This place was quite different from the sandy beach near the castle. The shore was littered with tiny stones and bordered bright green pastures that swayed in the night breeze. Arrby looked ahead and back towards the map he held in his mechanical claw.
“Alright, due west till I find the trail.”
Sweetie had talked to him about a wondrous location called the Dragon Highlands, where dragons horded treasure of all sorts of stuff. She advised him of one primary location where it would be safe to “borrow” some of the dragons’ collections. Arrby had docked his boat on the shore and traversed the green pastures towards the trail. He walked along it to the marked location that Sweetie graciously supplied him. Soon enough, he came to a large cave. The cautious pup peering in, ensuring there were no dragons about. Once clear, Arrby strode on in and marveled at what he saw. Treasure. Mountains of it! At least what dragons might consider to be treasure. He could make out some silver and gold coins that could have value but primary noticed random junk made up the majority of things in the piles stowed along the cave. Arrby laughed.
“If dragons think this stuff is worth hoarding, they could give Captain Sid a run for his money.”
He quickly trotted to one of the piles and was about to pluck a few gold coins when he noticed something laying on the ground. It looked to be a chess board. The pirate pup would have shrugged it off. He had six chess boards back at their hideout, though Sid rarely played, not having a lot of patience for the game. Arrby did notice something interesting about this board though. Arrby picked up one of the pieces and carefully observed it. A small knight in shape of a pup seeming to be carved out of cedar. He noticed all the pieces on the board were custom made as well.
“Weird. Do dragons make stuff like this? They’re so small and delicate. How did...”
A tremendous roar came from outside the cave. Arrby yelped, leaping behind one of the massive piles of junk. The pup peaked his snout to one side of it and looked toward the entrance, but instead of a large dragon, he spotted a purple blur that fell out of the sky and landed toward the ground.
“Sparks! Not again! Ughhh!”
Arrby watched as the pup strolled into the cave. He gasped, it was like the chess piece had come to life. This doberman was wearing purple studded armor that adorned every part of him. Two pointed ears poked out of his helmet. Arrby couldn’t believe it. He had never seen a real knight before. Why didn’t Sweetie warn him about this? He wanted to pondered further but noticed the doberman pup snout had scrunched up.
“Hmm, What is that peculiar smell?”
Arrby bit his tongue. Guessing the knight had caught his sea salt scent. He watched as the knight slowly walked towards the back of the cave, giving Arrby the chance to quietly sneak past him. The knights ears twitched, suddenly spinning around.
“Halt! Intruder! Intruder!!”
He leaped and skidded along the dirt floor of the cave and slipped with ease behind the pile Arrby hid by. His eyes bulged at the sight of the other pup. The pair yelped in fright. Arrby jumped to one side and began to run back out of the cave. He had just reached the entrance only to be caught by something massive dropping in front of him. A towering red and yellow dragon stood in his path. Arrby felt his legs go weak at the sight. The creature roared loudly and leaned it’s head down close to the dachshund. Thinking for sure he was going to get eaten.
“Sparks, Stop!”
The pirate watched a marshmallow fly into the dragons mouth. The dragon looking content and settling down.
“Ugh! That was my last one too!”
Arrby turned back and looked at the Knight. His pointed snout scowled towards him. Arrby put on a friendly face.
“He...Hello.”
“Silence intruder!”
The knight eyed the smaller pup and raised a brow in question.
“Are you...a pirate?”
“Yup yup! I’m Arrby. Nice to meet…
The crass pup stomp his foot.
“Explain yourself! Have you come to pillage my treasures for yourself?”
“Yours? I thought it was the dragons…”
“Sparks is commanded by me. Therefore his hoard belongs to the greatest knight in all of Barkingburg!”
He stood proud, placing a paw on his chest in a boastful matter. Sparks didn’t seem too impressed and turned away. Arrby on the other hand looked in astonishment.
“The greatest knight in all of Barkingburg?!”
“Indeed! I am Sir Claw. Protector of the crown, tamer of dragons, and you will respect me as such.”
Arrby bowed in respect.
“My deepest apologies mister knight sir. I didn’t know this stuff was yours. Sweetie had said this cave was guarded only by a dragon.”
Claw rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“Of course! That snooty pup would be responsible for sending a rapscallion to steal from me.”
“No! She didn’t...I mean...Ummm…”
Arrby was technically intending on taking something. He couldn’t lie and shrugged nervously.
“Maybe?”
“In any case, be gone then pirate. Before I sick my dragon upon thy body! Sparks! Come forth.”
Arrby felt his stomach twist at the thought of the dragon coming back and swallowing him whole but Arrby didn’t hear the thunderous steps of an approaching threat. He instead noticed the dragon rolling it’s eyes towards the knight before lazily sleeping by some trees. Claw seemed to stumble at his words.
“Sparks...Come on…”
He beckoned him again but to no response. Arrby looked at Claw in confusion.
“He doesn’t seem to want to come over….”
“I know that! He’s just...tired”
Claw seemed genuinely uncomfortable with how his dragon disobeyed him. Arrby could sense his unease and tried to keep the conversation going.
“Do you live here? By yourself?”
Claw bit his lip in frustration before answering the pup.
“Yes. What of it?”
“Well that explains the chess set then. Did you carve those pieces yourself. Those are really cool!”
Claw wanted to chastise the pirate pup for going through his stuff but the complement took him off guard.
“Oh...uh...Thank you.”
“Who do you play chess with though? Those pieces are way to small to play against a dragon.”
“Don’t be silly. I just play against myself.”
“Yourself?”
“Yes. It helps me stay focused. A knight must maintain a sharp mind always! It keeps me cautious and active in planning strategies.”
“Strategies against yourself?”
“Against any threats. Like nosy pups who think it’s okay to go through my things!” He gawked. Arrby quickly changed the subject.
“Well I’d play with you! If you want!”
Claw eyed the pirate pup and laughed.
“Hah, I doubt a pirate like you would know how to play.”
“Wanna bet?”
Two games later and Claw stared at the board in frustration, Most of his pawns had been taken and Arrby’s bishop was set to take his King. The knight tapped his paw on the ground. He’d been thinking for a little while now.
“Ya know it’s your turn right?”
“I know that!” Claw shot back.
Arrby’s quick decision to play against the pup was meant to be fun distraction. The first round started with Claw really getting into the game. Seeming to enjoy himself even. Up till right now that is. The knight seemed more frustrated than ever. It wasn’t Arrbys intention to upset him. He decided to try and get on his good side.
“These pieces are really detailed. Especially the knight.”
“It is the best piece in the game so only fitting it gets the most care.”
Arrby looked around the cave and noticed a few other things: random jars, empty bags of dog treats. He eyed a large pile of wood and metal on one side, seeming to recognize it.
“Is that a catapult?”
“A Trebuchet. There’s a difference.”
“Right. Did you build it yourself?”
“It’s a work in progress. The engineers in the castle had been working on it for me till I….”
Claw didn’t continue from there. Seeming to refocus on the game. Arrby didn’t pry further, his gaze turning towards one of the piles with a few gold coins stashed in between the junk.
“You’re quite rich for a Knight.”
“Intending on stealing from me still?”
“Originally I was, but since you caught me. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask for some treasure to spare? Heheheh”
Arrby laughed nervously. He doubted Claw would fold that easily. He stared at Arrby, the pirate noticing his eyes darting between him and his dragon who snored loudly by the trees. Arrby jumped at the sudden wicked smile that crept on his snout. He stood up suddenly.
“I have a proposal for you pirate. Help me procure something I need within the city. If you prove your worth, maybe I might...spare you a coin or two.”
“Really?!”
“If you can manage it.” He reminded, sticking a paw into Arrby’s chest.
“You can count on me mister great knight sir! Should we take your dragon into town?”
“No!...I mean no...We shall go on foot. I...I need the exercise!”
Arrby didn’t question the pup as he lead the way. He also didn’t bother mention that Claw was technically stalling their chess game.
The pups had manage to work their way into the quiet town of Barkingburg. Arrby thought a night time stroll would be great to get to know the purple clad doberman more but as he followed the knight, he noticed how careful he was trying to not be spotted by any other person in town. He went from ducking under parked cars, hiding behind light poles to quickly hopping into a trash can, poking his head up to make sure no one noticed him.
“That’s strange.” Arrby thought.
“We’re here!” Claw announced.
Arrby looked towards where the knight pointed only to be taken aback by the sight of an average grocery store.
“Oh, we’re just buying something from the store?”
“Not exactly. If your such a great pirate pup, why don’t you go in there and grab a bag of marshmallows?”
Arrby couldn’t remember when he ever proclaimed he was great pirate pup but he was even more confused by Claw’s request.
“What? You have plenty of money though, why don’t we just go in and buy them?”
Claw scowled down at Arrby.
“Do you want your gold or not?”
“I do...wait, what are you going to do?”
“I’ll keep watch. Now get a move on.”
“Can do Mister Claw sir!”
He gave him a quick salute before tip toeing towards the store. As he reached the automatic doors, he noticed a few flyers hung on the front window, recognizing a familiar pup on one of them.
Claw sat in the bin and watched as Arrby causally walked into the store. He waited some time, just staring at the doors for any sign of the pirate. His ears twitched at every sound he heard around him, afraid he would be spotted soon.
“Come on. What’s taking him so long?”
He didn’t normally care for others but he couldn’t help the growing sense of worry in his stomach. Perhaps his new friend was caught? Claw trilled his lips at the word.
“Friend. Please. He isn’t my friend. Just some pup I met. Who I played chess with, and didn’t try to run me out of town…”
Claw tried to remember the last time he talked to another pup that wasn’t Sweetie. It had been a while.
“Thanks mister!”
Claws attention turned back to the store front. The knight’s jaw dropped as he saw the pirate pup walk back out with a bag of marshmallows held in one of his pincers. He leaped out of the bin.
“How in the world did you accomplish that?!”
“Oh nothing much. Just gave him the old puppy eyes and roll!”
On cue, Arrby rolled over on his back, waving his paws in the air and giving the saddest eyes he could. Claw held his breath and felt his stomach flutter at the sight.
“Just like that! See?”
Claw composed himself and turned his gaze away.
“Ah well. Quite good. Excellent work minion.”
“Neat. I’ve never been a minion before! Well, cept for my boss.”
“Does that trick of yours sway him as well?”
“Sometimes! Only when I try to cheer him up really.”
“How considerate…”
The Knight thought back to a certain duke who he couldn’t sway no matter what he did.
“Weird, When I try to give puppy eyes, it never seems to work on anyone.”
“Really, can I see?”
Claw cleared his throat and prepared himself. He sat on his hind legs and let his ears fall before giving it all he got.
“Please please pleeeease!” Throwing in a few sad whines as he eyed the pirate.
“Awwwwwwwwww!”
Arrby was immediately smitten by the sight.
“You’re sooooo cute!”
The Knight turned beet red at that compliment. Letting his visor drop over his eyes in embarrassment. Arrby saw his reaction and pulled back.
“Sorry! Sorry! That was… pretty cute.”
“Right, Um..Thanks?”
“You sure looked a lot better than the picture they had on the window.”
Claw lifted his visor.
“Picture on the wind...
“Good heavens! It’s Claw!”
The distracted pair hadn’t noticed a trash man had stopped by the bin they were near. He pointed directly at Claw.
“Scoundrel! I shall report you to the princess at once!”
The pair heard another voice from across the street. A mailman shook his fist towards the doberman.
“Bad pup! Someone call the Paw Patrol”
Arrby looked around at all the commotion.
“Uhhh...Claw. Are they talking about...”
“Run!!!”
Without a second thought, the pair ran as fast as they could. They ran down the street and outside the town. They paced along the dirt path towards the Dragon highlands, all the way back to the entrance of the cave. Sparks, not having moved from his spot between the trees, opened one eye and watched the panting pair. Claw plopped himself onto the dirt, out of breath.
“Wooo...That was close. I almost could have…”
“Hahahahahaha!”
To his surprise, the pirate pup began to laugh. Giggling at first before straight up howling with laughter. Claw couldn’t help himself and began to laugh as well.
“That was soo much fun!”
“Yes! It was wasn’t it?” Claw added. His tail wagged in excitement. Arrby smiled at the gesture before speaking up.
“You’re not a knight. Are ya?”
The purple clad pup jumped back to attention.
“Excuse me?! I’ll have you know I’m…”
“I didn’t mean it like that!” Arrby quickly stammered. “I meant...You probably used to be a knight right?”
“What makes you say that?”
“Well just a few things I’ve noticed. If you were a knight you’d probably live in the castle, not a cave. You avoided being seen in town which was a little weird. Then I saw the sign at the shop. With your picture on it.”
Claw struggled to keep himself composed.
“It said former knight Claw at large. Report if seen. And with big bold letters saying you were not allowed in that store...or anywhere for that matter.”
Arrby tilted his head towards him.
“What did you do?”
Claw let out a sigh in annoyance.
“Fine. Yes. By order of the princess, I’m technically not a Knight. I’m not Sir Claw. Just...Claw. All because I tried to tame a dragon! Which I did successfully! Right Sparks?!”
The dragon paid no mind towards him. Getting another annoyed noise from Claw.
“Pincer!”
Arrby watched as his mechanical pincer arm struggled to pop out his pack a few times. Claw, frustrated, grumpily grabbed the pack of marshmallows from Arrby with his snout.
“Justst you’d waittted! I’ll...Plep!”
He dropped the bag from his maw.
“You just wait though! I will return as the greatest knight of Barkingburg one day! You can forget about getting any treasure from me pirate pup. Not like I was going to hand anything over to you anyway.”
Claw turned to leave. His remark came out much scornful than he anticipated. It wasn’t like it was Arrby’s fault he had been caught but Claw was just too prideful. He assumed Arrby would just leave without a word, marking an end to their meeting and leaving the former knight all by himself again. Until the pirate spoke up.
“I think you will.”
Claw turned towards him.
“Huh?”
“Be a knight again. One day. I can definitely see that. You already fit the part so well. Even if you don’t give me anything. That’s ok too. I did sort of come here to take something that was yours. Either way, I did have fun just hanging out with you. I’ll leave you alone now.”
There wasn’t a hint of malice or irritation that Claw had expected from the likes of Sweetie or the citizens of Barkingburg. What Arrby had said seemed truthful. The false knight watched as the pirate pup began to make his way back towards the trail..
“It was nice meeting you Claw. You too Sparks!”
The dragon surprisingly gave a courteous nod towards him as Arrby made his way down the path, Claw watched as he disappeared along the plains. The knight felt something he hadn’t felt before. He turned towards the cave, noticing their abandoned chess game on the ground. A sense of guilt continued to well in his chest.
Arrby had reached the shore and began to set his dingy ready for departure, disappointed that he couldn’t bring much for captain Sid, but happy he met a new pup. As he thought, he heard the sound of a metal clanging together and a sharp bark.
“Pirate!”
Arrby turned and saw Claw stand a few feet from him by the shore.
“It’s...Arrby. Right?”
The pup shook his head and saw a few shinny gold coin roll toward him and fall in the sand. Claw stood there and gently clacked his gauntlet paws against one another.
“I...might have just a little too much gold hoarded by Sparks. Perhaps I could spare some to you, for now.”
The pirate smile at him.
“Oh, Thanks Claw. Guess now I can give this back.”
The knight looked confused. Arrby used a claw arm to pull something from behind his back. The knight looked close at what he was holding. A metallic piece of purple metal. His eyes went wide.
“What!? How did you!?”
He quickly circled himself and inspecting his legs, body, and the top of his helmet. Not noticing any part of his armor out of place.
“Hmmph, nice try! Like you could possibly take a piece of armor from...”
“Kind of cold out here tonight huh?”
Claw’s ears twitched in mild annoyance but he did feel the wind against his tail.
“As a matter of fact it is a little drafty…”
Claw’s eyes widen as he realized where the piece of armor had come from. He slowly turned his head towards his tail end and noticed his lower back was exposed. More specifically his rear. Claw immediately sat down and tried to not to let his blushing face show. Arrby just couldn’t help himself and let a smirk show on his snout.
“Gotta say, the view...not too bad.”
He winked towards him and Claw felt his entire face burn up. He laid down in the sand. His snout between his paws as his visor smacked down in front of his eyes.
“You...you...scoundrel...you...miscreant!...You..You!…”
He jumped at hearing the armor piece tossed into the sand next to him.
“I do appreciate the gold though! See ya!”
With that, Arrby scuttled the gold coins into his mechanical arm and pushed his boat out to sea. Claw watched as he sailed away, his heart falling at the idea that this might be the last time they were to meet. Until he was caught off guard by his pup tag going off. A noise he hadn’t heard in a long time.
“Hello?”
“Oh cool! It’s me again Claw. I wanted to see if our collar frequencies were the same! Looks like they Arrrrr! Hehehehe. Any who, I had a really fun night! I’ll be sure to stop by sometime on my rounds! If you want me to.”
Claw worked his jaw up and down. Grinding his teeth a bit. This pup could be crafty when he wants to. Mischievous even. Regardless, Claw couldn’t help but admire that.
“Sure. We still have a chess game to finish you know.”
“Count on it bud! See ya then!”
The call disconnected and Claw let his gaze go out to the sea again. He was flustered and a little confused.
“That pup. He really is a good pirate. When he isn’t being silly.”
He still couldn’t believe that Arrby had managed to take something from him. Him! The greatest Knight of all of Barkingburg!
“Swine! Trickster. That little….”
Claw gripped his pup tag and kept looking out to sea as the small boat faded from view.
“I hope he comes back soon.”
It really was a lovely rose. She had ensured it was put in a proper vase, just placed at the very back of her pup house. Every time Sweetie stepped in and out of she could admire it. Now she sat close by the flower and pressed her nose against it’s bright red bud.
“So beautiful isn’t it Busby?”
Her toy let out a quiet squeak next to her. Sweetie would primarily spend her time inside the castle but since that night with Arrby, her mind has been dwelling on other things. She knew it wasn’t meant for her. She had promised to give it to the princess but she couldn’t help but think that something was amiss.
“He was trying to help me talk to her. This was meant for her...Wasn’t it?”
Busby didn’t respond. Seeming distracted by something outside.
“I mean he is a pirate after all. Ever so clever but modest enough to perform a romantic gesture for a queen such as myself.”
Sweetie blushed at the thought. Not noticing the small thumping noises coming from outside her house.
“Perhaps…perhaps this is his way of getting my attention. Not that I had considered it before but….”
The idea that the pirate pup might have a crush on her was astonishing. What perplexed her more was that she didn’t seem to mind the idea of being with him. She could feel her fur stand on end at the idea. She was so enraptured by her thoughts that she didn’t feel Busby shove and poke at her side, trying to get her attention.
“He’s no royal blood dog. No nobility at all unless you count his loyalty to that deranged pirate of his. However, Arrby is rather….sweet.”
BANG!
Sweetie jumped and her whole pup house shook. The pup ran out her house and yipped loudly.
“What on earth?!”
She felt a small pebbles beneath her paws and noticed a chunk of her pup house had been destroyed. A large boulder sticking from the roof.
“Hahah! Finally got your attention did I?!”
Sweetie rolled her eyes. She turned her attention across the moat that separated the castle grounds from the main road. There by the shore, stood a familiar irritating doberman and what looked to be some sort of medieval weaponry near him.
“Is that a catapult?!”
“Trebuchet! There’s a difference!”
Sweetie scoffed at him.
“You wretched thing! Look what you did to my pup house!”
“Hah! Serves you right for trying to have some pup take whats mine!”
“I have no idea what you are talking about.” She spat back. Clearly playing dumb. Claw wasn’t having it.
“The wiener dog! Ya know, small frame, short legs, cute face?”
“I was being sarcastic!”
“I knew that! Spoiled brat!”
“Useless pup!”
“Nasty wench!”
“Stub tailed peasant!”
The two pups stuck their tongue at one another for a good while. Making all the faces they could. To the amusement of a quiet butler who stared at the pair from a far window. Sipping tea as he watched the show. Sweetie broke off the stare down before snorting.
“Well, Sooooo glad that my friend Arrby was able to sneak past the so called greatest knight in all of Barkingburg!”
“For your information! He didn’t! I caught him red handed!”
“Oh did you now?!” Sweetie felt a ting of worry at hearing that. Not putting it past Claw to do something bad to him.
“You...didn’t feed him to your dragon did you?”
“What?!” he scoffed. “No! We played chess!”
“Excuse me?”
“Yeah! He was a pleasant pup to hang out with!”
“Well good. He’s a friendly fellow!”
“He is! Thanks for sending him my way!” he said sarcastically.
“Sure! You purple snob! He comes to see me most often!” She shot back.
“Well he might just come see me just as much!”
“Good! Then you can stop being such pain in my rear!”
“The less I see you the better! I bet he and I will be good friends!”
“I’m counting on it!”
“Great!”
“Cool!”
“Th..thanks?”
“You’re...Welcome?”
The hate fueled fire between the pair was blow out with the pups staring awkwardly at one another. Sweetie was at a loss of words and Claw can’t remember ever thanking Sweetie for anything.
“I...I don’t know what to do now.” Claw admitted.
“I’m...unsure as well.”
Claw shuffled in his spot before turning.
“I’m gonna go.”
Sweetie watched as the pup began to push his trebuchet along the bank. Sweetie let out an irradiated sigh and scooted back into her pup house.
“Can you believe that pup Busby?”
The toy squeaked in agreement.
“So much for Arrby getting under his skin. Oh well.”
Sweetie admired the rose some more before thinking further.
“A talk with the princess can wait, right now I must inquire further about Arrby’s intentions. Perhaps I could…”
That’s when it had hit her. It caught her completely off guard. Between her argument with Claw, he has said something she had completely missed. She turned her head at Busby in shock.
“Did he say he was cute?!”
