Canines and Conversation

Writers: Avery, Devin
Date Posted: 22nd August 2006

Characters: Ishek, Zanen
Description: Ishek meets Zanen while the hunter is playing with his canines and the two of them enjoy a casual conversation that leads to business.
Location: Garnet Valley Hold
Date: month 13, day 4 of Turn 3

Ishek had heard about the new man that had arrived, and had been planning to greet him anyway, as was his duty as Lord Warder. It was when he discovered that he had canines- a group of animals Ishek had always been particularly fond of- that Ishek decided he was going to go meet him now, rather than wait. Pushing aside his hidework and trying not to feel like a young youth being delinquent from Harper classes, he set off on an expedition to find the newest person at Garnet Valley Hold.

Zanen was tossing a stick for Fang and Silver, enjoying the puppyish looks on their faces. Silver got to the stick faster, grabbing it and running back to her master. Fang turned, nearly tripping and raced after her. The canines stopped a few feet away, wrestling for the stick. They ended up both getting ahold of the stick and brought it back to him side by side. Laughing, Zanen took it from them and prepared to throw it again.

Ishek had seen the canine go chasing after the stick, followed by another. Rather than go and speak to him then, he'd stood and watched, amused by their antics. When they went back, carrying the stick in tandem, he couldn't help it any longer; he laughed. "They're beautiful!"
he called to their owner.

Zanen turned, a smile still on his face. "Thank you!"

Ishek grinned and strode forward, offering his hand. "My name's Ishek."
He didn't even bother with his title- Penryn or Kiomo might have scolded him, but Ishek himself could care less. "What're their names? And yours, for that matter." They sure were beautiful canines, he thought, looking over again.

"Ah, yes. The man in charge around here." Zanen wiped canine spit on his pants before shaking the offered hand. "I'm Zanen. The dark one there's Fang, and the silver one's named Silver. Not too original, I know." He noticed Ishek's admiration of the canines, and that he'd asked for their names first. The Lord Warder was making a good impression so far.

"Fang and Silver." Ishek said, repeating the names and committing them to memory. "So, Zanen, are they companions or assistants?" Honest curiosity on his part was audible in his tone.

"Both," Zanen replied. "They're my hunting partners and my friends.
They're practically like siblings to me." He patted Fang's head as the canine sat down beside him.

**So he sees his pets as more then just...pets. Excellent. I like him!**
Ishek smiled. "I always wanted a canine." he remarked idly. "So, do you have any siblings?"

"Two younger sisters, that I don't visit as often as I should," Zanen smiled guiltily.

"Sisters are wonderful." Ishek said, thinking of his own. "Would it be prying to ask what brings you here? You don't seem like the average Holder."

"Well, I came here cause I heard you had a feline problem," Zanen said.
"I want to help you with that, if you'll let me."

"You can help? Really?" Ishek asked. Then he looked over at the canines.
"They help you out with that?"

"Yep," Zanen nodded. "They track 'em, chase 'em, sometimes they even fight with 'em."

Ishek looked them over with newfound respect. "I'm impressed!" he remarked. "Is it fun, tracking?" he asked with wistfulness. He missed being out there and doing things.

"It can be, at times. But it's also serious work. Dangerous work." Zanen thought of Fang's brother, and his own scar.

Ishek nodded. "I can imagine it would be. No family besides your siblings?"

"I have a father and a mother, that I also don't visit often enough," Zanen said. "Uncles, aunts, cousins. I don't have a huge family, but it's big enough."

"Sounds comfortable." Ishek remarked. "I'm lucky to have some of my family here, it makes my days more comfortable. So like what you've sene so far?" he asked, liking this new man.

Zanen nodded. "Seems like a nice place."

"It is!" Ishek declared. "Do you like to ride runners? There are great trails around here."

"Sure do! If you don't mind me borrowing one of your runners, I'd love to go for a ride," Zanen said, smiling.

"I borrow them too, I don't have my own yet." Ishek quipped. "How about dropping by some time, claiming you have important business, and then we go riding? It'd be more interesting than hidework."

"Maybe you could take me out to where one of the feline attacks happened? We could make it business and pleasure," Zanen suggested.

"Sounds good to me." Ishek said. "I thought I knew disgusting, and then I saw the feline attack. I wish I didn't know what herdbeast insides looked like. I guess I could never cook."

Zanen's brow went up. "Are there any remains left? I'd like to see them."

"There are remains left from an attack two days ago about a candlemark away, are those too old?"

"The fresher the better, but that will certainly do for a start," the hunter said. "Even bones would be a help if they've got tooth or claw marks on them."

Ishek nodded. "I have a map of all the sites in my office, and we can start visiting the sites tomorrow if you wish."

"Sounds good to me," Zanen said. The sooner he got to work on the problem, the better.

"I'll see you tomorrow, then." Ishek said, regretting having to leave.
He was enjoying the conversation.

"Tomorrow." Zanen nodded. "I look forward to working with you."

Last updated on the August 25th 2006

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Canines and Conversation