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[dadication]

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[gr1m]

His snakes moved through his hair in some odd braiding fashion, fixing it all up in to something a little more tied back as he went about gathering his own. A soft hiss was all the response to that thanks as if he wasn't used to receiving it, better than no answer at all, probably.

"You can keep it in your pack, like I said, can keep it just to have a change of clothing on you when you can afford to relax." Did pause a little as he was pulling on one of his hooded cloaks, quiet again for just a moment at the question. In some capacity he'd expected to be asked, while the other was hoping it wouldn't come.

He pulled up the hood, allowing cloth to drop over his eyes to better obscure his upper face. "You've given me reason to be." Simple as that.

[dadication]

It was an odd sort of situation that they found themselves in, and he couldn't say that he owed the gorgon or vice versa. For some reason, they had fallen into a symbiotic relationship for the time that they were together, a fact he was definitely not used to. It was more than he ever dared hope to have with another living creature, and of course, it had come with a creature that could literally turn him to stone if he had eyes that worked.

He packed up the clothing that was given to him, only then putting two and two together that he and the gorgon were roughly the same size. That made the other seem even more human to him, a kind of companionable comparison. "Alright, they were quite comfortable, and they are light, which makes them easy to pack."

He was pulling his cloak on, setting his pack upon his back and strapping on his weapons, fingers pausing at the answer. It was an expected one. "I won't know where you go, and I definitely won't be following you, but... stay safe wherever that is."

[gr1m]

"It's a nice fabric." One he went in to certain towns for so he could make clothing easy to pack and comfortable to wear when he had the time to relax and rest. All to better prepare him for the other times he ventured out. Had enough of it he could spare to part with some and, well, why not now? Seemed the other could do with a spare set of clothing easy to pack himself.

He made sure the fabric hid his face well, acting as a sort of mask and obscuring far better than just the shadow of his hood could. Snakes comfortable as well, everything in order and ready to delve back in to the mine system.

He was already walking towards the door, easy to be followed. "You as well, and try to let yourself rest a little extra when you can. It does wonders for the body- shall we?"

[dadication]

He was nearing the end of his gearing up, and that was fine by him. After this, it was unlikely that he would be returning to the gorgon's stronghold, what with coin in his pocket and injuries healed enough that he could get by. He noted that Gabriel was making his move to leave, and he nodded his head at the offer to go.

He eased away, tilting his head as he studied Gabriel's outline and some of the details he could pick out with his magical vision. For all intensive purposes, the gorgon could pass as human with that get up, and even more easily pass as a hunter in certain context. No wonder Gabriel had survived so well for so long. Adaptable. That was good.

He eased back into the mines, taking some time to get his bearings as he looked around but also was willing to follow the gorgon until he recognized his surroundings and walked more companionably. It wasn't long before the scent of death reached his nose and he knew they were close to the chimera.

[gr1m]

It had served him well, and he'd found just how to make his hoods these days to the point he could travel amongst humans safely; for their sakes. There's be no easy way to get a look at him and turn themselves to stone, no accidental slip, and it sat comfortably on him for himself and the snakes of his hair as well. There were little details that could make it easier to believe he was some type of hunter, and it allowed him to not be questioned for that reason.

No one looked at him twice unless they were desperate for some job to be done, and perhaps he had taken some jobs from any Guilds, but better for him at times. Or the creatures where it was more a mistake than any actual need to kill anything.

There was a ways he had carried Jack, twists and turns to make it difficult to find where he slept if anything ever got past. He reset a trap and even disarmed it, opening passage to where the chimera rested. "Well, there it is." Still dead, an nothing had seemingly found it.

[dadication]

He was able to get familiar with the path that they took as he followed Gabriel, and he was certain that he could he make his way back to that place if he needed to. Maybe a few considering pauses, but otherwise, he was fine to make his own way through the tunnels.

So he was aware of the chimera where Gabriel had taken care to keep it hidden. He shifted his pack off of his shoulder and began to remove his knives and whetstone so he could keep them sharp for this. "How about that cart of yours? We'll probably need it. Or do we need to lug this collection to it?"

He was moving in anyway, starting first to skin the most important parts of the hide that were worth the most point. This wouldn't be his first rodeo when it came to salvaging parts off of his kills. Usually just proof, but he could do more.

[gr1m]

"I can go get it, fits through the mine tunnels well enough. Just shout if you need me to hurry back for any reason."

Enough trust being given that he was leaving Jack alone to do the work he'd already settled in to while Gabriel went off to fetch the cart where he kept it stored away. Took a little time to keep moving, but he was coming back pulling it along and the size of it would serve this purpose rather well. Of course he checked to make sure nothing else had wandered in, but there was an all-clear as far as he could tell.

Stopped the cart nearby, coming closer just to see progress made- "Need help with anything?"

[dadication]

"Alright, I will," he said as he continued his work. He knew that the faster they were finished with this ugly business, the better off everyone involved would be. This wasn't the kind of work he enjoyed, but it was necessary.

The fact that Gabriel went off and left him to it was interesting, like they had developed with the rapport together in a relatively short amount of time. He allowed that fact and the scenarios that surrounded it consume his thoughts as his knife worked through flesh. He had much of it skinned by the time Gabriel returned with the cart.

"I'll need a hand lifting this thing into it. Fold the fur side in when we put necessary flesh on top to hold it down," he murmured as he stood up again. "Galbladder, liver, claws, teeth, pancreas are all worth coin. Want to risk taking it all?"

[gr1m]

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."

[dadication]

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?"

[gr1m]

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."

[dadication]

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.

[gr1m]

"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?"

[dadication]

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."

[gr1m]

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."

[dadication]

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.

[gr1m]

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."

[dadication]

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.

[gr1m]

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.

[dadication]

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?"

[gr1m]

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.

[dadication]

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.

[gr1m]

"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."

[dadication]

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?

[gr1m]

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."