Canine Demonstration

Writers: AL, Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 12th February 2013

Characters: Karhal, Zathris, Benani, Veyter
Description: Karhal shows what Livie can do
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 12, day 7 of Turn 6

Karhal

Zathris

Benani

Karhal tightened the buckles over the thick weyrhide padding while
Veyter stood patiently with a look of resignation on his face. The
younger guard often agreed to help with keeping Livie's training up,
but it didn't make up for the bruises that sometimes followed, even
with the padding on his arms, neck and legs. Karhal clapped the
younger man on his shoulder and nodded. "That should do it."

Livie, her brown eyes watchful, began to stare at Veyter intently,
recognizing the play that would soon follow. Veyter again sighed; the
canine seemed far too eager. "When will Lord Zathris arrive?"

Karhal stroked the canine's head soothingly. "Any moment. We'll do
this like we always do. Arm, hamstring, neck. Got it?"

"Karhal." Zathris' voice proceeded his appearance by a split second.
He wasn't alone. Upon his arm strode a lady of beauty fair, kind eyes
and a sweet smile. The hand of his free arm rest where hers gently
curled. "I brought Lady Benani. I thought she might be interested as
well."

"Well met Karhal," she smiled. "I hear you have summat to show us."

"I do indeed." Karhal greeted them both politely, but kept his attention
on the canine at his feet. The intelligent brown eyes of the animal
stayed firmly on Veyter, her body coiled with anticipation. Karhal
stroked her head and then looked up at the Lord and Lady. "What
we are doing is that Guard Veyter will be playing the role of
an aggressor. Livie will be responsible for neutralizing him in three
ways. One to restrain, one to disable and the other a fatal strike."
He nodded to Veyter. "The pads are to protect him; he's done
this several times, so he knows his safety is assured."

"Glad to hear it. I'd rather keep Veyter around." Zathris winked
over at the padded man, then moved over to the side a bit so that he
and his Lady wife wouldn't be anywhere close by and the men could do
the demonstration without worry of them getting in the way. "We're
ready when you are."

Benani held on to Zathris and moved with him out of the way of the men
and canine. She wasn't quite certain what was about to happen other
than the guard was showing them something a trained canine could do.

Karhal turned to Veyter and the young man nodded briskly before stepping
back. Livie, knowing the drill crouched by Karhal's side, her eyes intent.
Karhal stroked her head soothingly, then gave a short nod to Veyter, who
turned and began running in the opposite direction. Livie coiled, but
Karhal
waited until the other guard was a good distance before he barked
down at the canine. "Livie, hold!"

The dog burst into action with long running strides as she easily
caught up with the other guard. With a snarling leap, she grabbed the
man's padded arm and let her body weight pull his arm down, all the
while pulling, and twisting her head. Veyter came down to his knees as
Livie continued to pull, shaking her head viciously. Karhal gave a sharp
whistle, a two toned sound and Livie immediately dropped the arm and
with a wagging tail, trotted back to Karhal. There was an obvious look
of pleasure on her face as Karhal praised her, then looked up at Veyter.
"You okay?" Veyter nodded and slowly rose, shaking his arm.

"Impressive." Zathris' eyebrows arched upward as he watched the
display. He glanced over at his wife as if to check on her, but since
neither of the other men seemed concerned, he certainly wasn't. He
said nothing more but waited to see if they would do more.

Benani tried not to show how the vicious attack had set her heart
pounding but the blood drained from her face and she found herself
clutching the side of her skirt as she attempted to smile and nod. She
hadn't realized canines had that ferocity locked away inside them. All
she'd ever known had been happy, friendly things.

Not failing to notice Benani's expression, Karhal was quick to reassure
her, all the while stroking the head of the canine beside him. "Lady,
it's okay. She's very well trained and would not harm a person without the
command to do so or in my defense or hers. Otherwise, she's a normal
canine who likes her belly scratched and a stick tossed." He glanced at
Zathris and cleared his throat. "I'll make the next two quick."

To demonstrate disabling, Veyter obligingly ran, the thick padding on
his legs making him just a little more awkward. At Karhal's command,
Livie ferociously lunged at the back of the man's legs. It was clear that
should the guard not have been wearing the protective coverings,
he would have promptly been hamstrung. As Veyter went down,
Karhal gave a shrill trilling whistle, Livie switched, latching her teeth
onto padding around Veyter's neck. She would have worried at the
padding had Karhal not quickly called her off before she could give
Veyter's most vulnerable area a vicious shake of her head.

The canine backed away and trotted back to Karhal, who promptly
fished a small hunk of meat out of his pocket. Handing it to her, she
delicately took it from his fingers and plopped down, panting. The
Guard Captain turned to look at his Lord and Lady while Veyter rose
and doffed his padding, visibly breathing hard.

A thoughtful expression came over Zathris, but he nodded in approval
at the display. His hand patted his wife's shoulder to reassure her,
but the viciousness that was on display was something he knew canines
were capable. "Very Impressive. Is she the only one you've trained
thus far?"

She leaned closer to Zathris. While she realized the canine was
controlled by the guard it was still rather startling to watch. "Are
you alright," she called out to Veyter.

"Livie is the only canine in the Hold currently trained in this way.
I've trained others on occasion, but they were her predecessors.
Livie's training has been more in-depth than simple obedience. But she
has taught me as well. " He patted the canine's head
with warm affection. "We've learned from each other."

Veyter came jogging up towards the group, pads slung over
his arms. Despite Livie's previous ferocity, she only acknowledged
his approach with a gaze and a flick of her ears before returning back
to her snack. Veyter quickly bowed to the Lord and Lady. "I'm quite
alright. She didn't get through the pads, though I may have a bruise
in the morning. "

"Impressive, and well done both of you." Zathris nodded, his
expression thoughtful. Karhal had shown there was potential in such
an endeavour, but while Zathris could see the merit, he did not want
to rush into things. "Give me a couple of days to ponder over what
I've seen, and then we can discuss it."

Giving a brief smile, Karhal nodded. "Of course." He bowed to both
Lord and Lady before turning to give Veyter a nod of approval.

Last updated on the February 13th 2013

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Canine Demonstration