The Rising Dawn, # 4— "The Crack of a Whip"

[Short stories. Images generated by hotpot.ai]

"Mammals, mostly,” said Grego, “I can work with reptiles. But you can’t beat dogs.” “Is that so?” said Pointer, looking at the area used as a kennel. The dogs all sat ready and waiting, as though awaiting Grego’s command. The breeds ranged from Australian Shepherds to Retrievers, a German shepherd to a rat-terrier, and a few unknown hybrids. One of them barked, a mongrel, as if to scold Jeremic Fury, the Pointer, his Gift being Telekinesis. Jeremic said, “I don’t see the tactical value in any of it.” “Woah,” said Yahtzee, “Show some respect. His animals are amazing!”

Grego Bilks, The Trainer, made his living at a doggy-daycare, where his own dogs ran the show. So complete was his mastery of animals that the dogs shepherded, tamed, and comforted other dogs, and they would come back to their owners happier and more well-adjusted than ever.

“Where are the other animals?” said Pointer. He moved a tennis ball with his mind, pointing at it with his finger. Then he hurled it and said, “Fetch.” His twelve dogs stayed perfectly still, except for one retriever, who was appointed to that role. He retrieved the tennis ball in a most professional manner, and conveyed a polite “there you go” to Pointer when he brought it back to him. Then he resumed his place among the other dogs, waiting obediently for their master’s direction. They all panted happily.

“They’re in my home. Seven female rats, four cats, two ravens, one iguana, and two ferrets.” “How— How do you survive!?” said an amazed Yahtzee.

Trainer cleared his throat, then said, “My work is with dogs, for work hours. My other animals are my leisure time. When you are working with whatever it is you do, all that energy I put into my dogs. All that energy you give to doing what you love, I give to my animals, my family. When you give it your life, the animals will love you in return.”

“Fascinating,” said Parse. “Don’t you get tired?” said Yahtzee. “I have one apprentice, the Study. He wants to be like me, and the animals give him comfort from his hard life. He mostly helps clean and feed them, but even though he is not gifted, he is essential. He is the same family as me.” “The ravens are tactically invaluable,” said Parse, “Think of what you can do with trained birds!” “And the rest?” said Pointer. “Are you questioning the strategic potential of rats?” said Parse. “Maybe,” said Pointer. “There’s nowhere a rat can’t go,” said Yahtzee, “‘cept for the clouds.” “But what do you do with all these dogs?” Trainer cleared his throat, “Maximil can detect poison in a drink, and other hidden poisons. Baker knows when someone is lying. Jayf can detect thieves and robbers, even when they commit no crime. Hoarder can track anything with a sample of a smell. Gring and Cooper can fight unlike any other. Smally can fight rats better than a cat. Paro can—” “—Alright, I see,” said Pointer.

“We have room in Freedom Tower,” said Parse, “your primary source of income will be to train other animals that belong to paying customers.” Grego nodded, as if to say ‘continue’. “You’ll have two hired hands to work under you, who you can hopefully train to do similar work,” she said. “There are none like me. But I know how to train.” “We’ll be sure to vet them properly.” “The Study comes with me,” said the Trainer. “Of course,” said Parse, “Rent isn’t much of an issue. And in no time he’ll be getting a check.” “Will there be space for all the animals?” said Grego, “I want more of them.” Parse smiled, “More is better.” “Definitely,” said Yahtzee, “Our own canine armada.” “Armada’s are made from ships,” said Pointer.

There was a silence.

Trainer cleared his throat, “Would you like to see them perform?” “Hell yeah!” said Yahtzee. Parse smiled, delighted.

Pointer nodded.

Trainer, who carried a whip, cracked it. He shouted something in a foreign language, and all twelve dogs, in order of size, began running an impressive agility course with amazing synchronization, there being equal timing as each dog ran the course. Hoops, zig zags, object retrieval, jumps, walking lines, tunnels, and even a balance beam outfitted for dogs. They all placed a chew toy on separate designated stools, then neatly returned to their place by their owner.

Parse clapped and waxed in amazement, while Yahtzee in turn was the perfect audience, whooping and commenting as they ran the course. Pointer was visibly impressed.

“You are one in ten million, Trainer,” said Jeremic Fury. “You might find that I’m even rarer,” said Grego The Trainer.