speaks sense. It's not really our war, Victoria. Let us fight it as they prefer. If they lose, we were still paid for half in advance. Why the anger?”
“Because I-” Victoria paused, unsure of the answer herself. Her eyes wandered towards Dog near Louen’s saddle, his hand idly on the beast beneath her. Her ire roared, and she fell silent.
“Hmph.” Louen grunted, “Perhaps there is still some sense in the concept. Fire was beneficial when bringing down the woodland spirits. Maybe arming your raiders in such a fashion for ambushes, or driving battle lines back in the event of a loss. But on my lands? Where my people make their living, their homes? Unacceptable.”
Victoria swallowed the bile in her throat, “Acceptable, lord. I will do as you wish.”
“Is this meeting adjourned? I believe Dog and I have a flight session.”
“Do now?” Victoria eyed the king before her.
“I believe we do.” Louen dismounted, her hand on her pommel.
Victoria followed suit, her eyes burning, “May I remind you, he is my servant?”
“He may be, but you do not own him.” Louen growled.
“What do you even care? You were ready to rip his throat out.”
Louen blinked, “I…”
“You don’t even know why. You just don’t like me. Is that it?”
Dog shifted further towards Sieg.
“I believe…”
“I’ve had enough!” Victoria roared.
“I have also had quite enough of you children!” Merlin roared, the sky cracking with a bolt of thunder, the wind roaring, “Enough! You bicker like children! Let the boy ride the beast for heaven's sake! Louen! You will stop antagonizing the help. Lady Victoria, I ask that you be mindful of your age in the given circumstance. It is most unbecoming of a future king to behave in such a manner. I ask that you set a better example?”
Victoria stiffened, filled with equal parts disgust and pride at being scolded like a child, the mention of her destiny smoothing over the patches.
She sighed, “I apologize for my crassness, lord Louen. The battlefront is a tiring affair. It has been some time since I led cavalry, I find myself better suited to sieges. My cavalry master has been absent for some time on an errand, I am not myself.”
Louen looked like she’d sucked on a lemon, “I apologize, it was unbecoming of the throne. I value the merit, and input of one as worldly, and wise as yourself. I will be more mindful of your input in the future.”
The sky brightened, clearing instantly with Merlin’s smile, his eyes twinkling.
Victoria cast her eyes to Dog, her smile equal parts knowing, and full of warmth, “Puppy darling, go enjoy your outing. Come to my tent tonight.”
Louen frowned, but said nothing.
“As you wish, mistress.” Dog said wisely, “I will be back before dusk.”
“As you say.” Louen said nothing.