The small puppy whined softly, its round black eyes glistening beneath a tangle of shaggy white fur as its tiny body trembled in Eli's arms. Mud clung to its paws, and its fur was damp and dirty.
"Oh dear… where did this little one come from?" Anna murmured.
She stepped closer to Eli for a better look.
"He's a bit dirty, my lady," the young knight warned gently as she reached out to touch the puppy.
"He?" Anna asked, her eyes still fixed on the trembling animal. "Is it a boy? Is he hurt?"
"Yes, he's a boy," Eli replied. "He doesn't seem injured, though… just rather skinny."
"Poor little thing," Anna said softly, pity filling her voice. "He must be hungry. Look at him—he's soaking wet and shivering."
"I'll go see if his mother is nearby," Damon suggested.
Anna and Eli both nodded in agreement.
"Do we have anything we can feed him?" the princess asked the young knight.
"Well…" Eli reached into his pocket. "I have some beef jerky and a little water."
