Chapter 20: Returning to Civilization
MESSAGE START: GOGMAZIOS ON APPROACH STOP REQUESTS FOR ANTI-DRAGON EQUIPMENT ARE OF HIGHEST PRIORITY STOP ALL SEARCHES ARE PUT ON HOLD STOP THIS WILL BE LAST MESSAGE UNTIL SITUATION IS OVER STOP JERRY WE HAVE OUR ISSUES BUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS YOU BETTER TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF STOP SOMEONE HAS TO HANDLE THE MESSAGES THAT COME AND GO STOP MESSAGE END
"Well, this is a predicament," Elliot said with dry humor.
More like hell. And people claim stygians to be the lords of Hell, Sparky thought miserably as he was forced to once again bear the guilt and shame of getting those close to him captured.
The group was promptly cut from the nets and tied up before being split apart. Helen was dragged off to a tent where a heated discussion was taking place. Elliot was not overly concerned about the affair since a hunter as himself was often recognized to be an opportunity. The monsters however faced menacing glares and a wet, cold demise should they so much sneeze without permission behind them.
"Nya, shut up!" one of the felynes shouted.
"Sorry," Elliot apologized.
"Idiot hunter," another muttered.
Elliot decided not to retort to that. Having been called worse and the idea of having something poked into him if he spoke out kept his mouth shut. Still, he did find the insult to be somewhat more humorous than an actual jab. Chances are that the felyne who spoke out was one who thought the world was theirs, only be be outclassed by someone better. Not necessarily bad, but not the best as they boast. It always felt amusing to put up with those kinds of companions...or at least most of the time when their ego didn't get in the way or they were pointing a rather sharp sword at him.
Wonder what the rest are up to, he thought to himself.
Meanwhile...
"Bloody hell," Richard groaned as Susan covered him with frost due to agitation.
"The misses having a bad time?" Howard snickered.
Richard flashed his eyes in irritation but said nothing in return. He was tired, cold, and frankly bored. The traveling up until this point had purpose and he always had something to do. Having three well armed hunters, a crafty caravan driver, and felyne all of which knew how to handle the outside world far better alone than he could with help rendered him close to useless. Short of putting up with Susan's...changes in attitude and trying to entertain Phantom (if the ball of energy would ever leave his father, not that he could blame either of them on that however) there was nothing really to do.
Maybe he should have joined the others when they left. Or maybe not, the weather over the mountain blew up into a freak storm after some faint roars were heard.
"Look alive! We've got a seregios," Victoria warned.
"What the hell is one of those doing up here? And where the hell are the others?! They should have been back by now," Walter exclaimed.
"I swear if it's Steve again I'm going to make sure someone has his scales shaved off," Richard groaned.
"Not sure how you plan on having someone do that but unfortunately it is him," Circus said as he sat on a wagon.
"How do you know?"
"Recognize the pitch and the fact that we seem to have unusual luck of running into him."
"So do you know what was coming from the mountain earlier?"
"When was that?"
While the two monsters conversed, knowing that Steve was more of a nuisance than a threat considering the story Merlin told them a while back, Victoria and Walter armed themselves.
"Where is it?" Walter asked.
"It was out on the frozen lake. Not sure if it's still there," Victoria answered.
The lake did show signs of something big and hungry went through the area recently. Fresh gouges in the ice, ice chips strewn about, and a pile of freshly eaten fish accounted for that. Other than this however...
"I don't like this," Victoria said nervously.
"Best case is keep it away from the caravan. Let's head back so Howard doesn't kill us for leaving him alone if it shows up," Walter suggested.
Heading back, they saw a group of felynes heading for the caravan. The seemed a bit disgruntled at their appearance but were at least willing to-
"Watch out!" one of them cried out as a shadow landed in front of them all.
"All shall fear the name of Steve! I will make sure of it!" the golden creature roared, forgetting that non of the felynes or hunters could understand him.
"For the love of everything, will you stop following us?!" a different roar called.
"You again?" Steve cringed at the sight of the opposition that did not cower.
Richard just gave the equivalent of a blank expression towards the seregios.
"Yes and if I remember you got your scaly arse fried the last time you were near any of us. Now unless you want me to go get the one responsible for that I suggest you go pester someone else and stop bleedin' following us," Richard growled tiredly.
The hunters were rather surprised to see the seregios back up slowly before flying off. Looking at the narcacuga in surprise, they could only deduce that something was exchanged between the monsters despite the obvious difference in size and danger.
"Uh...what just happened?" Walter questioned.
"I suppose you're the idiots the other idiot mentioned," a different voice broke in.
The hunters turned around to see a group of felynes angrily staring at them.
"Can we help you?" Victoria asked.
"Found some of your furends snooping in our village, nya. Along with some meownsters like the one over there," one snarled.
"Touch me and get skewered," Richard glared before walking away.
"So...you want us to get them out of whatever mess they made or are you just letting us know that you found them?" Victoria asked.
"Actually, we came to make sure the meownsters with them are worth keeping alive or as pelts," was the response.
"Well...I'm sure there's no need to be hasty about that. We'll-" Walter attempted.
"You'll give us proof or they die."
"Uh...what goes as proof then?"
"A letter. The felyne Helen has it in her supplies," was the only answer they got.
Back at the village:
"I'm telling you that this is pointless," Helen stated in weary exasperation.
"It mostly is," the village chieftain agreed, "Unfortunately most seem to think the outside world holds nothing but disaster for us."
"Of course."
"Oi! This isn't funny anymore! You seriously don't have a toilet around here? Not even a waste basket?! I understand I'm a prisoner here but I'm about to ruin my armor here and then have it freeze!" the distressed voice of Elliot yelled.
"Shut up!" was the response.
"Well then...that's disgusting and I've had the misfortune of having a congalala decide to use my hiding spot as a toilet," Helen shivered at the memory.
"That's...something unique I suppose," the chieftain said.
Helen gave a sight before being led to somewhere else. She was tired of the madness and frankly wanted to go back to the caravan. The fact that she was seen with disdain as being an intruder was bad enough, the others for who they were was terrible. What bothered her even more was the fact that this place was recommended to help rather than cause issues. Her proof also out of reach didn't help either.
Her thoughts of dismay were interrupted however when she and the others we led out of the village. Greeting them were Walter and Victoria.
"Come to save us?" she asked with a small smile.
"Somewhat," Walter replied, "Been waiting for five minutes really."
"That's good. Now excuse me," Elliot muttered before rushing as fast as he could behind an ice wall.
"Do we ask?" Victoria said.
"You probably don't want an answer," Sparky muttered as he led Phantom and Nancy away from the village.
After getting back, the caravan continued on its way through the region. Disappointment about loosing potential help was not found among the monsters due to the reception given. If anything, everyone wanted to leave the region. Whether it was the cold, the village, the dangerous monsters, or simply the oddness leading to all scenarios, they wanted to leave. Heading for Dundorma was a relief. The only things that had everyone on edge was the idea of having to deal with the city reacting towards the monsters and Susan.
"Daddy, what's wrong with Aunt Sussan?" Phantom asked as they continued on the road, taking notice to the unusual behavior.
Well hell..., Sparky internally blanked as he attempted to think of an appropriate answer.