Mutt

Leaving the tavern, Finn waved goodbye to the teenager, and Tristan went off on his way. Riding atop a small wagon covered by cloth and leather to form a dry shelter. Two mules dragged the wagon slowly as it rolled through the streets.

Finn took in a breath of fresh air, the crisp cool wind slashed at his face gently, his chest pumping out and caving back in as he exhaled. The guardsman walked the streets of Lokarth slowly, the dry cobblestone path beneath him felt comforting. Not needing to watch his step as to not slip felt nice, his posture went from a usual slouched position to being upright, highlighting how tall he really was. He was very tall, tall enough to meet a stallion eye to eye. His body seemed robust and massive compared to the plump shape his armor usually offered. His shoulders that were usually hidden by his cloak now stood broad and stiff as he walked. He wasn't a very good looking man, nor someone that was ugly by any means. He seemed regular, but very fit for his position as a warrior. He didn't seem old nor young, he seemed mature and serious, hardened by battle. Though he didn't have stress lines or grooves along his face, instead there were scars. One that went from his lip across his cheek, another that was a short cut on the outer edge of his left eyebrow. All of them silver and healed.

He didn't turn eyes, but he caught the attention of others in a way that radiated respect. Men didn't get out of his way, but when they brushed shoulders and glanced at him, they apologized politely. Women didn't whistle for him, but when they met eyes it wasn't a glance but a second long stare. But never followed by a shy movement or blush. He was regular, but better than regular. Not enough to have heads turn for him but enough to get the respect he deserved.

As his leather boots touched the stone path, it cleared away as he opened a wooden gate, entering a small doorway. He scurried his hands through his satchel, finding an iron key and opening up the massive wooden door that stood in his way. He entered a small homely building. The sound of whining and scratching could be heard at the door, and as it swung open, he was quickly bashed outside his homestead. A black beast toppled him. It looked almost like a bear, but had the slenderness of a canine. It's tail was hardened by scales and at the end was a pointy sharp stinger. My dear Manticore. He thought to himself as he met the wolf head on, the two wrestling about through the ground. Finn laughed brightly, his face met with continuous licks from a wet dogs mouth.

"Hey Mutt, how are you boy?!" Finn said happily as he got up from the ground, holding onto two front paws. A large black wolf that nearly towered him stood on its hind legs, barking loudly in excitement, wagging it's scorpions tail. "BARK!" Finn laughed as he put it's paws down, ruffling the beasts fur and entering inside the home, with one kick closing the door behind him. Mutt was a Manticore, its said that Manticores mate with Wolves, and their offsprings can inherit traits from the parent. Wolves can gain wings and scorpion tails, some even inherit their furious intellect and develop magics of their own. Mutt however was a juvenile creature. It was young, and didn't gain any of those, just the size and a long scorpion tail with a sharp stinger at the end.

"I'm sorry for being gone for so long Mutt, it's okay I'm staying all day with you boy. You've grown since last storm haven't you boy?!" Finn's voice was soft and excited, the tail of the wolf wagged on and on happily as the two walked over to a soft bed. Finn spread out onto the covers, tired. Mutt jumped along, snuggling close to him, the warm fur getting rid of the need of any sort of covers or blankets. "You're not supposed to be on the bed, but, I'll allow it until next sun, okay?" The wolf barked loudly with a happy tone, it's tongue sticking out. Finn ruffled it's head, as he slid his head onto a soft feather filled pillow, his eyes closing as he began to breath slowly, relaxing his body into the mattress.

Hours passed fast, the Guardsman and his loyal beast rested after a long time apart. And as quick, the moon rose up in the sky, night finally falling upon Ebonvale.

The sound of light rain covered the guards home. The soft rumble of the roof being hit by droplets could be heard, the cricketing of the wooden floors shifted as the wolf leapt off the bed softly. It's ears were perked up, on alert, it had heard something faint come from the innards of the hallways. A regular man could have not heard such things with the masking rain, but a Manticore could. It's sharp senses acted as it began to sniff the air, feeling the sting of foreigner. It was an earthy and sulfurous smell that covered the air lightly, Mutt's wet nose twitching at how it felt. He stepped through the house slowly and silently, bearing his fangs and tail ready. As he entered the common room, the wolf began to growl, it's teeth shining even through the cloudy night. Red dots for eyes glimmered in the dark, glaring down what he thought was an intruder. And as his growling would turn to be a bark, it's ears went down softly. He cocked his head up in a friendly manner, and trotted towards the open window. A hand reached out from the wet outside, and he licked it, it quickly backed away however.

"I won't hurt you! I swear!" Mutt whined softly, his true voice couldn't be heard, but he still got a reply, as a gentle girlish voice spoke from outside the window. "I know, but I don't like being around strangers much. A man sleeps in this place, his scent frightens me. He reeks of violence." Mutt quirked up, a small growl let out from it's mouth. "He ain't violent! He's a good friend! Don't play with his scent lightly, that's a warning!" Mutt loyaly growled. "I apologize. I can feel it now, he does have the smell of a caring father."

The voice suddenly disappeared, as Mutt turned his head round. Heavy steps could be heard, and the dragging of cloth along with it. "It's cold as all hells, that what got you bothered boy?" Finn woke from his slumber, marching sheepishly to the window, and then with a heavy motion he closed it. He ruffled the wolfs head, as he went back into his room to resume his sleep. Mutt whined, his claws tapping the floor while trotting towards the bedroom to join his master, only to find that a window was left wide open. The wolf's ears perked up, scanning the room restlessly. The sword he usually keeps tucked away in a leathery scabbard was gone, along with his boots. Mutt climbed the window with his front paws, barking for his master.

Loud drops of water were heard, splash after splash. The girl who was talking to Mutt now running off towards an alleyway, only to feel the strong grip of a hand tugging at her arm. She turned around, and as the clouds broke temporarily, a flash of moonlight glared of the steel tip of a sword nearing her neck. "End of the line, goblin." A rough voice said, as he neared the blade to her neck. The moonlight flashed brightly again off his blade, and onto the girls face. She was trembling in fear, didn't make a single move, only to the man's dismay. He backed his blade away from her throat, a sudden guilt and shock running out of him. "You're no goblin, just a kid! What are you stalking about in the storm?!" Finn asked, he was given no reply. He could feel the fear shaking out of her, and soon enough, her body went limp. The guardsman grasped her arm tightly, not letting her tall on the wet cobblestone and with a flourish picked her up in his arms. "God's forgive me.. let's get you warmed up before you freeze to death.."

A strange sensation covered the girl. She could feel herself being.. licked? Faint noises could be heard in the background of her mind but the sensation became stronger and stronger, and the smell.. worse and worse. She opened her eyes, to see the snout of a wolf up in her face. "Hey, hey! Wake up! I told you he's a good man! He rescued you from the rain!" The girl's eyes blinked, her face blank with confusion. She looked around her surroundings. The innards of a home. Stone and wood for walls all around her. The storm was violent outside but in here it felt warm and dry. A fire was burning away inside of a dark stone chimney, tongues of flame roared upwards as they ate away at the logs. She clenched her hands, feeling the warmth of a woolen fabric wrapped around her frame. Finally, she could think straight. Where am I? What happened? Am I in danger? Before she could even finish thinking, the roughness of the guards voice bit at her ears once again, startling her.

"That's enough Mutt, leave the poor girl." Finn got up from his seat, nearing towards the girl. She was small and skinned to bone. Her skin was a dark forest green, and her ears were pointier than Lanor's. Wood Elf? Finn thought to himself. He didn't know much about them, but she sure fit the description of one. The girl tried to back away, but her body was stiffened with exhaustion and her stomach grumbled loudly. "It's okay, I won't hurt 'ye. If you were a goblin, I would've. But since you ain't, I'm letting you stay for the night. Now eat up, it's good food." Finn put into her hands a bowl with soup. Vegetables floated about in it; Potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onion. It was salty and savory, warm and fresh. The girl smelled the soup, and then immediately began to drink from the bowl. She ate with her hands, picking at the carrots and potatoes with her long fingernails as if they were utensils. Finn's mouth jerked up a smile, going back to his seat and continuing to enjoy his own bowl.

Mutt looked around curiously. His long scorpion tail hid away underneath him, as he laid onto the wooden floor. The sound of rain and crackling fire made a wonderful ambience, and with a yawn, the wolf napped away. Finn looked over to the girl. The two were done with their food, and only an awkward silence set between the two. "So, you've got a name, kid?" Finn asked, but he received no answer. "Where are your parents? You lost?" He asked again, but still no answer came. Finn shrugged, and shook his head. He lifted himself off his chair and stoked the fire pit, from what was once a tall giant flame, only a few embers remained, as a small fire burned away at charred logs.

Finn wrapped his blanket around himself, it was warm and dry, though he missed the feeling of having his cloak wrapped around him, how it protected him from rain and cold. He could only mimmick that now.