#elsewhere

Holger keeps looking for Ellie

His armor has changed, shinier, his shield more sturdy and bearing a new symbol

"I knew it!"

"You DID?" he blinks "But it just happened" He says "I did not know it. She just... she knighted me. I am to serve you and the childling court." A beat "Should I kneel?"

"Do you intend to serve fealty?"

He ponders "I have done a heroic thing, others say. I am perhaps at last worthy of being a proper Caballero to you and Miss Jessica. Do you think I should swear to you? I.. I have another Oath I want to take but it is not the only one"

She tilts her head. "What Oath?"

"One to the dog I have one. See?" He offers a paper

it has two small biscuits within - one a cookie, and one a dog bone.



"Hand to paw, heart to heart, I pledge to you my loyalty. I will teach you and care for you, provide you wisdom and love.

Should I turn you counter your purpose, or raise a hand to you in cruelty, may
my sight dim to only black and white, and my voice fall to the yips of a
cur.

Should I abandon you, may the dreaming abandon me, until just amends are made.

This I swear, to you, my companion, from this day forth until the day you await me at the Bridge of Rainbows."

He speaks up "Because of What I have done, I will have a puppy. And more, from now till the end of time, Fenix may always petition for a new dog, to pay the price required if we wish. So we will have grand perros as part of our legacy as well IF you wish"

Squinting, then a nod. "This is a good oath, I think."

"Si, were it to the Baron I would be unsure, but it is to the dog I will get. "

"Exactly. I would not want you to swear to the Baron."

"I would never swear to another noble before you or Miss Jessica. It would be rude. Salma would be angry... again" He whispers "She was very angry I went on a quest without telling her. "

A serious nod.

A cautious look at the shorter girl before him, "Are you mad at me too?"

She shakes her head. "I knew you'd come home safe."

A smile "Because you are Beaumayn? Bueno" he looks impressed. Ellie is wise, and bears a hard burden, but still, an amazing one "Then I will go pick my dog and then swear to him or her. Probably a boy. They have only two girls"

A pause "Would you like to see a picture of them?"

"Omigosh, YES!"

"oh!"

"They look so SOFT."

"VERY fluffy, though I may have to give a hair cut for more comfort here. Still, Fae hounds are even more temperature resiiklent than most dogs. They have odd names, but mine will answer to what I wish. "

Frihet (Liberty)Jefferson's Hope ... Falk (Falcon)- Adams’ Dream...Modig (Brave)- Washington's Stride.." He doesn't say which pictures match which he's so excited (And the Player forgets) "Flink (Clever), Franklin's Guile...Ære (Glory), Hancock's Mark.. and Streve (Strive), Hamilton's Enterprise."

"That one looks like he has the spirit of a guardian." She points.

"Is that Washington's Stride?"

"Si. Modig"

"I like him."

"If Modig accepts me, then I will gladly accept him" A nod

"I think he will."

"But others gets first pick, but Sir Franklin says he supports me so I think Rivervale will be okay with me taking him if Silverwolf is ok and Dame Gladiola.. oh she is a troll of House Daireann and the kennel mistress, is okay. So odds are good. But they are all fine dogs"

"They are, but I have a good feeling about him."

A beaming smile"Then he is destined for greatness"

"Si. Like our caballero."

He blushes at that, purple streaks at his cheeks "De Nada... I am just .. I want to help, to protect. But gracias to you and to Salma and Ariel for believing in me"

"You might have to find a good way to make it up to Salma, though."

"Si. I could get her yellow flowers? It is her favorite color" he remembers

"Ohhh, marigolds."

"Si, Marigolds, they will make her smile. " A fond look "Oh, there is a boggan named marigold in Silverwolf. Many of them have flower names, it is most strange to me, but who am I to say? I will get real Marigolds for Salma"

"Most excellente."

A grin of wolf like teeth, "Did I miss much?"

"Oh, si, I must catch you up on all that has happened..."

He nods ready to absorbe the lore dutifully

And off they go, as talk of important things, like Gatos and Gatas, and which story is on a cliffhanger, are shared

(End Scene)