Chapter 12: Tumbleleed Village (Part 5)

"Where could she be?" Imala asked, examining the bustling crowds. "She was supposed to be here an hour ago!"

Gran'pa Ken untied his horse from the stake. "Must've gotten lost."

"Or maybe," Imala pondered. "She's up to something..."

"Up to something?" Mordecai asked. "What' do you mean?"

"I know her game," Imala said. "She's getting herself familiar with this village. She's going to try something again. I know it. Which means that she must be hanging out in a place where news gets around quite quickly."

"There's a place she might be." Gran'pa Ken tugged on the horse's reins. "Follow me."

"Where're we going?" Imala asked.

"I think he's taking us to The Bamboozled Bandit." Menard said. "It's the village's most popular drinking spot."

"It's the village's only drinking spot." Mordecai reminded his brother.

******************************************************************************************************

In The Bamboozled Bandit, Avaron was washing dirty dishes. She wasn't too happy, especially that some middle-aged geezer had humiliated her.

"Grr...how dare he!" she growled. "I'll figure out a way to get back at him. I swear it!"

"Avaron!" Bella walked in with a huge tub of dirty mugs, plates and utensils, and set it down next to the sink. "Got some more dirty dishes for you!"

"You got it." Avaron affirmed plainly. She picked up a greasy plate from the tub and began to scrub it with a sponge.

BANG! 

Avaron jumped, nearly dropping the dish in the sink. 

"Oy! Whacha think yer doing!" A gruff voice demanded.

Avaron set the soapy dish aside and peeked out the kitchen entrance. She saw the now silent customers drawn to a scene in the middle of the main dining area.

A gruff, heavily scarred man with a long shaggy beard and an eyepatch was heckling a tattooed, muscular and younger man. 

"What's yer problem, ya arse!" He shouted.

"Yer the one who's not givin' me me proper pay fer the job!" The younger man snapped back.

"It's what we agreed on, mate!" The scarred man insisted.

"Oh really? Then why am I countin' five pieces of gold and three gallons of cactus juice?!" the younger man questioned. "Ya promised me ten pieces and six gallons!"

"Yer countin' it all wrong!" The scarred man clenched a gnarly, wrinkled fist and struck the younger man.

"That's it..." the younger man unsheathed a knife and slashed the scarred man's face. A few droplets of blood splattered on the floor, and dyed the sharp edge of the short knife a dark crimson red.

The scarred man touched his fingers to the bleeding wound on his face. He growled upon seeing blood, and lunged unto the younger man, viciously beating him.

The younger man managed to gain the upper hand on the old man and slashed his face once again.

The customers began to cheer and chant, "Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

Claus walked in, eyes widening upon catching sight of the fight. "WHAT'S GOIN' ON IN 'ERE?!!" he boomed, rushing over to break up the fight.

"He...tried too scam me...outta my pay...!" the younger man panted.

Claus glared at the scarred man. "Whatcha promised 'im?"

"Ten...pieces o' gold...an'...three gallons...o'...cactus juice..." the scarred man said, out of breath.

"Where are they at, mister?" Claus glared at the scarred man.

The scarred man stood up, and pulled out a small sack. "'Ere's yer gold." He pointed to a wooden crate next to his chair. "The juice is in that crate there."

Claus opened the sack, and inspected the contents inside, then opened the crate and looked inside. "This coulda turned out a lot worse, mates." He stood both men up onto their feet. "Now, take yer busniess somewhere else!"

The frightened pair quickly gathered up their belongings and shuffled out the door.

The customers went back to chatting, drinking and eating. Avaron felt amazed, seeing a man of his caliber handle a situation so smoothly.

Claus wiped the sweat off his fore and walked back into the kitchen. 

"Well, well, Claus," a gentle, elderly voice congratulated. "You are still the fair and strong man you always were."

Claus turned around, recognizing the voice. "Ken!"

"Claus." Ken bowed his head and smiled proudly at Claus. 

"What brings ya 'ere today?" Claus asked.

"My grandsons, this young lady here and I have been looking for someone named Avaron," Gran'pa Ken explained. "Looks like this girl here, but shorter and wears glasses. Have you seen her around here?"

"Well, she jes' so happens to be washin' dishes in my kitchen." He motioned towards the kitchen entryway.

Avaron stepped out. She then noticed her sister, who noticed her in turn.

"Avaron? Why were you working here?" Imala asked.

"Long story." Avaron wiped some soapy suds off her cheek. "By the way, I found Bella."

"Really?!" Imala looked around. "Where is she?"

"Bella!" Avaron called out towards the kitchen. "Look who's here!"

Bella stepped out. She squealed with excitement upon seeing Imala. Her face broke into a wide happy smile. "Imalaaaaa!"

"Bella!" Imala ran over and hugged her sister so tightly, she couldn't breathe. "I missed you so much!"

"I missed you more!" Bella cried in joy.

"Can I join in?" Avaron asked, opening her arms.

"Well, as happy as this is, these two ladies gotta get back ta work!" Claus said.

"Let them be together, Claus," Gran'pa Ken said. "These girls haven't seen each other for a few days!"

Claus observed the joyfully sister embracing each other and crying with happiness. He was a tough guy, that was true. But in moment like this, he could turn into a big teddy bear.

"All right." Claus held in his tears. "Just a lil' longer."