Another month had passed, as Zacharias and Karena surprisingly became closer, even to the point where they would refer to each other as very close friends. Karena even started to call Zacharias by his first name, eventually giving him the nickname of Zachary.

The two of them had gotten to know each other so well in fact, that Zacharias felt that it was time to let Karena in on a little secret he had been keeping for a while now…

"Zachary?" Karena asked with surprise as she saw him walking down the path towards her and her home. "What brings you out here so late in the afternoon?"

And he could tell that it was rather late, as she was wearing what she usually wore while doing afternoon yardwork around the orchard. This consisted of a wide collared pale pink top, with puffy elbow sleeves which was worn underneath a loose brown grey shawl-like vest, and faded blue capris. She still wore the choker and the necklace, and her hair was up in a ponytail to keep it out of the way and to keep her neck cool. You would think that she would wear a normal pair of shoes while doing the yardwork, but she still wore her flats so she could remove them easily to climb up into the trees.

Zacharias had of course known this, as the first time she had surprised him by jumping out of a nearby tree after checking the fruit up there. Of course this hadn't happened this time, as he had arrived on her property when she was putting her gardening tools away.

"I haven't seen you in a while, actually. I'm glad you decided to use your free time to come see me though. I was sort of starting to miss your company…" Karena continued, before noticing something different with his face. "Oh Zachary this scar…" – she reached up to touch it ever so gently, until she realized what she was doing, and pulled her hand away – "Where did you get it? Did a fellow knight nick you while training? Or perhaps it might have been your…Wild Ride?"

At the mention of that last thing, Zacharias'' face went bright red, as he stuttered aloud, "K-Karena! I-I did not realize that you witnessed that…embarrassing event…"

She giggled a little in response, and said, "Who didn't see it, what with that big dog spooking your horse that threw you off and then commenced to drag you around by your ankle which was caught in its reins! It was priceless!" – she then noticed the sullen expression on his face – "Oh come now Zachary! You'll look back at this and laugh someday!"

"I highly doubt that…" he muttered aloud, still blushing. "Anyway…about my scar…" Zacharias trailed off, just as the two of them heard a far off barking.

"What was that?" Karena asked curiously while trying to see where the sound was coming from.

Suddenly they heard the barking again, and this time a small puppy followed, bounding down the path towards them. He was a Bichon Frise*, standing just under a foot tall, with soft curly dull white fur. Oddly enough, the fur atop his head was roughly in the same style as Zacharias'. Around his neck he wore a simple collar with the knight's badge on it.

"Oh how cute!" Karena uttered, while her face lit up as the puppy came into view. "Zachary how could you hide this little guy from me?"

"Well that is sort of…a long story." he replied as she immediately went to pick up the pup. "Oh, wait! I would advise against that! He is not yet…trained…" He trailed off, as the dog didn't growl at her like he did with him. Instead, the pup was all too happy to give her kisses on her cheek.

"Aww, that tickles!" Karena stated with a giggle. "So what is this cutie's name?"

"I chose Constantine."

"Oh how fitting!" Karena then realized something as she turned her gaze to Zacharias. "Wait a minute…Did you get your scar from this little guy?"

"Regrettably…yes." Zacharias answered before he went on to tell the tale of how he and Constantine met.

It started not too long after the event of "Barnham's Wild Ride", when chickens were disappearing, and dogs and children were being attacked left and right. The conclusion that the knighthood had come to was that a witch was behind all of the events that were happening. She was elusive for a while, until Zacharias had her cornered at a barn one rainy evening.

Unfortunately the witch – revealed to be a small pup – escaped into the forest but Zacharias was in hot pursuit. After a while of running, he finally came to a clearing where all the chickens that had been stolen were piled up in front of a large dog. Immediately he made the assumption that not only was the large dog was the small dog's mother, but that she was also dead. Not only that, but the large dog was the very one that had spooked his horse, and the one his horse sadly trampled.

The small dog's actions had moved Zacharias so much, that he feared for him. So he hid the dog from the mobs at the tavern – with Rouge's permission – until everything had died down.

"At the tavern, the dog attacked me, and that is where I acquired this scar." Zacharias finished. "Not only that, but when everything had died down, I saw to it that Constantine was regarded as a Knight of the Inquisition, as you can see by the collar badge around his neck."

"Oh what a sad…and beautiful…story!" Karena commented with tearful eyes between sniffles. "And so very admirable. No wonder you were so moved to help out this little guy. I would too, if I were in your place. He's just too cute and fluffy to leave all on his lonesome…" – she then paused, as she noticed a few light brown patches on the dog's fur – "Zachary, have you not been properly grooming Constantine?"

He hesitated a moment before realizing that he couldn't lie to Karena, and so he answered with, "Unfortunately yes, but for a good reason I assure you. You see, the two of us do not see eye to eye just yet."

To prove his point, Zacharias moved his gauntleted hand – palm up – towards Constantine, who suddenly started to growl. He pulled it away, and the pup calmed down.

"Do you see it now?" he continued. "I have even tried to train him, but instead he decides to attack and bite my armored forearm. He usually does what he wants and just follows me where I go."

"Well that's only because while you are in your suit of armor, you frighten him because he can't take in your scent." Karena told him in response, noticing his immediate bewildered expression. "Here I'll prove it to you. Remove your gauntlet and then give me your hand."

Zacharias did as he was instructed before placing his hand in hers slowly, with his palm facing up once more. Karena blushed a little at the surprising warmth and softness of his large hand, but quickly calmed down and brought it to Constantine's muzzle for him to smell.

The pup was a little hesitant at first, but eventually sniffed the knight's hand and even started to lick it a little.

"See? It's a trust thing. He trusts you Zachary, enough to follow you around. All he wants is for you to trust him just as much." Karena told him. "The two of you have become a family, and family members trust each other so they can work together better." – she then noticed the look on his face – "You look like you want to say something Zachary…"

"Uh, no. I did not want to say anything…" he replied while blushing and looking away, finishing in thought. 'Apart from the fact that I wish to include you in my family…'

She gazed at him silently for a moment before continuing as she said, "Anyway, let's get you cleaned up and groomed, shall we?"

Constantine barked in reply, and Karena set him down on the ground before proceeding to get out all she needed to bathe and groom a dog.

One bath later, Constantine was restored back to his pure white self, but Karena wasn't finished yet. She disappeared back into her house for a few minutes, and then came back out with a small vest with the same pattern as a knight's tunic, and a small knight's helmet with plumes.

"He just didn't look knightly enough, so I thought these might help." She said while equipping Constantine with the clothing items. Once she had done this, she took a step back to admire her work and then she continued with, "Perfect! The very picture of a heroic knight and his faithful knightly companion!"

"I must say, I did not see this coming…" Zacharias commented while gazing at his new and improved partner with slight surprise.

"Sorry. I couldn't help myself." Karena said in response. "Besides, this little guy has won my heart. How could I not help him?" – she then noticed that it had gotten a little darker outside – "It's getting a little late. Would you…like to stay for dinner?"

"Actually, I must get back to work. Thank you for the offer though." The Inquisitor answered politely.

"Oh…okay. See you tomorrow then?"

"Of course."

Zacharias then begun to leave with Constantine right by his side, but then remembered that he wanted to say something more.

"One last thing; would you keep what I have told you today a secret?"

"Of course! My lips are sealed Zachary. Have a good night."

"You too Karena…"

*Bichon Frise is the breed of dog that Constantine is. They look so adorable that I want to get one of my own and name it after him!

Anyway, now that Constantine is in the picture, he's gonna start playing a pretty big part now! I'm so excited about the chapters to come! I would tell you what's coming, but that would spoil you guys too much and it wouldn't be that much of a surprise!

Last of all, thanks so much for the reviews and faves! They really keep me going guys so thanks to you so much!