It was a clear, mild spring day when Lord Alaric Emberhart assembled a contingent of his best-armed men to ride out beyond the towering outer stone walls surrounding the Emberhart family manor and estates. As Lord and sworn Defender of these lands, it was Alaric's duty to regularly patrol the villages, farms, and borders that fell under his family's protection.
These patrols allowed Alaric to survey the landscape for any signs of encroaching enemy forces, troublesome bandits, or malicious creatures that could threaten the safety of their people. He took great pride in providing a sanctuary of security and prosperity enjoyed by all who lived on Emberhart land thanks to his strength and leadership.
As Alaric rode at the head of the dispatch on his trusted warhorse, eyes scanning the horizon sharply, he noticed some of his men eyeing a dark shape slinking along the wide dirt road just up ahead warily. Their hands drifted to rest on the pommels of their sheathed swords as they murmured amongst themselves, speculating whether some dangerous wild beast or hidden group of vagabonds lay in wait for travelers around the next bend.
But as the patrol group drew closer, Alaric discerned that the potential threat was merely a single small black puppy, though certainly an unusual looking one. Its fur was pitch black from head to toe, with intelligent ice blue eyes that almost seemed to glow eerily against the void-like darkness of its coat. Clearly some breed of exotic pedigree Alaric had never before encountered in this region.
Despite the pup's somewhat fierce, feral appearance, it was plainly undernourished and afraid as it shied away from the approaching horses, its ribs visible through tangled, matted fur. Alaric felt a pang of pity for the miserable creature and signaled for his men to halt while he dismounted and cautiously approached so as not to startle the pup further.
"Easy there, little one," Alaric rumbled gently in his deep, gravelly voice as he slowly withdrew some dried meat from his pack and placed it on the ground as a token of good faith.
The scrawny puppy hesitated, body tense, before darting forward quickly to devour the precious offering of food hungrily while still maintaining its distance from the unknown armored giant.
As Alaric made to swing back up into the saddle, the pup suddenly began trailing after the group as they continued the patrol route down the winding dirt road, its bushy tail wagging slightly as if in gratitude for the brief meal.
Alaric tried unsuccessfully to shoo the tenacious pup away, but it persisted doggedly in following the group from a distance despite his gruff admonishments.
One of Alaric's most trusted companions, Sir Brom, gave a hearty laugh at the sight. "Seems this plucky one's taken a liking to you, m'lord! Likely an orphaned stray. Why not take it home as a gift for young Lord Eric's upcoming birthday? What boy doesn't dream of having his very own hound as a loyal companion?"
Alaric frowned thoughtfully as he considered the idea, absently stroking his bearded chin. The scrappy pup's fierce visage and unknown origins concerned him. Yet in his heart, he knew his own brave, steadfast son Eric could handle any challenges fate cared to throw at him. Perhaps this was meant to be.
With a decisive nod, Alaric turned his horse and leaned down to deftly scoop up the scrawny pup into his thick, muscular arms before settling it carefully in front of him on the saddle for the journey back to the manor.
Over the next few days leading up to Eric's important fourth birthday celebration, Alaric had the castle kennel master thoroughly examine the pup for any signs of disease or injury. After receiving a clean bill of health, the former raggedy stray was bathed, groomed, and outfitted with a fine leather collar to match its now lustrous, jet black fur and generally splendid wolfish appearance.
On the momentous morning of young Lord Eric Emberhart's fourth birthday, Alaric led his still ignorant son into the grand hall where the boy's mother, Lady Ellara, awaited beside a mysteriously draped object. With a flourish, Alaric pulled away the cloth to reveal the regal-looking black puppy sitting at attention to an utterly delighted Eric.
Eric was positively overwhelmed with joy at having his very own pup to care for and befriend. Lady Ellara smiled affectionately as Eric immediately dropped down to gently pet Shadow's soft fur, giggling with delight as the rambunctious puppy smothered his face in slobbery kisses, its bushy tail whipping wildly back and forth in shared excitement.
"This loyal hound shall be your companion from now on," Alaric declared formally, his arms crossed over his broad chest as he observed his son bonding happily with this newest member of House Emberhart.
In the blissful weeks that followed, Eric and his newfound canine friend Shadow truly became inseparable...