Post by ubiquitous on Nov 22, 2009 12:53:15 GMT 10
Title: Runt of the Litter
Rating: PG-13
Words: 643
Summary: Wyldon has a special mission for one of his pups.
A/N: Thanks to histoire merveileuse from ff.net for betaing, and on such short notice too.
Lord Wyldon enters the kennels, a small smile on his face as the dogs inside clamour for his attention. Each dog gets a small pet as he makes his way to the pups’ area. The area here is larger, for all the pups to play in, and Wyldon is set upon it as he walks inside. He waits for the smaller pups to stop jumping on him and then rewards the older ones with a pet for their obedience. There are no treats today for them, he is far too busy as he looks for the runt of Callie’s last litter.
The pup is near his feet, as he struggles to get closer to Wyldon amongst the bigger dogs. It is smaller than the other pups, with dark splotches over his snout, rump and side. With a wry grin, he moves up to the pup and picks him up. He’s prettier than his sire, but it’s clear that he’s a mutt all the same. Squirming in his arms, the pup tries to lick his master’s face, but to no avail. Lord Wyldon isn’t letting him get into any bad habits and makes him stay still.
Leaving the kennels, Wyldon heads to the gardens and finds a bench near a lavender bush for them to sit on. The pup looks at him, wagging his tail eagerly as he awaits his master’s instructions.
Wyldon looks at the dog for a while, before letting out a sigh. “This is silly,” he begins, “but I suspect your new mistress will like to talk to you. So you might as well learn to listen.” He is quiet for a moment, trying to think of the right words to say. “I have a task for you. It’s important, and it will be your life’s work.” He paused, rubbing at the scar on his forehead. “Before you, it was your sire’s work, but he’s gone from the mortal realms now.” Staring blankly at the bushes in front of him, he remembered the way the old dog had wormed his way into the pages’ lives, how he had shamelessly tried to cozy up to him so that he could stay, even finding him with his most prized bitch while Kel was in Cavall for Margarry and Owen’s wedding. Wyldon had been furious at the time, but now it just seemed like another one of his antics.
Remembering himself, Wyldon continues. “It’s a hard task, but there’s a big reward for it too.” The puppy gave a small bark, happy to hear the word ‘reward’. Wyldon gave the pup a pointed look. “Your sire was the same, it was what got him into mischief in the first place.” He ruffled the puppy’s fur as it whined a little at the hint of admonition in his voice. “I’m sending you away from here, to a new mistress, and it is your duty and honour to serve her. I’ve taught you well, and you will work hard for her. You’ll sniff out enemies, hunt game, and keep watch for her. And you’ll be able to do it for all that you’re a runt, because you have that spark, the determination and loyalty that will serve her well.”
The pup says nothing, instead deciding to climb into Wyldon’s lap. Wyldon gingerly puts the pup back on the bench next to him. “Yes, you will do well to serve her, but most importantly, you’ll be her companion. Life on the road is lonely, and she’ll be lonelier still without your sire. She needs all the love you can give her, and it’s your task to make sure she’s happy. If you can’t help her, find someone who can. Distract her from her woes. She needs you, and you are lucky to be able to serve her. The silly chit, she’ll treat you far better than you could ever deserve. And you will repay her in kind.” He gave an odd smile. “Look at me. Vivenne would tell me I’ve run mad if she heard I was talking to a pup, but you understand, don’t you?”
The pup woofs softly.
“Good. We’ll head for Corus in the morning.” Wyldon tells the pup, his hand on the bench as he rises to stand. “You’ll take good care of her.”
Rating: PG-13
Words: 643
Summary: Wyldon has a special mission for one of his pups.
A/N: Thanks to histoire merveileuse from ff.net for betaing, and on such short notice too.
Lord Wyldon enters the kennels, a small smile on his face as the dogs inside clamour for his attention. Each dog gets a small pet as he makes his way to the pups’ area. The area here is larger, for all the pups to play in, and Wyldon is set upon it as he walks inside. He waits for the smaller pups to stop jumping on him and then rewards the older ones with a pet for their obedience. There are no treats today for them, he is far too busy as he looks for the runt of Callie’s last litter.
The pup is near his feet, as he struggles to get closer to Wyldon amongst the bigger dogs. It is smaller than the other pups, with dark splotches over his snout, rump and side. With a wry grin, he moves up to the pup and picks him up. He’s prettier than his sire, but it’s clear that he’s a mutt all the same. Squirming in his arms, the pup tries to lick his master’s face, but to no avail. Lord Wyldon isn’t letting him get into any bad habits and makes him stay still.
Leaving the kennels, Wyldon heads to the gardens and finds a bench near a lavender bush for them to sit on. The pup looks at him, wagging his tail eagerly as he awaits his master’s instructions.
Wyldon looks at the dog for a while, before letting out a sigh. “This is silly,” he begins, “but I suspect your new mistress will like to talk to you. So you might as well learn to listen.” He is quiet for a moment, trying to think of the right words to say. “I have a task for you. It’s important, and it will be your life’s work.” He paused, rubbing at the scar on his forehead. “Before you, it was your sire’s work, but he’s gone from the mortal realms now.” Staring blankly at the bushes in front of him, he remembered the way the old dog had wormed his way into the pages’ lives, how he had shamelessly tried to cozy up to him so that he could stay, even finding him with his most prized bitch while Kel was in Cavall for Margarry and Owen’s wedding. Wyldon had been furious at the time, but now it just seemed like another one of his antics.
Remembering himself, Wyldon continues. “It’s a hard task, but there’s a big reward for it too.” The puppy gave a small bark, happy to hear the word ‘reward’. Wyldon gave the pup a pointed look. “Your sire was the same, it was what got him into mischief in the first place.” He ruffled the puppy’s fur as it whined a little at the hint of admonition in his voice. “I’m sending you away from here, to a new mistress, and it is your duty and honour to serve her. I’ve taught you well, and you will work hard for her. You’ll sniff out enemies, hunt game, and keep watch for her. And you’ll be able to do it for all that you’re a runt, because you have that spark, the determination and loyalty that will serve her well.”
The pup says nothing, instead deciding to climb into Wyldon’s lap. Wyldon gingerly puts the pup back on the bench next to him. “Yes, you will do well to serve her, but most importantly, you’ll be her companion. Life on the road is lonely, and she’ll be lonelier still without your sire. She needs all the love you can give her, and it’s your task to make sure she’s happy. If you can’t help her, find someone who can. Distract her from her woes. She needs you, and you are lucky to be able to serve her. The silly chit, she’ll treat you far better than you could ever deserve. And you will repay her in kind.” He gave an odd smile. “Look at me. Vivenne would tell me I’ve run mad if she heard I was talking to a pup, but you understand, don’t you?”
The pup woofs softly.
“Good. We’ll head for Corus in the morning.” Wyldon tells the pup, his hand on the bench as he rises to stand. “You’ll take good care of her.”