“See that?! It’s the stamp of Dio Olay’s company! How can you not buy these?!”
The man raised a scroll high above his head, and the merchant he was yelling at stepped back. Perhaps that scroll showed some form of legitimacy. I had learned on our travels that humans treasured promises, and so when they dealt with strangers they would use such tokens. It would enrage a merchant if he went through the trouble of getting such proof, only to be denied outright.
This seemed to be getting out of hand, and I wanted to stay and see how it developed. But something about the man’s furs caught my eye.. there was a familiar strap on them. And something metallic as well. I felt my hand being pulled harder as I looked over at my tail, then back to the angry man’s furs. They were the same. And the man’s furs were low-quality fox furs.
Suddenly the hand tugging me felt sweaty, and everything came into focus. The owner of that hand had not been flustered at how good I looked with my new decoration, but because I had put a price tag on my own tail. Even the dullest wolf would be ashamed at that. And here I was, thinking the entire time that had he just been flustered.. how stupid of me!
But I felt no anger, nor did I want to. It was not his fault. He had tried so hard to cover it up for me, pulling me away right now, and even leaving me at a darkened bar while he worked all on his own. And now that the jig was up, he just stared at me silently.
His face said it all. He was not laughing at me. He felt bad for letting me do this. None of his usual confidence was there. But right now, I was even happier to have his side next to mine. At least this way I could bury my face in it.
“Um..”
He was doing his best to find something to say, so I pulled my hand back and placed my arm around his, like a girl walking with her man in the city. I rested my head against him, and continued leaning into him.
I could feel him tense up, like someone about to be attacked by a wild dog in the mountains. But I was no wild dog, I was Holo and Wisewolf. I just looked up into his eyes and smiled.
“Hey you, the merchant holding me.. am I a high-quality product?”
“What, you’re not a..”
“Say, you earned well, did you not? What kind of wine shall we have to celebrate? I have been waiting for you.”
Perhaps it was evilly unfair of me, but I could not bear to not change topics. He was obviously flustered, but had no way to refuse me right now so he nodded. I could not bear not to do this. After all, this was my chance to have this man, cleverer than the other merchants in town, dote on me. It was terribly silly of me, but I just could not bear not to.
I was unwilling to let go, and in fact I held onto him more tightly. Only I, the Wisewolf, knew his true worth. And I had no desire to share that secret with others. He was a fool, but he was the kind of fool that matched me, the kind of fool who would hang a price tag on her own tail.
Shepherd and a Black Knight
Prelude
As I crested the hill I was greeted by an unfamiliar view of unfamiliar fields. Birds flew overhead, and behind me were sheep and a lone shepherdess. I had no fondness for the place we had left behind, but nostalgia still nipped at my feet. The breeze ahead, however, made me want to smile.
I let out a sigh, which others would probably say sounded more like a short breath. Preparing to march forward always took time, gathering up our things and scouting ahead. The road went on and on, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t alone.
I looked at the one who called me her “dark-furred little knight” determinedly. I had to be brave and loyal to be referred to as a knight. I had to look at her as though I could chase away all of her worries. She smiled at me to signal her readiness, and this knight stood up as if to say “let’s go.”
The second step was always easier than the first. The third and fourth didn’t even matter anymore. We just kept walking and watching the scenery unfold. We had found a new life in a new world.
Chapter 1
Some people might think me stupid, but I say this world is driven by destiny. My very life is proof. From the moment I was born, I have lived. For how long, I can’t say. But it’s been a while. And though I’ve felt hopelessness grip me more than once, each time a miracle has saved me.
My first master was a quiet man. Steady-handed and aware of his privilege. He was my master almost from the moment I was born, and he taught me several skills I have used my entire life. My time with him was calm and pleasant; I truly miss those days. I was young enough to believe those days would last forever. And there is only one thing that I can think of that could make days like those vanish like soap bubbles in the breeze.. and that is destiny.
It isn’t safe outdoors. Not only wolves and bears are out here, but also men with deadly iron. No matter how careful my master and I were, one day we still had to dash like fools to the nearest refuge when a storm suddenly caught us. Then, those men came out of nowhere and fought us. We fought with all our might, but we were outnumbered. They were reckless, so we felt some hope, but in the end we lost.
My master died, and I was devastated. I still remember the look on his face as he handed me his staff, like it was his very life. A servant lives to protect his master, and so I had to protect his honor. I ran carrying that staff. I ran for dear life. The dark night after the storm was my savior. Under its cover I ran, and I ran. Until the feeling of the sun made me stop, and I finally realized how wounded I was. I felt so tired then, as I collapsed under a great rock.
The storm vanished without a trace, as though it had never even happened. The warm sunlight scalded me, burning the memories into my mind. I felt such a warmth wash over me that I knew I must be dying. I had failed. I couldn’t protect my master’s dignity. I was so sure of it that I decided I should just close my eyes, so when they next reopened I would once again be at his side. And so I closed them.
But my wish didn’t come true. When my eyes reopened, I should have been in heaven. But I wasn’t. Instead they saw a waifish girl with tattered clothes, who stood like a tree stump before me. She was shaking my body with her cool hands. At that moment I remembered my master sometimes comparing me to a knight, while telling me of their deeds. The tales of their spirit touched deeply enough that I never want to tarnish the title of “knight.”
The girl who tended to me seemed ready to drop at any moment herself, yet she fought dearly to save my own life. She was almost in tears. If I didn’t stand up right then and there, I was unworthy of calling myself a knight. And so I ignored my pain and my fatigue, and I rose to my feet. I felt pride wash over me, and saw the gentle girl return a smile.
She was cold and starving, yet she first cared for others. The smile on her face at that moment convinced me that I had to follow her. But in that moment, the two of us finally collapsed next to one another. It had to be destiny. When we finally woke up, it was because we were both famished. Destiny had to be what brought us together.
So now, I have a new master. She’s a bit of a bumbler, but very warm and kind, so I don’t mind. Her name is Norah, and I am Enek. Thankfully, my new master read my name at the end of my old master’s staff, so I could keep that much. All of those small coincidences had lead to this larger one. Though we can’t speak to each other, we can still feel each other’s hearts.
As a dog, I can’t help but think this is true, even if my new master would be angry if she ever heard me say it out loud. My old master would agree: she would be in trouble if I ever left her. Perhaps that sounds arrogant of me, but she can’t even sleep when I am not at her side. And yet, she may be weak, but that just makes our bond all the stronger. We can even share the same blanket to avoid this cold, white winter. That is how strong our bond is.
I normally wake up early on winter days, but not because I feel the sun. It’s simply because the air is coldest before dawn. Today is no exception; as usual, we woke together and stretched under the stars. Hearing my master’s sneeze, I wrinkle my nose in contempt.
“I itch with excitement..”
br /> She pauses as she stares at my eyes.
“..and yet..”
The same master that hugged me to keep warm under the blanket finally stands up and bravely walks into the cold air. She looks up at the stars and continues.
“..I miss hearing the sheep when we wake up.”
Indeed. I also miss them.
“A shepherd’s life is hard.. but now that it’s over, I feel so lonely.”
A shepherd leads their weak sheep to food and back. But such a simple-sounding task actually takes a lot of effort. Sheep are aimless and wander a lot. And no matter how much you try to teach them, they will never remember the way. They don’t know who their master is. They bleat. They can be so annoying.
That is how we made our living. But now our lives have changed, and we can leave that repetitive job. Now I no longer have to see that sad look on my master’s face when she wakes up in the morning and a sheep is missing. I’m also unused to their voices being gone, but it’s been two weeks, and we must move on. With that in mind, I slowly walk up to her and rub her face with my nose. I don’t want to see that unhappy look reappear on it.
“Oh, sorry. Thank you for worrying about me.”
Her arms wrap around my head. She wanted to quit, and that’s why she’s here. But when she really did quit and removed the bell from her staff, which had signified she was a shepherd.. well, I will never forget the look on her face. That’s why I shout out now. And, as my breath dissipates in the air, she finally smiles and acts tough.
“Oh, you’re hungry? Guess we got a bit spoiled lately, huh? We’ve got a little bit left..”
When she acts so shyly and pulls out a piece of bread, I can’t help but force myself to smile. We have some money, but we can’t afford to waste it. I stare at her, hoping she’ll understand that, and for a moment she seems to. But she laughs.
“Geez, don’t be so impatient, Enek.. it’s embarrassing.”
I’m surprised to hear her say that. My tail isn’t wagging because of the bread, but because I’m overjoyed that she’s happy. I’m not that pathetic.
“Hey, check it out.. the bread’s so white inside!”
As she breaks the loaf in half and displays it to me, the baked smell gets to me. I want to hold back politely, but my instincts finally get the better of me.
* * *
Dawn broke as we ate breakfast. The cold night vanished, taking the stars with it. My eyes can now see further off into the distance. But it’s still cold; in fact the scenery is frosty.
“I guess I’m still too used to thinking about sheep first.. we really should find a roof to sleep under.”
My master walks with a newfound determination that I never thought I’d see, supporting herself with her now bell-less staff.
“But it should only be a couple more days now.”
She spreads out a map as she speaks, which is odd to me. Sheep were my master’s charges. She cried when they were hurt, grew frightened when they were in danger, and was lonely when we finally parted ways. And now she’s spreading a sheepskin map. I just can’t understand how humans think.
“But Enek.. do you think we’ll be okay in this new town?”
She is studying the map, as though worried. All I know is that I’ve decided to follow her, so I have no choice but to go there with her. It seems dangerous to me, but the only response I can give is to look away and ahead of us. We’ve already made our choice.. that is my answer.
“You’re right.. they’ll pay well in a dangerous place like that, so let’s go on.”
I bark in agreement. She was a famous shepherd, but gave that up for greener pastures. Luckily, she has some money, and so she can actually make it to those pastures. I hate it when she treats her dreams as things she’ll never reach. So I wish I could smile at her and encourage her by saying “I will be with you when you fulfil your dream.” After all, we have risked much to work toward her dream.
“A place where half the people have died from disease..”
I don’t want to go there. It’s just too dangerous. But my naive wishes won’t help, because she has a reason to go there. From what we heard at the last town, many people have died where we’re going and they need workers. Lots of workers, in fact, to keep their town running. Even people without any training, like my master, are being hired.
Of course there’s a good reason they have a shortage: the disease isn’t gone. Nobody wants to go there, so this is a huge opportunity. That’s what the brave merchants told my master. They’re the ones brave enough to go there and earn while everyone else avoids it. I hear merchants will even go to hell if they can earn there. Now that’s bravery!
Plus, they told her that this town, Gustav, has managed to control the disease so there’s nothing to worry about. It’s only a matter of time before the news spreads, so we have to get there as soon as we can. That’s what my master heard, and immediately she decided to go there. This was on the same day that she had been rejected by the village where she wanted to become a seamstress, so it’s hardly surprising she would decide to do this.
“If half the people there still died, they could sure use the prayers of the Church..”
She mumbles to herself like this as she looks at the map. The Church persecuted her when she was a shepherd. Maybe they’re jealous of her. They say she’s a witch. But she still happily sang while they persecuted her, never letting it worry her. As her servant, I have to say that I was impressed.
I still can’t understand why she believes in the Church, though. I don’t want to reply, so I just keep walking ahead. It seems like she realizes how I feel, and silently follows me. The sun keeps climbing up into the sky, warming the air. We are making excellent progress, even though she keeps checking the map to make sure we’re going the right way.
As a dog, I can sleep outdoors, but my master is human. She can’t always join me. I want to make sure that we get to this town before tomorrow night, even if the disease is still there. It will be much better for her than sleeping outside. She isn’t a flower to be put in a greenhouse but, like a flower, she can’t make it through cold nights indefinitely. She’s too weak and thin, and humans don’t have my thick fur coat. So I have to make sure she’ll be alright.
“Enek!”
My hairs always stand on-end when she calls me like that. We know each other well enough that I know what each of her shouts mean. And this is the kind I know the best. I feel my blood boiling. Sure enough, she raises her staff and points in front of us.
“!”
I don’t even think. I just bolt. I run to where she’s pointing. There are several goats grazing there. My paws tear apart the ground as I run. I can hear the wind screaming past my ears.
The goats finally notice me, but they’re too stupid to get away now. I run like I’m hoping to fly, leaving behind holes in my wake and roaring ahead at the goats. They’re nervous, and keep turning themselves around. They’re not going to be a challenge. And seeing that, I roar once again.
My master knows my strength. In fact, she’s happily laughing as she runs to catch up to me. I can’t contain myself, and keep barking to her. The goats eye us nervously, like they’re waiting for their doom. But they’re lucky.. we aren’t like those greedy wolves.
When my master waves her staff, I let them go and run back to her. She then proudly scratches my neck in reward.. and that’s all I need.
“I’m sorry we frightened you.”
She’s talking to the goats, but they’re wild anyway. They’re already calm, and their leader bleats for them to leave. It’s not strange to see them close to towns. I don’t know how long they’ll survive out here on their own, but we’re in the same position.
My master is squinting as she watches them run off, but gets embarrassed when she sees that I’m watching her. She smiles, her face beet-red. I’ll just pretend it’s because she ran so hard to catch up to me.
“I feel sorry for doing that to them, but it just made me so happy.”
&
nbsp; It seems my master is starting to become a bad person.
* * *
It is dark now, so we camp between two hills, still quite far from town. There haven’t been any other people on the road there, probably because of news of the disease, so camping outdoors should be safe. But my master is nervous.
Earlier, my master fed a bird while we ate, and an eagle suddenly swooped down and caught the bird from under her nose. She was shocked. It wasn’t the first time she’d seen it, but she can never quite accept it. She always recovers, then starts to blame me for doing nothing. But even a knight can do nothing about birds. I can only let my ears and tail hang low until she stops blaming me.
We should be sleeping after the sun sets. We have no choice but to huddle together, since we can’t build a fire, We have no sheep anymore. But we’re anxious. I’m on guard, even if I can’t stand up from under the warm blanket. My master does poke her head out of the blanket, so I could move out like some spoiled house pet, but I stay with her.
That’s just how I am. I should be a watchful knight, but I choose the warmth of my master. I still wonder which is the right thing to do, but tonight my thoughts are interrupted. It’s not an illusion I’m sensing, and I’m looking up toward it, but my body’s still under the blanket, nestled between her arm and body. It takes me a while to get out from under the blanket, but I manage to do it without waking her. I lie there listening to her talk to herself in her sleep, until her arms finally move.. and then I pop out quickly.
I know this sound! Someone is fighting!
“Unh.. Enek?”
Ever since my master quit her job, she has been able to sleep soundly. But it seems she’s noticed my absence, and her eyes immediately open.
“Is it wolves?”
Wolves always bothered us when we had sheep, so she’s not at all nervous.
“No, no.. not wolves..”