It took Dallas the rest of that day to make me an outfit, but the second he had it finished, I stripped of the remaining tatters I had and slipped into it. It fit well, but it was warm. He’d fashioned a dress that hung down to my ankles, yet had a slit up one side to my hip. It was long-sleeved, and he’d made a long coat to go with it. It was, inarguably, the best thing I’ve ever had. He was working on a coat for himself, but had made mine large enough for him to wear.
When we woke up the next morning, we ate a hurried breakfast, making sure Bones got enough. I didn’t know how well I could trust the wolf to stay silent, but he was loyal, and even pups make decent fighters. So after we’d eaten, we solemnly got ready to go to the village. We were silent as we prepared, slipping knives into sheaths he’d cleverly sewn into the clothes, using a couple of strips of deerskin to make a collar and leash for Bones. After we’d made that, we tied the collar around his neck, making sure it wasn’t too tight. I hated to try and tame something as majestic as a wolf, but I didn’t want to take a chance on getting separated, so I collared and leashed him.
There wasn’t much left to do in the way of preparation after that. So, with a few short instructions, Dallas lead the way out of the cave and I followed him, concealing the entrance. More snow had started to fall, so I wasn’t worried about anyone finding our tracks. On the way to the village, Dallas had me practice walking silently. Bones was no problem, he excelled. I, meanwhile, did not. I was somewhat of a huntress, but I was unused to wearing clothes, and they hindered me. I wasn’t ungrateful for them, on the contrary, I was glad it was difficult to move.
Halfway to the village, I mastered the skill. I sat and wait for Dallas to go ahead, motioning him to go. He gave me a puzzled look, but did as I said, walking normally. After he almost disappeared from sight, I started walking after him with Bones, stalking silently. I was moving quickly, yet silently, and I was thrilled that I was actually managing to do it. Before Dallas turned around to check on me, I leaped, tackling him. He let out a gasp, and I knew I’d manage to startle him. Flipping himself over, he lay on his back in the snow, looking up at me, a slightly surprised grin stretching his mouth. I was crouching over him, almost sitting on him, and I was grinning too. It still felt foreign, even after smiling so much with Dallas. This marked the third day since I’d met him, and we were warming up to each other, quite a bit, I might add.
“You did good, Ana,” he told me, still looking up at me with bright eyes. “I did, didn’t I?” I say, grinning widely. Suddenly he sat up, startling me. He wrapped his arms around me, his hands on my back, steadying me and keeping me from falling off into a snowdrift. “Easy, tiger,” he teased. I snorted, and his arms were still wrapped around me, and for a second I entertained the prospects of, well, starting a family with him.
I quickly pushed that thought of my head. We were in the middle of a snow-covered wilderness and he didn’t want me to fall into a snowdrift that he’d have to dig me out of. Still smiling slightly, I clambered out of his lap as Bones jumped around us playfully, leaning heavily against my legs as I stooped down to ruffle his fur. Dallas stood slowly once I was off of him, and kneeled down next to me. “I know we’re all having fun, but we should go. We need to get back to the cave before nightfall, and it’s midday now,” he points out. Nodding agreement, I stand, and we continue our way to the village, him always leading. We don’t stop until we’re on the outskirts, in the tree line, where they can’t see us.
Crouching, he pulls me down next to him. “Now, the supply building is directly in front of us. The people are dull and slow, but they will notice you. It’s a mainly male village, and you’re a female. So, what I’ll do is make two trip. I’ll wait a while between trips, but that way you won’t be noticed, and we’ll still get the extra supplies.” I nod as he rushes into the village, ducking into the storage building quickly. I huddle behind the bushes, clutching Bones too me, and wait.
It takes what I estimate to be ten minutes before he comes rushing back, his arms full. He hits the ground next to me and stays there, motioning for me to duck down. I do as he says, taking the supplies and putting them neatly at the base of the bush.
