47th of Spring, 515 AV
20th bell
20th bell
It had just become night, though sometimes it was difficult to tell within the great walls of the castle city. Still, there were some signs. There were the bells that toned the time; businesses switched their menus or closed and locked their doors; less people wandered the streets, most home already and getting ready for a good long sleep before tomorrow's early work; lastly, the taverns exploded with late-night drinkers and partiers looking for a good time.
Isolde herself was walking around on an unofficial patrol. Lady Freed had, well, freed her from her duties earlier in the evening, as was her wont; after all, most squires needed rest at some point, and the Lady seemed inclined to give Isolde some time off even if she didn't technically need it. Despite her freedom, though, it wasn't like Isolde had anything else better to do than her training... whether that be practicing with magic or a weapon or, as she was doing now, learning every inch of the city's layout, every back alley and walkway. Though at first she had hated patrols --hated the crowds-- she had soon come to actually like them, much to her surprise. Enough to continue to walk the city even when she could have been doing anything else.
It was just as Isolde was turning a corner that she saw the dog. Immediately she recognized the thin, dirty animal snuffling around the street: it was the one from before, the stray that Katelyn and she had inspected during their morphing studies.
For some reason, Isolde had been thinking about this dog recently, wondering in a vague sort of way where he might have gotten off to. Maybe her interest was due to his personality. He had been sweet and oddly well-behaved for a stray, friendly towards the two squires and willing to hold still and abide their interest for a few scratches and some foodstuff. Simply put, he'd been a good dog. So much so that Isolde had even wondered if he was a stray, or just someone's lost pet.
In the following weeks since their first meeting the Nuit had noticed him among crowds multiple times, but never seemingly with anyone, just walking about aimlessly, bumping around, nosing for food. She had seen him be treated well by the citizens, petted, even fed a handful of food here and there, tail wagging. The last time, she had seen him mistreated: the dog had tried to enter a building, a tavern, and had been kicked at by the management, door shut on his face. She had heard his yelp of startlement and pain. Before the Nuit had been able to do anything to help, however, he had vanished, and she hadn't seen him since... until now.
A sudden decision sprang ready into Isolde's mind as she looked at the poor, decrepit creature, a decision she hadn't realized she'd already made. She started briskly towards him. The dog seemed to notice her, and wagged his tail.
---
A bell later and Isolde and the dog were at the entrance to the dormitories. The Nuit had gotten a bit of rope --which she'd bought for her horse, Gretta, but it could be useful here, too-- and had looped it over the dog's head in a makeshift lead. The gentle animal had not protested in the least; after that, it had been at first easy to guide him through the city, especially with a bit of more dried jerky that she'd brought in her pocket. He was perfectly willing to follow.
The biggest thing she noticed about the dog while they walked was that he was extraordinarily clumsy. She had not known many dogs throughout the years --she was more a bird person-- but she had known some, and this one's lack of coordination was obvious. He seemed to have trouble when taking turns, as if he expected to continue walking forward and had to hastily correct when it was time to change directions. He also had a particular difficultly with the stairs. It took a lot of coaxing to get him to attempt to walk up them, and he was hesitant about the process all the way to the top.
His anxiousness had seemed to increase once they were on the second tier. Maybe it was just that he seemed to live on the third tier --the ground floor of the city-- and wasn't used to going to places that he didn't know. He bumbled around as if he had no idea where he was or what to do, and Isolde had to shorten the rope lead to keep him from walking into walls. Finally they were at the dormitories, but the relief the Nuit felt was not long-lived. The dog lurked uncertainly in the doorway, unwilling to go through. Whenever Isolde petted him or talked to him he still wagged his tail, but he looked distinctly nervous.
It seemed they were stuck. Luckily most of the squires would probably be sleeping or studying in their rooms by now so they didn't have to worry about a lot of traffic. Or was that unlucky? Isolde hadn't really thought this through. Now that the dog was here she didn't want to force him into the building if he didn't want to go, and pulling on the rope felt cruel. There was also the fact that her roommates would be looking for quiet, and she didn't know if the dog would cause a fuss once he was inside.
But what else was she supposed to do? She had seen him and had been unable to leave him alone again after witnessing the trouble he could get into on his own. Besides that, he was a good dog. He deserved a good home. She wasn't exactly certain if she could supply that or not, but she could try. And if it didn't work out, she was certain Lady Freed would know what to do.
How to actually get him into his new home, however, was the issue. And then there was the matter of cleaning him up and figuring out how to actually take care of him. And checking to see if he was hurt or needed any other special attentions.
OOCSorry for the length; this turned out a little longer than I thought it would.
