New Member Of The Family

Writers: AL, Suzee
Date Posted: 27th July 2013

Characters: Benani, Zathris
Description: Zathris and Benani figure out a name for the newest member of the family.
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 1, day 24 of Turn 7
Notes: Follows "He's Picked You"

Benani

Zathris

The canine was a quick learner. It had taken next to no time to get
the large animal to learn how to fetch. Now Zathris was having fun
lightly tossing or rolling a ball and getting the creature to bring it
back to him. Never mind that it was in the sitting room of his
quarters. The boy was large enough to take up significant space, but
despite his gangly youth, he was pretty careful around the furniture
which had helped the Lord Holder relax. "Good boy." He gave the
canine a good rubbing when the ball was brought back.

"My goodness Zathris," Benani said as she came into the room with
Benaris in her arms. "Who is this?" She smiled in the direction of the
canine.

"This is my new canine." Zathris rolled the ball, but the canine
turned his attention to the newcomer. His ears were pricked forward
and he lifted his head as if getting the scent of the woman and the
baby. "Evidently he's chosen me to be his owner. Down boy. Good
boy." Zathris gave the creature a good rubbing on his chest and the
canine sat and relaxed a little, head cocked to the side. "I'm going
to be training him with Karhal."

"And does he have a name?"

"No, he doesn't." He moved his hands from the canine's chest to the
animal's neck. The creature stood there and gloried in the attention,
tail wagging with great enthusiasm. Zathris turned his gaze to his
wife. "I have no idea what to call him."

She chuckled. "Well..." she took in the wagging tail and hanging
tongue. "He certainly looks happy."

"Yes. Though I don't think 'Happy' as a name fits him." Zathris
chuckled, "Sit." Immediately the pup sat down and the Lord Holder
gave him more praise. "Any thoughts as to a name?"

"Wow," she smiled at her husband. Benaris squealed and flapped his
arms excitedly at the canine. The boys were growing fast and at eight
months very interested in their surroundings. "He obeyed you so well."
She looked at the animal for a moment. "Well from his coloring you
could call him Klah."

"No, that doesn't quite suit him either." Zathris crouched beside the
canine who stared at his master, head tilted to the side. "He's
smart, he learns very quickly, but he also likes to play."

She turned and sat on the couch with Benaris on her lap as he busily
began stuffing one of her curls into his mouth. She shook her head and
smiled. "I honestly have no idea for a name."

"Oh you're no help." Zathris laughed and sat back to look at the
creature. "I'm afraid 'It' won't do either." He paused a moment and
considered. "Savron? Eris? Maybe I should just call him 'Gray'."

Benani laughed and took in the thumping tail and perked ears when
Zathris spoke. She shook her head. "You can call him anything and he'd
come to you. But I like Gray. I think it fits him."

"It does. But...eh. It's kind of boring." Zathris grinned at his
wife. "You got a boring husband." He thought a moment longer, then
asked, "What about Alik?"

Benani smiled a knowing smile. "Oh honey, you are anything but
boring," she waggled an eyebrow. "How about Tarken?"

"Well, a husband who is not creative then." Zathris sounded the name
she suggested. "Tarken. Tarken. What do you think boy?"

She grinned at the canine who seemed to be grinning at Zathris. "I
think he likes it."

"Let's try something." Zathris guided the canine to the middle of the
room then told him to sit. The creature complied and slowly Zathris
backed away, all the while repeating 'stay'. When he got a bit away,
he straightened. "Tarken. Tarken!"

He just stood there and stared at his master - and Zathris had to
wonder if the canine thought he was crazy. A moment later, he called,
"Alik. Alik!" The creature didn't go to Zathris, but he did perk up
and his tail wagged. Zathris patted his leg. "Here Alik." The
canine stood and trotted over to his master, then sat down as he
allowed his pink tongue to dance over the Lord Holder's hand. "I
guess he's made his decision. Tarken's a good name, though. Perhaps
for your canine?"

"Mine?" Her eyes popped open in surprise.

"Didn't I tell you?" Zathris arched an eyebrow and chuckled. "You
and the boys will be getting trained canines as well - for protection.
Well, and companionship is a bonus."

She smiled to think a canine might look to her the way Alik was
obviously looking to Zathris. "That might be fun," she said.

Last updated on the September 3rd 2013

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

New Member Of The Family