Ragz
When Aly left the campfire and the quartered hares, Ragz surreptitiously passed one of the quarters to the stray black dog. The dog made short work of the meat before returning to stare expectantly at the little kobold.
Ragz tended to the fire and kept a look out for insects or small predators that might be attracted to the raw meat. He was pleased to see Torben speaking with the gnome and Aly. The travelers had broken up into smaller groups, conversing, working. He did not see himself as one of them. And yet, their ability to cooperate and their interest in each other gave him some semblance of comfort. Perhaps he did not belong with such as they, but it felt right to be here, with them. It felt right to be on this path with them. And that was enough for the little kobold.
In that moment of understanding, his gaze fell upon the dog. Like a gentle caress, he felt and understood something he had known for some time--but had refused to acknowledge. The stray black dog belonged with him on this path. On their path. With that realization, many things fell into place. The dog was no longer a stray. And the dog was more than a work beast. Much more. The dog was a warrior, a scout, a comrade. A friend. The dog was part of the warren. And of age for a name.
Ragz looked to the stray black dog with new eyes.
Naturally, the stray black dog held his gaze with uncanny attention. She was, after all, waiting for the next quarter of hare.
"It is time a stray black dog had a name," he rumbled softly.
The black dog cocked her head and gave a wag of her tail.
"A fine name. A name suitable for such a fine black dog."
The black dog vocalized her eager anticipation with a low grumble of excitement, her tale swishing back and forth.
Ragz considered names for the dog. He felt strongly that she should have a name in the language of the Great Progenitor, for some day he would likely take her home to his clan. Settling on his choice he felt the rightness of it. Softly, he spoke the words of naming, in the language of his people.
"Kunan p’unchaymanta pacha, chawpipi Chirunkuna Hatun Nyawpaq Mach’aqway, chay allquta tarisqa Apu Chirunkuna Ragzech Chochik, Yantu hinam riqsisqa kanqa.In the Kobold dialecft of Draconic: "From this day forward, among the Children of the Great Progenitor Dragon, the dog that was found by Chieftain of the Children Ragzech Chochlik shall be known as Shadow""
Yantu offered a single bark of excited acceptance.
"Yantu," the kobold repeated, liking the sound of it.
The dog did a half jump, her two front paws coming off the ground, her tail swishing excitedly. She looked to the hares, again vocalizing anticipation with an excited grumble-whine.
"Yes, Yantu, this is cause for celebration!" Ragz replied, matching her tone and volume. He scooped up one of the remaining hare quarters and gave it to the dog. She ate ravenously, wagging her tail. He fed her another quarter and her enthusiasm did not wane. He continued until no quarters remained, patting the mastiff excitedly as she wolfed down the hare meat, repeating her name, "Allin, Yantu. Allin Yantu.In the Kobold dialect of Draconic: "Good Shadow. Good Shadow.""