dadication | Open Post

His head tipped to one side. "Alright, and we may as well take whatever can fit in the cart. Part with as much split between us, and it will set me up well enough for when I have to visit any village or town for food." Wouldn't be able to hunt as needed, and it made it easier to just buy meats and breads so he could move on. Already had the dried and preserved things ready to travel.

What wouldn't travel was buried in his various areas, and more would be added to the one here as well.

"Just tell me when to lift, and then I can help pull those parts."

And that was why they were doing this, at least partially. For one, he didn't want to have to explain how he killed a chimera on his own. For two, the coin would be worthwhile to have in case he got himself into a pinch. He also had no problem giving Gabriel more than half, if it would keep the gorgon out of trouble and off the radar of hunters that might be looking for opportunity.

He moved to roll up the pelt as much as he could. "Alright, let's lift." Together with their combined strength, they managed to lift and haul the heavy thing over and into the cart. Their hands brushed as he pulled away to return to the carcass.

He excised the parts that were worth the most coin, filling up the cart. Only once it was full and they could haul it that he left off, wiping his bloody hands on a cloth. "Would you like to take anything before we go?"

Made sure the hide was folded so the fur was inside and protected from getting any further blood or organ fluids on it, helping put things in the cart so nothing would roll and it would be easy to transport. Did leave the corpse in a poorly way, but he'd be scattering the rest of that out and away himself likely. Fine with him.

Did stand back to look things over, letting out a breath as he shook his head. "No, all good here I think. You start pulling and I'll close this back off again. I'll come back once you're past the edge of the forest and scatter what's left for the animals of the forest to pick over themselves."

All of it be done with then- "I'll still be in this mine when you return with what you'll give me of the coins from these parts."

Jack nodded his head when it seemed that they continued to think along the same lines, and it was eerie that they could do that. Well, he was willing to make the most of it now that they had all that they could possibly scavenge. He made certain to cover it with a tarp before he started to pull the cart.

"I'll be back before dawn. Any trouble and save yourself." And if they were close enough to each other, holler and he would come. No point getting the gorgon in trouble because of him or anything to do with him. Gabriel had the mines well worked out anyway, so he wasn't worried about the gorgon.

No, Jack headed off to the town nearby where he knew his dealer would be doing his craft. It took him two hours to arrive, pay off the guards and slip inside with the cart. He took backroads to keep out of trouble and successfully made it to where he needed to be where he was greeted warmly. The fact he brought a chimera was exciting, and they haggled aggressively for price and cost. Then it was unloaded to be smuggled from the city, he was paid handsomely for his work and he left town again.

An hour was all it took to make it back, and it was indeed before the dawn as he had promised. No trouble on the road tonight, which was probably a blessing given how heavy his coin purse was. He had even stopped the wash the cart so it didn't smell of blood before he pulled it into the mine entrance.

"Come collect your cart and coins," he called.

"Alright."

Gabriel did as he said he would, walked with the hunter until the edge of the forest, watching him off for a moment and knowing that it could be the last sight of Jack he could have. There was that bit of trust still left with the man, and he made his way back in to the forest, in to the mines, and did his work of taking what was left to scatter well away from the mine itself. Even through one of the passages he never used to do so.

Sealed it all right back up behind him as any trail left was cleared away, and went to clean himself up as well. The smell of death would air out eventually, but at least what would linger would simply remain where it was.

The gorgon cleaned himself up and continued what bit of packing he needed, did his round within the mine tunnels. Went about the rest of that day as he always would and caught a little rest as well.

The hunter would be welcomed with silence- but just a moment. Gabriel taking a moment to make sure the hunter was alone before he came out and a hand rested on part of the cart. "I take it things went well?"

He didn't need to see Gabriel to know that the gorgon was there. A creature like that had a presence, one that made the hairs on the back of his neck rise when they were in close proximity. He also trusted he wasn't about to take a crossbow bolt to the guts and be robbed. That would be an unfortunate end to a relatively good twenty-four hours anyway.

Instead, his head turned when the gorgon seemed to melt from the shadows, coming in close as he leaned against part of the cart himself. He pulled a purse from his belt and tossed it at Gabriel, expecting the gorgon could catch well enough a gift from a blind man. It was good aim at least.

"He was impressed with it. Paid handsomely, and that's your share," he remarked. It was more than half, since Jack needed far less funds to survive what with the Guild paying much of his way. "Hopefully should get you through wherever you're going. I don't suppose I'll catch wind of you again, hmm? Not until you come back this way and even then, you seem to be well-hidden."

The purse was caught, judging the weight of it in his hand before it was moved under his cloak and the hand returned empty. "It should, and judging by weight enough to tuck away on top of that." It would serve him well, and he could take the time to sort of build up his own funds for when things got tight and he'd have to try and sell off a few things.

Still, he was watching Jack, arms folded on the cart as he leaned against it. "No more than you already have I suppose, but if you ever want some word to get to me you only have to speak with any snake you may come across." No joke there. "It will find me."

No more reason for them to continue this, was there? "I will return eventually, whether we meet again or not, and perhaps you will somehow know when that is."

He nodded his head, able to tell what Gabriel was doing just by hearing alone. He could reason that he had given the gorgon more because he was a hunter and he benefited from the reputation. It had nothing to do as repayment of taking care of him when he had gone down in the fight, nor the fact that he felt the gorgon just plain deserved it more. He didn't have to say anything about the amount he took from it.

He tilted his head curiously at the mention of snakes. As a rule, he left snakes alone to live their lives. It was an interesting offer, and even more so, it was a way to regain contact if the gorgon so choose to do so. "I'll keep that in mind. Just be certain to take care of yourself. I don't want to hear that your bounty has increased."

There wasn't a reason to stay, yet he lingered leaning on the cart all the same. Maybe it was because there was no guarantee of this sort of connection again that he stayed at the edge of it, drinking it in. "Well, take care of yourself. Find yourself a pretty little thing to go on your arm, and I'll be about the only one that can come to the wedding and make out what's going on." His very lame attempt at a tease. Look, he was trying.

There were reasons that once long ago snakes did gather in large number when gorgons did live in communities within large enough cave systems. There were just legends and stories about it now, twisted no doubt, but snakes had always been wonderful messengers for them even amongst themselves. Any that could understand, and allow warnings to be passed without anything else intercepting.

Now there was hardly a reason for it with how few and far between they were, some bit of fear. Yet he still gave that option if it was wanted. "I'd rather it not myself," been doing well enough as it had been.

There was the sound of amused hissing from under his hood, but Gabriel leaned and lightly flicked the end of the hunter's nose- "You'd be the only one to get an invite. Take care of yourself, Jack."

Jack came across snakes often enough in his travels that he knew he would test that theory at least once, possibly more. After all, it was strange to think that he was on good terms with a gorgon, more so than he was with anyone else that he knew. He had no doubt with the passing of their association that such a sensation would fade again, but for now, it was nice to relish them being cordial.

He wrinkled his nose at the flick, causing many of his scars to bunch with the facial expression. He would have said it was sad that Gabriel didn't have any other friends to invite to a wedding, but he instead decided not to. A bit too familiar maybe.

Instead, he pushed off of leaning on the cart and gestured with a vague sort of salute and wave. "Take care, Gabriel." And then he slipped away, heading to his next job with only a little hitch in his step for his troubles.

Gabriel had lingered, watching the hunter go before he was taking his cart back in to the mines. There were a few days longer he spent there before departing the territory with little to no sort of fanfare, geared up so he could travel and only be mistaken for a hunter or mercenary. Meant he was left alone, going through a few villages and at least one town. Keeping to himself and listening to rumors on the outskirts.

There were more hunters about some weeks after that, as it seemed the Western King had upped bounties for certain monsters. Was enough that it put the gorgon on edge, sent him out of populated areas faster and had him hunting a little less.

Didn't expect to be found when he'd taken some time to make his shed easier in a hot spring, relaxing in those waters and letting snakeskin shed even off his own tail. At least it meant none of the hunters would find his stash, but it also left him with only his own natural gifts to try and get away. Large but quick, keeping them just on the edges of his sight, long muscled tail having batted most of them against trees, suffering wounds from blades that would heal.

Even though he fought hard, took two of the group out, there were just too many of them with how persistent they were. Felt himself growing sluggish and limbs heavy with no doubt that arrows used were laced with something, and far away from where he was camped he finally went down, thick fabriced bag secured over his head by something around his neck.

When he finally came to? All he knew was that he was caged and bound, head still covered and snakes hissing wildly while he was still too out of it other than to know he was in trouble. Didn't know if he'd been tracked or if it had just been a coincidence that put him in the wrong place at the wrong time. Kept coiled, as if his healing body would somehow protect him from... what?

He was so very, very tired.

Jack had carried on with his missions, moving through each one and into areas that he had been to before and others where he hadn't. He kept his ear to the ground for signs of the gorgon, even whispers of a mysterious hunter or some such. Wherever Gabriel had gone, it was out of sight and out of mind, far beyond his reach.

Yet, he had talked to snakes on occasion, and he also had managed to not be bitten in the process. Soon a snake or two would come to his fire to bask in the heat of it, well out of his range at first. Then one or two would come closer. Then one was sleeping with him. He'd even snuck one particularly persistent one into his room at the inn he had been staying at, and it alternated between resting at the fire or slithering over him like its own personal furniture.

He had, of course, heard the Western King was increasing the pay for live capture of creatures for the war effort. Some new magical binding spell to keep them in line and to punish their enemies. Many of the young hunters were excited and formed teams. Jack hadn't shown any interest, never had, but this time even less. He continued with his work, but he still listened to news over the weeks.

Creatures were captured and sent West. Harpies, a mermaid, werewolves and an assortment of others. He'd even heard a chimera was captured by a persistent group. And then the news came that a gorgon had been captured and that the Guild was going to increase in prestige and following because of it. Jack was dubious about that.

No, he rose from his seat at the communal dining area, gathered this things and took the first job that was in the area he had heard the gorgon captured. Below his skill level, but he didn't care.

It took him two weeks to catch up with the caravan from the Guild. He followed the words of villages and rumours, since many had never seen a gorgon. Bound, hooded, injured and subdued with magic, people came to see when the cage stopped in town. So it wasn't hard to find the gorgon and even less difficult to identify that it was Gabriel who was in that cage. He knew some of those scars.

He waited until the caravan was in motion before joining up with it, claiming to be traveling in the same direction for a job. Other hunters didn't question him, so he was given free reign to stay. On the road, he began to undo the magical restraints that kept Gabriel dopey and quiet, let the gorgon wake up.

He engaged another hunter with talk of the gorgon, making certain that Gabriel could and hopefully would identify his voice. A garter snake that liked to cuddle in his cloak was sent into the cage to give the gorgon a time to be ready to escape.

Under the cover of night, Jack killed them all. Quiet as the night itself, he murdered the hunters first then the caravan drivers and he released the other creatures. They did good work mauling the corpses and finishing off stragglers.

He opened the gorgon's cage last, swinging the door open and jingling the key to announce he was coming in. "This is the worst wedding I've never been to," he murmured as he opened the locks to Gabriel's restraints. "We should be away from here quickly. How limber are you feeling?"

The more aware that he became, the closer that Gabriel listened, remained still and putting on the act that he was still out of it. Easy to do with what was essentially a bag over his head meant to cover not only his face, but the snakes of his hair as well. Remained curled in his coils so the large size of him could fit in the cage they'd placed him in, black and red scales dulled due to injury and little care as he was kept asleep. He was still a sight to behold for those that had never seen a gorgon, bound as he was.

The garter snake? Was kept close and hidden with him so that it wouldn't be seen, caught between knowing one of those voices and what he was told as it hissed quietly.

Remained still, even as he'd heard the other creatures being released simply to try and gauge what was happening; he had a guess, but a part of him didn't want to hope. Knew what a risk this could be if it was—

As the locks were undone he reared up on his tail, hunched over due to the roof of the cage, ripping away the bag as snakes hissed and then quieted as they caught sight of a familiar hunter first. "Time for the bride to runaway then, isn't it?" His voice was hoarse, Gabriel took in the bit of chaos around them as creatures fed on corpses. "Enough, but I don't know how far I can get." They'd done a number on him, but he refused to voice his question just yet as well as he watched Jack.

He could tell that Gabriel was in a bad way, clearly beaten and drugged and there were haphazardly treated wounds from blades as well. He sighed as he viewed them, mostly having to run a finger over them while Gabriel reared up like the gorgon would strike and ripped that hood off. He wasn't at all afraid, didn't stop what he was doing as he freed the chains that criss crossed over that big body.

"You're the bride, are you? I thought you'd be the husband cold feet," he remarked before he backed his way out of the cage so he could force up the other door to give the gorgon a better chance of turning over and slipping free. The faster they were gone, the better.

"We're close to the Western border, so we can't linger here. It took me time to track you and find out what was going on." He looked around, sensing that some of the creatures were ravaging the corpses. They would, eventually, potentially consider him a meal as well, but he would deal with that later.

"If you can change to having legs, I could potentially carry you further." He didn't want to press that point. Might be some pride against being carried.

"Captured bride, forced marriage to some royal for ego, that old tale." Absently as he rolled muscles along his tail as the chains were being removed, testing himself. Judging just how he felt as he snorted a bit and the snakes hissed just a bit; even they sounded worn along with him.

Was out of that cage the very moment his body was under control, reared up higher in some idle threat to the other creatures. Hoping it'd be enough to get the closer ones to back off and keep the others more interested in their meals. Didn't like the sound of that, how close they were, which meant it wouldn't take long for soldiers to come in search for a late caravan of creatures-

He lowered then. "I don't have the energy for that, but if you don't mind hanging on I can move us both faster, this body is a bit meant for distance." Waste more energy changing than he would slithering on- "Can at least say you've ridden a gorgon if you agree to that one."

Jack moved aside so that Gabriel could emerge from the cage, and it was strange to consider his sheer bulk this close. No wonder it had taken so many teams to capture the gorgon, and no wonder the tactic was to pick on the offspring and mates to lure them out where they could be killed when considering hostages.

He noted that some of the creatures which clearly hadn't been fed well eyed them but then went back to their meals when it seemed that the gorgon was a real threat to them. Easier pickings meant they were willing to stay and eat the people here down to the bones. Good. Less evidence that he had been here at all.

"You want me to hang on? Why don't I just follow the trail that you lead?" He was also looking around for the garter snake that had been keeping him company. Had it gone?

The garter snake? Was curled around Gabriel's neck like it was a necklace, and when the gorgon leaned in closer made itself known with a little hiss of it's own. Eye to eye even knowing the man was blind, but it seemed better to be more on the level than looming over him given his size.

"Faster, and less likely for you to leave a trail, know how to naturally cover my own." There was a hand offered, his tail brought around and making it that much more clear it was an actual offer. "Better to be clear of this place before any of these creatures finish their meals," and be far enough to at least stop, let him rest.

Always kept the creatures around in some corner of his vision, the snakes of his hair even lifted so even those behind Gabriel were being watched. "Easier for both of us in the long of it."

He was familiar with covering his own tracks, and in the chaos of the situation here, he acknowledged that it would be better for all involved if they were to escape quickly and make it seem like no human left. He reached out to touch the garter snake, but otherwise, he left it where it seemed to be more comfortable.

"As long as it won't hurt you. Looks like a few groups have given you quite the beating." He imagined that the gorgon had given quite the chase. "If you fatigue or are too hurt to go on, you have to tell me and I'll take over."

That's when he took Gabriel's offered hand, and he shifted his weight so he was straddling the big scaled body. It was a strange sensation, not at all like riding a horse. This would be even more an adventure given he was technically blind so fast motions didn't always keep up well with his magical vision.

The little snake leaned in to that touch, tongue flicking out with a hiss that the snakes of the gorgon's hair echoed as well. His eyes rolled just a little, but he kept that hand steady for Jack to have as a brace to get himself seated. "No worse than I've already been hurting chained up in a cage, you'll be fine."

Gabriel let himself adjust to the weight on him as he took in a breath and at least moved arms behind himself. Hands set against Jack to help keep the both of them steady, looking for a path- "Let me know if I need to stop, and hang on now."

The moment he felt the hunter brace, the gorgon was off at a rather quick speed in that slithering, keeping low enough that nothing could see them off. Went right for the forest away from the border, surprisingly silent other than for what brush he moved against or through. Didn't stop for a good while, covering a great distance, unless Jack said the word that he needed them to. Gabriel concerned with getting a good many miles between them and the wreckage of the caravan, as many as possible before he would have to stop.

Was a cave that he moved them in to, hand braced against a wall as the rest of his body coiled up out of sight from anything passing by- "Empty...?" A quiet question, asking the hunter to check, some admittance to his own exhaustion then.

He tucked his knees to tightened around Gabriel's girth so that he wasn't likely to fall off easily. He knew the motions of snakes, but he had never tried to ride one before. Gorgon's were thick and muscular, and he was clearly certain about quickness. This was going to be an adventure, especially since he had intended to be the one do the saving.

When Gabriel began to move, he wrapped his arms around the gorgon and just held on. He managed to move with motions of Gabriel's body, tightening his legs as they delved into the forest. It became easier the longer that he was straddling that thick body, holding on and not at all impeding Gabriel's movements. He knew that the other creatures would pick their way back to their territories again, and he knew it would be quick about it.

Once inside the cave, he hopped off of Gabriel and cast a quick spell, throwing it out deeper into cave. "Empty of life. Could have leaves, but that's about it." He touched Gabriel's shoulder. "Let's get you in a little further in and laying on a blanket. I'll clean your wounds."

All the more reason that Gabriel had wanted to put as much distance between there and them as quickly as possible. No chance of any of those creatures catching up to them.

He let out a breath and nodded, fingers brushing the garter snake still around his neck as it moved from there and along Jack's arm to curl up on him instead. "No life is what I was hoping for," no life other than them at least. Meant they could take shelter her for the time being, until it was time to move on again.

Gabriel slithered deeper in to the cave, taking it slower as the snakes of his hair moved down closer to his head. "Haven't gotten the chance to see the number they did on me yet." Had his head covered as quickly as they could manage it after all.

Jack paused as the garter snake moved over to him, and he opened his cloak so that it could snuggle in closer to his body. He knew it would likely leave tonight to hunt some small creature, but for now, he was glad to have it. "I'll put wards up once you're settled and we will be safe here tonight until we can reassess your condition tomorrow."

He moved ahead of Gabriel so he could pull the blanket off of his pack and spread it out in one of the larger spots in the cave. It would allow Gabriel to curl up or spread out, but more importantly, it was hopefully big enough that he could start a fire to keep the warmth up here.

"From the impression I get, you could use with some stitches and bandaging." But that would have to wait for now. "You're safe now. When I heard word that a gorgon had been captured, I set out as quickly as I could."

"Alright." He would trust Jack to ensure their safety for the night, the travel had taken what little had been in him out. Would be practically useless without rest and, well, anything with how he'd been treated once captured.

Once that blanket was spread out Gabriel let himself lay down, partially coiled but mostly spread out. A hiss of pain escaped him, really feeling the various wounds and bruises given the chance to finally let all of that adrenaline drain out of him. "On the chances it could have been me?" That was-

"What exactly was said? I don't remember much of what happened other than I was trying to shed in peace and then, well." A group had been upon him and it had all felt like it happened quickly.

He waited for Gabriel to lay down, dropping his bag down so he could free himself up for what needed to be done tonight. He didn't need sight to know of Gabriel's wounds, able to sense them like magic bleeding from flesh in places. He would use that as a guide for attempting to heal, but for now, he had to wait on that.

"Gorgons are rare, and you're the first I've seen. If it was you, I... couldn't leave you to that fate." He had heard of what happened to some of the creatures in the Western King's terrorizing reign, and that was not a fate that he would leave anyone he was familiar with to suffer under.

He seated himself next to Gabriel's tail, pulling out his water skin and a cloth, dampening it so he could wash the gorgon's wounds. "Word came back to the Guild a gorgon had been captured and you were being shipped. You took out fifteen men and women on that hunting party. It was only the poison that knocked you down apparently. Guild wants the prestige of its members taking a gorgon." He shrugged his shoulders as he wiped. "I think I bring them more prestige letting you go to live your life."

Let himself relax, part out of exhaustion and part out of what trust he still held for this hunter. Even more so for the fact that Jack actually came looking to see if it was him in order to get him out. That was a high risk for his person and perhaps more, considering how humans could and would treat their own.

Gabriel pillowed his head against folded arms, his own eyes closed even as those snakes of his hair settled against his back, watching Jack in their own. "I can still feel it, haven't been under any condition to let it flush from my body." The downside to still being in this form was that he needed better heat for his system, but he lacked the energy to change to something much more warm blooded. "They were like a hydra; the more that went down, the more that came," like ants.

Did hiss at certain deeper wounds, but he didn't move so that Jack could clean them better. "Bounty will probably go up when word of the caravan never making it gets out." His nose wrinkled, briefly. "Still, would rather freedom than what would have become of me."

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