Ancient Carthage Dreamed in Blood

[raventonbeauty]

from here.

Ashley had never seen so many dogs in one place, and had never imagined that there would be so many dogs in the entire city of Carthage. There were so many of them, in all shapes and sizes, some sweet and affectionate and others ferocious and designed to kill. Ashley could remember encountering a total of four dogs in his life until now, so the large kennels seemed to him to hold all the variety of the world.

He made friends easily with the good-tempered dogs near the entrance, delighting in their energy and enthusiasm, even once they realized that he had brought no treats for them. But the danger of the more ferocious dogs drew him. He exerted his will over them without realizing that he did it, since he had spent all his life spoiled and loved, and simply expected that it was the natural order of things that all creatures should fawn over him.

Looking up at Mago's entrance, Ashley's eyes widened with hope, grateful to see him and wanting to earn his approval. He had imprinted upon Mago as his anchor in this new life. Zyabqot was his new master and deserved his obedience and trust, but it was Mago's attention that he craved.

Comments

[raventonbeauty]

"Then I will. I think it would be an appropriate gift." Ashley chooses a pair of ornamental combs carved from dark, reddish-brown wood in a pattern of sharp-petaled flowers and set with glinting black stones. He sets those aside while he considers the rest, taking up a fawn-colored styling comb carved with the shape of a running hound.

Clasping Mago's chin in one hand, Ashley combs through his hair, teasing it into a different style to see how it flatters his face and smiling at the result. He sets that with the others and pays the merchant for the three of them, tucking the pair for Zyabqot into the little bag that he'd bought along the way to carry his purchases, and giving the other to Mago. "I suppose you do at least comb your hair, though you do not wear the combs as I would."

His smile is relaxed and playful. Here at the festival, alone in a crowd with Mago, he feels free.