LEATHER-WORK

  Drak roused from his sleep as the early morning sun streamed through the cracks in the barn, sending thin rays of light across his eyes. His bedroll felt warm in the cool barn, but his body was stiff and sore from the ordeal on the road the day before. With a lazy motion, he stretched within the wool’s comforting embrace, groaning as dull aches coursed through his muscles.

  Cracking his eyes open, he squinted against the light and looked toward the familiar stall where Nalli lay curled up in her hay pile, her enormous body almost motionless except for the subtle rise and fall of her breath. His attention was caught immediately, making him blink twice: Her yellow eyes were wide open, pupils fixed intently on him. Drak blinked once more, wondering just how long she had been watching him.

  “Creepy,” he mumbled, half-joking as he pulled his blanket tighter around his shoulders. “You watching me sleep or something?”

  Nalli huffed in response, her tail lazily thumping against the wooden floor with a soft, rhythmic tap. “I was pattangaititsik—keeping my eyes on you. To make sure you were unharmed,” she replied, keeping her voice soft but clear, betraying the edge of concern beneath her usual gruff demeanor.

  Drak slowly sat up, rubbing his arms and legs to work out the stiffness. His makeshift bed was a few uncut blocks of hay piled together, and they had done little for his sore muscles. “Uh-huh… Well, I’m still alive, so you can stop watching me like a hawk now,” he muttered, stifling a yawn.

  Nalli stretched herself on all fours, mimicking the posture of a dog as she extended her long limbs, her claws scraping lightly against the floor. Drak couldn’t help but marvel at the sight. Despite her towering presence and the lethal power she possessed, her mannerisms reminded him of a house pet… albeit, one capable of tearing someone apart and smashing them into a bloody pulp if provoked.

  His lips twitched in amusement.

  “What?” Nalli growled, her head turning sharply toward him as she caught his smile.

  “Oh, nothing,” Drak replied, trying to hide his grin. “Just... you’re a lot more dog-like than I thought.”

  Nalli’s growl deepened, her eyes staring at him with stone-faced displeasure. “I am not a dog.”

  Drak chuckled, shrugging his shoulders up in defense. “Alright, alright, you’re definitely not a dog. But come on, you can’t blame me for noticing. The stretch? The tail thump? It’s hard not to see.”

  Nalli glared at him for a moment longer before she let out a resigned sigh, her tail thumping once. “If my teeth wouldn’t tear you in half, I’d bite you for that.”

  “Noted,” Drak muttered, chuckling under his breath as he slowly got to his feet, wincing as his back protested. He groaned, rotating his shoulders. “So... how long was I out?”

  Nalli shrugged, her posture shifting from casual to alert as she changed her position to face him. “Not long enough. You’re still sore.”

  “No kidding,” Drak replied, bending down to stretch his legs. “Feels like I’ve fallen off a cliff.”

  There was a brief pause before Nalli spoke again, her voice gentle this time. “You did well yesterday.”

  Drak looked up, surprised. “You think so? I feel like I barely kept it together.”

  “You survived,” Nalli said simply. “That is more than most could say.”

  Drak wasn’t sure whether to take her words as a compliment or not, but he smiled anyway. “I’ll take that as a small victory, then.”

  Drak eased himself upright off the bedroll, stretching until his back gave a satisfying crack. He pulled on his boots and crossed the space between them, leaning against the wooden support beam next to Nalli’s stall. She had already curled herself back up in the hay, but she was still watching him with that calm, unreadable gaze.

  An idea came to mind, and he raised an eyebrow before asking, “You ready for a bit of fresh air? Thought you might enjoy a change of scenery since everything is official now.”

  The night before, Drak had told her about his conversation with his uncle Garvin, the one person he’d dared to trust with the truth about her. The man had offered support, something Drak had clung to as a rare bit of good fortune. Nalli, however, hadn’t shared his optimism. The moment he had admitted to revealing her existence, she had bristled, her tail stiff with unease, her golden eyes dark with unrequited suspicion. The only thing he had failed to mention was the letter he was tasked to deliver. He'd told himself that he would find time to bring it up later when Nalli wasn't as charged-up. He’d learned the hard way that it took a mountain of effort to calm her, and to convince her that Garvin wasn’t a threat, let alone having to explain his uncle's colleague, Watson Irongear. He had spent a good portion of the evening placating her, until Nalli finally realized that Drak had no other choice.

  His eyes drifted toward the control collar still fastened around her neck. He hoped with his offer that she’d get some sense of freedom, at least for a moment.

  Nalli paused, her ears pivoting as she considered it. In a slow motion, she used a single arm to lean herself upright and gave him a short nod. Drak smiled as he walked over to the barn doors and pushed them open wide. A crisp gust of autumn air swept inside, carrying the scent of soil and vineyard leaves. Nalli gracefully stood and padded after him outside, being careful to duck low enough to avoid the overhead beams. She emerged, blinking against the brightness of the sun. The warmth of it felt pleasant with the cool morning breeze, and she closed her eyes, letting its golden glow wash over her features.

  She stalled at first, then hummed with quiet satisfaction, spreading and digging her clawed toes into the earth to feel the dirt beneath her feet. “The sun, the earth... it feels piujuk—good. I needed this.”

  Drak, standing beside her, reached out and tapped a gentle finger against the side of her tall leg and looked up. “I can show you around, if you want?”

  Nalli glanced down at him, intrigued by the offer, her ears flicking forward in interest. “I am curious,” she said. “Show me your human home.”

  Grinning, Drak led her around the vineyard, pointing out the different tools and pieces of steam-powered equipment he and his family used to tend the berry bushes and grape vines. Nalli listened quietly as he explained the quirks of the machinery, occasionally asking questions in her low growl. When they passed by his house, she tilted her head and remarked, “A small den, but it suits you.”

  Drak laughed at her observation. “Small compared to what? Your direhound dens?”

  She didn’t answer immediately, just watched him with those piercing yellow eyes. After a moment, she huffed and motioned with her muzzle to continue the tour. Drak appreciated seeing her outside, moving about freely, even with the collar’s silent presence around her neck. He wondered what she must be thinking, seeing a piece of his life, however small.

  They walked in silence along the perimeter of the vineyard, only stopping every so often so Drak could point out the various landmarks he used to help navigate the surrounding acreage. The rows of vines, their leaves turning golden in the autumn sun, stretched out on either side of them. It was a quiet, peaceful stroll, but Drak couldn’t help but feel a small knot of worry in his chest. As they rounded the last corner of the property, he stopped and turned to her.

  “Okay, this is the edge,” Drak said, as he gestured to the boundary of the vineyard. His tone was calm, but there was a flicker of nervousness behind his eyes. “It’s really important you stay within this line, alright? If anyone sees you, they’ll think you’re, well, you know… not supposed to be here. The collar should keep things from getting hot, but if you spot someone, just head back to me, okay?”

  Nalli stood still, her tall, muscular frame casting a great shadow across the grass. She didn’t move or speak for a moment, her ears rolling at the sound of the distant wind that passed through the trees. Drak could see something flare in her eyes. It might have been frustration, or perhaps it was a pang of resignation. A sigh escaped her, low and tired, but she gave him a nod.

  “Understood,” she rumbled, though something about her tone felt more over-encumbered than before. The boundaries of the vineyard were wide, but they seemed to close in on her mind. Freedom, it seemed, was still conditional.

  Drak caught her mood and stepped forward, gingerly placing a hand on her furred leg to reassure her. “I know it’s not ideal,” he admits. “But it’s just for now, I promise. Once we get this saddle done, we’ll make our way out of here, and you’ll be able to move around with even more freedom.”

  Nalli let out another sigh, this one more out of acceptance than frustration. “Yes,” she muttered. “The saddle. Let's get it over with.” She glanced toward the barn, her vision somewhere far off. The sooner they got through this bizarre saddle formality, the sooner she could leave behind all this unnecessary absurdity. For now, she'd play along as planned.

  Drak motioned for Nalli to follow him to the house, where he promised to grab what they needed. As she waited outside, Nalli crossed her arms and leaned against a stone retaining wall near the dwelling, her tail flicking against the slate in a rhythm that announced her impatience. The autumn sun felt warm on her fur, but the idea of being tethered to Drak’s vineyard still irked her. Drak eventually emerged, one arm full of tools and supplies. Without a word, he tossed a whole loaf of something towards her with his other hand.

  “Here, breakfast,” he said with a casual grin.

  Nalli caught the loaf in her clawed hands and let out a soft breath as she discovered the delicate bread in her fingers. She felt her stomach tighten. She had been hungrier than she realized, and the last of the moose meat she had stashed away was nearly depleted. She squeezed the spongy loaf in between two fingers in mild interest. Then, with a grateful nod, she made the bread disappear in a single bite while Drak, without pause, led the way back to the barn.

  Inside, Drak set the bundle of supplies down on the workbench, and Nalli followed him, eyeing the assortment with curiosity. Though she tried to feign disinterest, her bright pupils tracked his every movement, wondering just how this human planned to craft the saddle.

  As Drak walked around the barn gathering materials, Nalli tilted her head, intrigued despite herself. He collected a few long straps of leather, strips of cloth, and what appeared to be an old tractor seat, clearly only suitable for a human’s rear. In the process, Drak started explaining his plan, laying out his vision for the saddle. He spoke with a quiet focus, almost as if he was solving a puzzle. Each piece, he explained, had a specific role. The leather straps would help hold the saddle in place, and the cloth would cushion the pressure points. The tractor seat, well-worn from use, would be refitted to sit snugly between her shoulder blades.

  Nalli’s ears twitched as Drak continued, laying out each step of the process. Regardless of her initial reluctance, she found herself becoming absorbed in the explanation. The practicality of his plan, the care with which he chose his words, it all surprised her. It wasn’t just some random human contraption; it had purpose, structure, and thought.

  Although she would never admit it, Nalli's curiosity got the better of her as Drak continued, his voice full of repose, as if building this saddle was going to be the most natural thing in the world.

  Drak nailed the new diagram he had sketched the night before up on the barn wall. It wasn’t much to look at, but it gave him a plan to work from. He decided to start with the harness first. It seemed like the simplest piece to figure out. Measuring and cutting the leather straps took time as he went back and forth between the workbench and Nalli, checking the fit. Every time he came close, she let out a low growl, a reflexive sound, more for herself than for him, to remind herself of what she was. Drak, however, didn’t even flinch. He knew by now that the growl was just noise, and that she wouldn't hurt him.

  At one point, Drak paused, looking in between the leather pieces in his hands before glancing at Nalli. “I need a favor,” he said, approaching with a length of leather. Nalli blinked, unsure of what the human could possibly want from her. “I need evenly spaced holes poked through the leather to secure the harness properly,” Drak explained.

  Nalli pinned her ears back, unimpressed by the request, but she considered it. Using her claws was simple enough, and she appreciated being able to be a part of the crafting process. She took the leather, effortlessly puncturing neat holes as Drak had asked. As the minutes passed, they fell into a rhythm, with Drak bringing more pieces, explaining what he needed, and Nalli obliging with a few grumbles. They worked in unspoken harmony, the task growing easier with each turn.

  Eventually, Drak held up a large, completed harness. The piece of leathercraft was wider than his arm-span as it lazily drooped down to the floor. He looked over at Nalli, an excited sparkle of pride in his eyes. “Ready to try it on?” he asked, holding the harness out a little wider.

  Nalli looked at the piece of human handiwork with curiosity, her earlier irritation replaced with a growing sense of intrigue. After all, he had worked hard on it, she thought. With a sigh, she lowered herself, extending her arms so he could fit it around her chest.

  Drak stepped forward cautiously, sliding the harness over her broad frame. It felt strange to Nalli, but she allowed it, watching his movements. She could feel his hands brush against her fur as he tightened and adjusted the straps, and for a brief moment, the feeling of being bound by the leather nearly sent her reeling, but as Drak stepped back to inspect his work, she felt an odd sense of satisfaction with the result.

  It fit perfectly.

  Drak stepped back to admire the harness on Nalli, giving her a pleased nod. “It looks great,” he said, though he added, “We might need to adjust a couple things once we attach the next piece.” Without missing a beat, he started gathering the materials for the upcoming crucial part: the saddle itself.

  He grabbed the tractor seat he had collected earlier and studied it for a moment, his mind racing through ideas. It wasn’t exactly a comfortable seat, and it certainly wasn’t designed for use on a direhound’s back. Still, he didn’t have many other options. He shrugged and set to work, frequently visiting the barn’s furnace to heat up the metal, using various tools to bend and reshape it. He hammered at it continuously until he was able to form it into something more natural for Nalli’s shape.

  Drak thought ahead as he worked. Riding a direhound won’t be like riding a horse. Nalli’s back is far too broad for my legs to simply dangle over her sides, and besides that, she walks upright, presenting an additional problem. He wagered, for practicalities’ sake, the saddle had to allow him to stand while riding, with the seat serving more as a place to rest or balance himself. The idea felt awkward, but it was the best solution he could think of. He did his best to recall the appearance of the saddle used by the woman from the Mounted Expeditionaries and her direhound, Surge.

  He had the concept in his head, but the process of figuring out how to build it took hours. Drak worked in silence, occasionally stepping back to test the structure before returning to adjust or add new pieces. He wanted to make sure it wouldn't restrict Nalli's movement and still hold together under strain. The seat began to take shape, surrounded by a frame of patched-together metal. Though it looked rough around the edges, he was making progress.

  By the time he had most of the saddle assembled, Drak wiped the sweat from his brow. I’m still going to need to add cushioning, he contemplated. The saddle frame, as it was, would dig uncomfortably into Nalli’s back, and that was something he wanted to avoid. He picked up a length of old cloth for padding but paused when his stomach let out a loud growl.

  Drak sighed and opted to take a break. Setting his tools aside, he found the leftover beef strips from his trip to Roark’s shop in Tribute. He chewed on them quickly, savoring the small bit of energy the meal gave him. Nalli, who had been quietly watching him work the whole time, moved to join him, finishing the last scraps of her remaining moose.

  They sat in silence for a few moments, each eating their meal, lost in thought. Drak leaned back, gazing at the saddle while feeling a small sense of accomplishment. “Almost there,” he muttered between bites.

  Nalli, after finishing off the moose, cast her eyes over the saddle as well. Though she’d never admit it out loud, the human’s persistence and work ethic impressed her.

  Drak pulled himself upright, slapping his legs to get the blood flowing again. “Time to get back to work,” he said, pushing through the soreness.

  Nalli's ears flicked in surprise. “You should rest,” she remarked, her voice carrying an unusual tenderness. “Your injuries could get worse if you keep pushing yourself.”

  Drak waved her concern away. “I’m alright. My wounds aren't that bad. I need to get this done, for you,” he replied. Besides, it wasn’t just that. The saddle project had given him more purpose than any vineyard work had in a long time. It felt good to have something different to pour his energy into, something that wasn’t tied to the boring future his parents expected of him. This was different. This was his. The whole process made him think of Garvin and all his wild inventions, and a small smile pulled at the corners of his lips. He was confident his uncle would revel in seeing him make something of his own, figuring out a problem, and trying to make something that worked.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  However, Drak’s internal celebration was sapped as his thoughts drifted to the neglected work he had promised to his father. The vineyard still needed to be tended to, but he brushed the thought away. What does it matter? We’re leaving this place soon, anyway, he thought to himself.

  With a determined grunt, Drak returned to the saddle, rolling his shoulders to ease the tightness before diving back in. He made a few more precise adjustments, attaching the padded cushioning, trimming the excess material, and carefully rounding any remaining sharp, metal edges. Each alteration was Nalli-the-direhound focused. This wasn’t just about crafting something functional; it was about making sure she felt unburdened while carrying him and he felt secure while on her back.

  After what felt like another hour, he stepped back to examine his work. The saddle, while crude and far from a work of art, was finally complete. Hefting it with both hands, Drak turned to Nalli, a small but proud grin on his face. “It’s done,” he announced, presenting it with both hands extended like a trophy.

  Nalli raised an eyebrow skeptically, eyeing the edges and the patch-work of different materials. “You really think that contraption is going to hold you on my back?”

  Drak chuckled at her doubt. “Only one way to find out,” he said. He approached her, holding the saddle out. “Let’s give it a try.”

  Nalli stood tall, her muscles tensing slightly as Drak awkwardly hefted the saddle over to her. She had her reservations, but she shifted her weight by tipping her body, making it easier for him to bring it into place on her. Drak did his best to work quickly, adjusting the straps around her, making sure the harness was tight but not uncomfortable. His hands fumbled as he tried to clasp the saddle to the harness. He took the task seriously, but the leather he’d used for this section was raw and unyielding, preventing him from securing the final touches with any ease. “Give me a moment…” He said as he struggled for a few minutes longer, one by one connecting each fitting. He could feel Nalli’s impatient gaze boring in at him as time stretched on, a low grumble emanating from her throat. Finally, he connected the last fitting on the harness to its designated saddle clasp.

  “There,” Drak said after a moment, stepping back to inspect his work. “Erm… how does it feel?”

  Nalli shifted her weight again, rolling her shoulders and taking a few tentative steps around the barn. The saddle’s leather squeaked slightly, but it didn’t seem to pinch or pull against her fur. She gave Drak a sideways glance. “I think it’s... functional.”

  Drak let out a relieved laugh. “That’s all we need.”

  There was a brief, charged silence between them. Now that the saddle was mounted, only one thing remained, and both Drak and Nalli seemed hesitant. Neither made the first move, their nerves and the unspoken tension of this moment floating between them.

  To Drak’s surprise, Nalli broke the silence first, her voice laden with impatience. “What are you waiting for, human? Do you plan to keep me in this thing all day? Just get it over with.” He could sense the challenge in her tone.

  Drak let out a breath, her words cutting through the tension like a serrated blade against old twine. Encouraged, he grabbed one of the nearby square hay bales he had used for a bed, and dragged it over as a makeshift stepping stool. Nalli lowered herself to her haunches, her back arching to further assist, while her golden eyes remained fixated on him, watchful and curious.

  This was it. This was the moment they had both anticipated since coming up with their audacious plan. Drak stepped up on the hay bale, gripping the side of the saddle with both hands, while Nalli's gaze followed his every move, her head turning to keep him in sight. For a second, Drak hesitated, but then he tightened his muscles and hoisted himself upward, using the saddle’s frame like a ladder.

  His biceps strained as he pulled himself up, the frame creaking under the effort, but eventually, Drak made it. He settled into the saddle with a heavy gasp, his feet planted squarely in the framework and his body steady atop her broad back. To his surprise, Nalli didn’t move or toss him aside in irritation. She remained perfectly still, waiting.

  Drak found himself sitting, his rear planted firmly in the rough seat, and for a moment, he just breathed. They had done it. “Well... I guess we’re really doing this,” he said, half to himself, half to Nalli.

  He then added, “How are you feeling?”

  Nalli shifted slightly, feeling the weight of him on her back as she ignored the question. “Try not to fall off,” she replied dryly, though there was a flavor of something lighter in her tone. Something almost amused.

  Drak took a breath and steadied himself before speaking. “Okay, Nalli, go ahead and try standing up—but slowly, please,” he instructed, gripping the saddle’s frame tightly.

  Nalli let out an amused huff, turning her head slightly as if considering something mischievous. “Maybe I should jostle you around a bit, instead,” she teased, her voice dripping with playful malice.

  Drak’s heart skipped a beat, and his hands reflexively tightened their grip. He felt a flutter of nervous energy course through him as Nalli began to rise to her full height. The ground fell away beneath him, and he felt vertigo after realizing just how high up he was. His hands twitched against the saddle frame, and the elevation left him dizzy. From his perch high up on her back, Drak barely had to raise his hand to touch the barn’s rafters.

  This is incredible, he marveled to himself, unable to suppress the joyous awe that was coursing through him. Never in a million years did he imagine he’d find himself riding atop a direhound. Not just any direhound, but Nalli, this proud and intelligent being from an untamed realm far beyond anything he’d ever known.

  Nalli shifted her weight, testing her balance with Drak and the saddle on her back as her powerful legs adjusted to the left and right with ease. Drak gazed at the back of her furred head, noticing how the saddle allowed him to see just over her pointed ears. A part of him was tempted to reach out and touch the thick fur between them, but he held back, his heart swelling with emotion.

  “Okay, Nalli,” Drak finally said, his voice a little softer, “I’m ready. Go ahead and move forward.” He pointed toward the open barn doors, where the afternoon sunlight was streaming in, casting shadows across the wooden floor.

  Nalli didn't hesitate. With a careful step, she moved forward, her massive frame gliding with far more agility than Drak expected. The lurching sensation was unlike anything he’d ever experienced. Each step she took sent a subtle ripple through his body, but the saddle held steady. He was riding her, and it was both intimately exhilarating and equally terrifying.

  As Drak gripped the frame of the saddle, his excitement breached the surface as he leaned his body over and watched the ground move below him. Nalli approached the barn door, and Drak’s heart skipped when an imminent problem presented itself.

  She’d need to duck to clear it.

  He braced himself, unsure if Nalli would manage to pass through the exit without toppling him off. Nalli, however, was already aware of the issue. She smoothly dipped her body, lowering her frame with ease. Drak had to crane his neck sideways, narrowly avoiding the wooden header of the door. In one fluid motion, they made it through, and Nalli straightened as they emerged into the bright, open air of the vineyard.

  Drak exhaled in relief, his grip loosening as they made their way into the sunlit rows of grapevines. This was it, their first real test. If they could manage this, they’d be ready to leave soon. A small, incredulous smile crept onto Drak’s face. He urged Nalli forward, his voice more confident than ever before.

  “Alright, Nalli, let’s see how it feels. Let’s try to walk the perimeter of the vineyard,” Drak said, excitement fortifying his words.

  Nalli, sensing the surge of anticipation in Drak, let out a small, playful whine, which quickly turned into an air-cracking bark that caught Drak by surprise. Then, she began to move, following the hedge rows with a casual but purposeful gait. The vineyard was laid out in all directions around them, while the wind tugged at Drak’s clothes and hair as Nalli glided through the vines with ease.

  Drak, still in awe, felt the thrill of the moment rushing through him. Each of Nalli’s pounding steps sent a jolt of excitement through his body. He gripped the frame tight and stood upright in the saddle, not from fear, but from the total exhilaration of it all. He had never imagined anything like this. The partnership with a direhound, the ground flying beneath him, the air rushing past. Was this what the Mounted Expeditionaries felt when they rode into the unknown? The mix of power and control, trust and freedom?

  He couldn’t help but let out a spirited laugh, letting himself get carried away by the sensation. Nalli’s ears flicked back, catching the sound.

  Nalli felt the shift in Drak's energy, while the surge of excitement in his voice spurred her on. She started to jog, her strides lengthening as she picked up speed. The wind rushed past them, and soon she was running, her great paws pounding against the ground as she raced along the edge of the vineyard at an exhilarating pace.

  Drak was overwhelmed by the thrill, and howled a shout of excitement. This is better than any steam-bike ride, he thought. “Faster, Nalli!” he urged, and the direhound responded as her own exhilaration rose to match his. The wind tore through Drak's hair as his heart pounded in time with Nalli's footsteps. For a brief moment, nothing else existed: It was just the two of them, racing together, free and unstoppable.

  Nalli’s muscles worked in harmony, the strain of her recent wound fading as she pushed herself to full speed. The feeling of freedom, of running with purpose, filled her chest with pride. They were doing this. Together. A small part of her, buried beneath her cautious exterior, felt joy. Pure and unrestrained joy.

  Eventually, after a few laps around the vineyard, Drak tapped her shoulder, signaling her to slow. His chest heaved with breath, his hair swept back, his face flushed with exhilaration, and Nalli slowed her pace, coming to a stop, her own breaths deep but steady.

  “That,” Drak gasped, laughter in his voice as he shouted, “was the greatest feeling I’ve ever had in my life!”

  Nalli looked back at him, her golden eyes seemed to return her own sense of accomplishment. “You managed to hold on without falling off, human,” she said, an inkling of playfulness hidden beneath her words.

  Drak leaned back in the saddle, intertwining the fingers of his hands behind his head as he took in the vast view of the surrounding farmland around them. From up on Nalli’s back, everything looked different. The rolling hills stretched into the distance, and he could see the neighboring lands with ease. It felt like a whole new world. It felt like he was flying in the same fashion as the graceful airships floating over Tribute were on the horizon. He breathed in deeply, savoring the moment, and he didn’t want it to end.

  Nalli’s ears twitched, her amber eyes turned to watch Drak closely. She could see the expression on his face. The wide-eyed wonder and exhilaration was written all over him. He was content, almost at peace, in a way she hadn’t seen from another creature before. A part of her heart warmed at the sight, forcing a slow, involuntary sway of her massive tail. It was such a simple thing, really, running through his vineyard, but she could see how much it meant to him, and how it fed that yearning for adventure he held deep inside.

  Drak truly craves something different, doesn’t he? She wondered. Something beyond the confines of his vineyard life, and now, for a moment, she had given that to him.

  Drak leaned forward in the saddle. He hesitated for just a moment before he reached out and placed his hand gently on Nalli's massive head, right between her pointed ears. Her fur there felt unexpectedly soft compared to the rugged contours of her form and the immense strength that lurked just beneath it. He wanted to thank her. To express the gratitude that had tightened in his chest, but the words felt too sensitive, too vulnerable. Not wanting to make the moment awkward, he settled for a simple, steady nod and said, “You did a good job, Nalli.”

  Nalli’s ears rolled back at his touch before quickly flicking forward, but she didn’t pull away. She let out a small huff in response. She didn’t dismiss the praise nor accept it outright.

  Drak sighed in exhilaration as he glanced toward his house. “We should start planning our trip,” he said. “I have a map of Ardraelion that outlines human lands in my house. We can study it, but…” He hesitated, unsure of how to approach the next part. “It means you’ll need to tell me where you’re actually going.”

  He knew she’d been keeping that part secret. The exact destination of her mission. Up until now, he hadn’t pushed her for details, but with the saddle complete and the legality of her existence in place, they needed a waypoint. He wanted to get Nalli back on track, but he couldn’t do that without knowing where she intended to go.

  “And there’s something else I need to tell you,” Drak added, his voice more serious. “Before we leave… I have a letter. It’s from my uncle. I’m supposed to deliver it to one of his associates in Solace as a condition for helping me get the direhound registration thing sorted out.”

  He waited for Nalli’s reaction, knowing that this could complicate things, but it was important for her to know.

  Nalli’s shoulders stiffened at Drak’s words, and her body language openly displayed the inner conflict he couldn’t see. She had been keeping so much from him, but now that the saddle was made and the plan was almost in motion, it was time. Drak had helped her, taken her in despite the risks, and he deserved some of the truth.

  Although, at the mention of the letter, Nalli’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. He had kept this from me, too? She reeled. The thought stung at first, but she realized she had been keeping a multitude more from him. Her mission was still shrouded in secrecy, and she had reasons for her silence that she couldn’t share. In spite of this, there he was, being honest with her, even if it was difficult for him. The realization blunted the edges of her stance, and she let out a growling huff, more in frustration with herself than with Drak.

  She tilted her head to meet his gaze. “Drak, no more secrets,” she said, her voice carrying a tone of dejection. “If we are to become a hunting party together, I need to know I can trust you fully. If something happens, I need to hear it from you—not when it's convenient, but when it matters.”

  Drak hesitated, caught off guard by the change in her tone. “I get it,” he admitted after a pause. “I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you, I just… I didn’t know how you’d take it.” He let his shoulders droop down, exhaling. “But you’re right. No more holding things back. If I know something, you’ll know it, too.”

  Nalli studied him for a long moment before giving a small, satisfied nod. “Good. I know I have kept things from you, and there are still things I cannot yet say—but I will try as well.”

  She had to tell him something now, if not everything. He had earned that much. She took a deep breath, and Nalli finally spoke. “I need to get to Piunngituk Silatsuak…” The name rolling off her tongue like a sacred vow. She glanced at him to measure his reaction, then added, “I have someone there that I must meet with.”

  Drak blinked, clearly puzzled. “Piun-ningitti-tuk Silatsu-tutak?” he butchered, stumbling over the unfamiliar words. “Where is that? I’ve never heard of it.”

  Nalli burst out in her rumbling direhound laughter before her head tilted as she considered how to explain, her nose twitching in the process. “I can see my language will take time for you to get used to. Piunngituk Silatsuak—it is far from here,” she began. “A land that I imagine most humans have little reason to visit. Dry, eroded, and bare. The ground there is cracked like the skin of an old beast, and the slopes rise and fall steeply, sharp enough to wound those who don’t tread carefully.”

  Drak frowned, trying to picture the place. “You’re saying it’s... a desert? Or close to one?”

  Nalli contemplated his words, then shook her head. “Not quite. There is little sand, but the ground is hard, unyielding. The air is dry, and the wind howls through rocks that stand like ancient sentinel warriors. And the plants are sparse—only the strongest survive there. It is a place only for the resilient, and it does not welcome travelers easily.”

  He scratched the back of his neck, concern written across his face. “Okay… but which direction? North, south—?”

  “East,” she interrupted, her voice steady. “Where the great sun rises. Far beyond your human farmlands. Beyond even your borders. It lies hidden behind steep terrain and jagged ridges. The paths are treacherous, twisting, and narrow. You could lose your footing and fall, or lose your way entirely if you don’t know how to navigate the land.”

  Drak felt a shiver run through him at her description. “Sounds like getting there is only going to be half the battle,” he muttered.

  Nalli’s golden eyes fixed on him, her expression unreadable. “It is not meant to be easy. It is a place of trials. If the terrain does not humble you, it will break you.” Her voice softened slightly, almost as though she were warning him. “Drak, I do not expect you to accompany me past your borders.”

  Drak blinked, processing her words, his resolve firming. “I appreciate the gesture, Nalli,” he said, his tone rooted in steadiness, but still kind. “Except, I've made up my mind. I’ve decided that I want to come with you. All the way.” He glanced back toward the house. “Let me grab that map. Maybe we can find this place together.”

  Nalli remained quiet, her mind a flight, but she felt a flicker of relief. For better or worse, a big step had been taken, and she wasn’t facing it entirely alone anymore.

  “I'll be right back,” Drak said, his voice filled with spirit as he clambered down from the saddle and hurried into the house. He offered her another glance before the door creaked shut behind him.

  Nalli exhaled slowly, her amber gaze scanning the landscape around them. Something about Drak’s stubborn determination sparked a curious hope within her. Each one of his actions kept chipping away her presumptions about Humanity. Perhaps, she pondered, with time, the contention between their species could change for the better. She exhaled slowly.

  Perhaps…

  Moments later, Drak emerged from the house with a folded map clutched in his hands. He was barely able to contain his excitement as he approached her, his breath visible in the crisp autumn air. “Alright,” he said, unfolding the map with care. “This is a map of Ardraelion. Let’s see if we can pin this place down.”

  He knelt on the ground, spreading the map out flat and smoothing the edges so Nalli could see. It was detailed, marked with winding roads, jagged mountain ranges, and patches of open land. “Here’s us,” he said, indicating a small dot labeled Tribute. “Solace is just a day’s ride east, so thankfully, we won't have to go out of the way to deliver the letter. And… if we keep heading that way…” His finger hovered over the eastern side of the map, where faded, jagged lines marked a large, desolate expanse.

  “Along this line are the Known Provinces, and then the End Territory—the stuff beyond Human land. So, I think based on what you described…,” Drak began, his brow furrowing in concentration, “dry land, steep slopes, almost no plants, lots of rocks… it has to be—here!” He tapped a named section on the map. “The terrain and your description almost fit perfectly. We call it, The Scarhold.”

  Nalli leaned in, her eyes studying the map. Though the human script was foreign to her, the drawn features aligned with what she knew of Piunngituk Silatsuak. She let out a low rumble of agreement. “Yes,” she said slowly, her voice tinged with surprise. “That must be it.”

  Drak looked up at her, a smile breaking across his face. “Then that settles it. Piunngi—well, however you say it, and The Scarhold—they’re probably the same place.” He paused, his smile fading slightly as he studied the daunting expanse on the map. “Looks like it’s not going to be an easy trek.”

  Nalli’s gaze softened as she regarded him. “It never was going to be,” she replied, her tone quiet but resolute. “Ipvit ipatsik—Now you grasp the journey ahead.”

  Drak nodded, his confidence faltering as his eyes returned to the map. He studied the general path they would have to take, tracing a route with his finger. His expression darkened when he saw the land they would need to cross. “The Eastwood Forest…,” he muttered under his breath, his tone uneasy.

  The forest was marked with dense, uneven lines on the map, stretching like gnarled fingers into the region they needed to reach. It wasn’t just any forest. It was the same treacherous expanse the Mounted Expeditionaries had been battling to pacify and tame for decades. Tales of grizzly beasts, monstrous abominations, and travelers who never returned were whispered about this place. The thought sent an involuntary shudder down his spine. Despite his dreams of joining the Expeditionaries, he’d never actually imagined that he would be traveling there.

  Drak glanced up at Nalli, her golden eyes watching him with curiosity. “To get to The Scarhold, we’ll have to go through here,” he said, tapping the forest with his finger. “It’s only a small section of Eastwood, but…”

  Nalli tilted her head, her triangular ears twitching as she observed his discomfort. “Your heart fears this place,” she said plainly, her voice contemplative but not unkindly so. “Why?”

  “Because it’s supposed to be dangerous,” Drak admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked back down at the map, trying to steel himself. “The Mounted Expeditionaries are constantly struggling to clear it out, but the forest… It keeps fighting back. There are things in there—things people don’t survive meeting.”

  Nalli’s gaze hardened slightly as she straightened, her shadow stretching over him. “And yet we must go,” she said, her tone resolute. “Piunngituk Silatsuak lies beyond it, and my mission cannot wait. I will face whatever is in that forest. Will you?”

  Drak swallowed hard, her words pressuring him. He looked back at the forest on the map, the jagged lines seeming to tease at his nervousness. His pulse quickened, but he forced himself to nod. “I said I’d come with you, and I meant it. I will face the forest with you.”

  A small, approving rumble escaped Nalli as she regarded him. Although she could see the trepidation in his eyes, she also saw his will. His heart. “Good,” she said, her voice quieter now, almost encouraging. “Then let us prepare. Our journey does not forgive the unready.”

  “We can map out our route tonight,” Drak replied, his mind already reeling with all the things he would need to gather to prepare. “And if you’re ready, tomorrow morning we can head out… Will that work for you?”

  Nalli’s golden eyes studied the map carefully, as she traced the roads and terrain. She couldn’t decipher the strange human script or the intricate notations on the map, but there was something captivating about the map’s design. Yet, as she examined it, her fingers absentmindedly brushed against the bandages covering her still-healing wound, sending a sharp pang through her senses. The map blurred for a moment as her thoughts returned to the Posek assassin and the danger that the detestable creature had presented. Yet still, there were other, more sinister perils that lurked beyond the horizon that Drak couldn’t comprehend.

  She nodded, satisfied with the plan, and said firmly, “Anga—Yes, let us be ready to head out at first light. I have been stranded here for too long already.” Before Drak could respond, she lifted her gaze to meet his, her expression darkening with seriousness. “But, Drak? The real question is… are you ready for this?”

  The question struck him like cold gusts of Frostspire Mountains wind, freezing his thoughts for a moment. His initial excitement dimmed as he started to wrap his head around the enormity of the journey ahead. This wasn’t just a chance to escape his mundane life, it was a perilous venture into the unknown, fraught full of potential hazards. He swallowed hard, his pulse quickening as he met her unwavering gaze. For a moment, the world seemed to stand still around him, but then he clenched his fists.

  “I’m ready,” he said, his voice firm and laced with conviction. He exhaled slowly and nodded to her. The road ahead would be treacherous, but for the first time in his life, the fire of adventure and hope burned within Drak's heart.

  Vine & Fang? Feel free to rate the story and follow the author for future updates!

  A

  AkKalajuks – Ants

  Anniasuitik – Shaman of Medicine

  Anirnaq – The First Direhounds

  Anirniq – Soul

  Anga – Yes

  Atsinguak – Gift

  Auka – No

  I

  Ijik – Eye(s)

  Ikialuit! – Damnit or damn you, depending on phrasing.

  Ilisimaik – Craziness

  Ipatsik – Understand

  Ipvit – You

  K

  Kaijuuti – Coyote Tribe

  Kakiannangituk – Unpleasant

  Kavinguak – Much noise

  Kulgoskarrik – A lizard, known for dropping its tail when frightened with a sudden loud burst

  Kutsutak – Yellow

  Kuviasotikak – Ridiculous

  M

  Mitappuk(s) – Joke(s)

  N

  Nakummek – Thank you

  Nalligik – Love(s)

  Nokel-katantik – Honorable

  Nuni Lunikk – Moon Mother

  Nunivak – Pick berries

  Nutaqq – Child

  O

  Omajualuk – Monster

  P

  Paunngak – Berries

  Pattangaititsik – Protecting

  Piujuk – Good

  Piunngituk Silatsuak – Bad Earth

  Pijagia-keh – Different

  Pilluak – Smart, clever, skillful

  Pitsatujuk – Powerful

  Q

  Qilakpaangut – sky-eyed wanderer who flies like a startled birdling

  Qimmit – Dog (or like a dog)

  S

  IkKumanngituk – Stupid

  Siku – Ice

  Siitani – Star cycles, or revolutions around the sun

  Sungittotanuk – A symbol

  T

  Tatannamek – Amazed / How Fascinating!

  Takutsuapuk – Kindness

  Tatsika Napattulik – The Darkened Forest

  Tillia-Kattak – Vermin (More than one meaning?)

  Tikatsiak – Strong twine

  U

  Ukalik – Hare

  Ukausik – Language of Direhounds

  Ukiuq – Winter

  Ullak – Morning

  Nalligik-Paunngak Kutsutak-Ijik (Nalli) – Love(s) Berries Yellow-Eyes

  Akkitu-kumik Taggana-Tak (Umbra) – Soft-Scratch Shadow-Side

  (Uvaguk or Uvak)-kaik sollu pitsiak. Pik sivo-ganik – (We or I) Come as kin. Do not fear.

  Sakkik sollu pitsiak! Ipvut napaq kunulik… Amarik! – Appear as kin! But stand with… enemy!

  Qamut qimmit! Pilluq! – Cowardly dogs! Move!

  Sunas pait mittsikappuk, atiq? – What is your real/true name?

  Nuti Nannguk Kunnak – Great Fault of Kunnak

  Takutsuapuk aje atsinguak – Kindness is a treasure

  Vine & Fang posted for free reading. Redistribution prohibited.