Chapter 51. Only Warden.

  That forgettable boy quickly stomped over as Skeeter tried to hide behind Fenrir. Who snapped at the kook when he lifted his tail.

  “Skeeter I see you under there, let's go, come on.” Kid was brave. He kneeled, and both Sid and Monte watched, while Fenrir snapped at him, sending him sprawling back with a high-pitched squeal.

  Sid looked at the boy with disgust. Even that bold mustache shook an imaginary head. Sure, the boy was maybe thirteen cycles through—but where is the dignity. He then noticed the second memorable thing about this boy—well the patch on his shirt was memorable anyways. It was a very pointy star stitched into his shirt. One with seven points if you were suspicious. That pointy patch also had some letters and words on it—but Sid didn’t know what it said.

  “Blow off Leif.” Monte said. “Geoff isn't bothering anyone.”

  Sid looked at Skeeter. It was a troubled and confused face. He then looked back to Monte. “Geoff?”

  “His true name is Geoff; everyone calls him Skeeter because he'll bug the shit out of you. But he's a good guy. No vocals so he doesn’t talk much.” Those blues pierced that boy named Leif—Sid picked up on that. “People think he's weird and stupid, spitting on him and kicking him around like he was trash. Although you are the only one to cloth him so he's probably going to follow you around."

  “No he will not, let's go Skeeter.” The boy demanded again, before reaching for the wrinkly man, only to be rejected as Sid’s hand became a wall. “Hold on Leif.” The mustache also interjected.

  Leif creaked his neck looking up at Sid. Standing as straight as he can. He reached for a pocket. While another finger point in Sid’s chubby face—kid had some nerve, children typically ran from Sid. Sure he had trousers and boots and an eyepatch now but still. There was a potent aroma reeking of ‘keep an eye on that guy’—shitty pun, …I know.

  “You sir—" Leif began.

  Monte shook his head leaning against the wall watching the two. “Here we go.” He sighed looking at Fenrir, as if he were asking him to bite Leif, or chase him down the hall, maybe bark at him again—odd dog.

  Leif pulled a small leather-bound notebook from the back of his trousers. “You sir have just interfered with an officer of the grounds in a pursuit.”

  "HA!" Monte mocked with a gut bellowing laugh. Leif had to take a side step around Sid to glare at him.

  “Who was that you brought back today Monte?” Leif said with a cold smirk. Monte didn't like this remark. Quickly stepping from the wall he leaned.

  “You have no authority you little dip-shit. Scarlett put that stupid patch on your shirt to humor you. You’re fucking annoying Leif. Seriously, who do you even report these citations to?" Monte sneered grabbing the leather book, throwing it down the hallway. “Where is your cell for those who oppose your authority Leif? Do you really think you’re going to be able to take this man anywhere?" He continued to taunt the boy while he walk for his book.

  Leif grabbed his book. Flipping to page.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  “I don't have a cell yet Monte. But just wait. There will be order. And justice. And law. I will write a judicial system. I may not be big and powerful like him. But I’m not dumb either. Like you. But I will do what I can to enforce the rules so others can have a normal civil life. One without having to rely on you assholes who destroy everything you touch. Just trying to get a job done. Half-assed at that too.”

  That mustache curled with amusement. Sid like this—that kid had spunk. Leif might not be a big, tall kid, but he had stars. Great big shiny suckers that hang low. Like the bright twinkling ones in the night sky. He reflected that of Heart and Courage.

  Monte on the other hand did not like Leif’s attitude. That spunk needed to be knocked down a few pegs. He wanted to dent those stars, Monte reached for the little brat.

  Sid grabbed Monte’s wrist before he could reach Leif. Wrapping a beefy hand around Monte’s. Sid squeezed. Monte dropped to a knee as things started to pop in all the wrong places.

  “AHHHHHLLLLRIGHT!” Monte screamed trying to release the pressure around his wrist.

  Letting the man go, Monte looked at his crushed hand. “Fannon’s crusty butt flap.” He mumbled. Straightening his middle finger. Readjusting his thumb.

  “I'll take Skeeter out, he is assisting me.” Sid said with a reassuring manner.

  Leif rather enjoyed watching the big man crush Monte’s hand agreed upon the request. “Okay but let this be a warning to all of you. The dog too. But before I go your name sir? The force could use someone like you.”

  “I'm Sid and I am only a blacksmith.”

  “Well Sid, I am Leif Suvalitol, lead warden—"

  “Only warden.” Monte pitched in, clenching his fist obsessively—the feeling was gone.

  Leif glared at Monte grabbing the quill from his pocket, scratching in his book.

  “Anyways Sid, I'm going to talk with Garrion. Let me try and talk him into conjuring up a special room. Just for you.” The boy had a conivieng smile—actually a lot of kids had that smile. “Like I said. We could use someone like you. Or at the very least a decent blacksmith in the valley.”

  “No need Leif he's joining my group.”

  “I never said I'd join, and I'm not interested in pushing order. Leif those are only fairytales.” The mustache tried to be subtle with the two.

  “You don't want to do chores mate, trust me, it never ends.”

  “Garrion can conjure a forge, we can get you a nice spot within the castle walls.”

  Sid was being overwhelmed between the two. Both of them yammer on and on about the riches and benefits. Just like young boys who dissagre it was only breaths before they really started arguing.

  “Shut up both you!” That lip-rug spit with a snap. Those two wizards from earlier peaked from their rooms. Same did an elf. “Fenrir, Skeeter. Let’s go.”

  Only when the shadow and kook were behind him did he pass the stare to Monte. Sid’s eye was intimidating and that gem was chilling. The man couldn’t even look up to meet eyes with him. So he spoke down on him.

  “I am a blacksmith.” He said it in such a manner Monte knew his answer.

  Then turning the pressure to Leif—‘the warden’ who surprisingly stood his ground. Leif stood as tall he could. Staring up into that lonesome eye and dull yellow stone. Waiting his turn.

  “No.”

  “Garrion can give you anything you need to work here. If anything, just think about it.” Leif smiled at Sid holding out a hand offering a shake.

  Sid looked at the small hand, thinking about his home—or the shambles of it. Grabbing the boy’s hand, Sid practically gave him a full body shake.

  “I'll think about it. But right now I have got a debt to return.”

  “Fair enough, I can usually be found at the mountains entrance or in the front courtyards.” Leif accepted the answer and headed down the hallway.

  “Go make sure your friend get a proper last night, Scarlett says he won't make it, and I'm sure you already know.” The mustache demand. While the yellow stone made sure the point was clear.

  Monte picked himself up, gave an apologetic look and nodded, while he walked back into the doorway only paces behind.

  “Skeeter, where did Scarlet go, if I’m going to be doing endless debts...” mustache curling curiously. He then did something that just felt natural. Sid pet the pup so roughly he nearly pushed him over. Fenrir loved this rough housing. He was excited. “... Then I'm going to want some proper gear.”

  Skeeter let out goofy noise, and smacked his dry lips a few times. Trying to walk quickly in that oversized boot. Leading in the same direction Scarlett had walked. Sid followed that wafting trail of residue.