Jeruvael,
Illearia.

Tephinor and Xena made their way through the secluded alleyways.

They had left the Darkone pub ten minutes ago after Teph's morning shift.

Xena had insisted on introducing him to his friends today and Teph had agreed.

            "How much longer Xena?"

            "Funny you asked that just now."

Tephinor fixed him with a questioning look.

          "We're here." Xena announced as they turned into a corner.

Three young men just leaving teenagehood, all around five feet and eight inches, stood discussing. The older one was smoking.

            "Hey, brothers, meet my new friend."

Xena announced, putting one arm on Teph's shoulder.

The one who was smoking came forward to shake Tephinor's hand.

        "Hi, I'm Levo."

       "Asaph."

      "Of course, Asaph. I've heard so many things about you. Xena has really taken to you, he doesn't make friends that easily."

       "Why are you so tall?" A second young man came forward to stand in front of Tephinor.

       "Xena said you're an orphan boy from the merchant class. How is it even possible that you're tall like royalty?"

Tephinor didn't flinch.

     "I think it's silly to determine class by the height of a person."

      "Exactly. Also Fralo, I think you've been  smoking too much Cayrok. What would royalty be doing hanging out with us?" Xena added.

Fralo still eyed Teph suspiciously.

      "That short, young man over there is Yali. That baker he's talking to is his uncle. Yali works in his bakery, and helps him hawk the goods. And I must tell you, Yali is the short tempered one amongst us. You don't want to ever get on his bad side."  Levo informed.

As they watched, Yali's uncle handed him a batch of freshly baked flat bread.

A scrawny, medium sized brown dog suddenly ran up to them and pushed down the carton of pastry.

In the twinkle of an eye, the dog picked up a piece of bread and ran towards the boys, Yali in hot pursuit.

         "Get that crazy mutt this time Yali!" His uncle yelled after him.

The dog ran to hide behind Tephinor's leg.

          "Don't let him escape." Yali ran up to them, panting and glowering at the dog who was now quickly devouring his bread.

         "Come here you greedy dog!"
Yali bent to grab the dog from behind Tephinor who instinctively pushed him back.

       "I can't let you do that."

       "What? Didn't you see what he just did?"

       "Yes, I'm sorry about that."

       "Well, sorry won't pay for all this pastry."

       "I know, I'll pay. How much?"

       "Are you crazy?"

       "Maybe, you should just let him beat up the damn dog, Asaph. It's always stealing." Fralo spoke up.

         "He steals because he's hungry. I asked how much Yali?"

          "Forty Illens."

Tephinor searched through his pocket for the bronze coins.

He made hundred Illens every week.

He would be paying almost half of his salary to rescue a street dog he didn't know, but it was the right thing to do and he had no regrets.

            "I'll pay you, but you have to let him eat it all up and you have to promise not to touch him."

           "Asaph, you've completely lost it. All this money for a street dog." Xena mused, Teph didn't reply.
Yali sighed.
         "Agreed."

Teph handed him the money. Yali took it and went to talk quietly to his uncle.

The baker shot a shocked look in Teph's direction and walked off with his nephew.

The dog left Teph's side and ran to eat the remaining pastry.

         "You seem to like dogs alot Asaph." Levo was looking at him curiously.

Teph shrugged. He went over to meet the dog and stooped to watch him as he ate.

He knew his actions had raised questions, but he didn't care. He had always loved dogs, respected all animals. Maybe that's why he hadn't killed the great elk all those years ago in the winter forest.

His brother had died that day and his father had blamed it all on him.

He ran a hand through the dog's brown fur, seeing this mutt made him miss his dog back home.

Garvie wasn't scrawny or short haired; he was massive, hairy and majestic, but to Teph, dog was dog.

          "Asaph, get up." Xena touched Teph's shoulder, his voice reflecting concern.

Teph noticed the dog's wounded leg.

         "He is injured." He said as he stood.

        "I see that. Poor dog. We can take him to the city vet. I heard that he treats stray dogs for free. We can go now if you want. That way we can make it back in time for our evening shifts." Xena volunteered.

         "You'd do that?" Teph looked surprised.

         "Don't give me that look Asaph. Arivyans worship dogs, but I'm not in my country. This is   Illearia, and here street dogs are a menace."

          "So do we take him? I know a shortcut, we can walk there." Xena asked.

Teph paused to consider it, could he risk going out in the open now? It had been a week since he ran away from home.

He was sure that his father had given up  on wasting time and precious resources looking for him. If he continued to search, then it won't be long before the whole of Illearia learnt that Prince Teph was alive and that their Vessiye had deceived them.

       "Great idea Xena. Let's take him."
                               
                               ~