All His Wrath

TINY WAS PLEASED that everyone had finally stopped talking. Well, yelling was more of what they’d been doing and for much of the afternoon. Even though he’d been in a cavern, shut off from the light of day, Tiny could still tell what time it was. And he could tell when humans needed to calm down. Apparently, gargoyles sometimes needed to calm down, too. That had been an unpleasant surprise.

In the first few moments after Kimar had suddenly parted into the Cavern of Osberg, for the same reason that Ercen had brought the others, there had been much rejoicing in the reunion. But that all turned quickly sour as Kimar learned the details about Gudrun’s abduction and, particularly, her return.

“Ercen! You should not have told these humans about Lohxnahr’s suspicions!” he roared.

Tiny dropped his head onto his paws, looking exceedingly forlorn. That one comment by Kimar had set off a storm of angry words and protests—by his master, in particular. He is not easily heeled, once his mind is set! And he did not like the bark of the big gargoyle pack leader! Master did not even care about my other person’s concern for his safety. Ho! His bark was loud!

Johann had exploded at Kimar, actually forcing the gargoyle captain to step back a few paces from the raging farmer, whose arms flailed around to punctuate his speech. Insulted, he bellowed into Kimar’s face, “What mean you by these humans? Are we not friends anymore? Are we no longer to be trusted with this crucial information? After all that we have been through together? Do you really mean that, Kimar? I am not believing you have said this thing!”

Johann dropped his head and furiously spat into the dirt. “Ah, spytte, Kimar! Spytte!” He abruptly turned on his boot heels and stormed off into the maze of mineral spires surrounding their camp, his face the color of a plump strawberry.

“That was not well spoken, Kimar!” Heidi had hissed. She then trotted off after her husband, leaving Gudrun and the kids with Tiny.

Kimar said nothing more for what seemed an eternity to Tiny. At least he knows when to stop barking, the dog thought.