Page 34 of Tears of the Wolf
A large female bounded up, pawing at Cenric’s legs. “Ash!” Cenric rubbed the female’s sides, making her tail wag harder. “Did you guard the house for me? Did you keep everyone safe?”
Ash whined and barked in excitement.Cenric!
All the dogs were loyal to Cenric as they had always been loyal to his family. Snapper washisdog, the one that had bonded most closely with him, but they were all Cenric’s dogs.
The dyrehunds had been another gift to his family from the goddess Morgi. Legend said they had once been fierce wolves large enough to ride, but these days, they settled for being excellent companions.
Ash paused, leaning against Cenric, noticing Brynn.Stranger?Ash sniffed at the air in Brynn’s direction even as the other dogs gathered around her. Most the dyrehunds didn’t often meet new people.
A large male with a coat more grey than black stood rigid, facing down Brynn. It was Thorn, an old dyrehund with one eye who was sire or grandsire to most of the dyrehunds now living in Cenric’s hall
Brynn’s maid shrank back, seeming frightened. She kept her gaze up, not making eye contact with the dogs.
Brynn knelt, offering the back of her hand to Thorn. “Here, boy.”
Stranger,Thorn sent to Cenric, aggression in the word.
Thorn had been his father’s dog. He had followed Wulfram into the war and refused to leave his master’s body even after he had been wounded. Wulfram’s thanes had found Thorn with a bloodied face, standing guard over his corpse.
Cenric hadn’t really known Thorn before, but these days he was the most bad-tempered and suspicious of all his dyrehunds.
Thorn sniffed Brynn’s hand.Stranger,the dyrehund patriarch repeated. A low growl rumbled in his throat even as Brynn made a chirping sound, beckoning the old hound toward her.
“Thorn, be good.” Cenric stepped forward to intervene, but Snapper bounded to Brynn, getting there first.
Friend!Snapper sent toward Thorn.Friend!
To prove it, Snapper flopped down on his back and wiggled around Brynn’s feet like a beached fish, entire body thrashing in time with his wagging tail. Brynn crouched down to scratch his belly, and he leapt up, paws on Brynn’s shoulder and slopped his tongue over her cheek.
“No!” Brynn cried out, even as she laughed.
Thorn’s tail swayed begrudgingly from side to side.Friend?
Friend,Cenric and Snapper answered in unison.
The other dyrehunds joined in then, mobbing Brynn with kisses and thrashing tails in exchange for pats and scratches. The younger dogs came first and then the older ones. Only Thorn hung back, but he wasn’t the affectionate sort.
Cenric had to pull Brynn up by the arm before the animals dragged her to the ground. “Back!” he shouted, shooing them away. “Down! That’s enough attention for you greedy curs.”
The dogs backed off, respecting their master. Their tails slowed, but their gazes still focused on Brynn. She’d probably have them at her beck and call within a week.
Brynn laughed, her head covering askew and muddy pawprints marked her dress, but her face was flush and bright with the most beautiful smile.
Cenric realized it was the second time he’d heard her laugh. “You like dogs, then?” He hadn’t found a way to broach the topic before.
Brynn was still smiling, even if her eyes lowered a little. “I suppose so.”
“Come. Let me show you to the house. Then you can play with them again.”
Brynn looked to Snapper. “They’re good dogs.”
Good dog!Snapper agreed, hopping up and down as he recognized the words. Brynn had just paid him the highest compliment possible.
Brynn looked happy surrounded by Cenric’s dogs. Far happier than she had looked surrounded by the majesty of Ungamot.
With a strange tugging in his chest, Cenric realized he wanted her to be this happy always. He wanted to be the reason she smiled and the reason her face flushed with delight. At least she would never want for friendly dyrehunds.
“This way.” Cenric led her up the path to the longhouse.
