The effort of keeping her thoughts in control clenched Flisety's fangs together, and so when Kalia finally spun around to face her with words on her tongue, Flisety had to hold back a sigh of relief.
“We’re in the Ander Ring now!” she announced, gesturing to the twisting streets packed with wooden shelters before them with a sweeping arc of her paw. The scene wasn’t a great deal different to that of the Aest Ring, but there was a slight air of cleanliness to this area of town that didn’t quite exist back at Flisety’s new hut.
As they moved on, it soon became apparent why. The paths were more than trodden grass with the occasional sprinkle of rubble. In places, the streets had been fully layered with stone to form cobbles, but even those rougher alleys had that tidier feel. Kalia explained that it was because the Seawylf cleaners covered this part of town with their shift at least twice a cyluh, often more, allowing them to wash away the dirt from the paths and edges of houses. The Aest Ring, however, only received cleaning once a cyluh.
Those with what Lunerda called ‘proper’ occupations took up residence in this part of town, with those of lesser work, or none at all, banished to the outer Aest Ring. It was the sole reason Flisety had been less keen to come here. Yet Kalia seemed unbothered by such thoughts as she swept through the streets, head held high, almost as if she refused to acknowledge the idea that she might not belong here.
In fairness, when resident wolves traversed the streets nearby, there wasn’t a cold glance cast. They were both met with smiles and polite nods, and even a few exchanged words of greeting. A light feeling lifted Flisety’s stride, bringing a pleased smile.
After darting along a few paths, Kalia finally slowed as they neared a patch of abandoned land, most likely left as a space to play for young pups. But, instead of grey-furred Peltless, a trio of Earthwylves were huddled in a tight circle in the corner of the grassed land.
Hesitant, Flisety hung back, but Kalia shot straight towards the group, her tail swishing a joyful pirouette. She sprung a few paces, then briefly glanced back, jerking her head to beckon Flisety. “Come on! These are my friends.”
At the sound of her voice, one of the Earthwylves rose, his ears pricking up instantly. Delight flickered in his brown eyes, their colour so rich it was almost black, to match his forming smile. “Kalia! Nice to see you!”
“Hey, Mak!” Crossing the final couple steps, Kalia launched herself into his side, burying her snout in his thick dirt-coloured fur. His smile widened as he curled into her awkward embrace.
Their eyes both seemed to find Flisety at the same time, and they drew apart, Kalia dipping her head sheepishly. Flisety shot her a comforting glance. She certainly wasn’t going to get in the way of Kalia’s pre-existing friendships, especially one so easily connected.
Mak’s glance was more curious. “I believe introductions are in order.”
“Oh, yes.” Kalia’s gaze danced between him and Flisety. “Mak, this is Flisety. She just moved into the shelter next to mine. Flisety, this is my friend Makas, but I call him Mak.”
Stepping forward, Mak bent into an exaggerated bow. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance, kysaji Flisety.”
Kalia giggled. “Don’t mind him. He’s not like this all the time.” She nudged Mak’s side. “Stop acting all fancy.”
“It’s just being polite,” Mak argued, but there was a humorous spark in his eye.
“I like it,” Flisety added, mirroring his bow. “A pleasure to meet you too, erdah Makas.” She chuckled at the end of it. Perhaps that phase in which she and Fixel had researched the old tongue -- so that they could slide it into conversations and sound intelligent, according to Fixel -- had paid off in some manner.
“Perfect. I think we’ll get along quite well.”
Flisety agreed immensely, but before she could tell him so, the other two Earthwylves moved in to flank Mak. She squirmed under their stares. Somehow, their eyes felt a touch less kind than Mak’s dark gaze.
Kalia beat Mak to it. “Flisety, this is Jael and Damek,” she said, pointing a claw at each wolf in turn. “You two, this is Flisety, my new neighbour.”
Each of them nodded, with Damek mumbling a greeting. She returned it, paws shifting uncomfortably. Kalia must have noticed the spike of awkwardness, because she leaped back to Flisety’s side, her flank providing welcome support. “I was taking Flisety to see the Adita Ring,” she said, mostly to Mak. “Want to come?”
“The Adita Ring?” Flisety asked, unable to hide the glee in her voice. The central part of Lunerda, the place of those highest in the town’s society, was certainly not where she belonged, but she couldn’t deny her curiosity.
The same excited glimmer entered Kaila’s gaze. “Of course. It’s so sparkly and shiny there. You can’t miss out on seeing it.”
“Indeed it is.” Mak was moving forward to join them. “I best come along to keep an eye on you,” he added, prodding Kalia’s side. With an indignant squeak, she returned the gesture.
They said their goodbyes to the other two Earthwylves -- neither Jael nor Damek showed any signs of wishing to join them -- and headed to the edge of the Ander Ring. It wasn’t too far from the playing field, and so after only a few minutes of hurried walking, they crossed the boundary and entered a whole other world.
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