Man's Best
“Where have you been, silly Sedena?” He said, grabbing the deep-chested dog in a hug as it approached. “In mother's garden again?” Though the Duchess did her best to keep flowers in neat rows and plants climbing in orderly stalks, Sedena seemed determined to undermine her efforts. It wasn't as though the garden was actually of any use to anyone outside the grounds – merely a hobby – but his mother still found it vastly irritating to clean up after a rampaging Rellian. Or rather, have the servants clean up.
From the smell of his friend, Sedena hadn't been anywhere near the garden but there was an odd odor to the thick fur, a strange wafting stink that wasn't familiar. Alric had learned that Rellians had a habit of rolling in the dirtiest places they could find, but Sedena was somewhat of an exception – save for delicate flowers and gently growing plants, the dark-coated pup had little interest in destroying property or rolling on the ground.
Alric took another deep breath but the smell had dissipated, so he turned and ran quickly along the stone path that circled his father's manor. Sedena easily kept pace, tongue hanging out of his open mouth in a broad smile. Turning abruptly into a lush river-meadow Alric whirled and charged at Sedena, arms open wide. His dog jumped in return and together they wrestled around the meadow, both leaping, sneaking and charging in equal measure. Despite a rough start to the morning, Alric's mood began to brighten.
“Brother!” A sharp voice called from the pathway and his mood soured again. Tellura was the reason for his foul humor in the first place, and now it appeared she had returned to completely destroy his day.
“What?” He shouted, not bothering to stop his play with Sedena. There was nothing of consequence Tellura could possibly have to say.
“Father wants to see you. Now.” Except that.
He took a few minutes to calm Sedena down and give him a scratch behind the ears before sauntering to the road. More than likely Tellura had told father about their fight earlier in the day, albeit with several modifications to suit her innocence. Father would be angry, father would bluster, but he knew as well as anyone on the estate how much Tellura and her mother were alike.
“You and that beast are a pair,” his sister said as he approached. “Both without manners.”
Alric smirked at her while Sedena simply let his tongue hang out in silent laughter. Despite her dislike, the Rellian had never shown any in return and always set his tail to wagging whenever Tellura appeared. Good nature was in a part of the breed, but sometime Alric thought Sedena carried it a bit too far – chewing up his sister's slippers or leaving a “present” in front of her door from time to time would help teach her a lesson.
“What is it you were shouting at me?” He grinned as he spoke. “I was too busy out there to hear your screeching.”
“You know exactly what I said – father wants to see you. Treating me so poorly this morning means you have to suffer the consequences.”
Alric nodded. “Thank you,” he said curtly. “You're dismissed.” With a quick pivot he stepped off along the stone path, Sedena at his heels.
“You brat!” Tellura raged, and Alric glanced back over his shoulder.
“Such language from a servant!” He widened his eyes in mock horror. “How do you keep your job?” Picking up his pace, he enjoyed the fading sound of his sister's frustrated screams.
***
The meeting with his father had gone as he expected; the Duke warned him about stirring up Tellura's ire, even if it was justified and told Alric to be more careful in the future. They both knew Tellura would be married and gone from the estate before long, giving the grounds a needed measure of peace. Still, his father had been firm – any further incidents and allowances would be cut along with learning hours increased. It wasn't fair, but Alric promised to try and keep his temper under control.
“You should have said something in my defense, boy.” Alric said, flopping into a plush armchair as Sedena trundled over, tail cutting lazy circles through the air. A few licks to his face and Alric was laughing. “Alright, alright, I forgive you.”
A few hours in the chair by his hearth, book in hand and dog at his feet did wonders for his mood,and it wasn't until he heard the chimes of midnight ring out that Alric realized just how late it had become. Stumbling to bed on numb, chair-tired legs he noticed that Sedena wasn't with him but was instead standing at the door, tail straight out.
“What is it, boy?” In response, the Rellian pawed at the door.
Alric chided himself – it had been hours since Sedena had been out, and the least he could do before his own night was complete was give his dog the same courtesy. Slipping on a pair of shoes, he moved to the door and pushed it open, ready to follow Sedena's usual trot to a nearby grass patch.
Instead, the dog took off as if fire was climbing its tail and Alric cried out, running as fast as feet would carry him to keep up.
“Sedena!” He cried. “Where are you going?”
Instead of pausing the dog picked up speed, heading across a low stone bridge and into a small wooded grotto that was part of the manor's original design. Sedena paused at its edge and waited for Alric to catch up, then began to softly whine. From deep within the trees a green glow was apparent, circling slowly at first and then picking up speed as more of its kind appeared. Sudden comprehension dawned in Alric – no wonder Sedena had smelled so strange. The night-fawn had returned.
But whose soul were they after?
- D
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