Clyde had chosen his dog Rye to be his guard dog, for one important fact of its breed. Something certainly no other dog could boast. It was an odd ability, yet Clyde found it oddly suited him. Especially since his eyesight and hearing were not the best. His dog was able to make up for it, hearing and seeing things he could not, and alerting him to dangers.
Considering he was often moving about, and was of a high enough skill to call down enemies upon him who wished him ill, he was better of being prepared... Vigilance, preperation, and a touch of paranoia, were the only things to see him through this long still alive. And he did not plan to change that record any time soon.
As he walked along that evening, he was having to squint to try and see. Already it was getting dim. But his dog had no such issue. It knew more or less were they were going, as Clyde had been to the Ravok camp enough times, for it to be able to lead him to an extent. He had left Syliras today a bit later than he meant to, so he needed to get back now before it got to be to dark, or night fell... Then he might be pushed to do something he would rather not.
From an outside observer, he seemed harmless, a utter waste, and easy prey, since he held no real weapon, only his wooden staff. And a single dog by his side... Though it might give a few people hesistancy, why he walked about by himself as he did, without fear... Though usually they would think of that, they would push it away, and then dive in and attack Clyde... And soon enough end up as another dead fool... Clyde knew how to defend himself, even if he did not look it.
But his real secret, and tool, was his guard dog Rye. He was a Bozderon Shadow Dog, a very special breed of canine. For one, its short black fur, made it blend seamlessly into the shadows... Clyde at times had trouble finding him, even as close as he was. He might have even lost it, if not for the movement of its body, and it occasionaly stopping and turning back to look at its master, with its deep red eyes. But really, Clyde had always thought there was something about the dog which made it perfect for blending into the shadows and the night... It seemed better suited even than other dark animals, or creatures used to camouflaging themselves. Bozderon Shadow dogs were bred with one thing in mind, being active in the dark and night...
That was were their second ability came in. Their red eyes were not for show. They had infravision, a interesting eyesight, allowing them to see on the infrared, and see heat signatures. He could pick out hot objects, see were the animals were, even in the pitch-est black of night. Which meant he could warn Clyde of threats, when any other dog would be blind and relying on sense of hearing.
Of course, it was not quite that dark yet, but Clyde's eyesight did not help him really... So he would just need to do the best he could, as he looked around.
He was a bit startled, as Rye froze, staring at something, which suddenly burst out of the brush. But as Clyde jumped and readied his staff, and brought it down to stave in the skull of whatever it was...
It turned out to be a rabbit, bouncing and jumping away. Clyde let out a sigh of relief, as he brought his staff back up. He would blame his miss on the size of the rabbit, but likely it had more to do with its speed, and the fact that Clyde was not the most skilled fighter with a staff.
He was just about to begin walking again, when he noticed that Rye was still staring at something, sending a signal he had seen something, emitting a low growl as he glared at it... Though Clyde could not see anything...
"Is someone there? Show yourself." |