[LoboDiabloLoneWolf]

One Way Or Another
Stranger

As dusk was falling the Grubbs at the river returned to the village to find Stranger almost frantic.

“’Ave yer seen Bailey?” he asked the fisher Grubbs when he saw them.

“She ain’t here?” one asked, concern lacing his tone.

“No, she disappeared this morning and I ain’t seen her since.” Stranger explained distractedly. “Ain’t yer seen her at all?”

“We saw her earlier, she came to help us with fishing, but she decided to go further upstream and when she didn’t come back, we’d thought she’d given up and come back here…”

Stranger groaned.

“Bailey never gives up.” He muttered. Just then he heard a yell and turned sharply, Jolee was running towards them. Stranger saw the look of horror and fear on her expression and felt his stomach plunge. Whatever news the young girl had, it wasn’t good.

“Stranger.” The Grubb gasped as she came within hearing range, “Stranger!” she skidded to a halt next to the Steef. “I found…” she petered off, getting her breath back and gave what she’d been carrying, to Stranger. “It was just outside the village.” She whispered. Stranger looked at the thing in his hand. It was one of Bailey’s arrows.

With her bandana tied to the shaft. The green stained with red…

Stranger’s breath caught in his throat, for a second the world spun wildly. Stranger closed his eyes. It took him a moment to keep himself together but he managed it and when he opened his eyes again, the neon green gaze had a steely glint in them.

He clenched his fist around the bandana and pivoting began jogging towards the Seer Grubbs hut.

I have to find ‘er.” Stranger insisted a few minutes later. He stood before the old Grubb in his hut. Though on the outside he was calm and collected, inside, he was in turmoil. Bailey had been taken, maybe even killed- Stranger quashed that thought before it fully formed, she couldn’t be dead. He hadn’t told Bailey that he cared about her.

The Seer sat in his armchair and regarded Stranger intently.

“You must protect the Grubbs.” He said at length, “You are our Steef protector. Bailey would want you to stay and do your duty.” Stranger’s eyes flashed,

“I will not abandon ma kid.” He said in a deep, rumbling growl. The old Grubb sighed.

“We will speak with our Queen.” He finally said. Stranger suppressed another savage growl. He didn’t care what any of them said.

He would not leave Bailey. Even if he had to do it alone. For all he knew, time could running out for Bailey…

If it hadn’t already reached an end.

¤§¤

The old Seer Grubb led an impatient Stranger from his hut into the heart of the Grubb village. Stranger realised that the settlement was bigger then he had taken credit for…although, after all, he and Bailey had only been here a grand total of a day and a half. So much had happened in such a short time…

After a while Stranger saw a great structure of stone rise up before him, it had been carved right out of the valley side. It wasn’t like the huts that the Grubb lived in, but it wasn’t a palace either. More then anything, it seemed like a temple of some kind.

The Grubb Seer stopped at the bottom of the steps leading up to the temple’s entrance.

“This is where our Queen resides during the day to guide us.”

“So she don’t live here?”

“No, no. She has a hut like the rest of us.” there was a pause before Stranger, without waiting for the Seer began climbing the stairs, hooves clopping on the stone. When he reached the top, he stopped again, staring. Around the door were carvings and paintings of Steef and Grubbs. Lots of them.

The Seer Grubb had caught up with him by now and beckoned as he entered the temple. As they walked along the wide corridor Stranger looked at the paintings they passed.

“They are prophecies.” Said the Grubb suddenly. Without warning he stopped and turned to one set of small etchings, painted on the stone. He touched them quietly. “I paint them when I see things in my visions. This one predicts your coming, with Bailey.” Stranger looked at the paintings closely. He could clearly make out a drawing of a Steef and in front of the Steef, with a yellow aura, was a picture that was obviously a human, holding a drawn bow and arrow. He touched it.

“Bailey.” He said softly. The Grubb nodded and led the Steef along the pictures, narrating what they meant.

“A demon comes to Mongo Valley.” The little painting showed the Mongo valley and a little being drawn in purple and black arriving in it.

“The demon begins to build a great wall that will mean the death of the valley.” The picture showed a half constructed building and the little purple and black figure directing a cluster of other red little figures.

“The Grubbs’ guardians, the Steef, fight against the demon to stop him from killing the valley.” A group of Steef were drawn readying themselves for a war, across from them, the ‘demon’ was also preparing for a battle.

“The Steef are beaten.” Said the Seer Grubb softly, “And they are hunted down, one by one.” The painting showed a smaller group of Steef fleeing into the wilds with a larger group of red figures pursuing them.

“The demon builds his dam and he takes control.” Stranger looked at the picture, of the being of purple and black with lightning coming from his standing atop what looked like a damn. Little pictures of Steef heads hung on the dam.

“Sekto…” Stranger growled, the Grubb Seer nodded and continued.

“The Grubbs, left with no guardians are hunted and killed as well, by the demon’s minions.” Stranger looked at the little depictions of Grubbs cowering in their homes while more of the red figures took some of the Grubbs away.

“All hope seems lost for the valley, but then a Steef with a human guide from another world is drawn to the oppressed Grubbs.” There was the picture of himself and the human with an aura.

“This Steef faces the demon and defeats him.” This picture showed the Steef – Stranger – throwing Sekto from the dam.

“The dam falls and the Steef return.” The picture showed a snowy plain. The illustration of Stranger stood before a little group of Steef, leading them.

“But what happened to Bailey?” Stranger asked, feeling apprehension rising in his stomach.

“I did not seen her again, after she led you here.” Said the Grubb. Stranger’s muscles tensed. Then, without saying anything he began walking stiffly down the corridor.

The old Seer Grubb sighed and shook his head before following the irate Steef.

Stranger felt anger percolating in his stomach like a coffee pot. And soon it was going to boil over… He refused to believe that Bailey might be dead already. He just couldn’t, and wouldn’t.

The Steef stomped to the end of the corridor where there was a great set of double doors made of pale coloured wood, the same shade as the beige rock. Without pausing in his momentum Stranger stormed through the double doors and entered the huge chamber on the other side.

Stranger stopped. Eyes wide. The chamber looked like the inside of some kind of shell. It curled round and up in a ridged funnel. Around the walls were painted murals and statues of Steef warriors. It was an amazing piece of architecture.

Sitting on a chair in the centre of the chamber was a female Grubb, just a bit older then Jolee. She had a headdress of green and blue feathers. She gazed at Stranger with a serene expression, as if full-grown male Steef barged into her council chamber all the time.

“So, you’re in charge of all these Grubbs huh?” he asked without preamble, going in front of the chair and the Queen Grubb.

“I have no power over them, I am merely a guide, they choose to follow the path or stray from it. You hear what I'm sayin'?” she said calmly,

“What's this path thing anyways?” Everyone seemed to be talking about paths and destinies and he thought it was about time he was told straight out what his was.

“It’s a metaphor for attaining enlightenment, it is the direction one must go to be at peace with nature.” The Queen explained, Stranger couldn’t help think this was going nowhere.

“Uh-huh, yer don't say.”

“Not yet, but one day you will understand, only then will you know your true power as a protector.”

“I don’t want ter be a Odd-damn protector!” Stranger said brusquely, “I just want help with rescuin’ my kid. If this power,” he said the word sceptically, “Can help me, then I’m all ears. And what's this about being a protector and abandoning Bailey!?”

“You are not ready to learn, unnatural motivations hinder you still.” Stranger growled, “I cannot teach you what you are not willing to accept in your heart, sadly that’s how it is.”

“Hows do I find the path.” Maybe it would help him save Bailey.

“You must learn more on your own, I cannot teach a heart so full of fear and anger and self-hatred. You got some messed up issues dude, were not gonna get into that.” The Seer Grubb, following in Stranger’s wake arrived just then,

“He wishes to leave to rescue his friend.” He explained to the Grubb Queen,

“I don't care what either of you have to say, I'm going, I'll fight Sekto if I have to.” Stranger snarled.

“We can't stop you and you’re ancestors would be proud if you could like, kick his ass...or something…”

“You're letting him go!?” the Seer exclaimed,

“It's his choice and it will help us when he wins.” Said the Queen, ever serene.

“I'm not doing it for you.” Stranger growled, “I'm doing it for Bailey.” There was a silence. “So you ain’t gonna help me at all?” The Grubb Queen smiled,

“I didn’t say that.” she said,

The Grubb Queen summoned the warrior she-Grubb that Stranger and Bailey had first met and four other Grubbs. Two were shipwrights with leather gloves and aprons and belts of tools and the other two; armourers.

“Is the Steef boat ready?” the Queen asked the first two.

“Yep, she’s ready.” Enthused one. His partner nodded eagerly,

“An’ the new engine’s all ready too ma’am.” He added.

“Very good, Steef Stranger will need it soon.” The Queen nodded. The shipwrights bowed their heads marginally and moved aside as the other pair of Grubbs came forward.

Stranger felt momentary surprise, the Grubb armourers were identical twin brothers. That was unusual.

“I would be right in thinking you still have it?” the Queen asked mysteriously. Stranger’s surprise became confusion and intrigue. But he hid his emotions.

“It?” he wondered. The armourer Grubbs looked at each other, that at Stranger and then at the Queen.

They nodded.

“Yes.” They said simultaneously and apparently the talking in unison was normal and natural as the Queen didn’t even bat an eyelid. “We still have it.”

“Then bring it here, it is time for it to be used again…” the armourers bowed and left.

“What in Odd’s name is ‘it’?” Stranger finally asked.

“You’ll see.” the Queen said enigmatically and smiled serenely. Stranger felt all but serenity, the next fifteen minutes were probably the worst in his entire life. He fidgeted constantly, unable to keep still, shifting his weight from leg to leg, painfully aware of every minute that crawled by, knowing that every minute could be Bailey’s last.

It seemed, to Stranger, that an eternity passed before the Grubb twins returned. Between them, they carried-

“Steef armour.” Said the Grubb Queen. “And now, after many years of being dormant, it shall see battle again.” Stranger looked at it, confused feelings churning in him.

The armour’s chest-, arm-, and foreleg-guards looked very much like his old poncho. There was a belt of brown leather with a red-orange sash and purple wrappings to go under the arm-guards and up to his shoulders as well as a purple tunic. There was also a horned helmet with a nose prong guard.

Stranger didn’t know what to feel. Fear? Anger? Acceptance? The idea he’d look ridiculous? He just didn’t know. Fortunately he didn’t have to face his own feelings right now. He had to rescue Bailey.

“Stranger.” The sound of his own name made Stranger look up, the Grubb Queen was watching him intently. “When you are ready the shipwrights will take you to the Steef boat, it will make the journey to Sekto’s dam much quicker.” Stranger swallowed and bowed slightly to the female Grubb and picking up the armour, left the council chamber.

The Queen dismissed all of the other Grubbs as well, apart from the she-warrior and the Seer.

“I want you to gather all out troops, make your way north on foot and get re-enforcements. Steef will need help to fight Sekto.” The warrior nodded and saluted.

When the warrior too had left, leaving the Seer and the Queen together, the old Grubb glanced at his sovereign.

“As I said m’lady, one way or another, he will fulfil his destiny.” The Queen slumped back in her chair and steepled her fingers.

“But at what cost…” she asked softly, “He should not be asked to pay his young one… Nothing can justify a payment that high…”

¤§¤

In Stranger’s hut, Jolee was just strapping on his second arm-guard, the last part of armour. She couldn’t help but think that it should be Bailey, and not herself, standing here.

“You’ll get her back, won’t you Steef?” she asked as she stepped back. Stranger flexed his arm, he looked down at the small Grubb, she had her hands clasped together and looked on the verge of tears. Stranger went down to her eye-level.

“I’ll get ‘er back, don’t worry.” He said firmly. Jolee bit her lip and nodded. Stranger stood up and Jolee passed him the helmet, Stranger slid it snugly over his ears. He looked back at Jolee, and tried to smile for her benefit, but it came out as more of a grimace. “I will find her.” He said again, as if reassuring himself as well as Jolee.

The Grubb girl nodded and smiled wanly.

“I bet she’s already on the rampage, Sekto’ll be beggin’ you to take her when you get there.” Stranger chuckled,

“Yeh, she’ll be drivin’ him crazy.”

“I bet she’s on her way back already and she’ll wave it all off and say we were silly worrying so much.”

“That’d be just like her…” Stranger said in a low voice. There was a miserable silence.

“You should go.” Jolee said. Stranger nodded, he then looked the Grubb right in the face.

“I’ll be back,” he said, “And I’ll have Bailey with me.” Jolee nodded and watched Stranger pick up his crossbow and re-stocked ammo pouch and leave, heading towards the river, the two shipwrights there, waiting to led him to the secret place where the Steef boat was hidden.

¤§¤

Stranger followed the two Grubbs along the bank of the dry river, heading upstream. His mind was consumed with his need to find Bailey.

As they headed further upstream his Grubb guides became more and more nervous and flighty, flinching at every sound and looking ready to bolt.

“We are in Sekto’s turf.” Explained one of the Grubbs, “Before him, it belonged to our Steef guardians, they had a small settlement ahead, a long time ago and a cave where they kept the Steef boats. When Sekto took over all but one of the boats were destroyed, we fixed the last one up, but it was too dangerous to try and move it downstream.” He said quietly, looking terrified.

Stranger nodded in understanding.

Finally they came to a place where the river water grew from a trickled and became deeper.

That was when Stranger saw it.

In the middle of the river, was a stake, and impaled on it, was Bailey’s hat.

Stranger splashed out into the river and retrieved the hat.

“Bailey…” he whispered. The hat smelt of her, of his Bailey and Stranger felt a lump in his throat. His resolve hardened, he clenched the hat tightly, if they had harmed his Bailey…

He made his way back to the two scared Grubbs on the bank.

“Take me to this cave, where the boat is.” He growled his temper flaring, “Now.” Knowing that to raise the ire of a Steef was treacherous at best, and knowing that Stranger’s deadly anger had been roused, the Grubbs decided it was best to do as he said and let him take revenge on Sekto, before he unleashed it on them.

It wasn’t going to be pretty when Stranger got his hands on Sekto.

Stranger was furious, not at the Grubbs, but at Sekto. He vowed that he would make Sekto sorry for even thinking of taking his Bailey away from him.

“Don’t worry Bailey, I’m comin’ fer yer.”