full

“Grey Cats and White Hounds” by Huskyteer

In 17th-century France, a fight breaks out between a King’s White Hound and a Cardinal’s Cat. Hauled before their two masters in disgrace, they are charged with a mission vital to their country’s future…

Today’s story is “Grey Cats and White Hounds” by Huskyteer (words are her sword!). This story was first published in The Wideness of the World by Transcendent Fiction Publishing. You can find more of Huskyteer’s stories at huskyteer.co.uk.

Staring next week, we will again present an entire month of stories, and poems, of Queer Joy, Resilience, and Solidarity in an age in sore need of all three. Please join us, friends of every shape, ability, gender, and species, for the first episode of Pride Month 2026.

Read for you by Rob MacWolf — werewolf hitchhiker.

thevoice.dog | Apple podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

If you have a story you think would be a good fit, you can check out the requirements, fill out the submission template and get in touch with us.

https://thevoice.dog/episode/grey-cats-and-white-hounds-by-huskyteer

Transcript
Speaker:


You’re

Speaker:

listening

Speaker:

to

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Voice

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

Dog.

Speaker:

This

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is

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Rob

Speaker:

MacWolf, your

Speaker:

fellow

Speaker:

traveler,

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

Today’s

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story

Speaker:

is “Grey

Speaker:

Cats

Speaker:

and

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White

Speaker:

Hounds”

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by

Speaker:

Huskyteer (words

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are

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her

Speaker:

sword!). This

Speaker:

story

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was

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first

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published

Speaker:

in

Speaker:

The

Speaker:

Wideness

Speaker:

of

Speaker:

the

Speaker:

World

Speaker:

by

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Transcendent

Speaker:

Fiction

Speaker:

Publishing.

Speaker:

You

Speaker:

can

Speaker:

find

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more

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of

Speaker:

Huskyteer’s stories at huskyteer.co.uk.

Please

Speaker:

enjoy


“Grey

Speaker:

Cats

Speaker:

and

Speaker:

White

Speaker:

Hounds” by Huskyteer


“So

Speaker:

tell

me:

me:

are

me:

your

me:

heart

me:

and

me:

liver

me:

as

me:

snow-white

me:

as

me:

your

me:

coat

me:

of

me:

fur?”
It

me:

was

me:

one

me:

of

me:

the

me:

Cardinal’s

me:

Cats,

me:

of

course:

course:

a

course:

grey

course:

beast

course:

with

course:

short

course:

fur

course:

and

course:

eyes

course:

as

course:

green

course:

as

course:

gooseberries.

course:

Who

course:

else

course:

would have

course:

the

course:

insolence to

course:

challenge

course:

me,

course:

one

course:

of

course:

the

course:

King’s

course:

White

course:

Hounds?
He

course:

preened

course:

his

course:

whiskers

course:

with

course:

a

course:

claw

course:

and

course:

adjusted

course:

the

course:

brim

course:

of

course:

his

course:

hat. His

course:

scarlet

course:

uniform

course:

was

course:

picked

course:

out

course:

in

course:

gold

course:

thread; his

course:

boots

course:

and

course:

gloves

course:

were

course:

blood-red

course:

to

course:

match.
“Popinjay!”

course:

I

course:

growled. “Cease

course:

your

course:

mewling

course:

lest

course:

I

course:

drown

course:

thee

course:

in

course:

a

course:

bucket

course:

like

course:

a

course:

common

course:

kitten!”
The

course:

cat

course:

blinked. “That’s

course:

not

course:

very

course:

nice,”

course:

he

course:

observed.
He

course:

was

right:

right:

I had

right:

taken

right:

the traditional quarrel too far. I bowed.
“My apologies.

right:

Where

right:

were

right:

we?”
“You,

right:

sir,

right:

trod

right:

on

right:

my

right:

tail,”

right:

he

right:

reminded

right:

me, “and

right:

now

right:

I

right:

am

right:

going

right:

to

right:

kill

right:

you.”
The

right:

offended

right:

extremity

right:

twitched,

right:

and

right:

I

right:

saw

right:

his

right:

fingers

right:

wiggle

right:

inside

right:

the

right:

gloves

right:

all

right:

Cardinal’s

right:

Cats

right:

must

right:

wear,

right:

because

right:

they

right:

cannot

right:

be

right:

trusted

right:

to

right:

keep

right:

their

right:

claws

right:

sheathed.
The

right:

same

right:

is

right:

true

right:

of

right:

their

right:

swords.

right:

This

right:

one’s

right:

glove

right:

was

right:

on

right:

the

right:

hilt,

right:

and

right:

his

right:

eyes

right:

gleamed.

right:

My

right:

own

right:

paw

right:

went

right:

to

right:

my

right:

belt

right:

before

right:

I

right:

could

right:

stop

right:

it.
“So!

right:

The

right:

puppy

right:

wants

right:

to

right:

play!”

right:

mocked

right:

my

right:

aggressor.

right:

I

right:

could

right:

feel

right:

that

right:

traitor,

right:

my

right:

tail,

right:

wagging

right:

at

right:

the

right:

prospect

right:

of

right:

action,

right:

even though

right:

our

right:

orders

right:

were

right:

to

right:

avoid

right:

conflict

right:

with

right:

the

right:

Cats,

right:

and

right:

at

right:

all

right:

costs

right:

to

right:

refrain

right:

from

right:

unsightly

right:

brawling

right:

or,

right:

worse,

right:

a

right:

duel.
I

right:

was

right:

a

right:

bad

right:

dog.
It

right:

felt

right:

good.
“Sirs!

right:

Outside,

right:

please!”
In

right:

my

right:

excitement,

right:

I

right:

had

right:

forgotten

right:

where

right:

I

was:

was:

a

was:

bar

was:

in

was:

the

was:

back streets

was:

favoured

was:

by

was:

commoners

was:

and

was:

visited

was:

on

was:

the

was:

sly

was:

by

was:

nobles

was:

whose

was:

income

was:

did

was:

not

was:

match

was:

their

was:

status.

was:

Most

was:

of

was:

the

was:

other

was:

drinkers

was:

were

was:

draining

was:

their

was:

mugs,

was:

so

was:

that

was:

if

was:

beer

was:

were

was:

to

was:

be

was:

spilled,

was:

it

was:

should

was:

not

was:

be

was:

theirs.

was:

Some

was:

slunk

was:

away

was:

in

was:

anticipation

was:

of

was:

the

was:

fight

was:

to

was:

come,

was:

while

was:

others

was:

whose

was:

anticipation

was:

was

was:

more

was:

joyous

was:

began to

was:

bang

was:

their

was:

cups

was:

on

was:

the

was:

table.
The

was:

barman, a

was:

St.

was:

Bernard,

was:

was

was:

wringing

was:

his

was:

paws at

was:

the

was:

prospect

was:

of

was:

destruction

was:

and

was:

mayhem

was:

on

was:

his

was:

premises.

was:

I

was:

looked

was:

at

was:

him.
“Out!”

was:

he

was:

repeated,

was:

pointing

was:

with a

was:

paw.
I

was:

do

was:

not

was:

answer

was:

to

was:

common

was:

workers,

was:

any

was:

more

was:

than

was:

I

was:

do

was:

to

was:

cats.

was:

I

was:

drew

was:

my

was:

sword.
The grey

was:

cat’s

was:

eyes

was:

grew

was:

huge.

was:

He

was:

leaped

was:

up

was:

and

was:

backwards,

was:

seeming

was:

to

was:

float

was:

through the air

was:

before

was:

coming

was:

to

was:

rest

was:

on

was:

a

was:

table. His

was:

small

was:

feet

was:

were

was:

positioned

was:

perfectly

was:

between

was:

tankards

was:

and

was:

dishes,

was:

and

was:

somehow

was:

he

was:

had

was:

drawn

was:

his

was:

own

was:

sword

was:

during

was:

his

was:

brief

was:

flight.
Now

was:

I

was:

was

was:

at

was:

a

was:

disadvantage.

was:

I

was:

thrust at

was:

those

was:

twinkling

was:

feet,

was:

but

was:

he

was:

danced

was:

among

was:

the

was:

crockery,

was:

evading

was:

me. The

was:

point

was:

of

was:

his

was:

sword

was:

caught

was:

my

was:

hat

was:

and

was:

lifted it

was:

out

was:

of

was:

my

was:

reach.

was:

He

was:

tossed

was:

it

was:

up

was:

to the rafters where it settled on a

was:

beam, unreachable. The

was:

feather

was:

wagged

was:

tauntingly.
This

was:

was

was:

the

was:

last

was:

straw!

was:

I had

was:

paid

was:

good

was:

money

was:

for

was:

that

was:

hat and

was:

it

was:

suited

was:

me. I

was:

scrambled

was:

on to

was:

a

was:

bench and

was:

from

was:

there

was:

heaved

was:

myself

was:

up

was:

to

was:

his

was:

level,

was:

toppling

was:

both

was:

the

was:

bench

was:

and

was:

the

was:

seated

was:

patrons

was:

in

was:

the

was:

process.

was:

I

was:

cared

was:

not.

was:

My

was:

honour

was:

and

was:

the

was:

King’s

was:

were

was:

at

was:

stake,

was:

and

was:

honour

was:

has

was:

no

was:

price.
Our

was:

blades

was:

clashed,

was:

winking

was:

under

was:

the

was:

light as we

was:

swiped

was:

at

was:

each

was:

other.

was:

The

was:

two swords

was:

locked

was:

and

was:

we

was:

leaned

was:

in,

was:

each

was:

trying

was:

to

was:

push

was:

the

was:

other

was:

back,

was:

before

was:

separating

was:

in

was:

a

was:

flurry

was:

of

was:

blows.
That

was:

was

was:

just

was:

the

was:

rehearsal,

was:

where

was:

we

was:

got

was:

the

was:

measure

was:

of

was:

each

was:

other

was:

and

was:

impressed

was:

the

was:

spectators.

was:

Now

was:

came

was:

the

was:

performance.
“You

was:

can

was:

tell

was:

your

was:

master

was:

to

was:

train

was:

his

was:

puppies

was:

better,”

was:

panted

was:

the

was:

cat.
“And

was:

you

was:

can

was:

tell

was:

your

was:

master…”

was:

I

was:

couldn’t

was:

think

was:

of

was:

a

was:

comeback,

was:

and

was:

he

was:

interrupted

was:

me

was:

anyway.
“Ha! A

was:

cat

was:

has

was:

no

was:

master!

was:

I

was:

do

was:

the

was:

Cardinal’s

was:

bidding

was:

because

was:

it

was:

suits

was:

me!”
I

was:

should

was:

explain

was:

that

was:

while

was:

the

was:

red-robed

was:

Richelieu

was:

had

was:

chosen

was:

to

was:

surround

was:

himself

was:

with

was:

felines

was:

as

was:

scheming

was:

and

was:

spiteful

was:

as

was:

himself,

was:

and

was:

as grey,

was:

our

was:

country’s

was:

King

was:

picked

was:

his

was:

White

was:

Hounds

was:

from

was:

the

was:

noblest

was:

lines,

was:

albeit

was:

those

was:

long

was:

on title

was:

and

was:

short

was:

on

was:

money.

was:

But

was:

that

was:

meant

was:

any

was:

canine

was:

with

was:

a

was:

de in

was:

his

was:

name

was:

and

was:

bravery

was:

in

was:

his heart

was:

might

was:

travel

was:

to

was:

Paris

was:

from

was:

the

was:

provinces

was:

and

was:

work

was:

his

was:

way

was:

up

was:

to

was:

a

was:

position

was:

of

was:

trust

was:

and

was:

honour,

was:

if

was:

he

was:

didn’t

was:

get

was:

horribly

was:

maimed

was:

in

was:

the

was:

process.
Myself,

was:

I

was:

had

was:

been

was:

in

was:

the

was:

city

was:

for

was:

five

was:

weeks,

was:

been

was:

robbed

was:

twice

was:

and

was:

propositioned

was:

thrice,

was:

and

was:

considered

was:

myself

was:

quite

was:

the

was:

dog

was:

about

was:

town.
I

was:

had

was:

sworn

was:

to

was:

defend

was:

the

was:

King

was:

with

was:

my

was:

life, but

was:

my

was:

time

was:

off

was:

was

was:

my

was:

own,

was:

and

was:

if

was:

I

was:

chose

was:

to

was:

spend

was:

it

was:

giving

was:

passing

was:

cats

was:

a

was:

good

was:

licking,

was:

that

was:

was

was:

my

was:

affair.

was:

Just so long as

was:

I

was:

didn’t

was:

get

was:

caught.
Up

was:

and

was:

down

was:

the

was:

long

was:

table

was:

we

was:

sparred.

was:

Sometimes

was:

my

was:

height

was:

and

was:

long

was:

limbs

was:

gave

was:

me

was:

the

was:

advantage,

was:

and

was:

sometimes (I

was:

am

was:

ashamed

was:

to

was:

say)

was:

the

was:

cat’s swift

was:

feet

was:

let

was:

him

was:

dance

was:

around

was:

me so

was:

I

was:

was

was:

forced

was:

to

was:

fall

was:

back.
I could

was:

feel

was:

my

was:

tail

was:

wagging.

was:

This

was:

was

was:

living;

was:

this

was:

was why

was:

I

was:

had

was:

left

was:

the

was:

family

was:

farm

was:

and

was:

made

was:

the

was:

long

was:

and

was:

dusty

was:

journey

was:

to

was:

Paris.
My

was:

left leg

was:

dropped

was:

into

was:

empty

was:

space.

was:

The

was:

table

was:

tipped

was:

under

was:

me,

was:

lifting

was:

the

was:

far end into

was:

the

was:

air.

was:

The

was:

cat

was:

scrambled

was:

backwards to gain

was:

the

was:

high

was:

ground.

was:

Crockery

was:

slid

was:

towards

was:

me.

was:

I

was:

hopped

was:

back

was:

to

was:

the

was:

floor

was:

and

was:

the

was:

upper

was:

end

was:

of

was:

the

was:

table

was:

thumped

was:

down.

was:

As

was:

it

was:

did,

was:

the

was:

cat

was:

leaped

was:

towards

was:

me.

was:

I

was:

raised

was:

my

was:

sword

was:

and—
felt

was:

myself

was:

grabbed

was:

by

was:

the

was:

scruff

was:

like

was:

a

was:

puppy

was:

and

was:

lifted

was:

so

was:

my

was:

feet

was:

left

was:

the

was:

floor.

was:

I

was:

struggled

was:

and whined,

was:

but

was:

the

was:

St.

was:

Bernard

was:

held

was:

fast.

was:

From

was:

his

was:

other

was:

great

was:

paw

was:

the

was:

cat

was:

dangled,

was:

similarly

was:

scruffed

was:

and

was:

hanging

was:

limply.
“I

was:

warned

was:

the

was:

pair

was:

of

was:

you,”

was:

he

was:

growled as

was:

I

was:

was

was:

swung

was:

through

was:

the

was:

air

was:

to

was:

land on

was:

my

was:

rear

was:

in

was:

the

was:

alley

was:

outside. “Any

was:

more

was:

of

was:

this

was:

and I’m

was:

calling

was:

the

was:

guards!”
“I

was:

am

was:

the

was:

guards!”

was:

I

was:

barked

was:

back.

was:

The

was:

cat

was:

echoed

was:

my

was:

exact

was:

words,

was:

and

was:

for

was:

an

was:

instant

was:

we

was:

grinned

was:

at

was:

each

was:

other.

was:

Only

was:

an

was:

instant.
He

was:

had

was:

landed

was:

on

was:

all

was:

fours,

was:

and

was:

now

was:

he

was:

bounced

was:

back

was:

up

was:

on

was:

his

was:

feet.

was:

He

was:

reached

was:

for

was:

his

was:

sword,

was:

but

was:

it

was:

was

was:

gone.

was:

Mine,

was:

too,

was:

had been

was:

confiscated.

was:

At

was:

some point

was:

I

was:

would

was:

need

was:

to

was:

beg

was:

the

was:

landlord

was:

to

was:

return

was:

my

was:

weapon—I

was:

could

was:

not

was:

afford

was:

another—but

was:

right

was:

now

was:

there

was:

were

was:

more

was:

pressing

was:

matters.
“Let’s

was:

do

was:

this

was:

the

was:

old-fashioned

was:

way,”

was:

I

was:

suggested,

was:

balling

was:

my

was:

paw into

was:

a

was:

fist.
“Fine,”

was:

the

was:

cat

was:

snapped

was:

back.
I

was:

admit

was:

I

was:

was

was:

pleased.

was:

Propriety

was:

demanded

was:

that

was:

he

was:

remain

was:

gloved,

was:

and

was:

without

was:

claws

was:

in

was:

the

was:

game

was:

my

was:

size

was:

and

was:

weight

was:

gave

was:

me

was:

a

was:

clear

was:

advantage.

was:

I

was:

rushed

was:

forward.
His

was:

fist

was:

struck

was:

me

was:

on

was:

the

was:

nose.
I

was:

cannot

was:

stand

was:

to

was:

be

was:

tapped

was:

on

was:

the

was:

nose.

was:

Without

was:

thinking,

was:

I

was:

snapped

was:

at

was:

the

was:

outstretched

was:

paw. The

was:

cat

was:

snatched

was:

it

was:

back

was:

and

was:

I

was:

found

was:

myself

was:

tugging

was:

off

was:

his

was:

red

was:

leather

was:

glove.

was:

We

was:

both

was:

fell

was:

to

was:

the

was:

ground,

was:

I

was:

with

was:

the

was:

glove

was:

between

was:

my

was:

teeth.
The

was:

feel of

was:

that

was:

glove

was:

in

was:

my

was:

mouth,

was:

still

was:

warm

was:

from

was:

its

was:

wearer,

was:

tasting

was:

of

was:

leather

was:

and

was:

smelling

was:

of

was:

cat…I

was:

worried

was:

it.

was:

I

was:

worried

was:

it

was:

like

was:

a

was:

puppy

was:

with

was:

a

was:

shoe,

was:

shaking

was:

my

was:

head

was:

till

was:

my

was:

ears

was:

flapped

was:

and

was:

growling

was:

all

was:

the

was:

while.
“The

was:

coup sauvage!

was:

You

was:

have bitten

was:

me!”

was:

The

was:

cat

was:

was

was:

cradling

was:

his

was:

right

was:

paw

was:

in

was:

his

was:

left,

was:

eyes

was:

wide

was:

and

was:

tail

was:

fluffed.
My

was:

blood

was:

ran

was:

cold.

was:

In

was:

the

was:

heat

was:

of

was:

the

was:

moment

was:

I

was:

had

was:

used

was:

my

was:

teeth,

was:

committing

was:

an

was:

act

was:

of

was:

dishonour,

was:

and

was:

if

was:

word

was:

got

was:

out

was:

I

was:

would

was:

certainly

was:

have

was:

to

was:

leave

was:

the

was:

King’s

was:

White

was:

Hounds,

was:

if

was:

not

was:

the

was:

city too. I spat out the glove. He

was:

snatched it

was:

up.

was:

And

was:

that

was:

was

was:

when

was:

I

was:

saw

was:

that

was:

the

was:

tip

was:

of

was:

his

was:

right

was:

paw

was:

was

was:

not

was:

grey,

was:

but

was:

as

was:

white

was:

as

was:

my

was:

own

was:

coat.

was:

With

was:

little

was:

pink

was:

pads.
He

was:

saw

was:

me

was:

staring,

was:

and

was:

glowered

was:

back. The

was:

Cardinal

was:

liked

was:

all

was:

his

was:

cats to be as grey as

was:

himself.

was:

Pink

was:

Pads

was:

here

was:

must

was:

have

was:

covered

was:

his

was:

paw

was:

during

was:

the

was:

entrance

was:

examination,

was:

and

was:

ever

was:

since.
“Hey!

was:

You

was:

two!”
We

was:

jumped

was:

to

was:

our

was:

feet.

was:

The

was:

cat

was:

shoved

was:

his

was:

paw

was:

deep

was:

into

was:

his

was:

glove,

was:

which

was:

now

was:

bore a

was:

ring

was:

of

was:

toothmarks.
The

was:

speaker

was:

was

was:

one

was:

of

was:

the

was:

Cent-Suisses,

was:

the

was:

King’s

was:

Swiss

was:

guard.

was:

A

was:

brutish

was:

fellow

was:

with

was:

a

was:

flat,

was:

broad

was:

head

was:

and

was:

patches

was:

of

was:

tan

was:

and

was:

cream

was:

on

was:

his

was:

shiny

was:

black

was:

coat.
Cent-Suisses,

was:

King’s

was:

White

was:

Hounds,

was:

Cardinal’s

was:

Cats.

was:

You

was:

might

was:

well

was:

wonder

was:

why

was:

so

was:

many

was:

different

was:

sets

was:

of

was:

guards to

was:

look

was:

after

was:

our

was:

country’s

was:

leaders;

was:

why

was:

not

was:

one

was:

big

was:

army?

was:

Perhaps so

was:

we

was:

could

was:

keep

was:

an

was:

eye

was:

on

was:

each

was:

other

was:

and

was:

have

was:

our

was:

little

was:

fights,

was:

rather

was:

than

was:

entertain any

was:

notions

was:

of

was:

overpowering

was:

the throne

was:

and

was:

seizing

was:

power…
“Who

was:

started

was:

this?”

was:

growled

was:

the

was:

Swiss.
We

was:

looked

was:

at

was:

each

was:

other.

was:

I

was:

drew

was:

breath

was:

to

was:

accuse

was:

my

was:

rival,

was:

but

was:

no—he

was:

could

was:

reveal

was:

my

was:

coup sauvage

was:

and

was:

drag

was:

my

was:

name

was:

in

was:

the

was:

mud.

was:

The

was:

cat’s

was:

pink

was:

mouth

was:

was

was:

open,

was:

but

was:

no

was:

treacherous

was:

words

was:

came

was:

out.

was:

Of

was:

course—if

was:

he

was:

blamed

was:

me,

was:

I

was:

could

was:

reveal

was:

his

was:

secret

was:

in

was:

turn.
“So,

was:

neither

was:

of

was:

you

was:

will

was:

talk,

was:

eh?” The

was:

big

was:

brute

was:

put

was:

his

was:

paws

was:

on

was:

his

was:

hips. “You’d

was:

both

was:

better

was:

come

was:

with

was:

me.”

Never

was:

expect

was:

the

was:

truth

was:

from

was:

a

was:

dog!
Lying

was:

braggarts

was:

every

was:

one

was:

of

was:

them,

was:

when

was:

they

was:

aren’t

was:

cowering

was:

and

was:

whimpering

was:

with

was:

their

was:

tails

was:

between

was:

their

was:

legs.

was:

Like

was:

my

was:

foe,

was:

so

was:

brave

was:

and

was:

bold

was:

when

was:

he

was:

was

was:

jumping

was:

on

was:

my

was:

poor tail

was:

with

was:

no

was:

apology,

was:

now

was:

cringing

was:

before

was:

his

was:

master

was:

the

was:

King.

was:

Tall

was:

and

was:

lanky, he

was:

almost

was:

folded

was:

himself

was:

in two

was:

in

was:

his

was:

effort

was:

to

was:

appear

was:

smaller

was:

than the

was:

little

was:

spaniel

was:

who

was:

rules

was:

us

was:

all. His

was:

silky

was:

ears

was:

were

was:

cocked

was:

as

was:

he

was:

waited,

was:

trembling,

was:

to

was:

see

was:

what

was:

words

was:

the

was:

sovereign

was:

had

was:

for

was:

him.
“You,

was:

sir,

was:

have

was:

been

was:

a

was:

bad

was:

dog.”
“Yes,

was:

your

was:

majesty.”

was:

I

was:

had

was:

not

was:

thought

was:

it

was:

possible

was:

for

was:

him

was:

to

was:

tuck

was:

his

was:

tail

was:

lower,

was:

but

was:

he

was:

managed.

was:

My

was:

duelling-partner

was:

moved

was:

closer

was:

to

was:

me,

was:

as

was:

if

was:

I

was:

might

was:

protect

was:

him.

was:

I

was:

moved

was:

aside.
“And you…”

was:

Engrossed

was:

in

was:

this

was:

canine

was:

drama,

was:

I had not

was:

even

was:

noticed

was:

the

was:

Cardinal was

was:

in

was:

the

was:

room.

was:

Yet

was:

here

was:

he

was:

was,

was:

the

was:

old

was:

eminence

was:

grise

was:

himself,

was:

red

was:

robe

was:

wrapped

was:

around

was:

him.
“You

was:

have

was:

allowed

was:

yourself

was:

to

was:

be

was:

caught

was:

in

was:

your

was:

mischief.

was:

A

was:

deep

was:

disgrace

was:

for

was:

any

was:

cat,

was:

let

was:

alone

was:

one

was:

of

was:

my

was:

guard.”
I

was:

found

was:

it

was:

impossible,

was:

somehow,

was:

to

was:

make

was:

eye

was:

contact

was:

with

was:

my

was:

lord,

was:

and stared

was:

down

was:

at

was:

the

was:

marble

was:

floor.

was:

With

was:

luck,

was:

the

was:

white

was:

dog

was:

wouldn’t

was:

notice

was:

the

was:

drooping

was:

of

was:

my

was:

ears

was:

and

was:

whiskers,

was:

or

was:

would

was:

not

was:

understand the

was:

loss

was:

of

was:

dignity

was:

it

was:

signified.
“And

was:

neither

was:

of

was:

you

was:

two reprobates will

was:

confess that the other was

was:

at

was:

fault! It is

was:

most remarkable,

was:

yes

was:

it

was:

is!”
I peeked

was:

up

was:

at

was:

the

was:

King.

was:

Was

was:

the

was:

corner

was:

of

was:

his

was:

muzzle

was:

twitching?

was:

Yes!

was:

He

was:

was

was:

laughing!

was:

And

was:

the

was:

Cardinal

was:

was

was:

joining

was:

in,

was:

showing

was:

sharp

was:

white

was:

teeth!

was:

The

was:

hound and

was:

I

was:

looked

was:

at

was:

each

was:

other,

was:

united

was:

in

was:

confusion.
“It

was:

is

was:

perfect,”

was:

the

was:

Cardinal

was:

said,

was:

placing

was:

the

was:

tips

was:

of

was:

his

was:

paws

was:

together.
“You

was:

see,”

was:

the

was:

King

was:

put

was:

in,

was:

and

was:

I

was:

could

was:

tell

was:

the

was:

Cardinal

was:

hated

was:

to

was:

be

was:

interrupted, “we

was:

have

was:

a

was:

somewhat

was:

delicate

was:

mission.

was:

One

was:

I

was:

don’t

was:

want

was:

to

was:

entrust to the

was:

Cardinal’s

was:

Cats,

was:

but, ha ha,

was:

my

was:

adviser

was:

here

was:

feels that

was:

it

was:

is

was:

too

was:

subtle

was:

for

was:

us

was:

dogs!”
I

was:

watched

was:

my

was:

adversary’s

was:

tail

was:

untuck

was:

itself at

was:

being

was:

addressed

was:

kindly.

was:

Indeed, it

was:

began

was:

to

was:

wag

was:

so

was:

eagerly

was:

his

was:

hips

was:

swayed

was:

with

was:

it,

was:

despite

was:

the

was:

blatant

was:

insult

was:

to

was:

his

was:

species.

was:

Dogs!
The

was:

green

was:

eyes

was:

of

was:

Richelieu,

was:

which

was:

I

was:

felt

was:

sure

was:

missed

was:

nothing,

was:

narrowed

was:

to

was:

contented

was:

slits.
“Tomorrow,”

was:

the

was:

great

was:

grey

was:

cat

was:

explained, “a

was:

marriage

was:

takes

was:

place

was:

that

was:

will

was:

join

was:

two

was:

of

was:

Europe’s

was:

most

was:

noble

was:

houses.

was:

It

was:

will

was:

do

was:

much

was:

to

was:

secure

was:

the

was:

political

was:

and

was:

military

was:

footing

was:

of

was:

France.”
“And

was:

there

was:

are

was:

those

was:

who would

was:

do

was:

anything

was:

to

was:

stop

was:

it!”

was:

the

was:

King

was:

put

was:

in. “We

was:

want

was:

you

was:

two

was:

to

was:

attend

was:

the

was:

ceremony

was:

and ensure

was:

nothing

was:

goes

was:

amiss.”
Despite

was:

the

was:

gravity

was:

of

was:

the

was:

situation,

was:

his

was:

nose

was:

quivered

was:

with

was:

excitement.

was:

The

was:

Cardinal

was:

gave

was:

a

was:

faint

was:

sigh.
“You

was:

will

was:

not

was:

wear

was:

your

was:

uniforms

was:

and

was:

you

was:

will

was:

not

was:

go

was:

armed,”

was:

he

was:

said. “I

was:

see

was:

the

was:

latter

was:

will

was:

not

was:

be

was:

a

was:

problem,

was:

since

was:

you

was:

have

was:

both

was:

mislaid

was:

your

was:

swords.”
He

was:

beckoned

was:

us

was:

close

was:

and

was:

whispered

was:

a

was:

name

was:

and

was:

address

was:

which,

was:

even

was:

now,

was:

I

was:

dare

was:

not

was:

repeat.
“Good

was:

luck!”

was:

added

was:

the

was:

King.
Moments

was:

later,

was:

the

was:

dog

was:

and

was:

I

was:

found

was:

ourselves

was:

back

was:

out

was:

in

was:

the

was:

street.

was:

I

was:

looked

was:

warily

was:

at

was:

him.

was:

He

was:

was

was:

looking

was:

back

was:

at

was:

me.
“Monsieur.

was:

I

was:

do

was:

not

was:

even

was:

know

was:

how

was:

to

was:

address

was:

you!”

was:

I

was:

pointed

was:

out.
“Honoré

was:

Clovis

was:

de

was:

la

was:

Queue,”

was:

he

was:

replied,

was:

bowing

was:

low

was:

and

was:

apparently

was:

proud

was:

of

was:

this

was:

ridiculous

was:

tongue-twisting

was:

name.
“Anton

was:

Talon,”

was:

I

was:

replied,

was:

and

was:

took

was:

his

was:

long,

was:

snow-white

was:

paw,

was:

with

was:

its

was:

rough

was:

pads

was:

and

was:

solid

was:

warmth,

was:

in

was:

mine.

When

was:

I

was:

dreamed

was:

of

was:

Paris

was:

as

was:

a

was:

pup,

was:

I

was:

never

was:

dreamed

was:

of

was:

this.
The Château

was:

Thon-en-Lait

was:

lies

was:

half

was:

a

was:

day’s

was:

ride

was:

from

was:

the

was:

city,

was:

the

was:

property

was:

of

was:

a

was:

noble

was:

feline

was:

family.

was:

The

was:

King

was:

had

was:

been

was:

gracious

was:

enough

was:

to

was:

present

was:

us

was:

with

was:

his

was:

portrait on

was:

enough

was:

coins

was:

to

was:

buy

was:

us

was:

each a

was:

splendid

was:

party

was:

outfit,

was:

and

was:

when

was:

we

was:

stepped

was:

from

was:

our

was:

borrowed

was:

coach

was:

there

was:

was,

was:

let

was:

me

was:

tell

was:

you,

was:

considerable

was:

interest

was:

among

was:

the

was:

ladies

was:

assembled.
“Popinjay,”

was:

I

was:

said

was:

once

was:

more,

was:

adjusting

was:

my

was:

wig.

was:

Talon,

was:

who

was:

had

was:

arrayed

was:

himself

was:

in

was:

green

was:

silk

was:

to

was:

match

was:

his

was:

eyes,

was:

stuck

was:

out

was:

his

was:

little

was:

pink

was:

tongue

was:

at

was:

me.
He

was:

was

was:

off

was:

into

was:

the

was:

crowd

was:

straight away,

was:

greeting

was:

all

was:

as

was:

old

was:

friends.

was:

Myself,

was:

I

was:

hung

was:

back,

was:

taking

was:

in

was:

the

was:

scene.
The

was:

palace

was:

gardens

was:

were

was:

planted

was:

with

was:

roses

was:

of

was:

all

was:

shades

was:

from

was:

deep

was:

wine-red

was:

to

was:

pure

was:

white.

was:

Their

was:

scent

was:

was

was:

pleasant,

was:

but

was:

not

was:

as

was:

interesting

was:

as the

was:

smells

was:

from the

was:

long

was:

tables

was:

piled

was:

with

was:

food.
The

was:

guests,

was:

too,

was:

smelled

was:

of

was:

roses,

was:

or

was:

citrus,

was:

or

was:

lily

was:

of

was:

the

was:

valley.

was:

Nobody

was:

carried

was:

their

was:

own

was:

particular

was:

canine

was:

or

was:

feline

was:

flavour;

was:

all

was:

were

was:

disguised.

was:

Furtively,

was:

I

was:

sniffed at

was:

the

was:

fur

was:

of

was:

my

was:

arm.

was:

Definitely

was:

dog.
In

was:

all

was:

probability,

was:

someone

was:

here—several

was:

someones,

was:

perhaps—wished

was:

the

was:

happy

was:

couple

was:

harm.

was:

But

was:

who?

was:

I

was:

wanted

was:

to

was:

shout

was:

out

was:

a

was:

challenge,

was:

ordering

was:

the

was:

villains

was:

to

was:

come

was:

forth

was:

and

was:

fight

was:

like

was:

an

was:

honourable

was:

soul.

was:

That

was:

wasn’t

was:

how

was:

it

was:

worked,

was:

though.

was:

Intrigue and

was:

shadows.

was:

I

was:

needed

was:

to

was:

be

was:

cunning,

was:

to

was:

mingle

was:

with

was:

the

was:

crowd

was:

with

was:

my

was:

ears

was:

and

was:

eyes

was:

open.

was:

How,

was:

though?

was:

I

was:

paced

was:

slowly

was:

through

was:

the

was:

park.

was:

Everyone

was:

was

was:

already

was:

in

was:

a

was:

pair

was:

or a

was:

group,

was:

talking,

was:

so

was:

far

was:

as

was:

I

was:

could

was:

tell,

was:

about

was:

other

was:

people

was:

and

was:

places

was:

not

was:

familiar

was:

to

was:

me.

was:

There

was:

seemed

was:

no

was:

way

was:

to

was:

interrupt,

was:

introduce

was:

myself

was:

and

was:

join

was:

in

was:

the

was:

conversation.

was:

I

was:

may

was:

have

was:

looked

was:

right,

was:

but

was:

I

was:

smelled

was:

wrong, and

was:

if

was:

I

was:

opened

was:

my

was:

muzzle

was:

I

was:

would

was:

sound

was:

wrong

was:

too.
I

was:

glanced

was:

to

was:

Talon. Two

was:

whippets,

was:

twin

was:

sisters

was:

by

was:

the

was:

look

was:

of

was:

them,

was:

were

was:

leaning

was:

towards

was:

him,

was:

each

was:

holding

was:

an

was:

arm,

was:

and

was:

he

was:

was

was:

chatting

was:

with

was:

them,

was:

if

was:

the

was:

laughter

was:

I

was:

heard

was:

was

was:

anything

was:

to

was:

go

was:

by,

was:

most

was:

amusingly. A

was:

great

was:

help

was:

he

was:

was

was:

being.
In

was:

truth,

was:

I

was:

envied

was:

Talon his

was:

easy

was:

way

was:

with

was:

the

was:

whippet

was:

twins.

was:

I

was:

myself

was:

had

was:

never

was:

found

was:

it

was:

easy

was:

to

was:

converse

was:

with

was:

ladies.

was:

Or

was:

gentlemen,

was:

for

was:

that

was:

matter.

was:

In

was:

the

was:

midst

was:

of

was:

this

was:

city

was:

of

was:

dreams

was:

and

was:

fortunes,

was:

I

was:

was

was:

lonely.
What

was:

was

was:

I

was:

doing

was:

in

was:

this

was:

gathering, a

was:

rock

was:

in

was:

a

was:

constellation

was:

of

was:

bright

was:

stars?

was:

All

was:

I

was:

know

was:

is

was:

scuffling

was:

with

was:

a

was:

sword.

was:

We

was:

would

was:

fail.

was:

I

was:

would

was:

fail.

was:

I

was:

was

was:

to

was:

be

was:

disgraced

was:

before

was:

my

was:

King

was:

while

was:

my

was:

country

was:

fell

was:

to

was:

ruin

was:

about

was:

me

was:

because

was:

I

was:

had

was:

not

was:

prevented

was:

whatever

was:

disaster

was:

was

was:

looming.

was:

I

was:

felt

was:

my

was:

tail

was:

droop

was:

and

was:

my

was:

shoulders

was:

sag

was:

with

was:

the

was:

misery

was:

of

was:

it.
This

was:

was

was:

no

was:

way

was:

to

was:

appear

was:

at

was:

a

was:

party!

was:

I

was:

needed

was:

food.
If I

was:

was

was:

going

was:

to

was:

fail,

was:

at least I

was:

would

was:

fail

was:

with

was:

a

was:

full

was:

belly.

was:

I

was:

eyed

was:

the

was:

spread,

was:

trying

was:

to

was:

choose.

was:

Oysters?

was:

Fish

was:

fresh

was:

from

was:

the

was:

coast?

was:

Boudins

was:

dark and

was:

rich

was:

with

was:

blood?
I

was:

spotted

was:

a

was:

plate

was:

with

was:

one

was:

cake

was:

remaining

was:

upon

it:

it:

iced

it:

so

it:

it

it:

shone

it:

like

it:

a

it:

jewel,

it:

topped

it:

with a

it:

blob

it:

of

it:

Chantilly

it:

cream

it:

and

it:

a

it:

glossy

it:

red

it:

cherry.

it:

Mine.

it:

I

it:

reached

it:

out

it:

for

it:

it.
A

it:

dainty

it:

white

it:

paw

it:

with

it:

black

it:

spots

it:

stretched

it:

for

it:

the

it:

same

it:

treat,

it:

and

it:

touched

it:

mine.

it:

I

it:

looked

it:

up

it:

into

it:

a

it:

face

it:

with

it:

soft,

it:

flopped

it:

ears

it:

and

it:

gentle

it:

brown

it:

eyes.
“All

it:

yours,

it:

Mademoiselle.”

it:

I

it:

bowed.
She

it:

wrinkled

it:

her

it:

nose

it:

in

it:

a

it:

smile. “We

it:

can

it:

share

it:

it,”

it:

she

it:

said.
We

it:

sat

it:

side

it:

by

it:

side

it:

on

it:

a

it:

bench

it:

among

it:

the

it:

roses.

it:

I

it:

split

it:

the

it:

cake

it:

down

it:

the

it:

middle

it:

and

it:

she

it:

chose

it:

her

it:

half.

it:

And

it:

we

it:

talked.
She

it:

came

it:

from

it:

the

it:

coast

it:

of

it:

the

it:

Adriatic

it:

Sea,

it:

and had

it:

sailed

it:

to

it:

Italy

it:

before

it:

travelling

it:

over

it:

land

it:

to

it:

France.

it:

My

it:

own

it:

journey

it:

to

it:

Paris

it:

was

it:

a

it:

stroll

it:

in

it:

the

it:

park

it:

by

it:

comparison,

it:

but

it:

I

it:

told

it:

the

it:

story

it:

and

it:

she

it:

listened

it:

intently,

it:

laughing

it:

or

it:

gasping

it:

where

it:

it

it:

was

it:

appropriate

it:

to

it:

do

it:

so.

it:

The

it:

roses

it:

wafted

it:

their

it:

scent

it:

over

it:

us

it:

and

it:

a

it:

band

it:

played

it:

softly.
There

it:

was

it:

nothing

it:

wrong

it:

with

it:

my

it:

conversational

it:

skills,

it:

I

it:

discovered.

it:

I

it:

had

it:

simply

it:

been

it:

talking

it:

to

it:

the

it:

wrong

it:

people.
We

it:

lost

it:

all

it:

track

it:

of

it:

time,

it:

until…
“Oh!

it:

The

it:

ceremony

it:

is

it:

about

it:

to

it:

start!”

it:

She

it:

sprang

it:

up,

it:

her

it:

spotted

it:

tail

it:

stuck

it:

straight

it:

out

it:

behind

it:

her.
“Perhaps

it:

we

it:

can

it:

sit…”

it:

I

it:

began.

it:

But

it:

she

it:

was

it:

running

it:

to

it:

the

it:

bower where

it:

the

it:

priest

it:

waited.
“Together,”

it:

I

it:

finished,

it:

and

it:

walked

it:

slowly

it:

after

it:

her.
All

it:

sorts

it:

of

it:

plots

it:

might

it:

be

it:

about

it:

to

it:

unfold,

it:

or

it:

have

it:

already

it:

unfolded,

it:

and

it:

I

it:

had

it:

been

it:

dallying

it:

with

it:

a

it:

lady

it:

instead

it:

of

it:

finding

it:

out

it:

about

it:

them

it:

and

it:

preventing

it:

villainy,

it:

the

it:

mission

it:

with

it:

which

it:

the

it:

King

it:

himself

it:

had

it:

entrusted

it:

me.

it:

I

it:

only

it:

hoped Talon had

it:

done

it:

a better

it:

job.
I

it:

didn’t

it:

consider

it:

my

it:

time

it:

wasted,

it:

however.

it:

Because

it:

I

it:

had

it:

fallen

it:

in

it:

love.

it:

In exchange

it:

for

it:

that,

it:

my

it:

sovereign

it:

king

it:

could

it:

cut

it:

off

it:

my

it:

head

it:

and

it:

I

it:

would

it:

consider it only

it:

fair.
Talon

it:

was

it:

seated

it:

near

it:

the

it:

back,

it:

his

it:

paws

it:

folded

it:

in

it:

his

it:

lap.

it:

He

it:

seemed

it:

relaxed,

it:

though

it:

surely

it:

this

it:

was

it:

the

it:

dangerous

it:

time,

it:

when

it:

the

it:

marriage

it:

might

it:

be

it:

stopped?

it:

I

it:

sat

it:

beside

it:

him,

it:

quivering

it:

as

it:

I leaned

it:

forward,

it:

ready

it:

to

it:

react,

it:

whatever

it:

might

it:

happen.
Yet,

it:

for

it:

what

it:

did

it:

happen,

it:

I

it:

was

it:

completely

it:

unprepared.
The

it:

priest

it:

called

it:

for

it:

the

it:

bride

it:

to

it:

walk

it:

forward

it:

and

it:

join

it:

the

it:

handsome

it:

ginger

it:

cat

it:

who

it:

waited

it:

for

it:

her.

it:

You

it:

have

it:

guessed it,

it:

haven’t

it:

you?—it

it:

was

it:

my

it:

beautiful

it:

new

it:

acquaintance

it:

who

it:

stood

it:

and

it:

stepped

it:

towards

it:

the

it:

altar. The

it:

low

it:

sun

it:

of

it:

late

it:

afternoon

it:

made

it:

her

it:

white

it:

fur

it:

glow,

it:

and

it:

when

it:

she

it:

kissed

it:

her

it:

groom

it:

mine

it:

was

it:

not

it:

the

it:

only

it:

muzzle

it:

to

it:

emit

it:

a

it:

small

it:

whimper

it:

at

it:

the

it:

sight.
“Handsome

it:

fellow,”

it:

Talon

it:

murmured,

it:

sounding

it:

envious.
“Lovely

it:

lady,”

it:

I

it:

agreed.
The

it:

musicians

it:

picked

it:

up

it:

their

it:

instruments

it:

and

it:

began

it:

a

it:

cheerful

it:

tune.

it:

Coloured

it:

lamps

it:

shone

it:

among

it:

the

it:

trees,

it:

and

it:

the

it:

new

it:

couple,

it:

along with

it:

some

it:

of

it:

the

it:

guests,

it:

began

it:

to

it:

dance.
“Well,

it:

my

it:

friend,”

it:

I

it:

said

it:

heartily, although

it:

in

it:

truth

it:

there

it:

was

it:

not

it:

much

it:

left

it:

of

it:

my

it:

heart, “our

it:

job

it:

is

it:

done!

it:

They

it:

are

it:

safely

it:

married.

it:

Let

it:

us

it:

enjoy

it:

the

it:

feast.”
Talon

it:

shook

it:

his

it:

head

it:

and

it:

beckoned

it:

me

it:

to

it:

walk

it:

with

it:

him

it:

where

it:

shadows

it:

of

it:

dusk

it:

were

it:

beginning

it:

to

it:

fall.

it:

We

it:

stopped

it:

at

it:

a

it:

fountain

it:

whose

it:

splashing

it:

waters

it:

would

it:

drown

it:

our

it:

conversation.
“It

it:

will

it:

happen

it:

at

it:

the

it:

coucher,”

it:

he

it:

whispered.
“Of

it:

course—the

it:

cush…the

it:

coucher!”

it:

I

it:

stammered. “The

it:

perfect

it:

place!

it:

It

it:

makes

it:

so

it:

much

it:

sense!

it:

Why

it:

didn’t

it:

I

it:

think

it:

of

it:

that?”
Glass-green

it:

eyes

it:

narrowed. “You

it:

have

it:

no

it:

idea

it:

what

it:

the coucher is,

it:

do

it:

you,

it:

country

it:

pup?”
My

it:

lowered

it:

tail

it:

and

it:

eyes

it:

attested

it:

to

it:

my

it:

ignorance.
“The

it:

bride

it:

will

it:

be

it:

led

it:

to

it:

her bedchamber.

it:

There,

it:

the

it:

priest

it:

will

it:

bless

it:

the

it:

bed,

it:

she

it:

will

it:

put

it:

on

it:

her

it:

night

it:

attire,

it:

there will

it:

be

it:

an

it:

examination

it:

by

it:

the

it:

doctor

it:

to

it:

ensure

it:

everything

it:

is

it:

in

it:

order,

it:

and

it:

at

it:

last

it:

the

it:

groom

it:

may

it:

enter

it:

to

it:

take

it:

his

it:

place

it:

beside

it:

her.

it:

All in

it:

front

it:

of

it:

witnesses,

it:

of

it:

course.”
I did not

it:

wish

it:

to

it:

display

it:

further

it:

ignorance,

it:

but

it:

I

it:

couldn’t

it:

help

it:

remarking

it:

that it

it:

seemed

it:

an

it:

odd

it:

way

it:

to

it:

spend

it:

one’s

it:

wedding

it:

night.
“Indeed.

it:

Let

it:

us

it:

be

it:

thankful

it:

we

it:

are

it:

not

it:

of

it:

the

it:

nobility.”

it:

Talon

it:

flashed

it:

a

it:

grin. “But

it:

listen

it:

to

it:

what

it:

I

it:

have

it:

overheard.

it:

The

it:

doctor

it:

is

it:

an

it:

enemy

it:

and,

it:

on

it:

the

it:

pretext

it:

of

it:

an

it:

intimate

it:

examination,

it:

will

it:

poison

it:

the

it:

bride.

it:

The

it:

marriage

it:

will not

it:

be

it:

consummated and

it:

the

it:

great

it:

alliance

it:

for

it:

peace

it:

will not

it:

take

it:

place.

it:

In

it:

fact,

it:

this

it:

may

it:

well

it:

make

it:

new

it:

enemies

it:

for

it:

France.”
I

it:

was

it:

scarcely

it:

listening

it:

as

it:

he

it:

continued

it:

to

it:

expound

it:

upon

it:

the

it:

possible fate

it:

of

it:

our

it:

country,

it:

for it

it:

did

it:

not

it:

seem

it:

important.
“How

it:

can

it:

you

it:

be

it:

so

it:

calm,

it:

Talon?”

it:

I

it:

whimpered. “The

it:

life

it:

of

it:

that

it:

exquisite

it:

creature is

it:

in

it:

danger!”
“Courage,

it:

my

it:

friend,

it:

courage.

it:

I

it:

have

it:

a

it:

plan.”
I

it:

did

it:

not

it:

like

it:

the

it:

look

it:

in

it:

his

it:

eyes.

Here

it:

I,

it:

Anton Talon, take up the

it:

tale!
My

it:

plan

it:

was

it:

a

it:

cunning

it:

one

it:

and

it:

required

it:

wit,

it:

timing

it:

and

it:

smooth

it:

talk,

it:

as

it:

well

it:

as

it:

determination

it:

and

it:

bravery.

it:

I

it:

shall

it:

pass

it:

over

it:

the

it:

many

it:

negotiations

it:

that

it:

took

it:

up

it:

the

it:

rest

it:

of

it:

the

it:

evening,

it:

and

it:

move

it:

to

it:

the

it:

bedchamber

it:

where

it:

the

it:

noble

it:

bride

it:

lay

it:

awaiting

it:

the

it:

groom,

it:

alone

it:

save

it:

for

it:

servants,

it:

well-wishers,

it:

the

it:

priest,

it:

the

it:

doctor,

it:

and

it:

assorted

it:

members

it:

of

it:

the

it:

royal

it:

court.
My

it:

presence

it:

had

it:

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it:

permitted

it:

as

it:

our

it:

lady

it:

was

it:

dressed

it:

for

it:

bed,

it:

with

it:

much

it:

ribaldry

it:

and

it:

hilarity

it:

from

it:

the

it:

women

it:

as

it:

they

it:

fastened

it:

undergarments

it:

and

it:

tied

it:

bows,

it:

and

it:

many

it:

blushes

it:

from

it:

the

it:

bride.
Candles

it:

lit

it:

the

it:

chamber.

it:

The

it:

new

it:

bride

it:

lay

it:

in

it:

shadow,

it:

the

it:

white

it:

fur

it:

with

it:

its

it:

comely

it:

black

it:

spots

it:

seeming

it:

to

it:

glow

it:

in

it:

the

it:

flattering

it:

light.

it:

The

it:

bonnet

it:

shading

it:

face

it:

and

it:

muzzle

it:

was

it:

pale

it:

blue

it:

with a

it:

lace

it:

trim

it:

and

it:

an

it:

excess

it:

of

it:

ribbons.

it:

The

it:

priest had

it:

blessed

it:

both

it:

bride

it:

and

it:

bed,

it:

and

it:

me

it:

into

it:

the

it:

bargain.

it:

There

it:

only

it:

remained

it:

the

it:

intimate

it:

examination,

it:

to

it:

ensure

it:

that

it:

everything

it:

was

it:

proper

it:

and

it:

in

it:

its

it:

place

it:

for

it:

the

it:

forthcoming

it:

union.
The

it:

doctor

it:

was

it:

a

it:

spaniel

it:

of

it:

Brittany, with

it:

soulful

it:

brown

it:

eyes.

it:

I

it:

wondered

it:

what

it:

circumstance

it:

of

it:

greed,

it:

loyalty

it:

or

it:

blackmail had

it:

led

it:

him

it:

to

it:

a

it:

place

it:

where

it:

he

it:

would

it:

murder

it:

his

it:

patients

it:

instead

it:

of

it:

healing

it:

them.

it:

He

it:

bade

it:

us

it:

all

it:

step

it:

back, ‘to

it:

give

it:

the

it:

lady

it:

some

it:

privacy’,

it:

and

it:

blew

it:

out

it:

all

it:

the

it:

candles

it:

save

it:

one

it:

that

it:

he

it:

placed

it:

at

it:

the

it:

head

it:

of

it:

the

it:

bed.

it:

In its light,

it:

the

it:

head

it:

on

it:

the

it:

pillow

it:

looked

it:

already

it:

like

it:

a

it:

skull.
There

it:

were

it:

few

it:

greater

it:

terrors

it:

in

it:

France

it:

at

it:

this

it:

time

it:

than

it:

poison.

it:

Mysterious

it:

concoctions

it:

without

it:

scent or

it:

colour.

it:

Silent.

it:

Untraceable.

it:

Impossible

it:

to

it:

fight.
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it:

this

it:

went

it:

wrong,

it:

I

it:

was

it:

powerless

it:

to

it:

help. I

it:

did

it:

not

it:

have

it:

my

it:

sword

it:

to

it:

run

it:

the

it:

spaniel

it:

through,

it:

and

it:

by

it:

that

it:

point

it:

it

it:

would

it:

be too

it:

late

it:

anyway. I wanted to

it:

shout

it:

stop,

it:

stop,

it:

but

it:

it

it:

was

it:

imperative

it:

he

it:

be

it:

caught

it:

in

it:

the

it:

very

it:

act

it:

of

it:

his

it:

evil

it:

deed,

it:

and

it:

I

it:

trembled

it:

for

it:

the

it:

brave,

it:

still

it:

figure

it:

in

it:

the

it:

bed.
The

it:

doctor

it:

slipped

it:

his

it:

paws

it:

beneath

it:

the

it:

sheets.

it:

His

it:

eyes

it:

glittered

it:

in

it:

the

it:

candlelight. There

it:

was

it:

no

it:

sound

it:

in

it:

the

it:

room;

it:

the

it:

assembled

it:

ladies

it:

held

it:

their

it:

breath,

it:

as

it:

did

it:

I.
A

it:

flurry

it:

of

it:

movement

it:

in

it:

the

it:

hushed

it:

room!

it:

The

it:

figure

it:

in

it:

the

it:

bed

it:

sat

it:

suddenly

it:

bolt

it:

upright,

it:

growling.

it:

Two

it:

muscular

it:

arms

it:

in

it:

lacy

it:

sleeves

it:

shot

it:

out

it:

to

it:

grab

it:

the

it:

doctor.

it:

The

it:

blue

it:

bonnet,

it:

knocked

it:

askew,

it:

revealed

it:

the

it:

fierce

it:

and

it:

angry

it:

face

it:

of

it:

Honoré

it:

Clovis

it:

de la

it:

Queue,

it:

King’s White Hound.
De

it:

la

it:

Queue’s

it:

jaws

it:

closed

it:

around

it:

the

it:

spaniel’s

it:

wrist.

it:

The

it:

coup sauvage!—however, since

it:

this

it:

was

it:

not

it:

a

it:

duel

it:

of

it:

honour

it:

but

it:

a

it:

matter

it:

of

it:

life

it:

and

it:

death,

it:

the

it:

move

it:

was

it:

allowable.
That

it:

pup

it:

does

it:

like

it:

to

it:

use

it:

his

it:

teeth!
“And

it:

what

it:

is

it:

this?”

it:

he

it:

asked

it:

through

it:

his

it:

clenched

it:

jaws.

it:

Clasped

it:

in

it:

the

it:

doctor’s

it:

paw was a

it:

small

it:

glass

it:

phial,

it:

filled

it:

with

it:

a

it:

clear

it:

liquid.
“An,

it:

an

it:

ointment,”

it:

stammered

it:

the

it:

spaniel, “to

it:

ease

it:

the…”
I

it:

did

it:

not

it:

wish

it:

to

it:

hear

it:

the

it:

details.

it:

Fortunately,

it:

de la Queue

it:

cut

it:

him

it:

off.
“If

it:

that

it:

is

it:

so,”

it:

he

it:

growled, “let us

it:

smear

it:

some

it:

on

it:

your

it:

lying

it:

tongue!”

it:

He

it:

snatched

it:

the

it:

bottle

it:

from

it:

the

it:

spaniel’s paws.

it:

The

it:

doctor,

it:

his

it:

eyes

it:

wide

it:

and

it:

bulging,

it:

slipped

it:

out

it:

of

it:

his

it:

grasp

it:

and

it:

fell

it:

to

it:

the

it:

floor,

it:

wriggling

it:

away

it:

towards

it:

the

it:

window.

it:

De la Queue

it:

leaped

it:

upon

it:

him

it:

again,

it:

and

it:

they

it:

wrestled

it:

on

it:

the

it:

fine

it:

carpet,

it:

tangling in

it:

the

it:

velvet

it:

curtains

it:

and

it:

pulling

it:

them to

it:

the

it:

ground.

it:

I

it:

was

it:

powerless

it:

to

it:

assist, since

it:

I

it:

could

it:

not

it:

tell

it:

who

it:

was

it:

who

it:

in

it:

the

it:

moving,

it:

shrouded

it:

heap.

it:

What had

it:

become of

it:

the

it:

phial?

it:

Should

it:

either

it:

combatant

it:

prevail

it:

and

it:

administer

it:

it

it:

to

it:

the

it:

other,

it:

only

it:

one

it:

side

it:

of

it:

this

it:

story

it:

would

it:

come

it:

out…
The

it:

fighters

it:

bumped

it:

a

it:

table

it:

and

it:

sent

it:

one

it:

of

it:

the

it:

many

it:

candles

it:

flying.

it:

Its

it:

flame

it:

caught

it:

one

it:

of

it:

the

it:

tapestries

it:

that

it:

lined

it:

the

it:

walls,

it:

and

it:

the

it:

coloured,

it:

intricate

it:

threads

it:

ignited.

it:

There

it:

was

it:

a

it:

rush

it:

for

it:

the

it:

door,

it:

but

it:

I

it:

remained

it:

to

it:

see

it:

the

it:

story

it:

through.
A

it:

spark

it:

lit

it:

the

it:

curtain

it:

under

it:

which

it:

the two

it:

dogs

it:

still

it:

thrashed.

it:

Muffled

it:

yelps issued

it:

forth,

it:

and

it:

the

it:

bundle

it:

of

it:

burning

it:

cloth

it:

bumped

it:

each

it:

wall

it:

in

it:

turn

it:

before

it:

discovering

it:

the

it:

door.

it:

It

it:

galloped

it:

across

it:

the

it:

lawn,

it:

ending

it:

up

it:

in

it:

the

it:

ornamental

it:

fountain.

it:

Two wet

it:

dogs

it:

disentangled

it:

themselves,

it:

and

it:

one

it:

of

it:

the

it:

King’s

it:

attendants

it:

fanned

it:

the

it:

smell

it:

of

it:

singed

it:

fur

it:

away

it:

from

it:

the

it:

royal

it:

nose.

it:

The white paw of de la Queue held

it:

tightly to the

it:

little

it:

bottle

it:

of

it:

evil.
“Bravo,

it:

de la Queue!

it:

Well

it:

done!”

it:

The

it:

King

it:

strode

it:

across

it:

the

it:

grass

it:

towards

it:

us,

it:

applauding.

it:

Every

it:

soul

it:

joined

it:

in,

it:

whether

it:

or

it:

not

it:

they

it:

knew

it:

why.
The

it:

Cardinal, a

it:

pace

it:

behind

it:

the

it:

sovereign,

it:

said

it:

nothing,

it:

but

it:

he

it:

nodded

it:

at

it:

me, and

it:

I

it:

felt

it:

my

it:

whiskers

it:

lift

it:

with

it:

pride.
“Oh!

it:

What

it:

has

it:

happened?”

it:

The

it:

spotted

it:

lady

it:

and

it:

her

it:

striped

it:

husband ,

it:

who

it:

had

it:

been

it:

told

it:

only

it:

that

it:

there

it:

would

it:

be

it:

a

it:

small

it:

delay

it:

to

it:

the

it:

coucher,

it:

trotted

it:

up

it:

to

it:

us.

it:

The

it:

bride

it:

had

it:

a

it:

paw

it:

over

it:

her

it:

mouth

it:

to

it:

stifle

it:

her

it:

giggles

it:

at

it:

the

it:

sight.
“A

it:

small

it:

setback

it:

with

it:

preparing

it:

your

it:

chamber,

it:

my

it:

lady,”

it:

I

it:

told

it:

her. “Please

it:

accept

it:

our

it:

apologies. It will

it:

be

it:

ready

it:

soon.”
She

it:

helped

it:

de la Queue

it:

up

it:

and

it:

out

it:

of the

it:

fountain (two of

it:

the

it:

Cent Suisse

it:

had

it:

already

it:

hauled

it:

out

it:

the

it:

doctor,

it:

with

it:

a

it:

great

it:

deal

it:

less

it:

care).
“Why

it:

bother?”

it:

she

it:

said. “It’s

it:

a

it:

beautiful

it:

night,

it:

and

it:

there

it:

is

it:

the

it:

bower

it:

for

it:

shelter.

it:

We

it:

shall

it:

retire

it:

there.”

it:

Her

it:

handsome

it:

husband

it:

draped

it:

his

it:

tail

it:

across

it:

her

it:

back. “Alone,”

it:

she

it:

added

it:

firmly.
The

it:

King

it:

considered

it:

this,

it:

his

it:

expression

it:

stern.

it:

Then

it:

he

it:

smiled

it:

and

it:

clapped

it:

his

it:

paws

it:

together.
“So

it:

be

it:

it,”

it:

he

it:

said,

it:

and

it:

ended

it:

the

it:

matter.
The

it:

foreign

it:

bride

it:

and

it:

her

it:

feline

it:

groom

it:

would

it:

never

it:

know

it:

the

it:

peril

it:

their

it:

union

it:

had

it:

faced

it:

before

it:

it

it:

properly

it:

began.

it:

Had

it:

they

it:

found

it:

out,

it:

she

it:

would

it:

have

it:

been

it:

within

it:

her

it:

rights

it:

to

it:

flee

it:

back

it:

to

it:

her

it:

own

it:

country.

it:

Who

it:

knows

it:

what

it:

might

it:

have

it:

ensued?

it:

Scandal.

it:

A

it:

breakdown

it:

of

it:

trade. A

it:

country

it:

closed

it:

that

it:

might

it:

have

it:

been

it:

a

it:

route

it:

through

it:

to

it:

conquests.

it:

War,

it:

even.
And

it:

it

it:

was

it:

my

it:

plan

it:

that

it:

prevented

it:

this!

it:

Yet

it:

my

it:

blunt

it:

instrument,

it:

that

it:

King’s

it:

white

it:

hound,

it:

whose

it:

role

it:

was

it:

simply

it:

to

it:

put

it:

on

it:

a

it:

bonnet

it:

and

it:

lie

it:

down,

it:

was

it:

lauded

it:

and

it:

praised

it:

by

it:

everyone

it:

in

it:

that

it:

room.

it:

He

it:

did

it:

not

it:

even

it:

tie

it:

the

it:

bonnet

it:

strings

it:

himself!

it:

Such

it:

is

it:

the

it:

burden

it:

of

it:

the

it:

Cardinal’s

Cats:

Cats:

we

Cats:

work

Cats:

by

Cats:

cunning

Cats:

in

Cats:

the

Cats:

dark,

Cats:

and

Cats:

our

Cats:

deeds

Cats:

go oft

Cats:

unnoticed…

Well,

Cats:

I

Cats:

should

Cats:

think

Cats:

so

Cats:

too!

Cats:

I

Cats:

was

Cats:

the

Cats:

one

Cats:

losing

Cats:

my

Cats:

dignity

Cats:

and

Cats:

risking

Cats:

my

Cats:

most

Cats:

intimate

Cats:

regions

Cats:

in

Cats:

the

Cats:

service

Cats:

of

Cats:

my

Cats:

country

Cats:

and

Cats:

my

Cats:

King!
That

Cats:

doctor

Cats:

had

Cats:

cold

Cats:

paws,

Cats:

too.
Anton Talon

Cats:

and I

Cats:

watched

Cats:

as

Cats:

the

Cats:

bower

Cats:

was

Cats:

prepared

Cats:

for

Cats:

the

Cats:

happy

Cats:

couple.

Cats:

Attendants

Cats:

draped

Cats:

garlands

Cats:

of

Cats:

flowers

Cats:

across

Cats:

the

Cats:

entrance

Cats:

to

Cats:

preserve

Cats:

their

Cats:

privacy,

Cats:

and

Cats:

the

Cats:

candles

Cats:

that

Cats:

dotted

Cats:

the

Cats:

garden

Cats:

in

Cats:

coloured

Cats:

jars

Cats:

would

Cats:

give

Cats:

them

Cats:

enough

Cats:

light

Cats:

for…whatever

Cats:

they

Cats:

wished,

Cats:

while

Cats:

the

Cats:

stars

Cats:

burned

Cats:

above.
“My

Cats:

friend,

Cats:

you

Cats:

look

Cats:

ridiculous,”

Cats:

the

Cats:

cat

Cats:

said

Cats:

softly.

Cats:

He

Cats:

draped

Cats:

his

Cats:

cloak

Cats:

about

Cats:

my

Cats:

shoulders

Cats:

to

Cats:

cover

Cats:

the

Cats:

nightgown

Cats:

which,

Cats:

soaking

Cats:

wet

Cats:

and

Cats:

sewn

Cats:

for

Cats:

a

Cats:

body

Cats:

of

Cats:

a

Cats:

different

Cats:

shape

Cats:

and

Cats:

size

Cats:

to

Cats:

mine,

Cats:

was

Cats:

most

Cats:

unbecoming

Cats:

upon

Cats:

me.
We

Cats:

watched as

Cats:

the

Cats:

tall,

Cats:

spotted

Cats:

hound

Cats:

stepped

Cats:

gracefully

Cats:

toward

Cats:

the

Cats:

bower,

Cats:

paw

Cats:

in

Cats:

paw

Cats:

with

Cats:

her

Cats:

husband.

Cats:

A

Cats:

small

Cats:

sigh

Cats:

escaped

Cats:

my

Cats:

lips

Cats:

as

Cats:

she

Cats:

passed.

Cats:

To

Cats:

my

Cats:

surprise,

Cats:

an

Cats:

echoed

Cats:

sigh

Cats:

blew

Cats:

against

Cats:

my

Cats:

ear.
“Oh,

Cats:

Talon.

Cats:

You too, eh?”
“I

Cats:

don’t

Cats:

know

Cats:

what

Cats:

you are

Cats:

talking

Cats:

about,”

Cats:

he

Cats:

hissed,

Cats:

but

Cats:

his

Cats:

eyes,

Cats:

never

Cats:

leaving

Cats:

the

Cats:

swaying

Cats:

tail

Cats:

of

Cats:

the

Cats:

ginger

Cats:

puss,

Cats:

made

Cats:

a

Cats:

liar

Cats:

of

Cats:

him.
We

Cats:

stood

Cats:

there

Cats:

as

Cats:

the

Cats:

floral

Cats:

garlands

Cats:

parted,

Cats:

we

Cats:

stood

Cats:

there

Cats:

as

Cats:

they

Cats:

fell

Cats:

back

Cats:

into

Cats:

place,

Cats:

sealing

Cats:

the

Cats:

bower,

Cats:

and

Cats:

we

Cats:

stood

Cats:

there

Cats:

a

Cats:

moment

Cats:

more,

Cats:

lost

Cats:

in

Cats:

our

Cats:

separate,

Cats:

but

Cats:

perhaps

Cats:

similar,

Cats:

thoughts.
Then

Cats:

I

Cats:

shook

Cats:

myself

Cats:

from

Cats:

ears

Cats:

to

Cats:

tail.
“There’s

Cats:

still

Cats:

a

Cats:

party

Cats:

going

Cats:

on,

Cats:

is

Cats:

there

Cats:

not?”

Cats:

I

Cats:

thumped

Cats:

my

Cats:

ally

Cats:

on

Cats:

the

Cats:

back. “Let’s

Cats:

go

Cats:

and

Cats:

have

Cats:

a

Cats:

drink!”




This

Cats:

was “Grey

Cats:

Cats

Cats:

and

Cats:

White

Cats:

Hounds”

Cats:

by

Cats:

Huskyteer,

Cats:

read

Cats:

for you

Cats:

by

Cats:

Rob

Cats:

MacWolf,

Cats:

Werewolf

Cats:

Hitchhiker.

Cats:

You

Cats:

can

Cats:

find

Cats:

more

Cats:

stories

Cats:

on

Cats:

the

Cats:

web

Cats:

at

Cats:

thevoice.dog,

Cats:

or

Cats:

find

Cats:

the

Cats:

show

Cats:

wherever

Cats:

you

Cats:

get

Cats:

your

Cats:

podcasts.

Staring

Cats:

next

Cats:

week,

Cats:

we

Cats:

will

Cats:

again

Cats:

present

Cats:

an

Cats:

entire

Cats:

month

Cats:

of

Cats:

stories,

Cats:

and

Cats:

poems,

Cats:

of

Cats:

Queer

Cats:

Joy,

Cats:

Resilience,

Cats:

and

Cats:

Solidarity

Cats:

in

Cats:

an

Cats:

age

Cats:

in

Cats:

sore

Cats:

need

Cats:

of

Cats:

all

Cats:

three.

Cats:

Please

Cats:

join

Cats:

us,

Cats:

friends

Cats:

of

Cats:

every

Cats:

shape,

Cats:

ability,

Cats:

gender,

Cats:

and

Cats:

species,

Cats:

for

Cats:

the

Cats:

first

Cats:

episode

Cats:

of

Cats:

Pride Month 2026.

Thank you

Cats:

for

Cats:

listening

Cats:

to

Cats:

The

Cats:

Voice

Cats:

of

Cats:

Dog.

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About the Podcast

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The Voice of Dog
Furry stories to warm the ol' cockles, read by Rob MacWolf and guests. If you have a story that would suit the show, you can get in touch with @VoiceOfDog@meow.social on Mastodon, @voiceofdog.bsky.social on Blue Sky, or @Theodwulf on Telegram.

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Khaki