A couple of farsangs later the strange group came to a halt by large moss covered grotto. The sun was setting and the sky was turning blood red. Bathed in red light Gieve turned toward the prince and said:" Your Highness, we have to let the horses rest." Elam dismounted Gieve's horse and came to hold the highness' tack.
The young prince nodded and dismounted. After patting the horse, he turned toward their newest companion. He crouched and called the dog over. The hound was of great size and commanding appearance. He was black rough-coated, very muscular, strong though gracefully built. His head and neck carried high, the tail carried with an upward sweep. His eyes were amber, bright, spirited and soulful. (AN: black Irish wolfhound – not modern ones but the ones that they used centuries before and could actually kill wolves)
The hound came and licked his hand. Arslan smiled and patted the dog on the head. Behind him Gieve looked at the animal with unconcealed skepticism. The whole way to this point he had kept an eye on this strange animal. It may act like a dog, but he wouldn't forget that it's a dangerous animal.
Elam had meanwhile decided on their sleeping spot and started to set their bedding. He looked at Gieve and told him: " Master Gieve, would you mind getting some firewood?"
Gieve could only nod as he started to make his way into the woods to look for dry branches and sticks. He trusted Elam to take care of His Highness in case the beast changed it's mind.
"Now what should I call you?" Asked prince Arslan the helpful dog as if he could answer. "Utu?" He shook his head, 'That doesn't suit' "Cybele?" again he shook his head. "Enki?" He patted the dog again.
As he patted the dog and though about a name for him, a strange though came to forefront: " Padfoot?"He asked quizzically. 'what a strange name? But it seems to suit him.'
The newly named Padfoot enthusiastically licked his face. Prince Arslan smiled despite the amount of saliva on his face. The dog licked his face even more, so much that the young prince fell on his back and started laughing. " Hehe! Padfoot! Stop it!"
At the first laugh and His Highness' fall, Elam's attention was on the happy pair. He couldn't help but to smile also. His Highness was a couple of years younger than him and it was nice to see him acting as a child. Specially in these hard times. Elam continued getting their makeshift camp ready, while still watching their surroundings.
Not 15 minutes later Padfoot stopped his play with the young prince. He turned his attention towards the wood across the camp. Elam and Arslan turned their attention in the same direction.
Gieve came out the scrubs and looked perplexed, why was he the center of every ones attention. He had intended to come back to camp unnoticed, so he could watch the hound.
"Took you some time, master Gieve." admonished him Elam, who wanted to start their dinner.
"I am here, aren't I?" was all the musician could say as he put the dry wood into the stone circle of the would be campfire.
Arslan could only smile as he had gotten used to their banter and the strange bond between Elam and Gieve. He went to sit on his bed roll and Padfoot joined him as they watched Gieve light the fire and Elam get the food ready.
While the food was getting ready, Gieve went to do a quick patrol around their campsite. To his surprise, Padfoot joined him.
Not 5 minutes into the patrol, the dog ran into the bushes. Gieve could only look on as he couldn't possibly catch up with the animal. "Such a guard dog, tch..." He continued his patrol, looking for any fires or horse tracks. Just as he was returning toward their camp, Padfoot came out of the bushes, frightening him with his entrance. He hadn't heard the dog coming his way at all.
Just as he was about to berate Padfoot, he saw that the hound had two bloody rabbits in his muzzle. "Well, I'll be damned. You are good for something. " He said.
Both returned to the camp having feeling some kind of respect for one another.
-/-
Over the following couple of days Arslan and his companions found out how godsend Padfoot was.
He joined Gieve on his patrols around camp and scouted their route. With his sensitive hearing and smell, the hound was able to lead them around 4 potential ambushes without the enemy noticing them. Gieve, who usually complained about having a "babysitter" in the form of Padfoot, actually appreciated having company. Padfoot on the other hand had to listen to the starstruck musician complain about lady Farangis not being here and talk about their "epic" love.
The gentle giant usually accompanied Elam on his hunting excursions and the group therefore didn't need to ration their food. The two hunters had an unspoken agreement – Padfoot got a fifth of the caught food plus bones and lots of pats.
Prince Arslan found in him a good confidante as he seemed always willing to listen. Many a night when the young prince couldn't sleep he would go to side of the camp and look toward the stars, thinking about his future and how it would effect his friends and people. Padfoot would usually notice this and join him. The enormous dog would lay next to him and put his head unto his lap. Arslan would start patting him and tell him about his problems and thinking. The white haired boy had the feeling that his canine companion understood what he said.
-/-
There was a warm and fresh breeze coming from the east. The sun was high and the birds sang their beautiful songs. The leaves rustles and the grass crinkled under the horses hooves. The brook not far from Arslan's group babbled quietly.
Gieve's black mare lead the way up the steep trail toward Peshawar. It was the surefooted of all three. The musicians head was constantly turning as he planned their route and scanned for enemies. Walking with him was Padfoot, who sometimes had to run a bit to keep up.
Behind him rode astride His Highness Prince Arslan and Narsus' aid Elam. The white haired princes eyes viewed the impressive mountains, hills and forest that surrounded them on their way to to the final destination. In the few meadows he could see some deer and their fawns. The gravel and stones shifted under the horses hooves and Arslan head to turn his attention back to his tawny horse tack. Correcting his course he turned back to watch the scenery.
Elam choose this time to inform his prince:" We will be at Peshawar shortly, Your Highness." You must be tired, but please bear with it for just a little while longer."
The prince smiled at his friend and answered:" Yes, I am fine." Looking forward into the distance he admitted: „ But this is the farthest I have come in my entire life. There must still be many more lands that are unfamiliar to me..."
The young attendant asked his Prince:" Has Your Highness heard of the legendary cities far to the southwest?"
This interested the young prince very much and he turned his attention to Elam: „The legendary cities?"
Elam explained: „ Far to the southwest of Pars, there is a vast desert of nothing and beyond it are the City of Bronze and the City of Pillars, which are only spoken of in legends."
Arslan enthusiastic exclaimed: „ To think that such places exist!"
Narsus' aide happily told him: „ When I become a man, I hope to visit those places and study the lost histories and legends."
Remembering their earlier conversation, Arslan asked him:" So, that is your dream?"
Elam could only nod his head: „ Yes." Arslan smiled at him and said: „ Then, when you have investigated these histories and legends someday, share them with me as well. „ Elam could only look surprised at his liege.
Arslan continued: „ even now, I cannot wait to hear the stories that you will tell." This brought a smile to Elam's face and he told the young prince: „ If that is your Highness' wish."
Arslan turned his face toward Gieve and said: „ I would like that very much."
Encouraged Elam cheerfully answered: „ Very well, Your Highness."
Gieve, who heard at least some part the conversation, just had to humiliatingly say: „You seem to have grown awfully friendly with His Highness, Elam."
Elam could only turn toward him and stammer his reply: „ I its was nothing of the ..."
Nevertheless Gieve interrupted him: „ Your Highness, we can see it now." Pointing his finger into the distance he said: „ That is Peshawar."
The wind blew from the west and ruffled the princes hair, who turned his head toward it. He gazed at the mountains, hill and forests that they have tracked through. 'It has been quite a journey so far', he thought.
-/-
Approximate ages of everyone
- Arslan 14 years
- Elam 16 years (wiki says 13 but he is older here)
- Gieve 23 years
- Farangis 22 years
- Daryun 27 years
- Narsus 26 years
- Padfoot aka Sirius Black 36 years
- Alfreed 17 years
- Jaswant 23 years
- Hilmes aka Silvermask 27 years
- Andragoras 44 years
- Tahamine 36 years
- Etoile aka Estelle 14 years