The Fell Good Flue (6 page)

Laurence, “I feed him once, and if you want to keep him alive it better be the last time, he can have the snakes or they him.”
I said, “you’re as proud of what you did as I am, to have a guard like that is better than a guard that can’t hit that.”
He said, “say that a bit louder and in the direction of the tower, I need a drink and I’m willing to share, but only to you.”
I yelled out, “no fair shooting it now, you might just set it free and after you, along with me!” He just waved his hands and keep looking down at the gate, as we took the net inside. Laurence said, “that’s telling him, now check out this gem of a brew, a real fifth of wild raspberry brandy from last year. It takes this stuff a while to age proper, but well worth the wait.”
I said, “I say the same thing right after something is gone, but never regret it, as well as looking forward to each occasion.”
He said, “well said, take the first hit sir.”
So I pulled the cork and took a sniff, it was an eye opening drink for sure, then I tipped it up and downed a swig. Laurence said, “it’s got a way of saying hello, don’t it?”
I handed it to him and said, “that it do, and a way of holding on to that as well I’m sure.” He downed a gulp and handed it back half-full, saying, “take the rest, but save a sip for that wolf, I wouldn’t want it to get mad at me for leaving it out.”
I said, “it’s a promise,” and put it in my pack.
Laurence said, “do you want to take more milk home with you?”
I said, “not right now, I’ll stop back latter, but a hunk of cheese would travel well.” He reached over and picked up two that were wrapped to go and said, “tell Billy not to eat this one all at once.”
I put them in my pack saying, “once a load is lightened it’s weight is no longer my concern, but word will pass free.”
Laurence, “swingers code and runners oath is bond to live by, respecting both I give thanks for your deeds this morning and words. And let it be known the bait was not my sick one, he is well and standing good this hour.”
I said, “good news will travel as fast as I do this day, take care until my return.” Then we headed for the gate and I waved to the guard in the tower, looking at the wolf one more time as I went back to the zip-line. His tongue was hanging out and he was panting, a good sign he would be alright. His eyes opened a bit to meet mine for a moment, as I looked into his tired soul, then closed as he licked his nose. I moved on to the zip line, and keep a sharp eye out for other guest that may be watching. At the line I hooked up and tripped the tow, then kicked off as the line stated to yank, with another small push off with one foot as I cleared the cars. Away to the top of the building I went with a much lighter load than the one I came with, but a better purse than I had, both in food of the body and soul. As I got to the top Billy was standing close to the edge, and slapped me on the back as I landed, saying, “that was some fine work sir, you got a good rig on that old wolf, and the sight of him will keep more than dogs away.”
I said, “if it doesn’t, let an arrow fly, but not too close to our new guest.”
Billy, “no worries Nibor, I’ll keep a second eye on the gray, when it’s not already on another beast.”
I pulled out the cheese and said, “word be, not to eat it all at once, load lighter and word passed.”
He said, “thanks for both and gladly received, safe travels and word to TT of good fortune, I stand ready to hear of his day trading.”
I said, “words travel free, and are even lighter when delivered, so I’m off.”
And I set across the roof to the next zip-line with a lift. Before long I was passing the mall, and stopped for a bite of cheese. My eyes were pealed for movement or word in the air, but silence was my breaks reward, then I took a few lines to TT’s Pad. The guard at the tower next to his was talking to another that was just there as I zipped in, and they looked at me and just shook their heads. I walked over and flapped my leather coat open to get a breeze, and pulled out my bottle and took a sip on the way, then put it away again as I got close.
The guard said, “you got more balls and luck than you have brains, but word has the wolf is chained by your hand.”
I said, “free words travels swift, but truth is often a heavy load, and lighter loads are what runners always look for. But a load with value is best traded, and as many times as I can stand the load is always a good value.”
The runner said, “my travels this day require I be as light as the wind and able to trade only with the same, but for a sip of the sweetness that is still on your breath, I will pass on what I have heard in return.”
I said, “and you my trustworthy guard, what would you ask or trade?”
He pulled out a small bag of candy from his breast pocket, and opening it up pulled out three pieces saying, “one for each so sweet words of truth will flow.”
I said, “deal!”
And we each put one in our mouths, then the other runner said, “news of the bear in the mall is he’s resting in the backside wing, TT is making plans, enough said.”
I pulled out the bottle and said, “do you have a cap?”
The guard pulled a shot glass out and said, “will this do?”
I took it and half-filled handed it to the runner, he thanked me then downed the brandy and said, “spirits to fly by for sure, a bargain and a pleasure sir. What’s the word?” He handed the glass back to the guard who tipped a last drop onto his tong and fingered the rest as I said, “word true, by my hand with the help of Laurence, one wolf stands chained and guarding the front gate of the goat park. And I owe thanks to Tack Teddy for the rig and transport, as well as doing a good job watching my back from the snake he took as a snack.” Guard, “he’s faster with a knife than anything that has ever tried to eat or bite him.” Runner, “and fast is what I must now be, thanks and safe swings.”
I nodded at him as he hooked up and jumped off the side of the building. Then I hooked to the other line and zipped over to TT’s.
He was at the landing platform as I got there and said, “good morning, I hear you started it off with solving a problem, but another has my attention now.”
I said, “would that be my future, the wolfs , or the bear resting in the back wing of the mall?” He said, “all three of course, take rest and tell, trade of thought or load is best when made easy.”
So we went inside and I told him of the wolf’s status and that I swung by the mall to see the way of the area. He poured me a glass of wine, that was white and fruity, as he questioned me about what may be done about the bear.
I took a sip and said, “I don’t think I’ll try to keep it as a pet, it’s known as a man eater and would never be happy if it didn’t get to taste me first. The wolf needs some rest before I train him to fetch for me, so I guess its feed him or eat him, or feed him then eat him.” TT, “I see, but what the wolf got was a special order, and not what would be needed to keep a bear out, so it will have to be the swift way for that one. But getting close enough to make sure the job was done proper, without using a bomb first, is not a job I care to send another on.” I said, “you mean you’re saving the honor for me? How generous, but I thought I would be tied up in running today for one reason or the other, and dragging a bear today was not another load I was planning to carry.”
TT, “if you drop it and take trophy I will take care of the rest, and you can head home or anyplace else today, with but a call to see what you ask for is brought to you.” I said, “I could ask for a bottle of this to take with me, and another bag of smoke.” He filled my glass and said, “well worth the trade, shall we call it one?”
I said, “I’ll take all three, wine weed and word, for the blood hunt before home. But don’t send word on wire or air, I need Brandy to think I still have some sense until I get home.” TT, “deal! I’ll get the cargo and pass orders by massagers after you go, just give the wind word when you need what.”
He then went for the things as I drank the rest of my wine. I heard another swinger zip in and land on the roof, so I stood up and went to see who it was. He placed a stone in a cup by the ledge, and rested on the matt next to it looking up at me. I looked at the stone then took a sniff of it without touching, and said, “there now?”
He nodded and pulled out a small sake of water to drink, and took a sip before TT came up to the roof. TT glanced at the man, then the cup, andhanded me my things saying, “did the stone talk to you as well?”
I said, “clearly. I just need to be there before the wind changes, and find the right spot.” Then I packed my cargo and said to the messenger, “are the lines worth checking before I zip?” He said, “safe clear to the wet, but some loose slate near the sight range sir.” I nodded and hooked up, then with a leap I was off again and on my way. I took myself to the top of the mall near the park, and worked my way along its edge to the back, then moved to a wing that had a small stream running past it. The bear had been there alright, and his tracks went toward a small area of brush that was nearby. I opened my pack and pulled out a scope, then carefully searched for any movement, and soon spotted him. It was too far to make a sure shot, so I keep an eye on the area as he moved through the tall grass and behind some old cars. The wind was in my favor and I was in shadow for the moment, but the sun would soon move, and the wind can never be trusted. I weighed my options and keep a close eye out for more movement. Then a rabbit was flushed out of its hiding place, and the bear was after it at full speed. They both darted across the field toward the mall as their chase brought them closer into my sights. So I slipped the scope on my auto and let the safety off. As the rabbit ducked into a hole in the ground the bear stopped, then stood on its hind legs as it saw me and let out a roar. A short burst of fire with carful aim brought it down, and I slipped to the ground to check for sure. There was no movement as I touched ground, and I let my two automatics hang free while walking carefully around in a wide circle. In the silence the rabbit came out of the hole and hopped between the large black beast and me. I look at it without moving, and it stood there for a moment trying to decide which way to go next. Then a hop toward the bear latter it felt the swing of a flesh ripping claw, and the teeth of a not so dead predator. I reached under my coat and opened a hole in its chest with my 12 gage, and it dropped to the ground with the rabbit still in its mouth. Then my sword became an extension of my hand, and the head was separated from the rest, as his claws dragged the ground in one last motion of defiance. I let out with a war cry for the spirit of the beast, then tapped out a message when I was done wiping the blood off my sword. A horn returned my word, the drums sent it on the wind, and a token was taken before I left. Back to the mall top I slipped, then my way along its main support, until I was close to the front again. Down a latter I climbed to a shop that still had a few things I took from time to time, watching for snakes as I went. Some things I like to pick out myself, and this was as good a time as any to shop, for the rest of the day was word fetch from me. A set of silver leg guards and two of arm, were in a bag I had found here before, so I put that in my pack and picked out a few other things before taking the lines again. No sausages crawling around for me to take home, but a rattle from one was picked up by me before I left. On the nearby buildings I was soon on, the word in the air sent swingers to me, and I gave them the word of story before heading to my place. The rest would be taking care of for me except the telling of the thing, as often as I could get trade for it. As I hit my place Brandy was on the roof, listening to the drums and tending the garden.
She said, “how much of a clip was that before you used the 12 gage?”
I said, “check it if you like, needs reload anyway, here’s cargo from mall.”
Brandy, “more we don’t eat or burn up here is not needed, but it’s nice you went shopping, was it on sale?”
I said, “practically a steel, and meat on the way, plus the rest of the day off.”
Brandy, “that’s what I call taking care of things right off, got plans for much?” I pulled out the bag of weed and bottle of wine saying, “I got two ideas, got any of your own?” Brandy took one look and said, “ideas you don’t want company for, but we’ll see what we can do.”
And I took my things down to the liven room, with her helping to bring some. She said, “your sword needs a better cleaning, and the clip for your auto is light 7.” I walked to my chair and said, “is that all? It sure felt like I let more fly, maybe that’s why it still had enough left to get the rabbit before I dropped it.”
Brandy, “I heard that part on the air, but why the sword?”
I said, “guarantee before stepping off, not another would of stepped up for it, and none should end up like the rabbit.”
As I sat down she got glasses for us, then I poured the wine as she packed my pipe. I drank deep of the sweet reward, then Brandy lit my pipe for me and passing it said, “this is some I cleaned myself, no stems to make it harsh.”
I took a drag as she sipped the wine, and held it deep as I thought about the past hour in a flash, then let the smoke glide out the window and on the wind. Brandy checked the clip and put 7 back, then slapped it in my gun. I pulled out the silver bracelets and leg guards, then tossed the bag back down and put them on, the workmanship was excellent and real gems were set well around each of them.
Brandy said, “is there anything in there that you think would look good on me?” I said, “anything in there or nothing at all, both would look good to me.”
Brandy, “well, we’ll start with what we can get away with, and work up to nothing latter.” Then she looked inside to see the rest. First she pulled out a polishing cloth and the other silver arm bracelets saying, “I can put some use to these, pass me your sword.”
And I drew my blade from its sheath, and looked at the edge saying, “I don’t know about five heads, but one bear for sure and it’s still true, needs wiping and oil,” then I passed it to Brandy. She said, “what did you do, just wipe it on the bear?”
I said, “the story is on the blade, I don’t need to lighten my load by the telling.” She spit some wine on the cloth and wiped the blood off as I relit my pipe. A drum in the street passed word the zip-line would soon have a tug on it, and my neighbor was passing the news with his horn. So I pulled out my harp and blew a note to give reply, Brandy said, “the still didn’t last long, your still packing and not had but a moments rest, and before the blade is even cleaned visitors are upon us.”