[Noinkling]

Benat speaks to Denegal

Cullen was fascinated by the red things on the man’s feet. He inched forward, his tail wagging, and began to sniff at them. They were animal hide, their scent quite intriguing, for they did not smell like other footwear he had encountered on his travels with his master. Had he the vocabulary he would have thought them ‘exotic’; but, instead, he merely took a long whiff of them, then looked up hopefully at their wearer, wondering if he would share them.

‘Excuse my dog . . . Cullen’s his name, by the way. He seems fascinated by your curious footwear. And to be honest,’ Benat blurted out without thinking, ‘I’ve never seen the like in my short travels.’ The trio walked on together. There was really nothing to be said about the shoes save that they were borrowed and that soon Denegal would have a proper pair of boots.

‘My name is Benat,’ the Beorning said, following up on Denegal’s offer of his own name. ‘And yes, I think I do know where the cottage is you speak of. Seems a certain one of the Small Folk has enlisted us both in the pursuit of firewood!’ Benat reached down to scratch Cullen between the ears. ‘I must confess I’ve not had the acquaintance of many of the Small Folk, but I find them quite engaging. Don’t you? And generous, in their own way.’