Chapter 11: The kind heart of a dog
The calm of mother-nature, no longer present it was. The air, the trees, the bushes - an everlasting chorus of fretfulness conquering her song. And this one bewitching night altogether; pleasant no more. Even those light-emitting poles - the craft of man - through their constant eye-piercing flickering, they had fallen prey to the tense ambiance. Inconceivable, yet incredibly true, the slender, scruffy leaden mutt battled against the same ordeal inside the now-risen coliseum of his mind's depths. A duel had sparkled between his thoughts as he contemplated the still-asleep Great Dane inside the wagon. Would he still be a stray, such impediment wouldn't arise. He'd have nothing to lose if the worst-case scenario would occur as consequence of him setting her free. Such thing was no longer the case, however. He could not disregard the possibility that once liberated, the Dane might pounce on Lady.
Given her loathe towards the imprisoned animal, Lady, the cocker with honey-like appearance, in her subconscious efforts to emanate despise, still sensed a drop of sympathy toward it. Her big, brown eyes gazed at the carriage's door thoroughly and, unlike her mate, she saw not the Dane but herself inside. Lady spotted her own image behind that carreau-patterned grid, a helpless dog with its soft paws clinging on to the iron bars. Even so, she felt doubtful and afraid of the possible danger that could arise in the aftermath of the black dog's release. But deep inside her heart, Lady believed the stray had thrown away its evil ways.
Ultimately, Tramp took a decision, thus sacrificing one in the name of the other. Much to his former self's surprise, the safety of someone else over his own served of more importance.
"Let's go home, Pidge. It's getting late." he spoke, expressing noticeable sadness in his voice as he slowly pattered away from the scene.
Lady watched him with caution. Should she object or agree? Was this the right choice to make? No! In spite of all that has been done in the past, her kind heart simply wouldn't give in, moreso it cried out. Not one dog deserves to spend its rest of days inside the pound no matter the sin, and if the black Dane happens to be as beastly as before then God have mercy on their souls.
"Tramp...!" whispered Lady.
Tramp paused his members and turned around, watching her as she trotted swiftly in his direction.
"Tramp, can we... can we reconsider?" she asked worryingly.
The silver-painted dog glanced at her in surprise. "Reconsider? But-"
"I know... I know, Tramp!" Lady interrupted him. "She has done horrible things, but I-' her voice broke off as her eyes took another glimpse of the silhouette in captivity, 'I cannot stand watching her be so helpless... it pains me...!"
Tramp took a step back completely baffled by the words of pity the cocker just spoke out. She, who just a minute ago presented great disgust toward the one under arrest, now felt commiseration?
"Such sudden change of heart!" he said dumbfounded. "But... weren't you the one who said earlier that she deserves it?"
"I know I said those words!" she came forward, still retaining her soft tone. "And I would take back every vowel and consonant if I could..."
"Pidgeon, it's not like I hold any ill will against her,' followed Tramp, attempting to justify his decision, 'but if there's a chance we might clash fangs again, I'd rather not take the risk. What will I do if she rushes at you instead?"
"Oh, Tramp...' Lady spoke soothingly before tenderly pushing her muzzle against his in sign of affection and gratitude, 'I feel an extraordinary sense of contentment knowing I am of such great concern to you... but... something tells me that she changed..."
"How are you so sure?" he questioned her.
"It is true I do not know for certain, but it's a strong sentiment that keeps pressing down on my heart...' Lady explained earnestly. Though despite her efforts, Tramp didn't show any sign of agreement, he already made up his mind. But she kept on hoping. "Please, I wouldn't be able to live with myself knowing we could have helped her but chose not to! At least... do it for my sake if not for hers!"
"You don't get it. It is for your sake I'm not doing it." he stated.
The very compassionate spaniel felt like her options were running out. She understood and was grateful for her mate's decision of not wishing to endanger her, but at the same time, her mind simply could not accept the fact that a sacrifice had to be made for it. Life's an unfair game, blame it and its rules that cannot be bent, not the player that unwillingly bows down to them.
Yet, although hidden, Lady possessed too stubborn of a personality to obey such saying, even more, she held a trump card to back it up, an ability she discovered recently during her innermost moments with her mate, a spell of sorts she promised herself not to use for evil. Those eyes of hers, them which spoke truer words than her voice ever did, the "Joker" in her hand, and Tramp's biggest weakness. Eyes which were used for the sole purpose of gaining the pleasure of his faithful love, now used for the sake of saving the one who once was, and possibly still is, a minacious enemy.
Without much more thinking, Lady, as last resort, threw her cards on the table. For a brief moment, even she felt puzzled by the act of kindness she displayed toward someone that most certainly did not deserve it. Her glittering, chocolate-colored ellipses gazed at Tramp with burning intensity and a pure wish to help. The silvery dog found himself unable to look away from them. He could swear they talked to him. Yes, they surely did. Tramp could hear their gentle voices begging him to lend the Dane a second chance. His mind could not put piece by piece what fed Lady such strong desire of salvation. Was it that her unwanted visit to the pound had made such an impact on her, or was she always so heavenly caring for others? That, Tramp couldn't tell. He could tell, though, he was about to crumble under her warm-inducing gaze that he'd indulge in throughout their risqué acts. And he, shortly, did.
Tramp gave up. How could he battle against such thoughtful nature? Of course, it is not to be overlooked that he still felt possible danger lingering around the Great Dane, but somehow, his mate's unspoken speech earlier slipped a sense of safety inside him like no other. Funnily enough, it almost made him feel guilty for the black dog's unluckiness as if he was the one who locked her in there and denied her another chance at life.
The scruffy, smoky dog snapped back. He blinked once and gave out a giggle. "Pidge, you're a little devil, you know?"
Lady didn't say a word in return however, her view slowly descended as her look got overcome by a dark cloud of helplessness. She assumed her efforts had proven fruitless in the end.
Tramp sighed at the sight of his mate laying down her eyes, and voiced with a hushed tone as he brushed against her coat on his way back to the wagon, "Alright... You win.".
The now triumphant spaniel turned her head around at the notice of his declaration. "I-is that so?" she expressed hopeful and utterly happy before quickly joining him. "I never doubted your good-natured spirit, Tramp!"
"Honestly, Pidgeon,' he smiled, 'I don't know what to make of you sometimes."
"How is that?" she asked.
"You're very full of surprises." explained Tramp. "One moment, you bare your teeth at someone... then, the next moment you risk your tail for it."
Lady tittered at his remark. She understood Tramp pointed it at her and the Great Dane.
"One time, you pretend to be a sheepish owl...' he continued, 'the next second, well, you become a sly fox."
Hearing this one comparison and the fellow animals Tramp associated her with, the fluffy spaniel would no longer present the endearing gesture of a faint laugh, instead, she replaced it with the act of a fluttery heart, followed by a slight perk in her flappy ears, and concluded by a faux attempt of denial.
"I'm afraid I... do not see the resemblance, Tramp..." said Lady.
"It's alright." Tramp chuckled. "You've never been a good liar, to begin with."
The two were making their ways closer and closer to the carriage, so much so they could be sensed by the one they planned to set free, would she be awake, of course. Now, there was no more room left for chit-chatting. They had to be as quiet as the wind and act even quicker. Although the dog catcher's whereabouts still belonged to the unknown, there's no denying he was close by.
Tramp put a halt to himself, followed moments after by Lady. He turned his head in her direction and proposed in whispers, "Okay. Let me do the talkin', but stay close."
His mate blinked once and nodded her head in agreement. She felt optimistic regarding this trial they were facing and perceived herself as trustful in her mate's ability to free the one in need. Though Lady prayed, and she did it wholeheartedly, that her judgment won't bring a disastrous denouement upon them.
The grayish dog approached the wagon's cage door with slight hesitance in his paws. He ran his lidded eyes over her dormant black-furred body and projected a deep gaze at her profile. Such intimidating, menacing soul! Even in state of slumber, the Great Dane came forth as threatening as always. Tramp gulped anxiously as he spoke to his inner, 'Can't believe what I'm about to do. Old dog, is this what you meant by keeping enemies closer?" - thoughts of disquiet that he shook off at once.
"Psst!" Tramp exclaimed. "Psst, sister!"
At the soft noise of the gray dog's call, her dark, perky ears gave out a short quiver. Her stiff, massive body, now awoken from the supposed doze, let out snapping sounds of bones popping as she leisurely regained her sitting position, coming after with a large, drowsy yawn, and a good ol' muscle stretch. Oddly though, the Dane's waking process presented itself to be of such carefreeness, it seemed like she did not mind the place she landed in, or perhaps, she did not realize it yet as the sleep still prevailed her consciousness. Should be taken into consideration, however, that her eyes remained shut the whole time. It is after she opened them, the cold, harsh reality refreshed her memory, and at that moment, she saw them. Before the wooden floor and walls that held restrained countless other quadruped convicts whose scent, although faint, could still be felt, and behind the other end of those iron bars, laid two other dogs alarmingly close to her. Greatly perturbed, the Dane expressed an abrupt step-back so agitated that her claws made scratching noises on the cage's floor - a sudden, unexpected response that took them by surprise.
"Woah, easy!" Tramp chuckled. "Ain't as scary as back then, are we?"
The black dog quickly recollected herself. She sighted those in front of her and, with a toneless voice, she asked, "Who are you?"
"Ah, sister, don't give me that! Not the good to see you I expected." joked the gray dog.
She remained bewildered. Her mind could not picture who this dog was that addressed her in such a laid-back fashion. It seemed as if he knew her, but the feeling was not reciprocal, that is until her subconscious recalled the appellative he used earlier.
The Great Dane, now bearer of a slightly frowny face and a silent growl in her voice, ambled toward the jail door and said, "Oh, I remember you, lousy mutt."
"Took you a second." responded Tramp tossing her a smile. "So, how's the weather in there?"
The sable dog took the harmless tease with bad eyes. "What's it to you? If you've come here to amuse yourself at my misfortune, you might as well buzz off!"
"Guess I pushed the wrong button." he muttered to Lady who carefully watched them. "Long story short, we were just passing by and figured you might use a hand."
"Use a hand?" the Dane repeated. "What do you mean?"
Tramp shook his head at her inability to catch his point. "So many questions you ask, sister. Let me put it a different way; how'd another shot at the streets sound to you?"
The mystifying sensation she felt earlier had returned to her. Did she misunderstand? Did this dog, this one dog that she once battled against 'till the last breath, offer himself to help her out of this predicament? Never did a similar experience occur to her before. For as long as she knew herself, the Dane handled this game of life with her own paws, and, as result, she grew strong and independent, reliant on nothing other but her own powers. For all that, she was smart and was well aware of the situation she got stuck in. Even more, she was no stranger of her incapability to escape, at least, on her own.
Tramp noticed the change in her expression and took it for granted. "Sounds enticing, does it?" he spoke with slight mischief in his tone.
Oh, boy, you bet it does. What jailbird wouldn't want to grab another bite of freedom? Anyone would and the Dane was no doggone exception if only her colossal pride would step aside. In reality, she could not bring herself to take his hand and roam free toward the sunrise like a gazelle, it was impossible, unthinkable. She, to submit to another one's pity, even worse, to one weaker than her?! Preposterous!
She turned her back at them, then laid down on her side, thus regretfully, yet bravely, declining the scruffy dog's offer. "No." said the Dane. "I don't want any help, especially not from a mutt like you. Now, scram."
"Tsk-tsk, that won't do, sister." Tramp followed as he pin-pointed the door's lock. "Playing the lone wolf act will only get you this far. Trust this mutt on that, he played it too." he tittered.
But she was stubborn, remained silent, and hoped that Tramp would quit his nonsense already.
The gray-colored animal sighed at the lack of progress he was making, letting a negligible amount of frustration penetrate his temper. With his patience now running short, he attempted to unlock the cage despite the Dane's final decision. After all, he promised to Lady he'd get her out of there, one way or another.
Without skipping a beat, with his front paws leaning against the carriage's corner, his snout started fiddling with the latch, that same old primitive latch that one would imagine the dog catchers would replace judging by how easily someone, say, a dog, can pick it. "Shucks, you're a hard nut to crack, you know?" he mumbled.
The sound the padlock was making grabbed her by the ears. She could make out what the gray dog was doing back there. It irritated her greatly that he did not listen even though, deep inside, she thanked him for it. But her dignity just wouldn't stop giving her trouble.
The Dane picked herself up and rushed toward the door with the intent of scaring him away. "Hey!" she barked. "Wasn't I clear enough?!". Tramp didn't pay attention to her false attempt of appearing fearsome. "Beat it! They'll catch you too if-"
She suddenly ceased her voice. The acute, creaky sound of the door opening made her freeze in place. The locksmith succeeded; another victory in his book. The Great Dane, lost for words, watched as there now was a clear path between her and the rest of the world, free of any metallic rod to cut it.
"You can be dogged all day long, sister. But do that after we're out of here." followed Tramp.
Her inky eyes ran over the two dogs that watched her in suspense. She spotted the brown cocker that stood silent the whole time slowly back away a few steps. Her mind recalled it - that lap dog that once was an obstacle in her quest to catch her prey, now played the role of nothing more than a spectator. Shortly, she turned around and caught a glimpse of the pitch-black room she stood in. Nothing good to see in there, or rather, nothing to see at all. The Dane cursed it speechlessly as her brow furrowed. Moments later, she swallowed her vexing pride and got off the wagon.
The moment of truth is now. Unlike Tramp, whose worry seemed to have been dispersed, Lady was on edge. The next few seconds were about to dictate their fortune.
"I told you I didn't need your help!" she snarled at Tramp.
The scruffy dog didn't flinch a muscle. He was way too sure the Dane just played tough. "Well, sister, you can always hop back inside."
She took a last look at the empty cage for a little while, then shook her head as a groan escaped her lips. "Pfft, who am I kidding... I suppose I should thank you." she spoke with a slight trace of disgust in her voice.
"It would be unfair if I took the whole credit though." he began with a chuckle, turning his head in Lady's way afterward. "It is my fair lady over here that stepped in for you."
At the notice of his words, the Dane's eyes widened in astonishment. She felt unable to imagine this soap-scented house pet, that was thousands of classes above her, give a rat's tail about someone else except her own. Though it's not her fault for thinking like that; past experiences are the culprit for such poisoned beliefs.
It appears the stray dog laid off her threatening nature in the end. Lady blew away the fears and approached her with a greet. "H-hello there. I'm thankful to see those evil humans haven't harmed you."
"Well, I'll be damned!" exclaimed the Dane as she gazed at Lady's innocent eyes. "That one, I didn't expect."
"I know!" Tramp chortled. "It took me by surprise as well!"
"But, miss,' Lady continued, 'I sincerely hope you have resigned from those wrongful doings of yours."
"Wrongful doings?" the black dog repeated as she closed in menacingly. "Perk your ears, and do listen well! No one - and I mean it - no one gets to steal from under my nose! And whoever does, gets added on the plate!"
Lady modeled an open-mouthed expression along with a staggered look on her face, then reproached her afterward, "Oh! Such cruel words!"
Tramp laughed at the supposed clash between the two very different personas in front of him. However, he had to take the Dane's side on this one. To him, what she said felt normal. It's true that, across the fence, the world is harsher and one has to do the unthinkable to protect what's his, rightfully or not. That's the rule. Justice is made how one seems fit. Such cruel words, as Lady had made them, were far too acrid for her to be able to get the meaning behind. She hasn't seen enough of the streets yet.
"Now, now, ladies,' Tramp interrupted them, 'let's not ruin what might become a wonderful friendship!"
"Friendship?" both females pronounced in unison.
"Exactly!" he nodded. "Why, you two have so much in common!"
"And what is it we have in common?" they came forth, again, in harmony; one, truly intrigued, the other, patroled by dryness. Such high contrast!
Tramp expressed a faint laugh at their chorus before elaborating, "You mean, aside from the knack of talking like siamese cats? Well, you've both fallen prey to the ol' dog catcher. And, I say, you should forget your differences and heal each other's wounds."
"I guess..." Lady murmured sotto voce before casting a brief look at the other vocalist.
"Heh, you don't say." spoke the black dog as a scratch comforted her coat. "You've got caught in this mess too?"
"I did, yes." the spaniel nodded. "It is thanks to my license I managed to get away."
"The perks of living the couch life..." followed the Dane. "Alright, you mutt,' she, then, eyed Tramp, 'have it your way. This is where we exchange our names, I presume."
"Be our guest!" the scruffy dog urged her.
The Dane spent a good second cooking up a proper introduction for her new comrades. But unfortunately for them, that one second was the last remaining grain of sand from their imaginary hourglass because, just as she opened her mouth to speak it, a man's shouting prodded their ears.
"Hey! You darned bitzers!"
The three dogs, all at once, turned their heads en route for it. Shivers ran across their spines at the sight of not one, but two men hastening their way. The natural enemies of a dog with no owner - the dog catchers - have shown themselves at last. The pair's stealth mission has been compromised.
"Sister, you don't suppose that's your name, do you?" Tramp joshed the black dog.
"Ain't the time for wisecracks, you mutt! Let's skedaddle!"
"Don't need to tell me twice." he followed, nudging his mate to get a move on. "Let's run, Pidge!"
"B-but, Tramp-" Lady stuttered.
"No time for "buts"!" he exclaimed. "Go! Follow her!"
"What about you?!" she uttered in great concernment.
"What do you mean? I'll be right behind." Tramp assured her. "What, you think I'll let 'em pick you up again?"
The Dane, several yards away, called out for them, "What takes you so long?!"
Neither Lady nor Tramp wasted another breath. Guided by the self-proclaimed leader of the fugitive party, the two bolted away in a heartbeat. This time around, Tramp made sure he would look after his mate so the same dreadful outcome wouldn't occur again. Be that as it may, the dog catchers are still humans, after all, it is not like they are able to outpace a dog, on foot, at least. Sooner than later, they quickly caught up with their friend near the corner of the road they were sprinting down on. Though it may seem strange, she awaited them.
Every bit of tiredness that they hadn't felt all day, they were sure to feel now. All the runnin' and rovin', not to mention the lack of sleep, done throughout that night, without a doubt, put a handicap on their bodies.
Overcome by weariness and through intense panting, Tramp asked, "Sister... where to now?"
The black female dog gazed at him strangely, as if she was confused and disappointed with his condition. "What's with you two? Tired already?"
"Oh, you go dig a bone!" Tramp said. "Unlike us, you had the unmeasurable pleasure to enjoy some catnap, which' he giggled, 'you should be thankful you got interrupted from."
She said nothing more in return. That mutt, he was right, she knew he was. An indecipherable mutter escaped her mouth before she answered his question earlier. "There's an empty yard very close by. We'll settle in for the night there."
"Settle in?" worried, Lady voiced, taking a few steps forward. "But... we should've been on the way home by now."
"We?" she repeated. "Oh, you mean, this mutt lives with you? I don't see that fancy-looking thing hanging by his neck."
"Well,' he smirked, 'heard it's still in the works, although I can't say I'm too excited about it."
"Hmph, lucky mutt." the Dane responded briefly envious. "Listen, pup,' she addressed Lady, 'you'll have to give up your comfy pillows for tonight, the concrete ain't that bad either. You're as good as gone if you go back there in this state you're in."
"Sorry, Pidgeon, but she's right. You can barely hold your eyes open." Tramp commented before a large yawn took him by surprise. "Like I'm one to talk."
Lady would've wanted to object despite the facts. She not being able to sleep in her warm bed and the image of the startle Jim Dear and Darling were about to experience in the morning at the notice of their precious pets not being home were enough reasons for her to do that. But her worry for Tramp was far larger. Seeing him being so dog-tired meant the possibility of him getting caught during another potential chase would increase substantially, and that was something she wouldn't risk in this lifetime. Risking a punishment from her humans for the well-being of her mate was something she did without a second thought.
"A-alright, alright." Lady agreed. "It wouldn't be safe for us to travel so worn-out."
"Good." the Dane responded. "I commend your understanding. Not the spoiled puppy I thought you are."
Not too late after they set off, the three adventurers find themselves inside an alleyway that doesn't really have much going for itself. It's the complete opposite of the one the two visited earlier that night. Just a few houses scattered on the sides - some nicer than others - and a dry, clumsy road filled with grooves and ruts of various depths; a nightmare to walk on once the rainfall hits.
Deeper forth the street that's lit more by the moonlight rather than the tired lamps stuck on it, lays a yard that's different from the rest. Unlike its fellow yard-siblings, it shelters no house but an idea. Yes, an idea of a house, its concept and nothing more. Very soon, the loneliness that kept on reigning over this lot is deemed to meet its demise because, just as this tale is being told, our weary, fluffy travelers are getting acquainted with it - the Great Dane's once place of rest. A square-ish field, covered by scarce and old greenery, with forgotten debris laying around, and a foundation of a homestead that's been beaten by time and weather for longer than it would like to accept, assuming it had any sentience of its own.
But most of those things this haven had to offer, be them meaningless or not, were of no importance to them, except one...
"Oh, this place... is in ruins..." Lady whispered in wonder the moment she entered the yard.
"You see ruins, I see a dry, quiet place to stay in." the black dog followed, showing her the better side of things. "Be out here for a little while and you'll come to appreciate those places."
Right after, she pointed them toward the immediate corner of the lot where a few wooden planks were laid against the fence, somewhat forming the shape of a tent; a little house of sorts the Dane came across during her countless strolls around the neighborhood.
"Hey, not bad, sister!" Tramp praised her, eying the crumpled up piece of cloth laying under the planks. "Quite cozy! Blanket and everything! Where'd you snatch something like this?"
"You'd be surprised what things those wasteful humans throw away," she replied. "Then again, you should know best."
"Yeah...' he responded lazily, 'can't say that isn't true.". Tramp then proceeded to make himself comfortable inside the modest room, avoiding the piece of cloth that he, and coincidentally the Dane as well, wanted his mate to have.
Followed almost in an instant by the host and Lady, the three dogs went right to sleep. But something didn't feel right. The little cocker, despite the fatigue embracing her, was unable to rest. She writhed across the little space she was given for herself to no avail, her body just wouldn't give in. Shockingly, neither Tramp, next to whom she shifted closely in hope that his warmth would calm her, could help this time. Lady just stayed there in trembles, little tremors that, eventually, arose her mate's concern.
Tramp moved his head near hers and asked softly, "What's wrong?"
"It is quite... cold." she confessed, tucking her paws deeper in the piece of cloth pilled up close to her.
Hearing the spaniel's complaint, the Dane awakened her sleepy eyes and murmured, "Cold? Not very hardened, are you, puppy?"
Lady turned around a little shaken up finding out she was listening the whole time. She took a quick glimpse at the black silhouette's figure, then laid her head back on her paws a bit upset on herself for being so pretentious, still retaining her body vibrations.
"Very well..." the black dog sighed, exposing her fluffy belly. "Come here. There's enough room."
The spaniel, taken aback by her, surprisingly, kind gesture, declined politely. "N-no, I couldn't..."
"Why not? You said you were cold. Shut it and come here." the host insisted rather firmly. "I won't eat you."
Lady submitted to her command shortly afterward. The thought of her being so close to another dog, be it another female or not, that wasn't her mate, slipped inside her an irritating sense of discomfort that she wouldn't brush away easily. With slow, quiet steps, she hesitantly approached the Dane and curled herself in her pitch-black fur, leaving Tramp and the blanket behind.
Soon, a groan filled with relief evaded the brown dog's lips, during which the trembles gradually ceased to disturb her. Lady couldn't help but notice the easiness which the Great Dane accepted her with. A dog that once held the intent of a murderer, now offered herself to ease the other's trouble? Quite the twist. Perhaps, this was her way of saying "thank you".
It was a pleasing sight nonetheless, a view that made Tramp chuckle. As opposed to Lady, he felt happy about this outcome and that he trusted her judgment.
"What you snickering at, you mutt? Be ashamed of yourself for your inability to comfort your mistress." the black female harshly scolded him.
Cold as ice. Her words hit with unimaginable violence. His expression shifted from happy to greatly embarrassed in a snap of a finger. Patroled by shame and discomfiture, Tramp rolled toward the fence with his back their way.
"That hit quite close to home, sister..." he said.
Lady grinned in amusement at his expressiveness. Of course, she did not think bad of him in any way, and whether if it was true or not, the Dane's remark didn't mind much to her, but it was amusing regardless.
Now, much comfier than before, and emptied of any drop of discomfort, Lady could finally fall asleep. Quite an adventurous stroll they had, surely not what she planned of it, but it turned out well in the end and made a new friend along the way. Tomorrow morning, they were scheduled to return home, something that made her feel as happy as she felt frightful because "morning" does not necessarily mean "no threats", right?
Author's notes: Hey, friends! Cheers for the read! I originally meant this to be twice as big but then I figured it might be quite tiresome for the viewer to read such large of a chapter. What was meant to come after this will be moved in the next one, so nothing is scrapped. This one, maybe, didn't have much action going for it, but it's a starting point for what's to come.
As a bonus, I've planned a Valentine's Day Special chapter for a while and I'm willing to publish it on 14th of this month, so stay tuned. Might do the same for Easter if I can come up with something interesting for it.
Another thing - I had the idea for a while to explore Trusty's side more. You know how in the movie Jock brings up that his friend once was a tracking dog, I'd say, why not have one or two special chapters to explore that forgotten side of his? Same for the mysterious Old Reliable. Would you like to read something like that? If so, then I should mention they will come at a later time as I have no draft laid down for it yet. Will make another announcement once I have a clear release date.