An Adorable Partner

Writers: AmajoS, Miriah
Date Posted: 27th March 2019

Characters: Karhal, Rothen
Description: Karhal introduces Rothen to his new partner.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 10, day 10 of Turn 9

Karhal

"Goodmorning, sir." Rothen stopped when he saw the Guard Captain.
Dagger stopped as well and sat. He had a look on his panting face like
he was simply humoring the man holding his lead, but willing to go
along with the charade. It had taken a few days for Rothen to get that
much out of the canine. Karhal had said that Dagger would test him and
he hadn't been exaggerating.

Karhal inclined his head and a knowing glint flickered in his eyes as
he observed the canine's posture and overall attitude. "Good morning.
How has the training been?"

Rothen smiled, "A learning experience, to be sure. But, I think I'm
coming along. This fellow doesn't seem to be misbehaving on purpose
anymore anyway." It had taken a little while to get the hang of the
right tone of voice and even stance when giving the canine commands to
get him to do what he was supposed to do. Rothen still didn't get it
completely right all the time yet, but he liked to think he was much
improved.

"You never stop learning when you work with canines. They read your
facial expressions and body language." He drew a rolled piece of hide
from his pocket. "Veyter said you're learning that very well and you
pick up instruction easily. Dagger isn't used to you, but the canine
you train will learn your body language as you train her. Veyter
thinks that you'll do quite well, actually." He raised a hand and
waved his hand in a beckoning gesture. Veyter appeared from the
kennels, holding a young black and tan puppy, the tail wagging
frantically, but eyes intent on her surroundings. "This will be your
partner. Keep in mind that she's not a pet. She'll be as much as a
guard as yourself."

He knew the canine was going to be work and that she was meant to be a
working canine, like Dagger. But Rothen couldn't help but grin at how
adorable she was anyway. "Does she have a name already?"

Karhal's smile was also warm as he looked at the happy, rambunctious
young canine. "No, she doesn't. You'll name her. I suggest finding her
personality first, though. Dagger is her sire, so she comes from good
bloodlines. Her dam is a tracker, so I'm hoping she can do both search
and guard duties."

"Will I still be working with Dagger too?" He reached to take the
puppy from Veyter.

"Yes, but Veyter will hold his lead. He'll be training you to train
her. You'll be a team for at least a turn, You'll accompany him on
tracking duties when necessary but your main duty will be getting your
canine accustomed to your duties. Don't let her get too friendly with
anyone, Rothen. You'll be her focus, no one else."

Rothen nodded his understanding as he scratched the young puppy around
the ears. He knew he'd have his hands full keeping people from trying
to pet and play with her. Most people knew better than to try to
approach working canines, but puppies were appealing enough that
people didn't think. She was such a little thing now, it was hard to
imagine that she would be a full-grown guard canine before long."So,
we'll have the same schedule then?"

"Veyter and I will work with your schedule. You'll be spending less
time doing regular guard duty and more time training, but you'll be
busy. This isn't an easy path to follow. You'll stay busy and if you
have a family, they'll have to understand that your schedule is going
to be fuller."

He nodded. That should be fine, his mother was usually better when she
wasn't cooped up inside because of winter and the weather was getting
warmer. "It's just my mother and I, the rest of my family is scattered
about." His surviving sister was at the Dolphin Hall and his brother
and father at the Weavers. Though, maybe his brother had been assigned
somewhere by now. He should write them more. Maybe.

"Very well." Karhal nodded. "Welcome to the first real day of your
training, Rothen."

"Yes, sir." Rothen replied. He eyed the puppy and tried to think what
he was going to name her. Nothing jumped out at him just yet, so he
decided to take the Captain's advice and wait until he knew her quirks
a bit better before settling on something."Is there any gear I need
for her while she's so small? Or will the same stuff I was using for
Dagger work?"

"Dagger's gear won't fit her yet. She'll need things smaller and as
she grows, you'll replace them. Just a harness and lead will do for
right now, I think. Veyter will requisition it for you, but after,
you'll make your own." Karhal offered his hand. "I think you'll do
well, Rothen."

He took the offered hand and shook it, "Thank you, sir." He smiled down at the little puppy and wondered what he'd name her.

Last updated on the April 4th 2019

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An Adorable Partner