Chapter 55. The Return.

  Sid’s anger filled the room. It was heavy presence of aura. Nothing truly visible. But the sense was there. It was a looming discomfort, like being shadowed by fog.

  “Sid.” Scarlett said with melancholy.

  “Who’s dreams are you catching!” Sid screamed flipping a table. Sending buttons and leathers ricocheting against the wall.

  Scarlett flinched, looking up at the man, she started twisting her fingers menacingly in his direction a wispy glow began at her fingertip.

  Sid walked to the seamstress, gripping a bone-breaking grasp around her frail hand, lifting her.

  Scarlett winced as ligaments or bone or tendons—I told you already I’m not frequent in medical terminology—but that stuff in her shoulder began to stretch and tear.

  “Who do you play for!” Sid spit as he yelled in the woman's face.

  “Briareos.” She cried, attempting to pull herself from his grip.

  “You follow that greedy pig.” Sid shook his head, dropping the lady. “What does he want from me?”

  “Xulu is becoming far too powerful, Briareos is threatened he may try for his spot.”

  “Briareos is a god why would he be worried about a mortal sorcerer.”

  Scarlett looked around cautiously, and covered Fenrir’s ears. Before speaking so softly Sid was sure he heard her thoughts more then her words, as he watched the cracked pale lips.

  “Briareos is weak, his greed clouded the purity of his soul, if Xulu conquers his throne.” Scarlett stopped for a moment thinking of the unimaginable. “Sid I know he's not a great and pure God but, he's not destroying humanity, stripping them of their powers and leaving entire races to fall dead.”

  “That’s what all gods do.” Sid said coldly

  “They help nobody, they ignore the pleading prayers and turn away any who seek their enlightenment rejecting those needing true tranquility or a hopeful message. Only showing favoritism to those willing to exchange their life to be a pawn in their game.” This is what Sid knows of the game, and he would not be a part of it.

  Scarlett had nothing to say, this was all true, it was very rare the gods would grace one with their presence, let alone help. Humans had freewill, it was up to them to decipher what was decent.

  “He caused the monster to rampage, he knew, didn't he?” Sid looked down at the woman still holding the pups ears. “He knew I was there and he destroyed my boy. He knew didn’t he. He sent the monster didn’t he!” Wrists fumed with that cold red shroud.

  “How did he know?”

  She shrugged. “He's a god, he probably knows right now.” It was a light whisper. Had he not had a shiny star in Hearing he might have missed it. She was circling her finger between the two, referring to the conversation.

  “I am not intimidated by a god who seeks help.” That mustache was so irritated

  “Scarlett how many buckets do I need to fill to get Zeke a decent blanket for the night—" Monte stopped talking as he walked into the room gathering a better view of the turned-down table and the mess of leather and brass buttons. “—what’s going on up here Scarlett?" Those sky-blue were calm, same was the had reaching for the handle at his hip—I bet he doesn’t bleed calmly.

  “Blankets are in the wardrobe, that one there. Check on the top shelf help yourself Monte.” Scarlet said trying to break the tension between the men.

  Gripping his handle, Monte was hypnotized by that ugly glow. That radiating dim hue in the tentacles. That yellow gem within Sid's hood. The one that blinked at him.

  “What did you say your name was stranger?” Monte said, from the doorway trying for a decent view into the tentacle hood.

  “His name is Sid—" Scarlett answered before being cut off

  “Sid that’s right—well Sid.” Monte tried to threaten before Scarlett broke it off.

  “Monte get your blankets.”

  Monte looked at the large man, with one hand in his coat. The turned over table and the distressed look of the frail old woman.

  “Does this man Sid refuse to work for you Scarlett, does Sid not appreciate your gifts?” Monte said as he approached the three.

  Fenrir sat calmly. He would not be interjecting with that big man—he’d seen what Sid could do. All Fenrir could do was hope he calm him—maybe it was also the fact that Sid felt no threat from this man.

  “I don't want to hurt you Monte, gather your blankets and go.” Sid asked nicely—well as nicely as his frustration would allow.

  “A fat old blacksmith.” Monte laughed taking another step, getting a good grip along his weapon. “I see you got some new gear, is that dragon.”

  He said displaying a hand over his own shiny torso as the scales shimmered. Sid had never heard this word before—but he was not about to be taunted by it.

  “Does it look like dragon.”

  “No it looks like rotting mackerel.” Monte said drawing his blade, trying to intimidate the Sid once again.

  “I'll crush the rest of your arm boy.” Sid growled reminding Monte of their brief altercation.

  “Ha—I was caught off guard. I'd be impressed under any other circumstances.”

  “Last warning Monte.” Sid said as he gripped onto Redemption, behind the coat flap.

  Monte smiled down at Scarlett, who frowned up at him.

  “Last warning Monte.” She repeated Sid’s offer.

  As Scarlett said before Monte was pompous ass, a stupid man who longed to be a hero.

  Monte looked into the hood again. Gazing into that gross yellow. Then he took a brilliant swing at Sid—to bad too cause it was a nice attempt—but his reflective steel bounced against a wide arm as Sid deflect the blow.

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  Monte was awestruck, looking at the scaly arm then down at his ringing weapon. He tried again only to be baffled once more. Monte’s beliefs had been taken back, and he had taken a step back. Because Sid’s arms became smoky with the cold red hue. Then revealing the blade of Redemption. It also glowed with the same chilling reddish shroud.

  It quickly became clear to Monte that he was far more then beyond outmatched.

  Monte’s eyes shifted to Scarlett for support, the old seamstress had nothing for the man, as she watched with sad wide eyes.

  His eyes shifted back to look at Sid, a hefty man within his tentacle hood. The haunting yellow stoney eye peered down on Monte. A cowering man who was now trapped in the dim glow. Sid took a deep breath—no, seriously. A star in Jurassic might have been used in that pull of air. Then released a tremoring colossal roar. A roar layered with vicious predatory, skin chilling decibels. A roar derived from the primal core of his shifting instincts, a roar that was just far to grizzly to bare.

  Scarlett covered her ears and screamed in horror.

  While Fenrir scoot and bumped under a table attempting to cower, floofy tail tucked between trembling legs.

  The roar rippled down the surrounding corridors. The vibrations echoed back with a harsh shaky boom, causing Skeeter to scurry into the room with the single boot pulled over his head while he slid under Fenrir.

  Monte hadn't noticed the warmth of his own urine and wet gelatin legs wobbling underneath.

  Sid lifted Redemption, then brought the blade down quickly. Monte tucked into his shoulder flinching. His body tightened, and his face pinched as he waited for the mystical blade. A crushing elbow. A smashing fist. Something.

  “Have some honor.” It was an irritated wiggle, but the mustache managed a frown upon Monte. Picking a fight—scared to handle it.

  Monte peeked at Sid, that taunting, captivating, ugly hue, glowing behind a tentacle hood. As Monte relaxed and dropped his guard, Sid quarter turned his blade.

  -WHACK-

  A slapping ring of iron against flesh wiggled across the length of Redemption. Sid clapped the siding of his blade across Monte’s face. Leaving a parallel blood track, from his hair line to the bottom of his chin.

  Monte grabbed his face; he was certain his nose was broken again. His eye too instantaneously started a swell. His forehead, cheeks, nose, lips, and chin were now wet and warm.

  Sid wasn't finished either, because he is a man of his word. He grabbed one of Monte’s arms, nearly lifting the man from his feet. Driving a fat elbow against the mans bicep, causing a muffled pop. Sid released the man.

  Monte fell to the floor and looked at Fenrir and Skeeter in the background. Reaching for his weapon. Monte lost control of his arm, his vision became fuzzed and soggy, before falling limp.

  Sid’s fat foot collided with the side of Monte’s ear. He was not going to let the man swing the sword at him again. He watch the man sleep for a moment—mainly to make sure he was okay—Sid wasn’t an animal, just a little hotheaded at times. Sid look for Scarlett who hid under a table across from Fenrir and Skeeter.

  “I'm leaving now.” Sid said to the room.

  Scarlett came out from under her table. “Monte was supposed to guide you through the forest.”

  “I'm not going to search for Xulu, he can destroy my race, and the next one, I don't care. Why would—" He took a deep breath. Looking around the room. Then into the hallways. He thought he could hear Sophie speaking from somewhere, it was faint, distant, and trailing, but Sid was sure it was her.

  “You're scared Sid.”

  The chilling red hue faded from the blade of Redemption settled. Same with the wraps at his wrists. He returned the weapon within his coat. Trying to listen to his wife.

  “They're scared to Sid, look closely, look at these people Sid. They are hurt and terrified. They ask for your help, they clothe you and look at how you show your thanks." Sophie said somewhere in the veil.

  “And now this dink is asleep he's a hard one to wake too, I got fresh buckets of water over here somewhere.” Scarlett spoke at the same time as Sophie’s fading voice, clouding his wife’s soft words.

  “Shut up Scarlett I can’t hear!” Sid shouted at the woman, still angry with her.

  A very quiet and a very twisted face hushed. Scarlett stopped everything she was doing and listened as well.

  Sid and Scarlet sat in a long silence, Sid awaited more words, anything really. All that happened was the loud and abrupt silence breaking snore Monte had released as Fenrir and Skeeter stepped out in unison from under the table, causing the wooden legs to scoot a loud honking.

  Upset Sid started for the door again.

  “Sid my task, as in payment for the attire.” Scarlett called out to him, straining to flip a table upright.

  “Payment?” Pausing his steps. Turned around and glared at the woman, who slightly regret her words.

  “Payment? Payment for what, you and your god attempting to con me, or payment for Briareos bending the wills of the wilds forcing a monster upon my village, or for wrecking my home, or for destroying my son. Yeah I remember him again. Nice try though—" He snarled walking for her. “—take your pick and I'll gladly gather trade, but these. These I will be as apologetic offerings from that greedy pig."

  Sid waited for a moment. Scarlett only stared without blinking, before speaking.

  “Everything is already in effect Sid, I was only supposed to deliver your message.”

  “Mmhm, tell you what, I have a message you can deliver.”

  Fenrir could feel the tension spike, and crawled back under a table, Skeeter quickly underneath as well.

  The large man started for the short round woman. Her eyes got large as she stepped around the table avoiding Sid, and a short game of chase around the table began—what fun just look at the two.

  “Enough!” Sid growled sending the table trumpeting across the floor before it fell to its side, spilling the wide display of boots and gloves.

  Scarlet looked back just as Sid crushed a menacing grip over her collar.

  “Let’s go.” He called for Fenrir, and Skeeter, and was sarcastically including Scarlet as she didn’t have a choice.

  “Keep the threads Sid, just let me go.” Scarlett pleaded for her safety.

  Sid dragged the woman out from the room, before calling to Skeeter.

  “How do we get out.”

  Skeeter slowly stepped from under the large pup, both hiding under the table.

  Fenrir followed just paces behind the large man emitting a new energy. It was a very primitive and headstrong energy. Fenrir watched closely as Sid dragged the woman down a flight of stairs, the crazy curling, different length, shape and height stairs. Stupid stairs.

  Making his way through the main entrance. Sid absolutely paid no attention to the small crowd of slowly following witnesses. All watching while he dragged the woman outside. All being greeted by a cool mid-afternoon late season rain.

  Sid looked at the seamstress who was drawing blood. Clawing at the fat hand crushing her shoulder.

  “Call to him.”

  “Who?” Scarlett asked, looking to the dim hue from the ugly stone as it came to a narrow slit. Seeing some of the folks watching from behind.

  “It doesn't work like that Sid, I have to watch for certain visions.” She cried still scratching his hand hopelessly.

  “Scarlett I swear I'll open you up, and spread you across the pond.” Sid taunted.

  “You said it yourself Sid the gods ignore us.”

  Sid grabbed for Redemption and proceeded dragging Scarlett at his side.

  The soft pattering of collected water grew louder. Looking around her shoulder Scarlett could see that they were indeed now walking closer to the pond.

  Fenrir followed with flat ears, and tail tucked. He was thankful for the dark raincloud—surly no one would see him.

  Skeeter just behind the three, looking at the gathering group forming around the pond.

  “Sid.” Scarlett panicked. Now kicking and thrashing trying to free herself. “Sid I can't communicate with a god, they choose to talk to us.”

  She desperately cried, her legs buckled to his power each time she tried to stop him.

  “Well maybe he might hear you if it was a matter of life and death, that’s how he reached out to me.”

  Sid lifted the woman above the pond edge, and pressed the round tip of Redemption against her side. The sharp blade easily cut through her blouse, and the tip dimpled deeply against her stomach. She leaked.

  “Sid please!” Scarlett begged with a wet ugly face, and a popping snot bubble.

  “You tell Briareos he should feel threatened, but not from this Xulu.” Sid started but could hear his wife again.

  “That is enough Sid, Clayton can see you.”

  Sid took a deep breath, Scarlett looked at him with wide eyes overflowing with panic. In that moment the most intimidating thing he could think of was a word he had never known. A word Abram called him multiple times. A word that may have an entire Legend derived from such.

  “Let Briareos know the Bear-King has returned.” Sid dropped the woman in the shallow waters.

  She massaged her shoulder watching while Sid, Fenrir and Skeeter walked the ponds edge. Pushing through a group—well actually the group opened and got the hell out of his way—but she watched while the three walked for the gates.

  “I told you this wasn’t a good approach.” Scarlett said looking down into a calm section of water, as rippling raindrops waved past throughout the pond.