The looks the courier gave the General was not at all reassured in the grinning silence that followed his question, though the dragon certainly seemed entertained by it all. Chewing his lip, Tal cleared his throat awkwardly and finished separating out the joints so the bits and bobs could be added to the heavily laden basket.
Carrying the tusks to the sled for the last touch, Tal saved a few sweetmeats for the dogs who had been so patiently waiting. Feeding each a small handful - enough to reward, but not so much as to slow them down on the journey home - he took the time to scratch ears and pat heads and double check the harnessing before moving to release the snow brake. The General's pointed reminder of his Leafchange folly earned a wince as Tal ducked his head, but he came back with a rueful grin and a nod of agreement. "Yeah. Let's go home."
~The End~
Carrying the tusks to the sled for the last touch, Tal saved a few sweetmeats for the dogs who had been so patiently waiting. Feeding each a small handful - enough to reward, but not so much as to slow them down on the journey home - he took the time to scratch ears and pat heads and double check the harnessing before moving to release the snow brake. The General's pointed reminder of his Leafchange folly earned a wince as Tal ducked his head, but he came back with a rueful grin and a nod of agreement. "Yeah. Let's go home."
~The End~
