Outside in the woods and by the lake, evening

[scots_wolf]

There is a big friendly dog rambling through the forest, followed by an equally big human (on whom the jury is still out in relation to friendliness).

Urquhart is spending much of this summer outside, walking with the dog, fishing, thinking, building fires to roast what he caught. There are nights in which he doesn't come back to the bar at all, sometimes several in a row.

Tonight is such a night.

Comments

[morethanprops]

Tonight Moist enters Milliways from an unexpected direction as the horse he was riding out of town was lamed on the road.

There aren't many trees on the Sto Plains but he's nearer the border with Lancre where trees exist and keeps running.

He thinks he lost his pursuers not long before his horse had problems but he's not sure and so he's looking over his shoulder as there's suddenly a path.

[scots_wolf]

And on that path, Franz is cheerfully bounding towards him in the evening twilight.

[morethanprops]

Moist almost trips over Franz and stares at him before sitting on a tree stump and giving him some pets.

Then he says in Uberwaldian to him, "Franz, Milliways is being odd again, but at least I'm not on the run here."

His horse stands behind him looking forlorn, it's a good horse but going to be hard to resell this way.

[scots_wolf]

Franz puts his big head in Moist's lap and looks up at him soulfully.

A bit away, human footsteps are approaching, strong regular footsteps.

[morethanprops]

"I don't have any food for you. Life hasn't been profitable,"

But he can provide scritches as his horse leans down to sniff at Franz. It's a nice horse that originally belonged to a courier who lost it due to a bad bet.

[scots_wolf]

Franz doesn't mind -- he is just happy to see his other human!

Urquhart is coming around a corner in the path, and stops where he is.

"Nice horse," he finally says.

He is wearing clothes from the future that aren't as warm as the clothes from his time tend to be: - just a tee-shirt, and loose linen trousers, solid walking boots, and the crossbow hanging from his belt beside a knife.

He seems even bigger and stronger, without the cloak or a loose shirt hiding the breadth and muscle of his shoulders and chest.

[morethanprops]

Moist's suit is a mess with mud up almost to his knees, "Yes, but lame at the moment."

[scots_wolf]

"Put it in the stable and get it back when it's fine again," Urquhart says.

He comes closer, and looks Moist up and down.

"You need your clothes washed. And a bath. You probably need to be tossed into the lake as you are."

[morethanprops]

"I will. A bath would be wonderful. I've been on the road far too much of late,"

He stands up and takes the horse's reins, "Come on, you."

[scots_wolf]

"It's good to see you," Urquhart says. "It's still a way to go to the bar itself, though. I haven't been back in a few days."

[morethanprops]

"Oh why not?"

Urquhart usually likes his luxuries and the thought of him living in the woods is odd.

[scots_wolf]

"Since the last thunderstorm, there has been the most glorious weather, brilliant fishing and hunting, and night skies full of far more stars than I know the names of," Urquhart says. "It seemed like a good idea to stay out for a bit, and lounge by a fire at night with the dog. I have lived like that for years before my death, minus the dog, unfortunately."

[morethanprops]

It sounds like something Moist wouldn't do unless he had to, he grew up in woods with werewolves,

"I see."

[forgottenmotley]

Franz is now being bothered by a small border collie puppy.

The Fool is about twenty feet behind it, walking at his slower, limping gait.

[scots_wolf]

Franz is of course delighted, wags his tail wildly and licks the puppy's ears. A puppy! A little friend for him!

[forgottenmotley]

This fantastic!

He wiggles and licks back. It's a big friend!

[scots_wolf]

Urquhart comes around the corner, sees the tiny puppy with Franz, and chuckles.

[forgottenmotley]

The Fool is standing near by watching the two dogs with an unreadable expression on his face. When he catches sight of Urquhart, he smiles a little and tips his hat.

[scots_wolf]

"Good evening," Urquhart says.

[forgottenmotley]

"Evening." Good is up to the person.

He flicks a look at the two dogs. "I found him."

[scots_wolf]

"Where?" Urquhart says.

[forgottenmotley]

"In a box on a farm."

Now, if the puppy belonged to someone else is not in question here. It doesn't matter to him in the least.

[scots_wolf]

"Did he come willingly?" Urquhart asks. "Or did you have to distract the mother?"

[forgottenmotley]

"His mother wasn't there."

[scots_wolf]

"Well, then it was probably safe to take him," Urquhart says. Perhaps not strictly legal, but Urquhart doesn't care about 'strictly legal' at all.