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"Sifkni."
Sifkni turned in her chair, looking at Vilkas as he stood in the doorway with serious look on his face. She grimaced and looked away for a moment. "What's with the look? Did something happen?" She stood up. "I don't like it. You look more disgruntled than usual."
His brows knitted together while his wrinkles and frown deepened. A small sigh escaped his lips. "Nazeem is upstairs. He is not happy. He wants to talk with you."
Her brows raised. "Nazeem? Has something happened? It's not like him to visit in person. Must be important." Sifkni reached for her bow and quiver. "He usually sends a letter. Or summons me…." She mumbled to herself.
"You'll need your mental fortitude and weapons for this conversation. I don't believe it's a job." Vilkas stopped her from getting ready. He rested his hand on her arm. "It's something else."
"Oh. Oh, Hircine. Has one of the whelps caused trouble?"
Vilkas shrugged. He patted Sifkni's shoulder and passed her into the study, sitting down at her desk and milling over the papers. "It might take some time. I'd hurry before Nazeem gets to antsy and barges his way down here." A smirk teased Vilkas' lips.
Confused, Sifkni walked through the hallway with her belongings. She heard a commotion upstairs as she climbed the stairs. She spotted Nazeem, sitting at a corner table, surrounded by a few of the whelps and Júní at his feet, tail wagging. A familiar scent tickled her nose as she approached. She cleared her throat and the crowd parted for her. A wiggly puppy squirmed in Nazeem's arms. His smile faded as he locked eyes with Sifkni. "Nazeem."
"Harbinger." Nazeem stood, controlling the wiggling puppy with a firm hand. "I've a serious matter to discuss with you." He looked around the mead hall.
Sifkni nodded her head to the whelps, who understood and dispersed immediately . "Aye. Vilkas said it was serious." She patted Júní's head for a second to calm her nerves. "Would you care for a drink?Mead? Tea? Water?" She asked.
Nazeem shook his head and returned to his seat. "I am going to need compensation from you…."
"Compensation?" Sifkni copied Nazeem and sat down. She looked at him, then at the puppy in his arms. He was no more than 5 weeks old. One ear stood straight while the other flopped over. His dark blue eyes twinkled with puppy curiosity and mischief. A small gasped escaped her lips. "No…." She shook her head. "No…."
"He is a spitting image of his sire. Is he not?" Nazeem leaned over and held the puppy next to Júní. "Some look more like him. The others look more like my precious hunter."
That's why the scent was familiar.
Sifkni cursed to herself.
"My prized dam. Seems to have caught herself in a love affair with…. With the single thing she was supposed to hunt." Nazeem sighed. He lowered the puppy to the ground.
Sifkni's mouth opened and closed a few times. She was at a loss of words. She closed her eyes. When she opened them, she watched Júní play with the small puppy as gentle as he had played with her pups. "This has ruined your litter this year." She sighed. "The resemblance is uncanny."
"Your wolf is the only," he paused. "He is still a wild creature. But, he is a decent canine." Nazeem leaned back in the chair. "I thought the pups looked different when they were born. But, the original sire was a different color. But as they grew, so did their paws. Their mannerisms."
"Those ears." Sifkni leaned over and grabbed the puppy when he chewed on the laces of her boots. "Not the fierce Skyrim Hunters you were expecting. Nor the families you've promised them too." Sifkni's smile was awkward. Forced. "I understand your frustrations…. It is my fault. For not keeping him closer to home." She sighed.
"He is a wild animal, no matter how domestic he seems." Nazeem rubbed Júní's ears, earning a pleased groan and a few tail wags. "You can't always be in control."
Sifkni held the puppy close. "I should…." She shook her head. Another sigh. "I should keep better eyes on him." She looked ar Nazeem. "What is it I can do? How many pups are there?"
Nazeem rubbed his chin for a moment. "The easiest solution would be monetary." He sighed. "I'm not sure how many of the pups will sell. There's 7 puppies. That one is the most wolf-like. With the coloring. The paws. The mannerisms. Caught him howling last week." A smile teased his lips.
Sifkni held the paws on the little puppy. He would grow into a large dog. The puppy leaned over, pressing his nose to her face. He gave a small lick. "Whatever amount you see fit. I can also help find people who don't mind a wolf cross. And I can certainly take one of the pups off your hands. When they're ready." She looked at Nazeem and then away.
"Aye. Still have a month left with the mother and siblings. It'll be here before you know it."
Sifkni nodded. "I've friends in the Reach. And in the Rift. I'll send couriers. I'll let you know what they say." She stood and handed the puppy back to Nazeem. He handled the pup with care.
"They are cute. Despite the mishap. A few of them have shown some promise as hunting dogs. Maybe not the best. And possibly nowhere near as delicate as a hound. But, with the right owner and training." Nazeem stood. "I'll have Proventus help with the legal paperwork of this agreement."
Sifkni nodded while chewing on her lip. "Aye. I'll wait for that then. If anything is amiss, I'll summon you I suppose."
"Likewise." With the puppy snuggled against his fine clothing, Nazeem left.
Sifkni sat in the chair. A loud and long sigh left her lips. She looked down when Júní put his head on her knee and whined. "Found yourself in some trouble there. You're supposed to be my good lad…." She patted his head. "At least Nazeem didn't seem terribly upset. He could've been angrier…." She leaned over and rested her head against Júní's soft face. After a few moments, she kissed his snout and then squished his fluffy face. "Come on, you're coming to the room with me. Before you get us into more trouble. Before something happens to you." Sifkni meandered to through the mead hall, the wolf glued to her side.