Sword - A Book of The Damned

Chapter 9

Artos walks the short distance back to the general store. His body warmed by the small exertion from the fight. His senses heightened to the max so he feels every set of eyes on him as he starts up the few steps that lead to the door. Pulling open the door, Artos enters to the chime of the bell. He walks past a cluster of papers, small trinkets and other odds and sods, through the tall shelves and back to where Dec still stands.

"Doc?" he says to the plump tradesman. "Doc, they have gone. It is safe."

"W-what?" His head turns slowly to face him, his eyes glazed as if coated in sugar. "How did you... do that?" He points to the window in front of him. "You were..." he trails off as he continues to stare.

"My story is a long one." He smiles now, his face aching from the effort. "Let me help you with the mess. I will pay for anything they broke."

Doc seems to shake himself out of his trance. "No, no. That will not be necessary. Getting them to leave is payment enough." Doc forces a smile, "Thank ya. I'll take the offer of helping me clean up though."

Artos nods, "Of course. Here, let me lift that." He moves closer to a shelf that had been knocked over. With a little effort, he manages to lift it back to its feet.

Doc steadies it with big fists and nods. "Thank ya. I really do mean that."

"Not a problem. I'll help with this lot too," he says moving over towards the entrance. He looks down wondering where to start.

"You not gonna ask about the men?" asks Dec.

Artos turns to look at him, "No need. I know who they are and what they do."

"You do?" he replies, shifting from foot to foot. His sudden nervousness peaked. "How?" he whispers.

"I am against them. That is all I will say for now. You have nothing to fear from me. That, I promise." He faces Dec again and forces a smile that doesn't reach his eyes.

"Thank... you," he replies hesitantly. "Are they gone for good?"

Artos shakes his head, "They will be back. I don't know when, but they will be back eventually."

"What will we do? They will come back and slaughter us all."

"They fear me, Dec. That will keep them away for a while. And they will not slaughter you, they need what you have." He stands now with an armful of trinkets and places them on one of the shelves.

"Why..." Dec pauses, his eyes staring at him now. "Do they fear you? Surely not just from some scuffle in a random town."

Artos rounds on him now, his feet moving almost on instinct. But it makes Dec flinch backwards and his face drains of colour. "I am sorry, Dec." His face softens. "I did not mean to frighten you." He turns away before speaking again. "It was something I did, something in my past that is hard for me to speak about. Something that I am deeply ashamed of, Dec." He turns, fixing him with a steely gaze. "Can you clear up the rest?"

Dec shakes himself as he stares at Artos. Then his chin rolls wobble as he finds himself moving forwards. He reaches out a shaky hand, "Thank you, Artos. I think."

Artos stares at his hand then takes it, holding it firm. "You are welcome, I think," he finishes with a smile.

"Go on now, I can do the rest."

"I'll see you again soon," he says letting go of the big ham-shaped fists.

"And you, Artos." Then Dec goes about his business, cleaning and tidying.

Artos leaves the store with the ring of a bell and walks down the few steps to the dusty street. Men and women still look on, keeping watch at the big man, Blake still lying face down in the dust. He moves toward the unconscious body with the hope that it won't end with another fight. He moves closer watching for the slightest hint of movement, Nothing, good. He kicks the big man's leg receiving a groan in response. He steps back out of reach as Blake starts to shift and move and another groan escapes from his lips.