Laika awoke some warm, sunny morning, an ache in her bones, but hope fluttering about in her chest. She slowly opened her eyes, stretched long like a cat, and then yawned widely (also like a cat). Actually, in watching her, Afore had never quite noticed just how cat-like she was. Not in personality, but certainly in looks. Slender, agile, and fast? Those were definitely all cat traits.

Thinking about this, Afore chuckled a little, and Laika stood and looked at him with a harsh glare, saying, "What's so funny?"

"You remind me so much of a cat," he said with a smile. He should have been quaking, sweating like a river, terrified that she would look at him and say that she knew what he did, and that she would never forgive him. He should have been terrified that he would be found out as soon as she smelled the morning air.

But somehow, he wasn't. He did have this sharp pang of guilt running down his spine; but aside from that, he was calm, he was content. He was normal, happy even. Whenever he was with Laika, how else could he possibly feel? He would always be happy and contented with her. He would never be scared nor worried while he was with her. And then he shook his head a little, laughing about that, too.

"I do not! Cats stink," Laika said, sneering sarcastically. Her tail waved in the air, it's fringed hair gliding back and forth, back and forth like a delicate flag or a horse's mane. "And you stink, too," she said, wrinkling her nose. "You couldn't wait for us to find a river or something?"

"No," Afore chuckled, "Sorry! I didn't want to wake you up. You were sleeping so soundly."

"Yeah, but now we have got a huge marker behind us screaming, 'hey everybody, look! A wolf was here!'"

Afore scoffed, "Oh, trust me. It will be fine. I don't think anyone is following us, anyways. I would have smelled them by now."

Laika laughed, "I know. I'm just teasing. Let's get a move on. I really hope we find a tribe today. Have you ever been this far before?"

"Yes, actually," Afore said, glancing away. His mind couldn't seem to stop repeating her words. I really hope we find a tribe today. Would it really be such a bad thing if they didn't find a tribe?

"Oh yeah?" Laika's loud, perky voice pulled him out from his thoughts, "So you know what tribes we will come across?"

"Not exactly... I avoided tribes basically at all costs whenever I travelled. You know... a wolf, and all that."

She nodded, "I get it."

"I do know of some of the tribes in this area. One tribe is farther up, past Jall tribe, and is known as Malengarde."

"Malengarde? And do you know if that is a good tribe, or a bad tribe?"

Afore chuckled a bit, "Hard to know what you mean by that. No tribe is good or bad."

Laika stretched again, then stood upright, "Suppose that's true. Either way, Malengarde may be our best chance at trading for a cutting stone." Afore couldn't seem to shake this weighted guilt. He shook out his coat, as if that would rinse him of his faults. Laika continued, "It's still so interesting that you know so many tribes."

"Maybe," Afore said, looking at Laika, "We could take a dip in the river?"

"You must feel dirty," Laika smirked, "After pissing on the ground like that! I mean seriously, you couldn't have waited?"

He laughed, "No, I'm sorry! I didn't want to wake you."

"You should have. I'd have woken up just to see that stupid look on your face," Laika laughed. Afore lightly sniffed the air, and then picked a direction to walk, opposite to Jall Tribe and Veal Tribe both. He didn't want to stay in this area any longer. It was too dangerous. Laika spit, "I'm never letting you live this up."

"Oh, I can tell." With Afore leading the way to Malengarde, the two began their long walk, that same, dirty rope dragging along the ground between them, ruffling leaves and dirt as it went. It made more sound than either of the canines did, even with Afore's heavy stomping footsteps. Laika stepped much more delicately, a soft, bouncy prance high on her toes. Like a flag in the wind, her feathered tail wavered behind her in long swishes.

Laika spoke, not bearing the uneasy silence of the forest that morning, "What is the first thing you'll do once we get this stupid rope off?"

"Oh," Afore hesitated, "I'm not sure. I mean, I haven't thought much about it."

"Really?" Laika seemed sceptical, raising an ear and cocking her head. The forest began to run downhill, and their bodies became askew, rumps higher than their fronts as they walked downwards, cautious so as not to trip.

Afore nodded, "Honest." He stepped over several large, snaking roots. "I didn't do much before you caught me."

"Suppose that's true," Laika said, "And boring, too. When I'm off this rope, I'm heading straight back to Veal Tribe, and I'm turning it upside down! We're going to be modern. The pups will be raised by their parents, like with the wolves." Laika gave a sideways glance at the wolf, "And, I'm sorry for what I said about your pack. I think I was just frightened, you know, after all of the stories we've been told since we were pups. But it would be nice to have a family that isn't just workmates, you know? That isn't just The Baron. And I do think wolves know what it means to have family. That's why they are so strong in a pack: with their families."

Afore smiled, a warmth in his eyes, "Oh, I do believe so, too. Our families mean the most to us."

"And your family, Afore?"

"My family is my pack, I suppose."

"But not really."

He glanced at her as they walked, "No, but not really." Their heads moved up and down in a small, round motion as they trotted along. The auburn smells and chittering sounds the forest surrounded them with familiarity.

Laika smiled. A soft, comforting smile, "I know your parents passed whenever you were young. But your pack was your family, weren't they? But you are not so eager to return. I know you care about the wolves, and want to protect your pack, but your loyalty to them is bent. Not like my loyalty to Veal Tribe, however foolish it may be." She glanced away from him, not daring to look him in the eyes as she admitted to such a strong fault. She felt ridiculous doing so. She had never been wrong before, never needed to apologise before, and never been stupid before. But now, with Afore, she became all of those things at once. Laika wondered if it was just her inferiority to such a magnificent and terrifying beast, but she also wondered if it was just her. Either way, the wolf didn't need to know more than he already did; to him, she was perfect, and she intended to stay that way. Maybe it was her unruly ego, or maybe it was just her stubbornness, but Afore surely felt the need to challenge her.

"You admit that it's foolish, then," Afore said, "To remain loyal to a tribe so foul."

"Like your pack is your family, my tribe is mine," Laika said, a slight curl to her lip, "I care about them and wish to make the tribe better. I think it's foolish," she continued, "Your loyalty to me."

Afore paused, flustered, "My loyalty to you?"

"Yes. I see it. I see you're defensive of me. You hold strong loyalty to me." She scoffed, "Dare I say I think you'd do just about any thing I'd ask of you! And might I ask, why? Why is it that you're so loyal to me?"

"It's just obligation, Laika... I got you into this mess. You shouldn't have to pay for it. But that isn't loyalty. As soon as this rope is cut, that will be gone." Afore lied through his teeth.

She slowly nodded, "You may be right." Somehow, her gaze seemed darkened, and her eyes followed her feet. Afore wondered if he had said something wrong. Then, he wondered what answer she had been hoping for. The terrain evened, and the downhill climb descended to somewhat flat land once again, bounded with thick roots and sharp shrubs. It wouldn't be too far, now. Though, the forest seemed continuously endless.

Afore did not want his words to be a lie. He extraordinarily hated the thought of lying to Laika, and felt thankful that she had not asked any peculiar questions about his scent or the upturned earth, for he wasn't sure he would have been able to lie to her. He even was a little proud at how well he had covered his tracks. It was all for a good cause, and in that, he was certain he would be forgiven, just as he had slowly begun to forgive himself. He was doing this to protect Laika.

But what good would that protection do now if she was unprotected later? If their rope was cut, then she would leave, and he would never be able to see her again. He would never be able to protect her again. And sure, if their rope was cut, then Afore would leave, and Laika would leave, and Afore would keep his word and not remain loyal to her... but what if their rope was never cut? Then he could remain loyal to her, remain protective of her, and remain close to her.

Afore had been in this area before. He knew that Malengarde was up ahead; he could already begin to smell a thousand unfamiliar scents, foul stenches, and movement; all classic signs of a nearby tribe. But Afore knew that once Laika and him got to Malengarde, they would trade for or work for a cutting stone, and then be separated forever.

For Laika, he couldn't let that happen. He had to keep her safe, and he couldn't do that if he wasn't around anymore. So, instead, Afore sniffed the air, carefully inhaling the drifting wind, and then touched his black, wet nose to the dirt of the forest, inhaling Anertha's fresh scent. A slight twinge of something not far; and he suddenly remembered another tribe that was a neighbour to Malengarde; Castimun Tribe, one of the most hostile tribes in the area. Nearly as hostile as Veal Tribe itself.

Perfect, Afore thought. This is perfect.

"Laika," Afore said, sniffing the air and ground as their walking slowed.

She asked, "Yes?"

"How would you rather travel to Castimun Tribe?"

"Would they trade for a cutting stone?"

"Perhaps."

"Then sure," she turned to face him, eyes locking, wide and earnest, "I trust your judgement, Afore." It was strange to Afore, to watch Laika, this stubborn saluki, go from being so full of putrid hate towards him that she could not even have a single conversation with him without insults and growls, to her now, being kind, earnest, and trusting towards him. He felt a warm glow about himself, a warm pride, a warm... something.

He nodded, "I think we ought to go to Castimun."

"Sounds good, then. It's not much farther, is it?" Laika looked ahead, as did Afore.

"Not at all."