"Age of Time, Time of Age" by Emily Ann Coop

1

Dair knelt beside the rock. It was still warm from the heat of the last person resting here. He smiled.

“Time’s up.”

The young man cautiously stepped into the brush.  He could see the object of his hunt just across the small clearing. It must have sensed something, thought, because it took off into the brush. Dair swore to himself as he followed his prey.

A cry rose as he crossed into the brush. Dair froze as an Achok warrior grabbed his prey. He was about to circle around to follow them when Dair suddenly realized something.  There were no Achok in the Terend Province and hadn’t been for over four centuries. Dair dropped back into the brush for cover to think this revelation over.

Dair studied the camp. It was too big to be a hunting camp but too small to be a home camp. He scanned the grounds, searching for his lost prey. Disappointed, Dair couldn’t find the young doe that he’d been hunting. The only unusual thing in the camp was the young girl tied to a ground stake; the Achok often took war prisoners or picked up “strays.”

He decided quickly that the girl must be a “stray” because the camp had very few war weapons. But he couldn’t figure out where she would have come from. Her skin was a dark cream, her hair a few shades darker than her skin with white streaks, and her eyes, Dair swore, were golden-hazel. Something funny tickled the back of his mind.

Dair strained to see her face more clearly. He realized what was so interesting. The girl’s eyes were unusually large and round and her nose was rather small and flat. Very similar to the doe he’d been following. Dair shook off the thought. It was crazy.

The movement must have caught the girls’ eye, though how she could see him Dair had no idea. Her eyes widened unbelievable wide as she started backing away, straining against her tethers. The woman nearest her watched her and the spot she was looking at warily. With a grunt the woman called over her man and pointed first to the girl then to the brush where Dair was hiding.

The man picked up his club and advanced towards the brush. Several other men picked up their weapons in anticipation of a hunt. Dair looked around for a way out. There was a small opening beside him, but Dair knew that any movement would alert the men to his position. So he crouched tensely, anticipating their movement.

Suddenly, a groose flushed out from behind him. The men were momentarily startled then quickly brought the bird down. Groose were good feeding birds. That one would feed three families.

Dair sighed inwardly in relief. He peered through the bushes to watch the activity. His eyes locked with the girl’s but she didn’t flinch. Instead, Dair felt like he could see the remorse and sorrow in her eyes. As if she was sorry that she’d draw such attention to him. Now she sat quietly against the stake, clutching her knees to her chest.

Sitting quietly himself, Dair felt sorry for the girl. He knew she must be uncomfortable sitting… naked? Dair had yet another revelation that the girl was completely naked. He began growling at the thought that the Achok would be so barbarous as to not give her something to wear. Then he calmed down when he saw a throw lying on the ground next to her. She must have dropped it when she saw me, he thought.

The day faded into night. Neither Dair nor the girl moved from their positions. The camp slowly quieted as the people prepared for bed. A woman brought the girl a heavier blanket and wrapped it and the throw around her. Through the double moonlight Dair could see that she was still looking at him.

The camp finally quieted. Dair waited another hour or so to be sure that everyone was asleep. Carefully, he crawled from under the brush and over to the girl. Fortunately she didn’t move any. He gingerly took the throw from the girl without any resistance and began filling it with scraps of meat and bread. When he finished, Dair went back by the girl. She hadn’t moved to untie herself so Dair had to work on the tethers. They were tough but he found that chewing them helped.

Finally he had the tethers undone. Still the girl didn’t move so he nudged her to her feet. Dair grabbed the throw and tossed it over his shoulder and began walking towards the forest. He was halfway there when he realized that the girl wasn’t following. He looked back to find her staring at him with the head crooked to the side. Dair growled at her daftness. That seemed to frighten the girl into moving. She quickly caught up with him, though she kept a distance away.

They traveled through the forest towards what Dair hoped was Wetrein. Towards daylight, the girl began slowing down. Dair decided that they could afford finding a place to rest. He left the girl sitting on a stone to find a thicket. Fortunately, he found one without having to go far. He returned to the girl to find her chewing on some grass. Shaking his head, Dair picked up the food pack and led her to the thicket.

The girl gratefully spread the blanket on the ground and lay on it. Her eyes fluttered. Before they finally closed, she whispered, “Laré, Lorhin.” Thank you, Wolf. Then she slept.

Dair couldn’t understand why she called him a wolf, which he wasn’t. He was a man. Although, people often said that he had a grin like a wolf and that his eyes were green like a wolf’s. But Dair had always ignored the comments. Now he thought about them. Shaking his head, Dair lay his head on his… paws?

Dair sprang up. PAWS?  He didn’t have paws! What was going on? Dair swung his head around and froze as he saw a tail coming from his rear! Unable to understand what was happening, Dair screamed. Only the scream came out as a long howl.

The howl woke up the girl. She sensed his fear. Slowly she reached out and touched his nose. Dair whimpered at her touch. Tears streamed down the girl’s face.

“Do not fear, Lorhin. You are still you. Do not fear,” she said in a silky voice.

Dair shook his head. “I don’t understand!” he wailed/howled. “ I am not a wolf!”

“Shh. You are Lorhin. It is in your blood. You cannot deny this now. There is no going back. We are who we are.”

She stroked his head. Dair was surprised to find how good that felt. He was still upset, though. “But who are you?”

The girl laughed. “I am Jayin.” Doe. “I was the one you hunt. Now you are the one I hunt. But I cannot hunt you.  You are my survival. And I yours.”

“What do you mean I am your survival? And how will you save me? Please, I don’t understand!” Dair cried.

Jayin sadly shook her head. “I do not know how to answer you. I do not know the answer myself. I only know. Now sleep Lorhin. Sleep.” She sang. The melody was slow and eerie. Dair couldn’t resist the sleep coming over him.

2

Dair woke up as night was falling. He cursed himself for falling under Jayin’s spell though he was amazed that she could do such a thing. Dair rose and stretched. He was hungry. Maybe I can catch a rabbit easier, he though grimly. Then he looked around for the girl who wasn’t in the clearing.

Just as Dair was about to go searching for her, Jayin walked back into the clearing with a brace of rabbits.

“Ah! You’re awake. Catching rabbits is quite hard. Fortunately I managed to catch these. Although I don’t see how I could ever eat them. Poor things.” Jayin settled the brace on the ground. “I suppose you can have them. I’ll find something else.”

Dair sniffed at the rabbits. They did smell good. “If you can skin them, we can take the hides to the nearest tanner and trade them in for something. If you wish.”

Jayin thought a moment. “I suppose I will be needing something other than that blanket to wear. But I do not relish the thought of doing more harm to these poor creatures. No. I will make do with what I have. Eat them. You will need your strength.”

Dair didn’t ask why he’d need his strength. Instead, he picked up the brace in his teeth and left the clearing. He didn’t think she needed to see him eat the rabbits. When he finished, Dair made sure he buried the carcasses and wiped the blood from his muzzle. Then he returned to the clearing.

The girl was in the process of ripping the blanket on one end. She was having trouble so Dair grabbed the torn section and pulled. The fabric ripped into a perfect strip. Jayin kissed his nose in thanks. She proceeded to wrap the strip around her upper torso in a halter fashion. Then she wrapped the remaining blanked around her waist.

She twirled around for him to admire her work. “What do you think?”

Dair made a face. “I think I’d better stick close to you when we meet people.”

Jayin laughed. “Don’t worry. Once we finish the food in the throw I can wear that.” She picked up the throw. “Are you ready? I think we still have a lot of walking to do.”

Dair fell in step with Jayin as they started walking. Neither of them knew where they were going. Jayin was just following her instincts. Dair didn’t object because he could already smell human, though it was quite far away.

They traveled for a number of days without running into any trouble. Only once did they have a problem with a bear, but Dair managed to scare it away. They even had a bit of help from the other animals in the form of nuts and fruit for Jayin. Dair finished off the meat in the throw to avoid eating an animal that might be able to help them. Every now and then Jayin would return from foraging with a brace of rabbits.

Dair was confused by the forest animals’ behavior so he asked Jayin about it. “Why are they sacrificing their food and lives for us? Why are we so important?”

Jayin shook her head. “I don’t know. They do know something that we do not. They keep talking about our ‘path.’ But I do not understand any of what they’re saying.” She sighed.

“Well, I suppose we’ll be finding out soon enough,” Dair said as they reached then end of the forest.  Below them at the foot of the hill rested a village. “I’d say let’s avoid this place, but you need shoes so that you do not hurt your feet. But we need some form of payment, which we do not have.”

“No worries, my friend. If I must have shoes, then we shall find a way to pay for them. Maybe they’ll know why we are so special.”

They continued down the hill towards the village. As they neared it, people stared at them. Dair figured they had never seen a wolf before, but then it was probably Jayin they were staring at. He walked closer to her side as they continued through the village. The tanner and shoemaker were in the same building at the end of the main street. Dair nudged Jayin towards the shop.

The inside of the shop smelled like leather. Jayin turned up her nose a bit at the smell. They walked up to the counter where the shoemaker was working. He didn’t even see them until Dair make a noise. Startled, the man looked up and stepped back. Dair realized that the man was probably afraid of his presence so he simply sat and raised a paw, trying to act like a dog, a rather large dog.

Dair’s actions seemed to calm the man down a little. He readjusted his spectacles and studied the girl in front of him before speaking. “May I help you, miss?”

“Yes, sir. If you would, I need a pair of shoes. Hardy shoes I can walk far in. But I haven’t anything to pay for them.”

The man stared at her. “Well, miss, I suppose I can help you. We will have to figure out some form of payment, though. These aren’t the times to give good shoes away for nothing. Come around back so I can measure your size.”

Jayin followed his orders. Soon he had all her measurements and was showing her the types of leathers he had. Dair followed them to the back and was looking at the leathers, much to the chagrin of the man. He put a paw on a certain leather and got a laugh out of the man.

“Your dog seems to know his leathers. That one’s quite expensive. It’ll take a bit of time for you to work it off. But if your dog insists…”

“If he says so, then I would like this leather, please,” Jayin said, stroking Dair’s head.

The shoemaker shook his head slightly as he picked up the leather. “Now, you go down to the inn, say that Haed sent you, then come back in the morning. We’ll work out your payment then.”

Jayin thanked him profusely then headed out the door. Dair led the way to the inn. He hesitated before walking in with Jayin. The inn suddenly grew quiet as they walked to the counter. The big woman behind it grabbed a knife.

Dair cocked his head at the woman then sat and raised his paw as he’d done with the shoemaker. The woman’s face contorted as she tried to suppress a grin. “May I help you, my dear?”

“Yes, ma’am, if you would. Haed sent me to sleep the night, for I am to return to him in the morning. If you would, ma’am, I need a small corner for my dog and I,” Jayin said politely.

The woman smiled. “Why, I haven’t heard such manners in a long time. You just call me Kateriny, sweetie. I think we have a room just perfect for you. It’s right ‘round the corner there, second door on the left. I’ll be bringing you some food and blankets. Go on, now.”

Jayin bowed deeply. “Thank you very much, ma’am. Come dog.”

Dair followed Jayin obediently, hating that she called him “dog.” When they were in the room, he sat with a huff and growled softly. “Could you call me by my name instead of dog? I’d much appreciate it.”

“I’m sorry, Dair. I should have called you by your name. But I thought it best to refrain from using your name. Your village may have called dogs by certain names, but here, they are just dogs and can’t have personified names. It would show bad taste in my character that I do not know the customs of the village before entering it. Do you understand, now?”

The boy/wolf shook his head. “I understand the customs of the village. But my question now is how did you know the customs?”

Jayin stared at him. “Oh. I don’t know. I suppose it must be like how I know you will be my survival or the other things I just seem to know.”

Just then Kateriny knocked on the door and entered. She was balancing blankets on one arm and a tray of food on the other. Jayin jumped up to help her. Together they made the small bed and prepared the food. Then Kateriny left, wishing Jayin a pleasant night.

“Ah, food,” Dair drooled. “I love food.” He quickly began chomping on the raw scraps left for him. Something in the back of his mind asked how he could readily eat such a thing, but he quickly suppressed the thought.

Jayin picked at the food brought for her. She didn’t touch the meat except to move it aside or throw it by Dair. He looked at her inquisitively for a moment then continued eating. Jayin finished picking at the food and began to wash herself with the basin water and a scrap of blanket. Dair, feeling nature’s call, whined and scratched at the door. I’m getting much too used to this, he though. Jayin let him out with a laugh.

Dair headed out the back door of the inn. He went and found a nice tree to do his business. After he’d finished, Dair decided to walk around town. He was passing in front of the butcher’s store when he heard a strange noise coming from the back alleyway. Curious, Dair silently crept towards the sound.

Suddenly, a grey she-dog jumped into the light of the window, growling softly but menacingly. Dair stood his ground, knowing that if she attacked he’d have the definite advantage because of his size. But he’d also seen she-dogs fight and they could be vicious.

He cocked his head, studying his opponent.  She put on a good show, but Dair could see her hind legs trembling. She was probably starving; he could even see the hunger in her eyes. He knew she was thinking of how well she’d eat if she could bring him down. Amused, Dair sat and grinned wolfishly. Once again his actions worked and the she-dog was thrown off guard.

“You look hungry. I’ve got leftovers at my… um, companion’s sleeping quarters. She could always get you more if need be. Come on, I won’t hurt you if you don’t hurt me,” Dair said as he turned around. He walked to the street before stopping to see if she was coming.

The she-dog was clearly debating what she wanted to do. She was hungry, but this strange large-dog could be tricking her. In the end, her stomach told her where to go and she followed the large-dog.

At the inn, Dair pawed at the rear door. Soon the pantry boy opened the door and almost shut it again. But his curiosity of the big dog stopped his action. The dog whined pityingly and glanced at the she-dog. The boy smiled when he thought he understood what the big dog wanted.

Soon the boy returned with the day’s scraps and leftovers. He threw them at the dogs and set out a bowl of water. Dair raised his paw as a show of thanks. The boy smiled then scrambled back inside as he was called.

Dair looked at the she-dog who was already eating the food. “Well, I do hope you enjoy this. Go ahead and eat it all. I’m not hungry.” He sat thinking to himself, “I wonder if I should go inside in case Jayin should need me. But I don’t want to leave this dog alone. She looks like she could use a little protection herself.” He yawned. “Maybe I’ll take a nap and think about it…” Dair lay down beside a barrel and quickly fell asleep.

When Dair woke up, the she-dog was gone. He’d half expected her to leave but he was kind of disappointed. Stretching, Dair pawed at the door to be let in. Within a few minutes he was sitting at the foot of Jayin’s bed, waiting for her to wake up.

The girl slept well into the day without even stirring. Dair even went on another tour of the village and came back only to find her still sleeping. He whined as he licked her hand, trying to wake her up. He knew she was alive, she just wasn’t responding. He was getting scared.

Following instinct, Dair went to Kateriny. She followed him to the room immediately. When she unsuccessfully tried to wake the girl up, Kateriny sent for the village healer. While waiting she tried to anticipate what he might need so she filled the basin with warm water and brought in more towels. Finally the healer appeared in the doorway.

“Thank you, Kateriny, for watching her. Now go tend to your flock. I will watch this sheep,” the man said.

“Yes, Healer Roan,” Kateriny said as she backed out of the room and closed the door.

Roan sat on the edge of the bed and felt Jayin’s forehead. Then he placed his hand on her chest to hear her heart. After listening for a few seconds, Roan dug through his medicine bag and pulled out three pouches. The first he soaked in the warm water. The second he hung over the fire. The third he just put on the table.

Dair eyed the healer warily. The man hadn’t paid him any attention though he sat at the foot of the bed. But Dair sat quietly, trusting that the old man knew what he was doing. He perked up, though when the man started chanting.

Roan hadn’t seen such a condition since he was young and still in training. It wasn’t a very serious condition. The only problem lay in trying to wake the person from their death-like slumber without causing some adverse affect. Something about this girl, though, told him that she entered this condition on purpose. But for what purpose he could not fathom. So, Roan started chanting, praying that he’d be able to revive the girl successfully.

Suddenly, in the middle of the healer’s chanting, Jayin sat upright, screaming. Dair reacted quicker than the man could and jumped on the bed. Jayin grabbed his fur as she hugged his neck, sobbing. Roan stepped back, nearly upsetting the small table. At the noise Jayin instantly focused her golden eyes on the healer. She sat straight up, eyes dry, with one arm still looped over Dair’s neck.

“You must be the village healer. They said you’d try to wake me up. But you were going to fail. And I would have been lost,” she said softly in her silky, haunting voice.

The old man visibly trembled. “I beg your forgiveness, mistress. I was only going to do what I though was right. Please forgive me.” Roan knelt and touched his forehead to his knee.

Jayin contemplated this man before her before moving. Slowly she swung her legs over the side of the bed and walked over to him.

“You knew not what you would do. I can do nothing but forgive you, Healer. You meant no harm. Rise now and tend to your flock. This sheep has returned to hers,” Jayin said as she raised Roan to his feet.

The healer was near tears as he quickly collected his things. “Yes, mistress. I thank you for your kindness. I will return to my flock.” Roan left the room, bowing low as he closed the door.

As soon as Healer Roan left, Jayin collapsed on the floor. Dair leapt down and gently nudged her. She was crying again. Dair lay next to her, licking her tears. After many minutes she stopped crying and picked herself up.

“Oh, dear, we’re late. We were supposed to meet Master Haed this morning. Come, then. I suppose we should be going so we aren’t any more late.” Jayin stood up. Dair shook his head in disbelief. Jayin was always getting back on track much faster than any normal person would. It made him think all too hard sometimes.

Shortly the two made it to the shoemaker’s shop. Haed was standing behind the counter, busy helping a customer so he didn’t see them come in. Dair decided to look around the shop. Somehow he gravitated towards the belts. Startled, Dair mused at his own wandering. Jayin came over.

“Why am I here, Jayin? I did not intend to look at these.”

Jayin chuckled. “Your inner self thinks you should have a leash or collar of some sort to show that you are owned. I do not think you would need it, but we shall ask Master Haed what he thinks.”

The shoemaker was finished with his customer and was about to go to the back of the shop when Jayin called to him. “Master Head! I apologize for being so late! I suppose I was so tired for all this traveling that I just couldn’t wake up this morning. Please, accept my apologies.”

Haed started for a moment. He wasn’t used to such politeness. “Well, little miss, I do accept your apologies. Now come round back and we’ll get you started my sweeping the workroom. Mind you don’t touch anything. Hmm,” Haed stroked his beard. “Does your dog work?”

Dair cocked his head. He didn’t want to know what he’d have to do. Jayin smiled. “Of course he works! Strong as a dozen wild dogs he is. And fast as a doe on the run. What would you like him to do?”

“Well, I’ve a few packages to deliver around the village. If our dog there can pull a cart, I can get those out sooner. Well, let’s go fix him up to the cart.” Haed lead the way through the workroom, also giving Jayin a chance to see what she’d have to do.

Haed hooked Dair up to the cart while Jayin carefully loaded the packages. With each package she loaded Haed said where they were going. Afterwards Jayin pretended that she was telling Dair the same. Then she patted him on the head and sent him off.

In the workroom Jayin found the broom and started sweeping. She worked slowly, making sure she got as much of the dirt as possible. By the time Dair came back she’d only done a quarter of the room.

Haed was extremely happy that Dair was finished so quickly. He quickly unleashed the big dog and scratched his head. “Ah, such a wonderful dog. I hope no one gave you any trouble. For your hard work, you may rest until you are needed again. Good dog!”

Dair grinned at Jayin. He found a space in the shade and lay down to nap. Jayin smiled as she resumed sweeping. It was relaxing and quiet. She finally finished as the sun started going down. With a flourish she threw the last of the dirt behind the fence. When she came back inside Haed was holding the shoe close to his face to see what he was doing. Smiling to herself, Jayin put away the broom and found the matches.

Jayin studied the oil lamp for a moment to figure out how to light it. Then she struck the match and held it to the wick. Fortunately it caught quickly and the room filled with a warm glow. Haed looked up startled at the sudden light.

“Thank you, little miss. ‘Twas so wrapped up in my work that-” A yawn suddenly interrupted his sentence. “Oh, dear. Can’t work much longer yawning like that. I tell you what, when I finish this bit, I’ll close up shop. You’re going back to the inn, right?”

Jayin nodded. “Yes, sir, we are. I’ll go tidy up the front while you finish working.” She grabbed the broom again and started sweeping the front of the store. This time she finished as Haed was tying his last knot.

“Ah, finished at last! Now we can go home. Say, where did your dog run off to?”

“Oh, he’s back by those barrels. I guess he was really tired. I almost hate to wake him up.” Jayin made her way to Dair and lightly touched his head. In a moment Dair woke up, yawned wide and blinked. Slowly he sat up and regained his senses.

“Come, silly dog. It is time for dinner then sleep again.” Jayin said her good-byes to Haed and started walking to the inn. Dair picked himself up and hurried after the girl. The thought of food was tantalizing.

3

Jayin and Dair worked in Haed’s shop for almost a whole month. He gave Jayin an extra pair of boots to wear while working. He also gave them a belt to put on Dair as a collar. At first Dair hated the constriction, but he became accustomed to it. They continued to sleep at the inn but Jayin insisted on doing some work to earn at least some of their keep.

During the fourth week, Haed called Jayin from the front of the store. On his worktable sat an elegant pair of heavy boots. Jayin exclaimed in excitement.

“Oh, Master Haed! They’re so beautiful!”

Haed smiled as he handed the boots to Jayin. “They are beautiful, little miss. And they are for you. I don’t think I’ll ever make another pair with the same devotion and passion.”

Jayin wiped away her tears. “Thank you so much, Master Haed! I can’t believe they’re mine! I feel I haven’t worked nearly enough to pay for these.”

Haed brushed the girl’s hair from her face. “These are indeed yours. You have more than worked you pay. Your keeping the workshop clean and your dog delivering packages allowed me to finish your boots faster.” He gave Jayin a slight push towards the door. “Now you take these boots and go on back to the inn. You may have the rest of the day off. Tell Kateriny to give you the biggest piece of whatever sweets she has. After that, you are free to do as you please.”

Jayin threw her arms around the old man. “Thank you so much, Master Haed! I could never repay you for all the kindness that you have given me. If I had a father, I wish he would be just like you.”

“And if I had a daughter, she would be like you, little miss. Now, run along.” Haed gave her a final push towards the door. Dair stopped by the man, licked his hand and trotted after Jayin.

Haed shook his head. The past month had been the most interesting of his life, all because some girl and her dog entered his store. Sometimes he felt as if he was compelled to serve her. Haed shrugged. He know the girl was special but he couldn’t figure out how so.

At the inn, Jayin and Dair sat in their room eating slices of sweet bread. Jayin had never had sweet bread before so she was cautiously picking at it but Dair relished the taste. His mother used to bake it almost every weekend. Jayin brought the plates back to the kitchen when they were finished. Dair was almost sound asleep when she returned. She smiled as she climbed into the bed.

In the morning, Jayin woke up to find Dair missing. She wasn’t worried about him, though. She washed her face and made the bed. A knock sounded from the door before Kateriny came in. She had a plate of eggs and bacon with goat’s milk.

“Mornin’, sweetie. Brought you some nice breakfast food. Your dog there left early this mornin’ if you were worried ‘bout him.”

Jayin yawned. “Thank you, ma’am. That sure does smell nice.” She smiled. “Thank you for informing me of Dair. I believe he shall be fine.”

While Jayin ate, Dair ran around the village, looking for that she-dog. He’d done this often in the night without Jayin knowing. The only reason he was out on this morning was because he’d caught the dog’s scent again, and she was close by. First he scouted around town but the scent grew stronger as he got further away from the village. Following his nose, Dair started along the path that he and Jayin had walked to get to the village. He quickened his pace as the scent grew stronger suddenly. The she-dog must have just passed this place.

In the forest ahead Dair saw a quick glimpse of a grey tail. Smiling to himself, Dair quietly followed the dog. He paused as the bushes seemed to grow thicker. Figuring there must be water or an opening on the other side, Dair commenced to look for a hole in the bushes. In no time he found it and was through. The she-dog was just crossing the clearing as he entered it. Quickly, Dair bounded across the clearing, trying to keep up. Suddenly, the scent turned sharply and followed a line of elder-plants. Intrigued, Dair kept going until he came face to face with the side of a stone hill. Cocking his head in confusion, Dair sat and studied the hill. A faint sound of scattering stones alerted him to the presence of a small cave entrance.

The scurrying sounds issuing forth from the opening convinced Dair that this was the way the she-dog had gone. But the entrance was rather small. And he was a big wolf. Sighing, Dair started wiggling his way into the hole. It was pitch black in the passageway since his body was blocking all the light. Every now and then Dair felt something scurry across his nose or hind paw but he had no room to react. Instead he continued crawling, hoping that the tunnel ended soon. Suddenly, as if to answer his prayers, the bottom of the tunnel dropped and Dair was thrown into a wide pit.

Stunned, Dair shook his head to get his bearings. Looking around at the pit, now illuminated with the light from the tunnel, Dair beheld the she-dog cowering at the far end.  He didn’t see any other way out of the area, unless she was blocking the only other exit.

Dair sat still and deliberately stared at the she-dog until she moved. Slowly at first, the she-dog crawled her way around the pit towards Dair. When she reached him she turned on her back in supplication. This amused Dair though he tried not to show it. Instead, he sniffed the dog as was custom. Then he sat back and stared at her for a bit. Finally he laughed.

“Well, my dear wolf-sister. Aren’t you in an interesting predicament? I could chose to do anything to you right now and you couldn’t do a thing. But I am not a hardhearted person. You may rise. We are equals in standing. But I have one request. I know you speak like humans speak, as I can speak. I want you to speak to me. Tell me who you are and what you are doing in these parts.”

The she-wolf was astounded. She struggled to rise and find her voice. “I…I am Nah’irina. I do not know why I am here or in this form. I am human! I was walking through the woods. Then suddenly I’m a wolf! I do not understand! Why me? And why you? You are obviously in the same situation as I. And how did you know I could talk like this?”

Dair bowed his head. “Welcome, my Lady Nah’irina, to this crazy land that I know not. I was hunting a certain doe when we both crossed this invisible barrier of some sort. I, obviously, became a wolf. But the doe became a girl. A rather unusual one at that. She is my companion right now. I am still confused about her and what our purpose is, for she says we have one. Perhaps you are part of our purpose. As to my knowing your being, you still smell faintly of human: home human, not the ones here. That was the biggest giveaway. But all is okay now. You shall come back with me to meet Jayin, my companion. Perhaps she can tell us more.” He turned and began to squeeze through the tunnel again, knowing that Nah’irina would follow.

Finally they emerged into the warm sunlight. Dair checked his fur to see if he acquired any new scratches. Satisfied, he started walking back towards the village. For a while Nah’irina followed a pace behind, but something changed her mind and she picked up her step. As they neared the village Nah’irina grew more nervous and began falling back. Dair looked back at her and gave her a friendly nip on the tail. Nah’irina blushed and caught up.

The villagers turned to stare at the two wolves as they passed. No one made any qualms, though. They were accustomed to Dair by then and so were not worried about the other “dog” following him.