Chapter 14. We Found Him.

  “Who are you?” Sid asked slowly, making sure each word was its own, he was now very weary of Abram. These were not the kind of dreams he typically had.

  “What?” Abram laughed slightly confused, was this man still dreaming.

  “Who are you!” Sid shout. Now coming to a stand.

  “Its me Sid, Abram.” He answered with furrowed brows. “You was dreaming.” He try to assure the big guy.

  “I don’t dream like that!” Sid barked.

  Arieo was now more attentive then ever. He had already been sizing Sid up since they met, but after that little, …whatever the hell that was, Arieo was ready to kick this man and run fast. He just might.

  “Is ye sick Sid? I don’t know what ye be dreaming about but me had nothins to do with it.”

  Something about that remark terrify Sid, and a pulse of rage took control. An ember of fury powered a fat arm, directing a thick closed hand for Abram. Perhaps Sid had big stars in Headstrong.

  -Crack-

  It was a good punch, and as a voyager of both the lands and sea, Abram oddly appreciate the power driving the punch. Sid was strong for an old man.

  Abram’s vision doubled and he landed on his bottom. Shook his head. Thankful he was still seeing. Seeing double but still seeing. His sights crossed over twice before he looked straight up at Sid.

  Now Abram was willing to let the attack go, he knows Sid was grieving and still shook up from the bad dream. He rubbed his cheek and smiled up at Sid. Damn what a big guy. Honestly Abram was impressed he was able to take the punch. Definitely couldn’t eat another. But still.

  Arieo on the other hand was already in motion. It was a short charge, but still he stampede for the round man. With his head down and that strong neck locked, Arieo released his signature attack, something he like to call The Longface Head-butt.

  “Oomph!”

  Every bit of air Sid had in his lungs was forcefully evicted without a notice. His eyes bugged, nearly popping from his head, and he bent over with a loud cough.

  Arieo didn’t stop when his master shout either. Nope, he just chomp and chomp at that fat man’s arms and neck in his bend for air.

  “Arieo knock it off! Sid be scared he dint means nothin by it.” His master shout pulling that long chomping face.

  Abram knew Arieo was a tough little donkey, that’s why he was his first mate. A pal he could count on when situations were truly serious.

  Arieo was also a little trickster mainly to his master, but when they wander through settlements, he would bite the children or kick the goats. The mahogany menace liked to argue and poke fun at others.

  Abram found the donkey’s attitude to be a relief from the civil madness among men. This, however, was not one of those amusing situations.

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  Sid grabbed little Arieo by his handsome scruff. His hooves dragged in the dirt while Sid puledl that donkey closer. Thick callused hands had a tight clamp around the charming menace too.

  The mahogany body thrashed and kicked madly trying to escape the grip. Biting the side and the back rolls. Then the stout donkey released a scream that pierced the mountainside.

  Sid had bitten down on one of those tall ears.

  Now it wasn’t the bite that bothered Arieo, he’s been bitten much harder. He didn’t even mind that Sid drew blood on the bite, in fact he applaud it, its part of the exchange.

  No, what his scream of pain came from was when Sid’s saliva made contact with Arieo’s blood; and if one has never heard a donkey scream before just know it’s a traumatic sound that sticks. It’s a noise that will haunt the mind for days.

  Sid instantly let go and took a step back. Eyes wide. Chest heaving. Mouth chewing nothing.

  All three of them look at that tall ear. The tip was sizzling, not only was it sizzling but smoking with foul yellow smoke too. It bubbled and dripped like a boiling candle stick; and Arieo was freaking out. Big bold eyes fuller than they had ever been before looking up at his magnificent ear, now ruined.

  “What the fuck did ye do to him!” Abram screamed, standing quickly.

  He was grabbing Arieo’s long face with calming pets, panicked by the ear. Abram slide his hand over, high hopes of wiping whatever was happening from his fuzzy pal.

  “AHHH!” Looking down at his hand, now bubbling just the same.

  It was a short sizzling release that he had to watch. And the pain, it was something that seared all the way to the nerves.

  Abram could feel that pulse of ancient disease while the warmth flutter under skin.

  Arieo bleated again reminding his master his ear was dissolving with what looked to be infection. The smell that rolled with the dull yellow was sickening too and smelled of a late discovered purple bloating.

  Sid was stuck in breath, his eyes growing with panic. That heavy chest beat madly while those cool beads along his face became familiar once more. Dark beady eyes slam from the sickly ear that bubble, to the seasoned sailor in shock.

  Abram had no idea what to do other than what he was going to attempt.

  Reaching for the beautiful saber at his hip. The deep jade in the pommel shimmered as his fingers clasped the handle.

  Then grabbing what section of that remaining ear he could, and in a single quick motion, the ear fell to the ground.

  Arieo watch his lovely ear, it bubble and smoke on the ground releasing a sour hiss becoming a puddle of black goop. Abram’s hand ache, the flesh from his little finger down to the softs of his palm resemble a nasty burn. The burn had already become tangy with yellow infection. Those sea squall eyes examine the distressed markings along his hand.

  “You’re him, …aren’t ye?” Voice low like the tides, eyes swirled madly before lightning flashed somewhere within those mysterious orbs of vision.

  Abram twisted to look at that round man who was nearing his things.

  Sid was already taking nervous steps for his belongings. With that broad charred sword in hand, he kneeled slowly. Retrieving his satchel and then the timber-terror, he looked at Abram.

  “I’m who?”

  Arieo was still very upset about his ear. Charming eyes blinked unevenly, while he reminisce all the great times he had with it. The goats wouldn’t sound the same now, when he kicked them. His masters laugh it wouldn’t be right anymore, only could it be left now. The morning scritches and ear rubs, would his master even recognize his touch. Arieo cried loudly for his ear.

  “Yer a rotter.” Again, those eyes flashed wildly and that grin slowly stretched, flakey bits fell from those chapped dry lips.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Sid grunted, adjusting the axe sling around his wide shoulder, rotating the head over his back.

  “Yer the Bear-King aintcha.” Abram walked around the low fire, holding Sid hostage with the most gripping eye lock one could muster.

  Sid had never heard this word before, but something about it was unsettling. He didn’t like the way it sounds in his head.

  He also didn’t like the odd feeling of mental satiation that came with the word. The way it would reverberate and bounce from one side to the other. The word spun in his mind echoing with layered voices over voices all a different cry pleading for answers. It was sickening.

  “Ha-ha!” Abram squealed loudly clapping his hands gleaming up at Sid.

  “By the sweet dew drops of Tatheliea’s bosom. Arieo! We found him!” He shout, the man was practically emitting a golden glow.