Photo credit: Everton Yamamoto
Aouda linked her arm into the taen’s. The two ladies strolled through the blooming spring garden, pretending not to notice the guards.
Taen Haelanea’s voice was light, inconsequential. “Not much of a rescue attempt, I must say. You seem caught in here with me now.”
Aouda giggled as though the taen had joked. “Perhaps.”
A dog appeared beyond the iron bars of the gate, disappearing before the guard turned.
Aouda steered them toward a secluded bench. Eventually, the dog approached. “Act like you know him,” Aouda murmured.
Haelanea nodded, petting the strange dog.
“Your highness, this is Panaik. Panaik, meet Haelanea, the rightful taen.”
Panaik bowed. The taen squinted in confusion.
Aouda unhooked something from the dog’s collar, tucking it into her palm. “This is all we need. Let us proceed to the closest shadow and make our escape, shall we?”
Haelanea smiled. “A well-trained dog you have there.”
Aouda half-smiled. “Hm.”
Are you sure she’s the rightful ruler, mistress?
Yes, my friend. Please don’t bite her. It would embarrass me.
Very well. “Arf.”
Word count: 175. Inspired by this week’s Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers photo challenge. Thanks to Priceless Joy for hosting the challenge, and to Yinglan for providing the prompt photo, below. Click here to see the other stories.
Photo © Yinglan
Tales from Eneana 
I love that the dogs think and reason! They wanted to make sure the rightful ruler is on the throne. Wonderful story, Joy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Not *all* dogs in this world can talk, but this is a very special one. And re: my comment on your story, you’ll notice that I made my dog a boy without even thinking about it. Hm….
LikeLike
Hahahaha! If he is a boy in your story, then he is a boy! LOL! You automatically made him a boy. hahaha!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Next time I have a dog in one of my stories, I will have to be sure to make it a girl. 🙂
LikeLike
Hahahaha! I think it is funny! Especially because of my story and it being a female when It was thought to be a male.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh I like this very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much for saying so! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, there’s nothing like a good escape plan. Lovely story 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you liked it, Sonya! Maybe her first plan fell through (because why didn’t she just bring this item herself?) but either way, she’s lucky to have Panaik on her side.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Maybe she couldn’t bring it in? That’s what I thought…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good idea – whatever the magical object was, she couldn’t be sure of sneaking it in on her person, so she asked Panaik to do it instead. Or maybe she did bring something in, but it was confiscated or didn’t work.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rulers and talking dogs, we both have it. Your fictional world however sounds brighter than mine.😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Just read yours and yes, yours is definitely darker! Luckily for Panaik, nobody knows he talks because only Aouda can hear him. Thanks for reading!
LikeLike
Who could resist a talking, thinking dog. Lovely story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They come in handy when you’ve been imprisoned by your own guards, apparently!
LikeLike
Always love it when animals are personified! Nicely done, Joy.
LikeLiked by 1 person
He’s a special dog. Glad you liked it!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful story!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was a very clever take on the prompt, well done you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How nice of you to say, thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well done on this. I like that her and the dog an communicate with their minds. No wonder he’s such a good dog
Let’s hope this woman is truly the rightful Taen.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Mandi! Yes, she really is the rightful ruler,and she will be very grateful to her loyal subjects for helping her in this difficult time, I’m sure.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m wondering if anyone has grasped why it is that the woman and dog can talk to each other. I thought I was being too obvious with the title, but maybe not!
LikeLike
Great take on the prompt.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dogs do have heightened senses
Great take.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jacqueline! And this is a very special dog – he’s the woman’s familiar. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I really like the way you’ve created the ‘character’ of the dog, Panaik, and the way he communicates with Aouda. I also like how you’ve fed into the scene some hints of what went on before. I get the feeling there’s a great relationship between Aouda and Panaik that could be explored in another story. An intriguing and clever little piece. :).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Millie! I had fun thinking up the premise — wondering why the Taen is in trouble, and why and how Aouda is rescuing her from imprisonment. The relationship between Aouda and her dog is indeed very special. By adopting Panaik as her familiar, she gradually transfers her magic abilities and even a bit of her own nahja (magic/soul stuff) to him, and he becomes a magical beast and no longer a normal animal. They must have been together for quite some time (and she pretty advanced in her wizardry) for them to be able to talk telepathically. The downside to this strong connection is that if a familiar dies, it can do serious damage to the wizard or witch.
I know you like history and legends, Millie, so this idea is based loosely on:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Familiar_spirit
LikeLike