A northern wind blew across my face. It shifts the fur on my exposed torso and the bell on my tail jingles. I fix the strands tied to my right ear and run downhill towards the market below.
It's been awhile since i've returned to the market. Though market doesn't really fit the description.
It was, in actuality, a village dedicated to trade among the tribes. The land it's built on is considered sacred neutral ground.
None would bother to shed blood of another, even in times of war, on this land.

Kinsmen of all tribes come to trade under the promise of temporary truce. To appear with malice would result in expulsion by all the
inhabitants of this village.

The sun shines above with a few small clouds to out it's rays. The cool weather that the wind brings creates a great atmosphere for outdoor marketing.
I walk around the stalls where sellers, buyers, auctioners, and tourists chat loudly. With my ears twitching and moving about, I listen in on the conversations.
I didnt come here to trade and purchase however. I came in search of someone important and from what I hear, he sells handmade wine.

I stop by a stall that sells "magic" trinkets. "Excuse me," I say to catch a badgers attention. He is rather short legged much like his species. He stood on a chair just for his head
to peer over the counter.

"Oi! Watcha lookin' at," the badger growls as he catches me staring, "if yahs gonn' stare, yah best be leavin' now."
His accent makes me smile a bit. Bowing and scratching my head apologetically, I head straight to the point, "I'm looking for someone."
"Who're yah lookin' fer?"
"I hear there's a person who sells handmade wine and i'd like a taste."
"Bugga off yah little twat. There's nothin' special of da wine yah seeking." The badgers grumpiness was understandable for his species.
I lean in and speak in a low voice, "I'm looking for some nice wine . An exceptionally expensive one and tasty one."
"Yah know, I would remembas a tads if I had a bit o' shiny stuff."
I sigh and reach into my coin pouch strapped to my waist and pull out my last silver coin.
"Eh, a tad short? Sorry I lost my memory. Now shove off will yah? Yah blocking my business," the badger hissed and waving frantically to get me to move.

I try a few other stalls and with the same exact results.
"Indifferent bastards," I mutter to myself. My stomach grumbles and i'm reminded of the last time I had actual food. I grip my stomach and clench my teeth as it growls painfully.
The different smells of meat and fresh fruits and vegetables does not help my hunger.

"Hey friend," an accented dog speaks up. I turn to see a Collie sitting on a rug placed on the ground. Around him sits several clay pots and some bottles and cups. "In a bit of a predicament I see." He picks up a loaf of bread sitting in a handbasket and tosses it to me.
I catch it with my hand and sniff it carefully, "No poison. No nothin'. I make 'em mahself. A little something to keep that slim belly o' yours from botherin' yah."

I take a bite into the soft, moist bread. It's sweet taste makes my mouth water profusely. I snarf down the rest of the loaf and let out a low burp though my stomach isn't completely satisfied. The collie pats an open spot on his rug, a slight smile touches his lips, "Sit friend."
I eye the collie suspiciously. A part of his ear is missing and a scar runs across his muzzle. several more can be seen through his fur along his arms and on his groin. His attire closely resembles my own,
though he wears long cloth pants with a linen shirt tied around his waist.

Slowly, I take a seat next to him. "We don't see many wolf folk come here. What brings yah here?"
I decide to pick my words carefully, "I'm looking for some wine."
"Wine you say? You'll find aplenty here in Ifulsab. All aged and bitter as bitter can get."
"Ifulsab? So that's what this village is called now. Well i'm looking for a type of wine that someone sells here. Sweet like fruit without the bitter aftertaste."
"Yah? That wine's lurkin' somewhere around 'ere."
The Collie offers another loaf and I gladly take it. I notice him eyeing me closely with uncanny precision.
"What tribe are yah from, friend? I neva' seen markin's as strange as yahs."
"I..... I come from up north," I speak hesitantly.
"Up north, eh? Must be frightfully cold, yah," The collie laughs a bit, "Explains yah thick fur!" He pats me on the back, hard. This dog was frightening powerful despite his slightly lean frame.
He shifts into a more relaxed position. A flash on his left hand reveals a metal claw replacing part of his index finger.

The collie notices my stare and lifts his hand to show it, "Curious? Lost mah fingah in a rather vicious fight. Little mutts shan't be playin' with knives, yah?"
I nodded and finish off my second loaf of sweet bread.
"I like yah," The collie smiles a bit, "Name's Enzo! Enzo Matora Hernandez! Raised by humans yah see. Came from what they call scotland or somethin'. What about yah?"
"You can call me Lark," I respond sheepishly, not used to conversing with such friendly personas.
"Lark! Strange name I must say," Enzo smacks my back again in a friendly gesture. He takes a cup and fills it with a sweet smelling liquid from a covered pot.
"Here," Enzo hands the mug to me, "can't eat without somethin' without a drink."
I take the cup and stare intently at the liquid. I couldn't use my powers to analyze without Enzo raising suspicion. I take a small sip, the sweet liquid tasted like...... wine.
I jump away from the collie alarmed, letting the drink fall to the ground.

The collie smiled slyly, "Great reflexes like as i've heard." He picks up the fallen over cup and pats the rug again, "don't worry. I mean you no harm, friend."
I can't trust him. I shouldn't trust him. I glare intently at him though he stays calm and and stares back.

I have no choice but to trust him.
"You should already know im here."
"If it's information yah want, yah gotta pay the price. Later, though friend."
"What do you know of me?"
"Enough tah make yah want to know."

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Enzo + art ©me
Lark + story © Wolf_Ulfang

the first interaction between this two adorable canines, hopefully more to come (idk honestly). I loved doing this, don't forget to check this in wolf's page too!! he's a great writer and I love him so go give him love!

please tell us what you think!!