And then...

The weather was deteriorating quickly. Rain had begun to fall. Slowly at first then, quickly picking up tempo. It fell in large, heavy drops alongside small hail stones both crashing noisily to the ground below. Sheets of lightning lit up the distant sky while jagged forks of the Gods’ wrath stabbed at the ground in a disturbing light display.

Through the storm Ademar stalked unseen from building to building of the small community, his newly acquired cloak protecting him from the brunt of the elements, as he gnawed at a strip of jerky. He was hunting for the smithy and he needed to find it quickly. He grimaced as the wind blew in strongly driving the rain and hail beneath his cowl and across his unprotected hands. The burns he had received there were not healing well and the pounding precipitation was biting at the tender flesh like thousands of bees brandishing hot iron stingers.

Finally he found it, the second to last building on the north eastern side of the “road”. The smith’s shop was of average size though it was built of stone, an unexpected luxury this far from the city. It consisted of a single story main building, a squat, rectangular structure topped with slate tiles. The forge was housed in a large square shaped annex attached to the eastern end which was open on the south side facing the street.

Ademar made haste to the safety of the forge, slipping beneath the large framing timbers that held up the roof. He was glad to be out of the biting weather and into the shelter of the forge. His relief was short lived, and quickly replaced by another feeling. The lightning flashed in a long pulsing fit outside revealing the layout of the forge and also the snarling visage of the smiths hound as it stalked around the large anvil at the center of the room. An acidic taste filled his mouth and for a moment his fear held his boots firm to the floor. The dog nearly matched his 90 pound weight and he was armed with only a dagger, not nearly an adequate defense. The animal was bound at the neck by a thick leather strap and chained to the anvil but, Ademar needed to remain undetected, a barking hound would surely wake someone. Death was often the penalty for thievery and he had no intention of meeting the gods anytime soon.

Hoping to get lucky he tossed the remains of the jerky he held in front of the hound. The beast paused and sniffed for just a moment before walking over the treat and continuing it’s advance with a menacing growl. Ademar backed away a step along the outer wall, his eyes darting all about looking for a solution. It seemed pointless, the forge room was nearly pitch black making even his keen sight nearly useless. Retreating yet another step, he put out his left arm, tracing the wall with his hand. The hound continued to advance. Another stroke of lightning outside illuminated the interior giving Ademar a glimpse of the dog’s barred teeth, raised hackles, and intense eyes promising a painful end. Ademar took another step back but the hound was tired of the game. With a bestial snarl it leapt forward, jaws wide and fangs glistening. Ademar leapt back, attempting to avoid the charge but he only managed to back himself into the corner. He was out of room. The dog slammed into him, jaws snapping, searching for his throat. Somehow he managed to avoid those terrible fangs and he responded by shoving back at the animal with all his might. The dog fell away, landing on its feet and circled back around for another attack. Ademar’s right hand brushed up against something in the dark. Another flash of lightning lit up the forge as the hound leapt again. Ademar closed his hand and swung it toward the hound throwing his entire weight into the swing.

Thunder crashed outside shaking the very ground but he still heard it. The hollow, bell-like resonance that a shovel makes when struck against something solid. In the fading light afforded by the lightning Ademar watched as the dog staggered to the side, its eyes no longer focused, and collapsed against the wall. He slumped back into the corner and the drain of the entire day suddenly hit him. He allowed himself to sag to the floor, his breath ragged and his mouth dry from excitement. Again, he forced himself to slow down his breathing and focus. He had to focus, there was still work to do this night.

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Out of time again. There is more, expect this post to be edited and added to in the near future.