“No, Basal,” Furn said patiently. “Uncouth means you are more into physical strength than mental.”
Basal blinked. “Oh. All right then.”
I slid him a surprised look. Furn had all but called him stupid, and he was complimented. But that particular, and rather loose, definition of uncouth described most Ricarri. As a whole, the race valued brawn over brains. Furn was an exception.
“Basal, why don't you check on the pups?” Furn suggested.
“I want to see which dog you're selling him.”
“It will take us longer to find a match than for you to check the pups.”
“Fine.” Basal thundered off, down a corridor to our right.
Furn continued the way he'd been going, Leeya on his right, and I stepped up beside him on the left since the hallway allowed for it.
“Sorry about him,” Furn said.
“Not at all,” I said. “I have a soft spot for your people. Even the brusque ones.”
That lifted his brows again. “You do?”
“I've loved one. Still do.” I smiled at him. “The Commander of the Vix Army.”
“No shit?”
“No shit.” I chuckled. “He was rather surprised about it as well.”
Furn stopped at a door at the end of the hallway. “What happened to your commander?”
“He mated the Dragon King of Vix.”
“Holy fuck,” Furn whispered, his face going slack.
“Yes.” I smiled grimly. “And I moved here. But knowing him changed me. He gave me strength and a love of vanrussas.”
“Ah. So that is how you know about the dogs.”
“Yes.” I grinned. “He entrusted the care of his vanrussa, Mivi, to me at one point.”
Furn's jaw fell.
I laughed. “Yes, I was honored. Things looked bleak for him, and he had to leave her behind. But then he worked things out and returned for Mivi. I'm glad she's with him. Their bond is . . . there's nothing like it. But caring for her left a hole in my heart. I can't tell you how much your invitation means to me.”
“You don't have to,” Furn said gravely. “I see it in your eyes. And it is I who am grateful to find someone who will treasure one of my wards as they should be.” Then he opened the door. “Now, let's find your companion.”
I followed Furn into a vast courtyard. Sun streamed down from an angled glass ceiling and plants grew in abundance within enameled blue pots. There were even orange trees blossoming, lending their delicate scent to the air. One corner was filled with boulders and a few vanrussas perched atop the makeshift mountain, but there were also plush beds among the plants and a patch of grass contained in the longest, widest, and shortest planter I'd ever seen. Like a baking tray, one for giants. One of the dogs went to it and peed on the grass, then hurried over to Furn.
No, excuse me. The dog hurried over to Leeya.
Leeya yipped and nuzzled the other animal before looking at her master.
“Here,” Furn said.
He didn't raise his voice or even point, but every dog in the room came running to line up before us.
“Wow,” I whispered.
“They are fully trained,” Furn said. “They will obey basic commands and will quickly learn new ones. I'll provide you with a booklet, a sort of manual I've written. It outlines the process of establishing new commands as well as all the things you'll need to know to care for your vanrussa. But first, you must choose one.” He waved a hand at the dogs.
