"Well, perhaps you're lucky you ran into me, after all," Barcus says, feeling pleased with himself that he has something to offer aside from rock hunting. "I know quite a few decent people, these days. I'll introduce you to Rolan later, if you like. He's the proprietor of Sorcerous Sundries."

Both dogs hop up on hind leg briefly to get a look or a sniff at the strangers, but they don't bark, probably because Barcus is right there. Or maybe because they like the look of Esquie, too, who knows?

"They are guard dogs," he says. "Picked by Brounce and Fulgaro, our Ironshields, but we keep them well. They'll do their jobs, but there's no call to make them mean, I don't think."

There appears to be a well-kept kennel in the back of the yard, between the bricks. They're working dogs, but not unsheltered. Once the gate is open, the gnome ushers them all inside, and Esquie and Verso will get to be sniffed in person. After which, Hatchet rolls over for pet. Fearsome beast.