Chapter 4:The Shepardess

The wolves had lead them to the edge of the forest. The city of Ruvinheign loomed in the distance, past small feilds where farmers grew crops or let their animals graze. The city was looked bigger than Lawrence could have ever imagined, granted he had never been to a city of any kind. He mostly visited small villages and communities. Surrounding the city was a huge stone wall, with soldiers patrolling along on top of the wall. He noticed that the only way to get into the city was a checkpoint where two heavily armed soldiers inspected every person going in and out of the city.

"Isn't this all a bit much for just a city?" Holo asked as she came up beside him. She had just gotten back from thanking the wolves before they departed back into the darkness of the woods.

"I have no idea. My guess is to make sure no one smuggles in anything illegal into the city."Lawrence guess,"Probably because Ruvinheign is run by the Church."

"Well how in the world can we get in? I highly doubt I can walk up to those apes and ask nicely to let me pass."Holo said, mentioning her wolf ears and tail.

That is the major problem. Holo had only brought enough clothes to cover her breasts and neather regions. Lawrence could feel his face getting red just by looking at her. He could see her nipples poking out of her shirt, and his eyes continued downward. Her slim mid-section was exposed, as well as her beautiful legs.

"Hey horn-dog."Holo yelled,which caused Lawrence to snap out of it,"My eyes are up here. We need to focus, we have to find a way to get into the city without getting caught."

"Uhm...right. Sorry."Lawrence replied, rubbing the back of his neck in embarassment.

Lawrence shyly looked away from Holo and gazed at his surroundings. He noticed in the distance that there was a shepard in a nearby feild. He had a flock of sheep around him and a small dog barking at the herd, leading them this way and that. He couldn't see the shepard's face, due to he had a hood covering his head.

"Maybe we can ask that shepard for help."Lawrence suggested and made his way towards the man, with Holo following behind.

"Why would he help us? Probably as soon as he sees me he'll turn me into the church."Holo replied.

"Well shepards are well known for their hospitality and kind nature."Lawrence answered,"So I'm hoping he'll help us get into the city somehow."

"And what if he doesn't?"Holo asked, grabbing his hand so she could keep up with him better.

"We run like mad and try to find another way."Lawrence said, as he neared the hooded shepard he called out to him,"Ho there! May we have a word with you? We need some help."

The shepard jumped at the sound of their voices, not even realizing they were behind him. He turned slowly around, a staff in his hand. The staff had a small bell attached to him, and with two rings the dog nearby quickly ran to his master's side. The shepard then pull his hood back, revealing his face. It caused Lawrence's jaw to drop at the sight and Holo to look at him in annoyance.

Before them did not stand a shepard, but a shepardess. She looked to be around Lawrence and Holo's age, with short blonde hair and blue eyes. Her skin was somewhat pale and Lawrence realized that she was shorter than he was. He was momentarily stunned, both by the fact that this shepard was actually a girl(which was very rare, he hadn't heard of many women taking on the role of the shepard.) and because she was also beautiful.

"Oh uhm hello there."The shepardess replied in a small voice. She seemed shy, which was understandable because most shepards didn't socialize alot with others, due to them spending their whole lives tending to their herds.

"Hello."Lawrence greeted,"My friend and I need your help."

The shepardess' eyes shifted from Lawrence to Holo. Upon noticing Holo's wolf ears and tail she gasped in shock. She took a few steps back, but otherwise didn't do anything. Quite frankly Lawrence was surprised that she wasn't running away screaming.

"Is that part of a costume or something?" she asked, pointing to the obvious ears and tail.

"Uhm yeah, it is."Lawrence answered,"We just got back from a festival in a nearby village."

"Oh...ok." the shepardess said, relaxing a bit, "Well what can I help you with?"

Lawrence made this up as he going along,"Well you see we wish to enter the city but obviously we can't due to my companion's costume. We would both be arrested due to them thinking she is some sort of demon."

"Well can't she just take off the ears and tail?"she asked.

"Well you see I glued them to my body,"Holo interjected," They kept falling off during the festival. Now it seems I can't remove them."

"Oh I see."the girl replied, "Well what can I do to help you?"

"We were hoping if we could borrow some clothes. That way we can cover up the ears and tail and be able to get into Ruvinheign."Lawrence said.

"I do have a spare outfit at my camp."the shepardess answered,"but you won't be able to get into the city anyway. The guards stop letting people into the city at this time. You'll have to wait till tomorrow."

"Oh,"Lawrence said glumly,"That's unforunate. We don't have anywhere to spend the night."

"If you'd like you two can stay with me. It's not everyday people talk to me so I would enjoy the company."the girl replied, a blush appearing on her face, as she looked at him. He could hear Holo growling beside him, but he ignored her.

"That would be wonderful."Lawrence smiled,"We don't want to impose."

"Not at all. We can go ahead and go to the camp now. It's fixing to get dark anyway." the girl answered, and with three rings from her bell on her staff, the dog rushed off to round up the sheep,"Follow me."

The shepardess lead them away from the feilds and back to the edge of the forest. Lawrence saw that there was a campsite near the tress. He noticed a small tent, with a firepit close by. He also saw a little mat near the pit, probably where the shepardess actually slept, so she could keep an eye on the herd. She soon busied herself by starting the fire and making a small meal for her and her guests. Lawrence decided to help out by collecting nearby sticks and leaves for the fire, while Holo sulked sitting at the base of a tree.

He had no idea was up with Holo. He found it weird that her mood changed so quickly, and for no apparant reason. She was staring off in the opposite direction of him, with an angry look on her face and with her arms crossed. She almost looked like a little girl whose daddy wouldn't let her have what she wants. Lawrence almost found it comical, but he didn't dare tell her that. He would ask her later what was the matter, after he helped the girl. It was the least he could do in return for her hospitalilty. He soon returned to the shepardess' side with an armful of firewood.

"Thank you very much."the girl said, flashing him a beautiful smile.

"It was the least I can for you helping us."Lawrence replied, giving her a smile back,"My name is Lawrence by the way, and my companion over there is Holo."

At the mention of her name Holo simply did a half wave towards them, which annoyed Lawrence a bit. She should be more grateful and kind to their host. The shepardess didn't seem to mind though, she just smiled and waved back to her.

"It's nice to meet you two."she grinned,"My name is Nora."