Page 203 of Phoenix's Fire

That afternoon, I headed to the field beside the library, dressed as if ready for combat. I had my bow, my krael, and most importantly, my dog. Zasen and Kanik walked with me, carrying not only their own weapons, but also the empty gun we'd been using. Holly meandered between the three of us, but she always came back to my side to check in, never going further than a few feet away.

But when we reached the practice area, something barked. No, it wasn't Holly, so my eyes began to scan the area, trying to find the other dog. Immediately, Zasen reached down to grab Holly's collar.

"Not all dogs like each other," he warned.

"Oh." I pulled out her leash and attached it to her. "So what do I do if that happens?"

"Keep her beside you and working," he said. "Dog fights can get scary, and they might accidentally bite their person if you reach in to pull them apart."

I hadn't expected that, but a few minutes later, I spotted the man with the dog. His was colored almost like a coyote, but the dark areas were different. It had ablack face and ears, but the rest of the dog was a blonde shade. There was no grey on its back or tail.

"Ayla!" Drozel called, waving me towards him. "Xav!"

"Holly, heel," I ordered, seeing the other dog owner was also moving.

"So, do you two know each other yet?" Drozel asked when we were close enough.

I shook my head. "No, sir."

So the other man - who was tailless - offered me his hand. "Xav. This is Demon."

"She's Holly," I said.

But he chuckled. "Oh, I know. I was actually trying to buy her. That's a nice dog you have. Lansin doesn't usually sell outside the Reapers. I got mine from a different breeder. He's five, and not able to breed."

"Really?" I asked, confused how that worked.

"They cut off their balls," Drozel told me.

"Like..." I sucked in a breath. "Testicles?"

Which made Xav laugh. "Yep. It's how to keep breeding better and better dogs, and the boys like Demon here are still useful as protection and assistance dogs." Then he tipped his head at Holly. "Mind if we introduce them?"

"I don't know how," I admitted.

"Just tell her to stay," he said, so I did.

Then he moved Demon closer. Holly leaned in to sniff. The other dog did the same, and the pair shifted, both trying to smell all over the other. Then Holly bounced. Demon immediately bowed down, wagging his tail excitedly.

"And they're friends," he said. "I also heard Lansin took out a few Moles with his last time."

"He did," I agreed. "Holly helped save me."

"Well," Drozel said, moving closer now that our dogs were clearly getting along. "Zasen said you have a new trick, Ayla?"

"I taught her how to disarm a man," I explained.

"Okay?" Drozel asked.

"Ayla!" Zasen called. "I have the gun when you're ready."

"I'm ready," I told him. "Don't point it at anyone."

"It's empty," he called back.

"Still don't!" I said.

So Zasen lifted the gun and pointed it off to the distance and began wandering around.

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