Chapter 89 - Prayers Ⅱ (2/2)
”Ye are coming with us,” Hyde said not leaving Gittins much of a choice as they apparated away to the pub by the name of Monarch. Gittins let out a small oof, before being dragged inside the smoke-filled pub past the patrons and into the back booth. Without even a need to say anything, there is a scramble of patrons getting to their feet and clearing out. Within a minute, the pub was as empty as a cemetery. The bartender locked the doors with a loud click, before returning to polishing the mugs clean.
An old weathered man with neat cut white hair and a knit wool jumper glances up from his novella. Seeing the two dark faces of his men and the pale face of Gittins, he assumes the worst. ”Were you not able to find the Rain Man?”
”No, we found him alright,” Hyde growled in fury. ”But the sorcerer cheated us!”
”Oh?” Sanderson said as his wolfish eyes dangerously narrowed down to thin slits. ”Explain.”
Seeing Hyde in a snit, Floyd answers in his stead. ”Aye, Boss, Gittins did find the Rain Man, but the transaction did not go as expected. Papa-.”
”Do not speak his name!” Sanderson roared as his eyes flashed dangerously.
Floyd flinched at being reprimanded and much more quietly said, ”The Spirit was rather furious at our request. It said that it was an abomination that went against nature and must be destroyed. It didn't even answer the question but rather answered, I cannot see, I cannot touch, but follow the snakes and ye shall find that which was sought.”
Sanderson's eyes remain in slits as though lost in thought. The gray-haired bartender glances up from his polishing and says, ”That sounds rather as though the Spirit is unable to answer rather than attempting to avoid the question. But what could possibly force the hand of such an ancient spirit?”
”Something, no, an object that he cannot find nor much less reveal,” Sanderson mused out loud. ”Bertram, what does that sound like to you?”
”A powerful dark artifact,” the bartender instantly responded.
”Yes, I thought so too,” Sanderson concluded as his eyes flicker over to spot the still listening figure of Gittins. Gittins stiffens much like a rat suddenly having been spotted by a snake. ”Gittins, you did well tonight. Consider your previous debt cleared as of this moment.”
”Oh, thank you, sir,” Gittins said with relief as a drop of sweat trickles down his brow from nerves.
”You may leave,” Sanderson dismissed him, causing Gittins to almost leap for joy as he fled.
”And Gittins,” Gittins freezes at the door as the icy voice from behind says, ”Remember I do not give second chances.”
Turning around, Gittins gulps and bows his head forward. ”Yes, sir! I will remember,” Gittins promised as he unlocked the door and fled from the pub.
Having fled as far away as stubby legs could, Gittins removed his bowler and reached into his pocket for a dirty hanky to wipe his brow. With a sigh, he placed the bowler onto his shining bald head and happily headed over to the Leaky Cauldron for a pint. He'd survived and that was very much a happy cause to celebrate!