The stable was upwind of the Great Dane, so he didn't smell the other dog until Celidon started barking. Penguin's ears pricked and he started to emit a low growl, which transformed into a bark of surprise as the enormous green dog leapt through the door. He jumped backwards and bounced from side to side, barking loudly, his tail thrashing excitedly. It wasn't often that he got to see another dog, let alone a dog bigger than him! Eselda was just as thrilled. She squealed in delight when the cu-sith appeared, her big, blue eyes as round as dinner plates, and took a couple of hops towards him.
Her mother had taught her never to pet a dog without asking the owner first and, luckily, the (presumed) owner of this one wasn't far behind him. A boy who looked to be a few years older than her came clanking out of the stable in full armour, leading a beautiful black pony behind him. This boy had a giant green dog and a lovely pony; whoever he was, he was wonderful. She didn't notice the way his eyebrows knitted together (Eselda wasn't particularly good at reading expressions anyway, and on this occasion she was too busy looking at the pony) or she might have shied away, even in spite of the presence of the animals. Since she didn't notice his less-than-welcome expression, however, and since he did have animals, he must obviously be an easy person to talk to because they both loved animals.
As the cu-sith nudged her arm, Eselda reached out automatically and rubbed the back of his neck. Asking permission seemed a little redundant when the dog had made the first move. He backed off a little when the boy called to him, and Eselda took the opportunity to edge a little closer the boy and his pony.
"Um," she scuffled her feet shyly. "Are you a knight?" Knights were brave defenders of justice and Eselda had always thought that they were taller, but all knights wore armour and had horses and serious faces like this person. They weren't as exciting as princesses, but they did have a very important job fighting dragons and monsters awayand for that, Eselda was very grateful. She hugged Hannah closely and twisted the ragdoll's wool hair between her fingers. "Please can I stroke your pony?"
Penguin patted Celidon's paw and leapt back, barking suddenly and excitedly. He dropped his chest to the ground and stuck his tail in the air, waggling it furiously, before taking off at a lolloping run around the group.
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