Lucky Indeed

Writers: Anika, Paula
Date Posted: 19th May 2015

Characters: Delynn, Aivorn
Description: Delynn finds a mistreated canine and takes him to Aivorn for care.
Location: Emerald Falls Hold
Date: month 13, day 3 of Turn 7

Delynn

Delynn set down the immense basket giving a gentle pat to the silvery
gray head inside, her heart breaking at the wine that escaped the
bedraggled canine. She hoped the little fellow would be alright, and
she dearly hoped the Master Beastcrafter would not be offended by the
interruption to his evening. After giving a hefty knock she picked up
the heavy basket and waited.

Aivorn had just gotten in, and was just expecting quick bath, a meal
and then going to bed. It was foaling season and it kept him busy.
"Yes?" he asked grumpily when he yanked the door open.

Delynn couldn't blame him for his brusqueness, but neither was she
daunted by it. Her brown eyes looked up earnestly into his, "I'm
terribly sorry for the interruption, sir, but I just pulled this poor
fellow away from some young hoodlums who might benefit from a bit more
attention from my broom handle, and well, I was wondering if you can
take a look."

"Of course I can take a look. Come in," Aivorn forgot his tiredness
when there was injured animal. He held the door open for her and
peered at the basket.

She entered setting the basket down so that he could get a better
look. The poor mongrel whined. "Some nasty boys were having some
sport, teasing, poking him with a stick, throwing rocks," her voice
was filled with disgust. "I went after them with my broom and then
cleared off right quick. Do you think he'll be okay? I'm willing to
nurse him back to health if you think he has a chance."

"Let's take a look of him," Aivorn kneeled and picked the canine up.
"Hello there, boy," his tone was quite different, gentler, when he
talked to the animal. "Skinny little fellow, aren't you?" he ran his
hands along the ribs and clicked his tongue disapprovingly. "Those
boys deserve a belt across their back," he said with dark tone while
inspecting the mutt's injuries.

"I couldn't agree more. What kind of person takes pleasure in hurting
another creature like that? He's so little and helpless the poor
thing, and just look at those sweet blue eyes."

"I never undestood it," Aivorn agreed. He hit a sore spot and the
canine whine. "Sorry, lad," he scratched his ears comfortingly. "I
think something may be broken there, or cracked. Rib probably. Rest
are bruises that heal on their own. I'll have a beasthealer check
him," Aivorn told Delynn. "Where did you find him? He's good pedigree
and that is rather rare colour, at least in canines I breed for the
hold."

"Just outside the kitchens by the north road coming into the Gather
Square, she answered. He is a handsome shade - that dark gray looks
almost blue. Too, small for herding or guarding, but I bet he'd be
right handy for warding off smaller pests and despite his
mistreatment, he seems to have a rather nice temperament."

"Well, he's not from my kennel, that's for sure," Aivorn remarked.
"What should I call you?" As far as he could judge, the canine was
still growing, around a turn old. He had the overlarge paws
adolescents often had. Under the matted, dirty fur was well formed
limps and good bone structure. If no one came to claim the canine,
Aivorn would add him to the kennel.

"Both his color and his light blue eyes are striking, and I think he
must be rather plucky to have survived on his own," she mused
considering what name might suit the little mongrel. Do you think
he'll get much larger?" Delynn had taken a fancy to the small canine
and wondered if she might not be able to keep him, herself. Aivorn
sounded optimistic about his recovery.

"Heightwise, no, weight yes. With proper food he'll put on some flesh
around his bones. He could be quite brawny when he's done with it,"
Aivorn replied. "Are you Sleet, Bluie or jus good ol' Lucky?" He asked
the pup, rubbing his belly. "My daughter's much better coming up names
than me."

"Oh, I think Lucky suits him!" Delynn remarked with a smile. "Do you
suppose he might make a good pet once he's healed? I sure would like
to keep him."

"Lucky you are then," Aivorn said. "He seems like a friendly fellow,"
he observed and Lucky proved it by licking his hands, "so he'll make a
fine pet, the rest is just training him properly."

"I've never trained a canine, but I think I'd be up for the
challenge," Delynn said with anticipation.

"It's not really that hard, all it takes is patience and being
constant. Nothing confuses them worse than conflicting messages,"
Aivorn said encouragingly and went to fetch supplies so he could clean
up the canine's injuries.

"That makes good sense. Same when dealing with drudges, really. Has
to be clear communication. Let them get away with cutting corners
just once and they think it's just fine to do it every time. It's
worth the effort to make them do it right the first time." Some of
the staff responsible for housekeeping duties had required a bit of
re-education when Delynn took her position. When she asked for
something to be cleaned she wasn't talking about a quick once over
that took the dust off, she wanted it spotless.

"I don't know much about drudges but sounds you have it down to a
pat," Aivorn said. The drudge he had had when Aishara was child had
been more of fostermother and never needed any instructions. She had
kept their home clean, cooked food and cared for his daughter, never
asking anything for herself. Aivorn sometimes missed her...she had
shared furs with him.

"You've overseen apprentices haven't you? I'm sure it's much the
same. So, how soon before I can take him with me then, do you think?"
She asked watching with concern as he treated little Lucky's
injuries.

"Yes, I have apprentices. I'll have beasthealer check his ribs, I'll
let you know after that," Aivorn replied. He wanted to be sure.

"Thank you for taking time from your evening. Have you eaten yet? I
could bring you a tray from the kitchen," she offered, wanting to
repay him for his kindness toward Lucky.

"No, I haven't eaten yet, just came back from work," Aivorn replied.

"Then I'll go and fetch a tray for you right now and that will spare
you some time," Delynn insisted. She reached down to offer Lucky a
little scratch and then turned her eyes to the massive beastcrafter.
"I'll be right back."

"You are lucky indeed if she adopts you," Aivorn murmured for the
canine after she left.

Last updated on the May 21st 2015

Welcome to Triad Weyrs!

Lucky Indeed