Chapter 2 - A Friendly Face?

I used the shop to purchase two belt-clip treat bags and a package of premium treats, just as insurance against any potentially hostile behavior.

I hadn’t intended to name the three bird-dogs that seemed determined to follow me, but before long I was referring to the leader as Eeny, the darker male as Meeny, and the spotted female as Miney. And now that they had names, I was of course growing attached..

Three more hours we traveled (or at least, it felt like three hours) along the stream, occasionally stopping to drink water or give a treat or two.

I learned in that time that Eeny was an absolute goof. Any possible suspicion had been banished and he became a glutton for treats and pets. He’d charge forward and then bound back, urging me forward though he had no idea where we were going.

Meeny was very much the opposite. He kept a set distance from me at all times, and the one time I reached out to pet him, he growled a low warning. He accepted treats from a distance and did not stray, so I let him be.

Miney was more reserved than her pack mates. She observed everything closely, puzzling out my motives and patterns. After Meeny, I didn’t even attempt to pet her, but at one point during the walk, I felt her nose her head beneath my hand.

‘Pet now.’

I pet her then, gently, and she was contented for a bit, before moving back to her place in the formation.

I grew worried as I saw, beyond the canopy, the sun was beginning to dip towards the horizon. I was starting to grow hungry, and there was no sign of civilization in sight.

“I don’t even know how to build a shelter if I need it…”

Eeny had found something of interest a bit further back, so I was in the lead as I finally broke through the trees into a clearing..and discovered someone else standing there as well.

The first thing I noticed about him was the bright blonde hair, with just enough length to look naturally messy, and the way the individual strands caught the light and shimmered. He was around six feet tall, wearing primarily leather armor with metal plates protecting the joints and legs. All that, plus his physique, led me to expect to see a white steed next to him, though there was nothing of the sort.

He stared at me with bright blue eyes, obviously startled, but then his expression hardened, and his hand went to the sword at his hip, drawing it from the scabbard.

I threw up my hands. “W-wait!”

“When I tell you to move, run to your left.”

In that moment, I realized that he was looking past me, not at me, and that the all-too-familiar growls of the bird-dogs were coming from behind me. I glanced over my shoulder to see Miney had fixed her gaze on the princely man across the clearing.

‘Threat, danger.’

The man and the bird-dogs stared each other down, with me trapped in between, and I felt my heart drop into my stomach as I realized just how dangerous this was about to get. Beyond the growling and the soft rustle of leaves from the breeze, the clearing was silent, the forest itself seeming to wait with bated breath to see who would make the first strike.

“Move!” The man shouted, charging forward with his sword beginning an upward swing. The bird-dogs bolted forward, snarling like hell-hounds.

“No, stop!”

What was I supposed to do!? I didn’t want the animals to get hurt when they’d done nothing wrong, and I had no reason to believe this man was actually a danger.

In my panic, I drew my finger and my thumb up to my mouth, pushed them past my lips and blew. The sharp, loud whistle filled the air and allowed little other sound to cover it, and shocked the four combatants into a stuttering stop, the bird-dogs swinging their heads around to look at me with ears perked.

I didn’t hesitate, then, to run forward, placing myself once more in between the animals and the sword-wielder, throwing out my arms in a shielding posture. This close, the sword was only a short swing from being able to cut into my flesh, and I could see the sharpness of its edge. I swallowed, hard, and hopped that was as near as it was going to get.

“Just...stop, please, and put that away.”

The man looked confused and concerned, looking from me down at Meeny, who was still baring his teeth. Then he looked back at me and frowned.

“You command Federhunds?”

I took this to mean the bird-dogs, and answered accordingly.

“I don’t command them, exactly-”

“Are you a witch?”

That question took me aback a bit, but I couldn’t answer it right that second, as Eeny slipped around my legs to stand perpendicular to me, snarling something fierce.

‘Protect friend from danger, no hurt friend! No hurt pack!’

“Before I answer, can you...put that sword away? Please? They’re very sensitive to perceived aggression. I really don’t want anyone to get hurt.”

“And allow them to attack me unarmed?”

“If you put that away, and step back a bit, they won’t attack you.”

‘I hope,’ I thought to myself.

A tense second passed without any movement, but he took three slow steps back, and when he saw that the Federhunds weren’t pressing forward, he carefully sheathed his sword, but kept his hand at the ready on the grip.

“You asked if I was a witch? Why would I be a witch?”

He seemed confused by my follow up question. “Only witches can command Federhunds, and other manners of beasts. It is what makes them witches.”

Now was my turn to be confused. Unless ‘witch’ meant something very different here than it did on Earth, I didn’t see how treating an animal with kindness would make me one. And given the way he said it, it certainly didn’t sound like something I wanted to be known as.

“No, I’m not a witch. I just...gave them a bit of food, and they started following me.”

This seemed to confuse him, and with the tension still heavy in the air, I figured a demonstration was in order.

“Here, I’ll show you.” I took out a few of the treats in my treat bag, which immediately got Eeny’s attention, though I saw only a flick of an ear as he continued to stare the man down.

“Eeny, want a treat?” I asked, in a higher pitch, with more excitement than usual. I hadn’t been using the word ‘treat’ for long, but either Federhunds were particularly smart, or just these ones were. Regardless, It did pull Eeny’s attention fully back to me, so I gave him a single treat pellet. He wagged excitedly. “Good boy!”

Then I looked up at the man and held out the treats to him. “Your turn.”

“What?”

“Give him a treat.”

I approached slowly, hand outstretched, until he also carefully reached out his hand to take the three pellets I offered him, and stared at them, at a loss.

“Kneel down- slowly- they’ll respond better if you’re at their level. Hold out a treat on the palm of your hand and keep it flat. Eeny can nip at your fingers otherwise.”

He followed my directions, and Eeny showed immediate interest, though there was still suspicion. He looked from the treat to me, and I nodded.

“It’s ok, go ahead.”

Eeny approached with caution, and then reached out. The man tensed, but then Eeny took the treat rather delicately, bouncing back to scarf it down.

The man’s eyes widened in obvious wonder.

“It...didn’t attack me.”

“If you don’t act aggressive with them, they’ll be less likely to get defensive.”

‘More treat?’'

Eeny was staring very intently at the two other treats the man held, as if willing them to come his way.

“I think he wants you to give him the other ones.”

“Oh, sorry, I was not trying to keep them from you…”

He put the two treats into his outstretched hand and Eeny did not hesitate to grab them, crunching noisily.

“You command beasts but are no witch, you wear strange garments...you are not from the village, are you??”

Having read stories somewhat similar to my situation, and having only just a few minutes ago been accused of being a witch, I figured it would be best not to lead with ‘I came from another world’.

“No. I didn’t even know there was a village nearby. I’m from a country to the east. Far to the east. I was attacked by bandits on the road a while ago...I’m the only one that survived.”

It was...a really bad lie, actually. But the man’s face showed nothing but pity.

“How terrible for you, miss…?”

“Adele. Adele Becker.”

“You’ve gone through something terrible, Miss Adele. I, Alistair Atwood, would be honored to escort you to safety and assist you in returning home.”

There was certainly the question of whether or not this was safe. But even with the uncertainty...this was the only person I’d met since arriving here. He seemed kind enough, at least willing to listen, and I was in desperate need of assistance.

“Thank you, Mr. Atwood.”

“Please, just Alistair will do.”

“Then, thank you, Alistair.”

He flashed a brilliant smile that made his entire face light up, and I was reminded quite suddenly that he was very conventionally handsome.

He led me, and the Federhunds by extension, further west until we reached a campsite. Already, the light was beginning to fade.

“It’s getting dark, and the village is half a day’s walk from here. I apologize, but we’ll need to camp tonight.”

“No, you’re already helping me out so much, I can wait one evening.”

The Federhunds kept a distance and watched as I helped get the camp set up for the evening. Mostly, I just gathered water from nearby, really.

“Are your ‘treats’ any good?”

I looked at Alistair, confused.

“Any good?”

“The Federhunds seem to like them, but are they tasty?”

“Oh, no no! They taste awful to people! I mean, they probably have enough nutrients in a pinch, but they’re not appetizing in the slightest.”

Alistair looked pityingly upon me once more and from his pack pulled a piece of bread, some jerky, and some cheese.

“Then you shall partake in these. And you’ll use my bedroll tonight.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t-”

My stomach chose just then to betray me and growled loudly. The Federhunds seemed concerned. I felt my face burn with embarrassment.

“I insist. It would deeply wound my honor to allow a lady, much less one lost in the forest, to go hungry and cold.”

My embarrassment, and his firm insistence, convinced me, and I ate what was offered. He had only some jerky himself.

With things calmer, the Federhunds approached and settled in near me. Meeny kept a close eye on Alistair’s movements, while Eeny half-crawled into my lap to beg for pets.

Everything was quiet for a bit, save for the crackling of the fire and the sound of insects singing in the brush, before Alistair cleared his throat a bit.

“Do they feel...soft? The Federhunds, I mean.”

“Their fur is rather velvety. They don’t seem to enjoy the feathers being touched so much, unless you’re gentle. Would you like to try it?”

Alistair hesitated, so I beckoned him over with my hand. He approached, the Federhunds going on alert, but with his sword propped up across the camp, they didn’t see any cause to go on the defensive.

“Eeny really likes to be scratched here.” I indicated the underside of his chin and sides of his neck.

“His name is Eeny…?”

“Yes. Eeny, Meeny, And Miney.” I indicated to each in turn.

“Those are...odd names.”

I shrugged, not caring that apparently my naming sense was jut as weird here as it had been perceived back home.

Alistair reached out and tentatively touched Eeny, who glanced up at me for assurance, then leaned into Alistair’s hand with a huff.

Alistair stroked a bit, then scratched, which caused Eeny to wag. He seemed in awe.

“He’s so warm.”

“Right?” I chuckled, leaning back.

“I have only ever felt one after it has been slain...this is very different.”

“S-slain?”

He withdrew his hand, looking guilty.

“Beasts are a danger to towns and people. It is...standard to slay them on sight or when a request is put in. Is this not done in your homeland?”

It’s not that I couldn’t understand...humans on Earth did this too, when animals presented a danger to people. But even so…

“It’s...more nuanced, at home. We don’t just kill pets or feral animals.”

He seemed confused by this. “Pets?”

“Yeah...pets. Animals you keep as companions.”

“Only witches keep beasts.”

“Ok, then what are witches, exactly?”

He stopped petting Eeny, who was a bit offended, and moved back to his spot on the other side of the fire.

“Witches command beasts. They direct them to cause illness, kill innocent people, and destroy villages. A century ago, Traevolon gathered its adventurers together in a concentrated effort to wipe witches out, and succeeded.”

“So, that’s why you called me a witch…”

He cringed.

“Yes, but...you do not appear to desire death and destruction. I apologize.”

I shook my head and stared into the fire, feeling a bit distraught. It sounded horrible. Why exactly had Harold sent me to a world where animals were so reviled, and keeping pets was seen as being evil by default?

Then a question bubbled to the forefront of my mind, and while I felt I already knew the answer, I had to ask to be sure.

“Is that why you were out here? ‘Slaying beasts’?”

His silence and the way he wouldn’t look me in the eye told me all I needed to know.

I felt my stomach drop. If I hadn’t met the Federhunds first…

“Are...are you going to kill them?”

Alistair looked up, mouth opening, about to speak, then glanced at Eeny, who had turned onto his back and started snoring. His mouth closed and he looked away again.

“I...do not know. I am duty bound to remove any threat to people, but...they do not appear to be threats.”

His uncertainty concerned me. If I tried to leave, he would probably let me, and I could try getting by on my own, maybe find the village he spoke of.

But would I be so lucky as to run into someone else that would be willing to listen to someone they first thought was a witch rather than just take me out? Then, as I searched my own thoughts desperately for a solution, I struck on an idea.

“What if I take responsibility for them?”

“Pardon?”

“If the issue is them being a threat to people, I’ll make sure they aren’t. Federhunds are like dogs, a pet back in my homeland. They seem highly trainable, so I can teach them at least basic obedience.”

Alistair looked troubled, then thoughtful. “Well...it is not as if it is illegal to try such a new method, if you are not a witch…”

“And I’m not, so…how about it?”

He pondered more, then sighed. “I will need to speak with the town’s mayor about this. He is the one that put in the request for an adventurer. Perhaps he will give his blessing.”

I nodded. “It’s worth a shot.”

I’d only been traveling with Eeny, Meeny, and Miney for a day...but I would be damned if anything happened to them due to peoples’ ignorance when I had a chance to fix it.

I slept fitfully that night, though with the Federhunds finding spots right next to me, (even Meeny, oddly enough), I kept quite warm.

I woke to the sound of something being dropped in front of my face. I opened my eyes, blearily trying to take stock of it. It was fuzzy, and grey, and bloody?

I shrieked, jumping up to see Meeny sitting there somewhat proudly, having dropped some very fuzzy and very dead animal in front o f me.

‘Friend hungry. Food.’

Alistair had awoken to my scream, and upon seeing no danger, approached.

“Huh. It seemed he caught a rather large Kaninhern. It will make for an excellent meal.”

The Kaninhern, as Alistair called it, was basically just a big ball of fluff. Only when Alistair lifted it (after a warning growl from Meeny and reassurance from me) did I see the small round limbs, and an ivory-colored horn above a very lapine-shaped face.

With my permission, Alistair butchered it at the river, which I refused to watch, and grilled a few pieces of the meat over the fire for breakfast before wrapping up the rest for me. He insisted I keep it, since Meeny was in my care, and I had a hard time refusing when he gave me an almost pleading look with wide puppy-dog eyes.

I helped clear the camp, and then we began the trek to the village.

I used some of the time we walked to start basic obedience training with the Federhunds. First, recall. It pretty much just consisted of me using their names over and over to get them used to being called, and then, when I felt that they were all responding, began calling them back when they wandered too far. I was surprised by how quickly they each picked it up. Eeny was a bit overeager, nearly bowling into me each time I called him back. Meeny seemed not to understand, or picked it up slowly, but I caught his ear turning towards me each time I called...and realized he knew very well what I was asking of him, but he chose to respond at his own leisure. Miney was the slowest, though mostly because she rarely left her spot in the procession, preferring to let Eeny and Meeny charge off after interesting scents or movement.

“Is this how you train pets in your homeland?”

“Dogs, specifically, yes. Others are either harder or basically impossible to train. Federhunds seem like they were bred to work, so they’re more trainable.

Alistair looked at me oddly. “Bred to work? How can you tell?”

I pointed out the ears and coat differences. “They have juvenile traits. That suggests they were selectively bred for docility, and for aesthetics. As for the working part...their intelligence is what makes me think that. Overall, wild animals- beasts- don’t act like this. They avoid humans if at all possible, and don’t take to being trained so easily.”

Alistair pondered this for a good, long while. “Fascinating.”

He asked more questions about pets, and dog training, as we reached midday, until we finally reached a dirt road, and from there, the treeline broke. The forest was a bit higher up than the fields beyond, giving me a good view of growing grain and rolling hills, and not far off, a collection of buildings that could only be a town.

“Only a bit further, and we shall be in the fair town of Heiterberg!”