The Dog Ages! The Tail of Alaric (Season 1)

"This is the tail of the Border Collie Alaric

He lead a peaceful life idyllic

He sensed the horizon held something strange

Yet, he was content with his days full of sheep

And his nights filled with restful sleep

Little did he know his whole world was about to change..."

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT:

Alaric tending sheep

Blueberry the herding hedgehog

Meridan the Wise

Alaric embarking on his journey

NEXT: The Tail of Queen Emilia (A Two Parter)

The episode opens up with Alaric of Borderville defending his sheep from a stray bear! It's not common for them to wander this close, but Alaric isn't stranger to them either. Using agility and wit, he successfully wards off the bear, who lazily decides Alaric's sheep aren't worth the trouble. The sheep are safe for another day!

The episode then falls into a gentle lull as Alaric takes in the idyllic rhythm of his life as a simple shepherd in Bordeville: he tends to his family's sheep, plays with his herding hedgehog Blueberry in his down time, greets his neighbors, and generally cares for his aging parents. And from time to time, when all is well, he sits with his sheep and appreciates the seaside view. He couldn't ask for a better life than this.

But it won't last...

His old father Gelert and mother Gwenevere have nearly finished the chores when from their property, they see a mysterious sight: a wolf garbed in a cloak. Seeing him seems to trouble them. Alaric glimpses him too, but the wolf disappears before he can get a better look. It's in that instant that they call Aleric inside. This puzzles Alaric, as their stew isn't even ready yet.

Inside, Gelert and Gwenevere have something to tell him, something they should have told him long ago. From under the bed, Gelert pulls out an old chest and unlocks from within an old sword, still polished as though it were brand new. Its pommel bears the symbol of the Brittany Isles. Alaric wonders how his dear old father came upon such a magnificent sword, to which Gelert answers:

"T'was mine, once..."

While Alaric admires the sword Silver Bite, his parents soberly reveal that once upon a time, Gelert was a knight, as was his father before him. He was a Knight of the Round Kennel. Though, he wasn't its leader, that fell to his Majesty King Charlemagne. Well, the late King Charlemagne. It was only last winter, and the loss still stings.

Anyway, Alaric can understand the weight of keeping such a secret, but he wonders why his mother and father choose now of all times to tell him. "These are dark days," Gelert says. "Brittany Isles' truce with the Jackals is not going to last forever." "We meant to protect you from that life," Gwenevere adds. "But that choice ultimately falls to you, son." And so it came to pass that Gelert passed his sword to his son. Whether Alaric will make use of it is up to him.

The rest of the day goes on rather uneventfully, ending with herding the sheep to the pen and feasting on a simple stew. But as Alaric retires to bed with Blueberry, head full of question, he knows the evening has proven rather eventful. And it's about to be far more eventful.

That very night, Alaric and his family are rudely awoken by a commotion outside their home! Lead by the ruthless Prince Gilga, Jackals have sailed their ships to Brittany shores! They are invading! Families are scattered to the winds! The few who stand against the invaders are wounded for their troubles! A young corgi has been sent to fetch their lord and his knights, but who knows how long Borderville can hold on! The able-bodied who can fight off the vicious Jackals with their gardening tools are dwindling fast!

Though shocked by the invasion, there's no time to waste! Alaric's first instinct is to take up Silver Bite and unsheathe her! He doesn't know what he's doing, he hasn't had proper training! But his friends and neighbors are in trouble, and that's qualification enough! He charges into the fray and has the element of surprise on Prince Gilga, who was not expecting an armed shepherd! Seeing at least one of their own with a sword, this inspires the shepherds to fight off the threat as best as they can! Even Blueberry joins the fray at his master's heels! It doesn't necessarily turn the tide of battle, but it does buy them all time before Lord Setter and his knights arrive! And it doesn't hurt that Alaric has a bit of raw talent to begin with.

The knights certainly play a part in driving back the Jackals, though it doesn't change that Alaric is at the very front of the battle line. The Battle climaxes with Alaric landing a blow on Prince Gilga's face that leaves him with one eye! Frightened, the Jackals turn tail with their unconscious prince in tow and flee from the shores.

When the dust has settled, Lord Setter congratulates Alaric on his swordsmanship. In all his years as Lord of Borderville, he's never seen a dog wield a blade quite like him. What's more, had Alaric not taken up the sword when he did, he's not sure he and his knights could've saved Borderville. If he didn't know better, he'd say the border collie has knight's blood in his veins. Borderville wants to celebrate Alaric's bravery, but they have the pressing matter of rebuilding their homes and recovering from the invasion. All the same, something weighs heavily on Alaric's mind.

Throughout the wee hours of morning, the village dogs try to rebuild Borderville, but at some point, the villagers hold an impromptu meeting. And it addresses the elephant in the room: what if the Jackals return?

That is why Alaric readily announces he shall visit Queen Emilia. He's given it some thought, and he's decided to he'll journey to Castle Spaniel to tell her about the Jackals.

"Who will tend to your sheep, Alaric?" One peasant asks.

"I will!" Gelert volunteers. "They were my sheep before Alaric, and they're still my sheep!"

"But the Queen don't have time for us simple folk!" One peasant cries.

"Then she shall make time for us simple folk!" Alaric solemnly argues. "She is our Queen after all."

And he promises he shall not return to Borderville until it is safe once more! So everyone helps Alaric pack for his quest. Some give him provisions, some pack him warm clothes, one gives him a sleeping mat. Blueberry gives him more blueberries and more kisses than Alaric's ever had. Gwenevere gifts him a cloak she's been sewing him all year. And along with Silver Bite, Gelert gives his son his blessing.

And off Alaric goes, on a quest to protect his home!

He didn't know what he would meet. But before long, he met a rather familiar face on the road. A lupine face.

"You!" Alaric says. "I saw you yesterday!"

"Mayhaps." The Wolf shrugs. "Will you draw your sword like so many before?"

"Nay!" Alaric says reverently. "How could I draw my blade on a dog as revered as a wolf?"

"Most of your foes will prey on your hesitation." The Wolf warns. "But your respect is much appreciated."

The two begin to walk together, Alaric and his new companion.

"Do you not meet enough dogs who respect you?" Alaric asks.

"I'm afraid not." The Wolf sighs. "Often, they are knights too arrogant to heed what I have to say."

"And if they let you, what would you say to them?"

"That there is more to swordsmanship than brute strength. I would teach them all the old tricks their fathers learned before them. And most importantly, I'd remind them to let the Code of Chivalry be their guide."

"The Code of Chivalry?" Alaric's ears perk up. "You mean the old ways?"

"Yes, yes, of loyalty and honor." The Wolf says. "I've tried to pass them down, but they won't listen."

"Then perhaps I will!" This stops the wolf in his tracks. "Will you teach them to me? Teach me about the sword?"

"...No one has ever asked me that." The Wolf pauses before he answer: "Yes!"

"I am Alaric of Borderville.. What is your name?"

"Lad, I'm an old wolf, and I have had many names through the years. So permit me the name that has stuck with me the longest: I am Meridan the Wise."

Notes:

• Alaric's patterns were fun to color, as wee his contours enjoyable to draw.

• I was inspired to give Alaric a herding hedgehog based on medieval art of hedgehogs. What's more, his name is blueberry because those are the fruits that stick to his spines the most.

• I made Meridan's clothing blue to code him as supernatural. Also, it was my husband's suggestion to make his sclera white so he's more warm and inviting.

• It was a challenge to draw Silver Fang, but a suggestion to draw the blade hanging from Alaric's waist from an angle did the trick.

• In my head, Meridan's voice actor is Peter Postlethwaite.

Enjoy!

(C) "The Dog Ages", Ready2Create