[Noinkling]

‘No offense taken by your question . . . Anyopâ is it?’ Benat shifted in his chair, making himself more comfortable. ‘We Beornings consider our animals as part of our family, so to speak. Or at least consider them friends. And so it is not our custom to kill and eat them.’ He gave his tablemate a toothy grin. ‘The killing we do is left for our foes. For ages of my people those have been the foul Orcs that infest the Misty Mountains and some of the wolves and other creatures that were corrupted by their master. And thankfully those grow less of late.’

The server came out with a large tray, loaded with three platters of hot food and a basket of toast with pots of butter, jam, and honey. Cullen stood up, greeting the arrival with a grin and a wag if his tail. He set to with purpose, not waiting for an invitation or permission.

‘Plenty to eat here without meat, eh?’ said Benat, buttering a piece of toast, then loading it up with jam.