They had spotted the old Paladin across the hall, and strained against that which kept them from him. The hall filled with the cacophany of their frustration, and the servants were tiring. It was inevitable. There was no point in prolonging it.
The old Paladin kneeled. He prayed, for a brief moment, giving thanks for the life he'd been allowed to have up to this point. Then, still kneeling, he looked up.
"I am ready. Let them come."
His face remained emotionless as the resigned servants released the bonds, and slavering, baying fangs shot across the hall, propelled by clawed feet scraping across the stone floor, focussed right for his throat.
He'd hoped when this moment came it would at least end with dignity, that he would not fall easily, that no unbefitting sound would come from him as it happened...but it was not to be. The bestial mass didn't even slow down as it reached him and sprang, knocking him to the floor. He cried out:
"AAAAHHHHHH NO NO NOT THE FACE STOP LICKING MY FACE! HA HA HA HA!"
The servants looked around the room, embarassed, and waited. It took a few minutes, but finally the Paladin sat back up and reluctantly extracted himself from the puppies' attentions. As he stood, they danced happily around him, barking eagerly. "DA! DA! DA!" they seemed to be barking.
"I really should start teaching them manners, but their enthusiasm is so pleasant. It's contagious, I think."
"My lord, aren't you a bit old for this sort of behavior?"
"Nonsense. In fact, I feel younger now than I have in years. My word, it really does sound like they're saying 'da' now, doesn't it?"
"Yes, my lord. The food that the apothecary's been formulating seems to work."
"It is safe for them, isn't it?" asked the Paladin, with a concerned look down at the writhing mass of animalistic happiness around his feet.
"It would seem so, the apothecary has been eating it himself. It does appear to have cured his stutter."
"Remarkable."