Pretty Little Baby

Royal stables were home to many different breeds, all serving a different purpose. Border Collies were to lead people to safety in case of an attack. Bloodhounds were very versatile, thanks to their great smell they were used for finding missing people and to catch criminals. They also were on average just 2 meters tall. Guards were assigned a German Shephard, very loyal and strong, following commands effortlessly. Not far away from the stables was a 'Dog School' each dog needed to graduate if they wanted to be part of the royal stables.

Of all the dogs, one was not like the others. At the very edge of the stables, in the last box laid a canid much bigger, with long, slender legs. Reddish, brown fur, as if you were looking at a fox on stilts. Avoidant of other dogs, and unexpectedly shy for its size. Lucy's 'puppy', Kleine - the maned wolf. Despite it's appearance it was neither a wolf nor a fox, it was its own thing. Lucy usually uses Kleine for all her trips, however she didn't want to put her through the stress of going to d'Algebria. Many loud merchants surrounding her from all sides would make her quite uncomfortable, not to mention the dogs. Now that some time has passed and rumors started spreading there aren't many people traveling, so she should be fine.

-Kleine! My pretty little baby, time to wake up!

Every dog in the stable jolted and started barking as Lucy yelled. She looked at them scornfully, and they stopped. She loved dogs, but she isn't letting anybody scare her 'pretty little baby'. Recognizing Lucy's voice, Kleine raised her head and a smile appeared on her sleepy face. Lucy rushed with her arms raised high to not waste any time and get straight to cuddling.

-How have you been? Did the other dogs treat you right? They did, didn't they?

-Lucy I know I don't have to remind you, but she's no 'little baby'.

-Keep talking smack and you'll get smacked. Don't listen to him, he's jealous because you get lots of cuddles and head pats and he doesn't. Here, eat a wolf apple.

Lucy scratched Kleine in her favorite spot behind the ear and her back left paw started quickly hitting the ground, raising a cloud of dust and dog hair.

-The toxic gas has been unleashed! Save yourself anyone who can!

-You better prepare her saddle if you have time to badmouth her!

Planck stayed outside of stable, smell and such. His unwillingness to touch dogs stretched to mane wolves, so a saddle was a must. Also, falling from 5 meters because something scared her hurts. A lot.

***

When standing, Kleine was easily towering over every other dog, as she was 5 meters tall. Which also meant she was quite fast. Following the road gave you quite the view. Arithmia was a kingdom of fields and hills. Fields were full of yellow flowers: Tulips, marigolds, dahlias and many without their real world equivalent. If you were to whisper someone's name to a 'bird of paradise', it would actually fly off and try to reach said person. Lucy liked going on picnics with Kleine. They would find a tree big enough to give her shade, then she would lay on her fluffy fur and enjoy the view. Sometimes she'd grab a soda out of her bag. She missed their unhealthy taste quite a bit.

As the view gradually changed, fields turned into forests and hills into mountains, Planck voiced his suspicions.

-Don't you think it's a bit weird?

-No, we've already passed these forests some time ago, remember?

-I was talking about the rumors. Dragons usually destroy forests, this one supposedly plants new trees.

-Is that so? Then it's the rebels. Or workers got lazy and make up things. Either way it needs to be taken care of.

-What if it's all of the above?

-Lazy dragon rebels reforest roads?

Carefree didn't even begin to cover Lucy's attitude. It was hard to blame her, this place was her safe haven. Anything her subconscious throws at her will be a nice alternative to the corporate world. Lucy never had to fight typos. Whatever it was, however absurd it was going to be, she'd manage. Planck on the other hand was thinking about dangers awaiting as something that could end their adventures. It was usually her that saved others from dangers, assuming she wasn't sending trees via makeshift ballista, so what would happen if she stumbled upon something she can't solve?

-Then how about this: what if it's neither? What is the worst thing you can think of?

-Worst thing I can think of?

Thoughts were powerful, especially in a dream. Think about spiders and spiders will show up. It wasn't difficult to have things spiral out of control straight into a nightmare. Luckily, Lucy didn't need to think about the answer. She turned around and hugged Planck.

-Someone being philosophical, is your age showing already? Woe me, my little Planck is getting all grown up. It's only a matter of time you move out and start your own life...

-I'm trying to be serious here.

-Me too. Seems I was right my other little baby was in a dire need of hugs and head pats.

-I thought people were supposed to get more mature with age.

-Never comment on woman's age! Also, I'm blessed by the gods and am eternally forever 17 I'll have you know!

***

-This area looks rather normal to me.

-Maybe you're missing the forest for trees?

-Is that what you wished for Planck? To be the funniest man in the world?

-I'm not telling you my birthday wish until it gets granted. If it gets granted.

The forest next to the road did look normal. Trees, bushes, birds singing. Nothing screaming "Here! I'm the cause of all the problems!"

-We'll have to look around in the village then.

Grenze was the village most problems were reported from. It laid right next to the border. It was a mason village, and many of its villagers joined the roadworks, since the faster people will be able to travel easily, the faster can they start building. Said villagers now don't want to have anything to do with roads and refuse to leave the village. Elder's hut was in the middle of the village, right next to a big brick furnace. Lucy and Planck weren't the only outsiders present. A man in his 40s wearing a straw hat leaned against his cart with a rather unsatisfied face and patted Waldo's head.

-What are we going to do now Waldo?

-Woof.

-You think? And what if we get caught?

-Erm, excuse me.

-Yes? Oh, you're the box girl, Lucy!

-Everything's alright?

-No, you see I was on my way back and wanted to trade my last few goods, but nobody wants to talk me. Something about strangers bringing back luck.