Not too long ago Valkyrie had found a cute little creature. She’d known the moment she’d laid eyes on his floppy ears and slightly curly tail she just had to have him. In the land of wolves the little doggie was an oddity and that made him valuable.

Like the rest of her captives he was bound around the neck by a cord and tethered to a heavy stone to make escape difficult once free of the cave. The picture of repose, Valkyrie sat beside him, her hip leaned against the tree and her gaze roving over the marketplace seemingly in disinterest.

”Talk”

Deathbelle hadn’t entirely planned on bringing back anything for anyone but herself. There was much to be traded, and even more to see. However, when her eyes fell on the small red and white dog her mind instantly went to Lucretia. Her sister brought her a pet, and Belle thought she might return the favor.

He was a handsome little creature, he was bound but held his head high. He wasn’t a broken soul, if she didn’t know any better she would have said he looked rather pleased to be where he sat. ”Is he looking for a home?” She asked amusedly, her keen eye taking another good look at his long furred form. For a moment she wished to be selfish and keep him for herself.

The red marked collie wasn’t given much of a choice when the chocolate furred she wolf had stumbled upon him. Bourbon might not have been forced to go along with her if he’d been with his family. He’d resisted for only a moment, after it was obvious she outclassed him in every way the dog had submitted. After the first bit of unpleasantness though he realized it must have been destiny.

The border collie had grown up with fairy tales about being partnered with odd super intelligent primates generations and generations ago. About the bond that was formed, and the purpose of the collie’s existence in the first place. The reason they were shepherds.

When she placed the leash around his neck he knew. At first he thought that she had claimed him for herself, and he had turned into an obedient little dog, just like he’d been bred to be. However, she quickly made clear he would find a new master at their market and again he was reminded of the stories of his ancestors. Bourbon was living out one of the family fables. So as he lay beside Valkyrie his expression was regal, and unworried. He looked forward to serving his new masters.

As the white marked she wolf approached he couldn’t help but wag his long furred tail in eager anticipation. He didn’t move otherwise though and watched with curiosity the transaction to come.

Valkyrie seemed not to notice Deathbelle until the woman was well within speaking distance. She turned as the woman spoke and then fixed her with a faint amused smile. ”He is.” Valkyrie turned to face her Deathbelle and noted as she did so that she'd seen the woman before. The woman had attended the blot. Not only that she was an alpha judging by the smell of her. She was sure to have something worth trading.

Since it appeared only the woman was interested, Valkyrie decided to chum the waters and see what kind of offer she could get out of Deathbelle. ”He is a proud thing and though he is small he is strong, young and in prime condition.” She very nearly ran a paw down one of his silky tresses but resisted. ”He would make a fine addition to any collection.”
”Talk”

He was quite the beautiful little dog, his markings mirrored those of Klein heritage. He’d look stunning next to Lucretia. Deathbelle’s gaze shifted from the dog to Valkyrie as she mentioned affirmatively that he was to be passed along. She perked her mismatched ears as the trader talked him up. He really was small, but he was a young thing and she had no doubt about his strength or tenacity. Belle looked him over carefully, she didn’t want to overpay for her goods so soon. Since she seemed to be the only one interested she could probably get a decent deal out of him.

”I’ll give you a processed carcass,” meaning Valkyrie would be given the already skinned meat. Maybe without the organs. ”Of course it will be from something bigger than he is.” She chuckled softly as she inched closer, she didn’t want to touch him but wanted to know what she was buying. ”But if that isn’t enough for you I’ve some season’s aged mead.” The honey tonics that Luce had prepared for her were starting to turn to mead, she could certainly use those as currency as well.

Valkyrie leaned back against the tree, her demeanor that of a woman buckling in for the long haul. This part was her favorite. Wheeling and dealing, haggling and compromising. Hunting for a worthwhile deal. This to her was chess. Negotiating was like sharpening her claws. It made her stronger, it made her sharper, it made her more dangerous.

For Deathbelle's benefit Valkyrie frowned at the offer. It was a good first offer but Valkyrie was obligated to reject it. That's just how it went. Accepting the first offer made her look weak and set her up for abysmal future deals. She was quick to counter. "I went through a lot of effort to get him. While I appreciate the addition of mead," What viking wouldn't? "You must understand I have to at least make back what I've invested in him."

”Talk”

Deathbelle leaned closer, inspecting the impressive shine on his fur and brightness in his eyes despite his situation. He was calm, relaxed, as though he was meant to be sitting there, inspected by the Empress herself. ”May I?” She perked a brow and not really waiting for an answer commanded the dog open his mouth. Deathbelle inspected his teeth as Valkyrie rejected the first offer, bluffing her way through the rejection. ”If that were true the offer would be plenty.” Deathbelle returned as she leaned back. ”Stand up.” She told the dog before looking back to the Viking woman. ”Winter is just around the corner, are you in need of furs to line your den? Or are you in need of food to fill your belly?” Surely they could train the little fuzz ball to hunt back his own and more share of dinner. ”Two gazelle, their tanned pelts, and the mead.” The more she looked at him the more she wanted him, thankfully Ashen was quickly coming into its own and thriving.

In this instance she allowed the woman to touch her captive. Her opinion of dogs was low enough to allow it. Had Bourbon been a wolf Valkyrie would have commanded Deathbelle to keep her paws to herself, but seeing as he was a simple creature she didn't care if he was treated like a pet. He was a pet.

Valkyrie's eyes narrowed as the woman implied she was a liar. She was lying, but that didn't give the woman the right to call her one. She lifted her chin, her jaw set, and looked down her nose at the smaller woman. The insult in and of itself was enough for her to put the negotiations on hold, but Valkyrie thought she could use the slight and her genuine offense to her advantage.

"Are you calling me a liar?" She tsked, a slight smile coming to her lips. "Insults without retaliation cost extra. That will cost you..." Valkyrie pursed her lips and sized the woman up. "A rabbit. So for two gazelle, their tanned pelts, the mead and," she quirked a brow, "A rabbit for my honor, you can have him."

”Talk”

Belle's light brows raised as Valkyrie's voice reached her mismatched ears. Calling her a liar? That was going a bit far, but she could see the amusement in the viking's features. She couldn't help but give a quick chuckle. The Empress finished her inspection and was given the price for her words. And extra rabbit onto the price and they could be considered even. Deathbelle pondered quietly, wondering if she should fight the addition of the rabbit or just pay the woman. They did posses some of the most talented hunters in Boreas, the task would be easy. "Alright, I'll accept those terms." She gave in as she backed away from the cute little doggy, assuming that it was pick up on delivery of goods.