IS THIS THE BEST WEREWOLF STORY OF 2021? | ''Whiskey in the Jar'' | IRISH WEREWOLF HORROR

it's time to sit back and relax with your favorite drink and listen whiskey in the jar stand and deliver padre cutted the words he'd heard so often in tales he was only now learning the high women's art that he'd often practiced in his daydreams and in private moments away from spying eyes the dow looking soldier a sergeant by his insignia who approached up the past looked down his nose in disgust tinged perhaps with amusement best you put away that old pistol and scamper back to your hot boy you're liable to be heard if you persist

in pointing weapons of the king soldiers i mean it best hand over that purse or i'll you what fool the tall redcoats stepped forward and slapped the pistol from padre's hand and before the young man could react he'd drawn his own saber and not decide that of the would-be robber podrick backed off a few paces and then turned to flee lest he be recognized well that was unlikely he'd taken great pains to cover his features in a large red bandana or a large floppy hat that obscured his hair and eyes it didn't matter the soldier

was in no mood to go traipsing through the brush after a silly boy playing at high women ah run emulating pop he called after the reprobate he paused to examine the decrepit pistol the young one had dropped it was in fair enough condition a bit rusty but it might still work with some cleaning and brushing he used the clip to hang it on his bandolier and continued his journey in a slightly less dower movement hodrick had scampered a fair distance from the past he clung to his saber after the tall man had struck it he'd

almost lost his grip the man was strong as a ball rang faster as an adder he'd expected a bullet to the back all the time he'd run he'd heard that's what british soldiers did with rebels and outlaws up until the moment he dotted his challenge he'd been neither and if he made it escape he wouldn't have to be as decent in enough family had sent him to apprentice at the manner of a noble lord but he grew on board and was told among the local folk that inspired him to try his hand at adventuring well

he clearly failed what old fiona told him was true he would need to train extensively before he took on any serious targets finn had been in some sort of militia at some time or so he hinted he was as close to an experienced fighter as podrak knew he was lost in dismal thoughts of his failure and dary even admitted to himself his cowardice his shame burned hot on his cheeks till the first cold fat drops of rain struck them and chilled his entire form he looked up at the lowering dark sky slight gray and heavy

with rain he then belatedly looked around for shelter there was nothing appealing just brush and a few rocks that wouldn't shelter a starving rabbit he was too far away from the estate to make it home before he'd be drenched and chilled to the bone then he recalled the little shanty that had hidden in the next hollow he'd imagined it as some romantic nest of robbers but it steered clear in the end on his way to set his trap at the trail the place was abandoned and a spooky look to it even in daylight now it

was the only likely place to hole up until the storm passed as he hurried over the hill the drops increased in volume and by the time he'd made it to the little structure his outer clothing was wet and steamy he was sure he would appear as some spectral form to anyone who saw him and he smiled at that my turn to do the frightening well if there had ever been a door it was gone there was an overhang of thatch where he paused for a moment just in case some wild creatures sought shelter here as

well it smelled musty there was hint of an odor about then the torrent arrived and he had to decide so he plunged into the darkened interior he paused when his shin struck some hard object possibly a piece of furniture long abandoned he crouched and fell around in front of him it was a stool so he set it straight and took a seat to await the adjustment of his vision to the near absence of light a rumble sounded outside from over the hills where the darkest clouds resided he hadn't noticed the initial flash of lightning he'd

been occupied with setting up his perch the next one was closer and lit the interior of the little shack momentarily well not my much but he could see where the hearth lay may also have been some wood and kindling fire would go right well and he's his rattled nerves he looked toward the door as the next flash of lightning and lit the landscape wait was that a shape a living thing that cast a shadow well you saw the shade but what had cast it a crack of thunder sounded almost immediately after the flash and set

him to trembling the torrent became a deluge and the water roared above him and he put all of his skills to work in building a fire on the small half at the center of the heart in the flickering light he saw there was indeed a wood pile it was substantial enough to get him through the night if he was frugal and kept the fire small all the while the lightning flashed and the thunder pounded away vibrating his teeth with its force he peered through the doorway and once again there was a shadow closer now and

more defined by the ripples of blue white electrical charges the head was elongated and the ears rose above it and pointed forward somehow he knew towards him it was only a silhouette no substance to the outline yet it loomed ever close as the storm reached a crescendo then it was at the door impossibly large greater even than the wolf hound his master owned and that lounged about in dogs fed better than many of the human servants the thing was blacker than the night then the utter darkness that reigned in between blinding flashes when the eyes

were stunned and vision fled he slowly and he hoped silently hefted his saber prepared to defend himself from this beast of the tempest at the next chain of bolts from the heavens it was gone gone from his sight just as the briefly lit countryside beyond the threshold disappeared between each burst he breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to the wee blaze that spread warmth and a merry light to contrast with the harsh illuminations of nature incarnates he set down his blade an old heavy thing and placed another stick on the fire maybe he'd

stolen the shadow's lair maybe it was just a trick of the light and shadows maybe he yelped his teeth sank into his shoulder he rolled onto his side and then onto his back and looked up into the twin fires of enormous eyes they bored into his own and overwhelmed his consciousness which had fled down a long gloomy corridor to join the night and the crashing and burning air podrick awakened to a cool damp and dreary morning his fire long since burned out since he'd not been awake to feed it pain immediately lanced through his shoulder

and the nightmare image of the blazing eyes and the gaping jaws appeared for a flash just like the lightning but solely in his mind he shuddered bones crackling and scraping one another the joints and then rose his entire body feeling wrapped and feverish he was incredibly thirsty and hunger gnawed at his belly he searched the hovel and found nothing to eat or drink plenty of water had fallen the previous evening so he was at least able to slake his thirst he would truly have preferred a good ale or beer but he had to take what

he could get he felt confused and his head seemed to contain more sawdust than usual he finally reasoned out that if he started at once he might be able to get home by late afternoon if he'd been missed and likely he had been well he'd have to figure out an excuse at the moment he had no idea what to say when confronted with his absence he wasn't a particularly efficient servant and had failed to learn his duties or any significant refinements that a young man would need in order to move along the upper classes he

might be sacked and sat on the road if so he would either have to hone his own survival and fighting skills or find a rubber band to join and learn from those experienced with nefarious behaviour he took a last look around the shanty and noted a bundle of rags in one corner he hadn't moved them during his initial inspection but now that he thought about it they might conceal an object of value should such a place ever have contained one he poked at the bundle with a stick of the mostly undisturbed wood pipe there was

a small heart object underneath the soft and tattered cloth he set aside the stick and went to work with his hands wild thoughts of hidden treasure raced around the inside of his skull over the sand that still seemed to fill his head it was a simple jar it was sealed and stamped with some sort of animal head an elongated snout with ears that pointed forwards odds he thought briefly like something he'd dreamt he broke the seal and the scent of a rare perfume a rose from the container he chanced to taste it was sublime before

he knew what he was doing he drained the little vessel well now that's certainly satisfied almost as well as a large breakfast would even certainly took care of my thirst he snorted as he stuffed the jar into his side back it was past time to go and so he set out for the manor long skinny legs applied at a pace that would eat up the miles the stiffness in his joints soon faded and the pain in his shoulder subsided much sooner than he would have expected he soon found himself loping along comfortably at what any

soldier would recognize as a doctrine he breathed deeply for damp hair and took in the odours of the freshly washed landscape he had the birds sing and knew that it would not rain again immediately the air didn't hold such promise the steward was definitely unpleased when the bedraggled padre strolled into the estate by the back gates the imperius fleming was fastidious to an almost insane degree and expected the rest of the staff to maintain the same standards he was also determined to rid his lawship staff of the shiftless young man would rather daydream than perform

the tasks necessary and indeed vital to the effective operation of the estate fleming was not a tour man yet he managed to look down his nose at padre well young mcintyre i see that you've traced through a bug and a forest of nettles during your unapproved absence it will go hard on you this time get yourself cleaned up and pack your things you may be back here at the gate in half an hour do be prompt i have other duties and wish to waste no more time on you you've proven yourself to be unteachable audrey

grinned down at the man moved up close so we could look down his nose in turn as you like that might feel of you and your handbagging constantly on about things that the noble lord doesn't even notice much less appreciate why you talk about duty and attention to detail for their own sake he snapped his fingers under the shorter man's nose that's what i give for your details i'll be back down all right as soon as i like i'll take a meal in the kitchens before i deign to meet with such as you best you

have cook prepare me some meat before i set out on my travels he paused breathing heavily almost panting oh and ensure that the meat is fresh and not uh overcooked well fleming was nonplussed in the past the young man had been indolent and careless in his duties but it always groveled when confronted with consequences flowing had intended to sack him and let him come back and abase himself in a few days time then he'd give him a last chance however the boy had now been so insolent even a little threatening fleming would not stand for

the assault on his dignity he made his decision you shall leave now you can stand outside the gate until i have your personal items placed in the bundle and delivered to you you'd never darken the threshold of this estate that was as far as he got padraig stepped forward which forced the smaller man to give ground a little rumble issued from the young man's chest and rose until it blew past his lips as a menacing growl indeed the lips had parted and now stretched into a beastial snow well this was something else new to fleming's

experiences something in the sound in the appearance of the features in the demeanor of the lean fellow with the ridiculous red bandana draped around his neck which frightened him he took another step backward in an unconscious attempt to create some distance and bus safety yet podreg matched his steps until his back collided with the wall there would be no further retreats while padre was taller it wasn't by all that much until now he seemed to tower above the steward in the shadow of the wall his skinny frame now appear lean and strong fleming felt that

in a moment the boy would lunge in and tear out his throat with those teeth of his he looked large and gleaming and perhaps a little longer i'll i'll have some hot water delivered to your quarters in some meat modric smiled as the officious little man surrendered completely and scurried away into the manner to do his bidding perhaps he should bully the man into letting him stay yet he wanted nothing more than to return to the wild to the bracken in the hills he would however demand a stipend to go with his last week's wages

he decided that he was his jew and he would no longer take less than he was he stalked into the servant's quarters and into the little cell he shared with another servant billy billy was not his friend the young man had borrowed money from him more than once and despite all promises had failed to return it he was not a large young man but bigger and thicker through the body than podrick so he intimidated his now confident roommate for some time billy lay curled on his bed face to the wall he looked over his shoulder

when padre entered the little space i best look out paddy the old steward has it in for you not that i care i can finally have the room to miss as punctuation he expelled some gas in podrick's general direction the lean young man wrinkled his nose at the stench and rumbled in his newly found deep and menacing voice i've told you i have told you my name is either padre or mcintyre i don't like being called paddy really snorted rolled over and sat up yeah and who cares what you like he peered up at his

ear roommate and fellow footman why don't you his words froze stuck in his throat by the vice-like grip that had seized his windpipe he gagged he tried to cough to breathe he soon found himself on his feet and then on his toes rodriguez visage assumed a snarl once again you'll do as i say and you'll pay back all that you owe me you'll pay double to compensate me for your intended thievery his eyes blazed and bored into those of the round-shouldered belly he maintained his grip until billy's face darkened and his body started to go

limp and then contemptuously tossed him backward onto his bunk billy coughed and grasped and wheezed for several moments he was loud but what drake heard the faint polite scratch at the door in the low sweet voice that accompanied it molly he realized he'd embarked on his adventures at least in part to impress the young maid he opened the door she entered the chamber head down over a steaming bowl of water a towel slung neatly across one arm podrick stepped back to make room for her in the confined space she set the large bowl on the

tiny table and placed the towel between the edge of the bowl and the wall she glanced up at podrick then took a second longer look as her mouth formed a little mule of surprise she unlike padre was a diligent servant and quickly recovered her composure fleming said to bring you this her eyes wander briefly to billy's hacking and tear-stained face and then back up to podrick's eyes is there anything else she might need she asked out of habit rather than with any intention of doing more than she'd been assigned padre grinded her toothie had grinned

and he possessed the last time he'd done so thank you sweet molly that'll be all for now perhaps before i take my leave we might have some words molly stared up at him well she was fond enough of the young rage he was handsome enough and had a sense of humor that she'd matured past the point that such men gave her any pleasure she preferred the steady times like the constable who managed the master's horse flesh i uh i don't think that'd be possible padre oh i've spoken for and i don't know what you could

say that well you know you've lost your prospects she trailed off weekly something in his demeanor had created a fear response in her the chamber felt suddenly far too small and he far too large for her comfort perhaps even her safety she backed out of the room and fled down the corridor hodrick simply smiled in her way he watched the enticing curves of her backside as she stumbled hurriedly back toward the kitchen almost running from it he then turned back to billy but finally managed to sit up on the edge of his bunk once more

i'll give you one week when you get your next wages you'll turn over the entire song to me with the rest that you know billy looked up in fear i won't have enough with just my wages before he could blink hardrock's face loomed up close to his and issued a growl borrow it he stood and turned toward the basin of water and uh best you cleared out for now i'll see you in a week really did as he was big he paused only to pick up a fresh pair of trousers the ones he was currently

wearing were full podrake his belly and purse more filled than they'd been since he'd first arrived at the manor was sent from his home he now loped energetically up into the wild hills above the rich valley he felt no pangs at departing and he was determined to embark on a new crew he discovered the confidence to once more try his hand at being a highwayman so he set out at a mile eating pace for a certain path along which a tall thou a sergeant might make his way back to his regiment he wore a grin

that his erstwhile companions would not quite recognize he was in a mouth with a much wider gape and the teeth were whiter and sharper than they had been the face was shaggy and unkempt like a man who hadn't shaved for a month had he done so only two days passed and hadn't truly needed it his beard had been hardly present the day before he didn't care he felt that it added to the menace he would now need to project he found his old hiding place behind a large old tree it had apparently enjoyed the storms

the leaves were brighter and look full pod drake took a good whiff of the air and traversed the area in an ever widening circle there was no trace of the soldier or any other traveler since the storm no tracks and no scent i didn't quite understand why he thought he'd be able to detect a thing such as that yet it felt natural his instincts had been correct but the soldier had taken a leave to visit the city the next afternoon under a light grey sky he walked up the trail his expression less tower behind him

trailed four poor wretches whom he had clearly recruited and they were in turn followed by two uniformed soldiers podrick still had his rusty old saber and he picked up an axe from the yard of the estate as a parting gift from his former master he quietly stepped out into the trail the sergeant looked up startled here you again oh you are looking rough boy where's your mask rodrigue smiled his new and improved toothy grin which pulled back his now slightly pointed ears stand and deliver he growled in a now menacing tone the sergeant barked and

as rapidly as he had last time drew his own blades he was far slower than podrig in this instance he stood astounded as he washed his sword and the hand that gripped it fly off to his right there's a bright fountain of scarlet from his wrist he held it up before his eyes in astonishment he didn't have a long to be stoned though audrey stepped up and seized the damaged limb he raised it to his lips and took a long pull from the claret stream while the taoist sergeant fainted dead away as much from mental

shock as physical the four recruits stared for a moment a sight before them unclear they saw a flash of blades and watched the sergeant kneel before a man with a wild look and blood-covered face before he slumped to the ground with an air of permanency each was just happy to pause for a moment from the dreadful pace the tall man had set as they climbed into the hills the two soldiers who'd lag behind looked up annoyed that their charges had stopped and then they spied their fearless leader stretched upon the ground before they could react

a figure leap down the trail and leaped upon them a brass clad fist struck tom in the jaw he was soon stretched on the ground in imitation of his sergeants georgie wasn't far behind him but pommel had blown out his lights the recruits turned in a gaggle astonishment in their hearts and clear upon their faces hodrick then turned toward them do you have something for me no doubt you each took the king shilling willingly or no i'll have those from you but nothing else then you're free to go unless you'd rather row of the hills

with me for a while the four men looked at one another and then back at podrick none of them had had any prospects prior to being pressed into service the truly destitute really did three of them handed a coin each to the eldest and largest of their number sheamus the man said simply as though it was introduction and explanation of his life as he dug out his own coin and held out in the money to padre padre the suit whip called rubber replied in kind he squatted over the two soldiers rifled through their pouches and

belongings he presently stood and offered the muskets and shooting gear to sheamus and the second stoutest man since the man had not fled he assumed that they had accepted his offer he now had a band of delty men to ply the roads and trails they left the soldiers completely stripped but podrick filched his now clean pistol from the sergeant's bandolier then hefted the man's body over his shoulder and loped off toward the next ridge the four men followed sheamus picked up podrick's old saber from where he discarded it in favor of the sergeant's newer and

better maid weapon while the four men struggled to catch up to their new leader even though he carried a heavy load he knew his destination and they did not about the time they lost his trail and stopped and stared around hopelessly at the trackless wild he appeared once more now free of his burden he gave them a grin in the lowering early evening light come on my friends those men had a little food in their knapsacks and coins in their purses i'll keep the four shillings from the king you may divide the rest between you

it is uh considerably more i have a little shanty in the brush beyond that rock pile he pointed then to the barely visible roof and the man headed that way without any argument audrey decided that so far he liked his new companions he didn't care for the mindless chatter that too many people made until now he'd been unable to stop it now though he felt that he could rip out the throats of all the chatterboxes in the world the men took up residence in the shack and moved about the detractors on the floor set a

proper fire none of them explored the rags in the corner podrick stepped inside for a moment but he soon felt claustrophobic can stalk back outdoors he sniffed around and circled the area to ensure that there were no more unexpected dangers he saw and smelled no other canines or lupines there was no sign of the large black beast that had attacked him he now suspected that it had all been a nasty dream and he'd simply awakened with a sore neck he wondered more the effects of the elixir and the ouija he stopped in a little hollow

and dined on the daoist argent who tasted so much sweeter than his features that once promised light pork portrait realized as he munched flesh and gnawed bones after he was sated he resumed his patrol and discovered an old still out behind the shanty nearby that he literally sniffed out a cache of the potion the little jar sat all in a row within a solid crate that rested inside a nice dry opening in the rocks almost like a little shrine padre grinned again and took out one of the containers it felt full he stripped off the

stopper and took a whiff and quickly down the substance he felt immediately fortified he worked his way back to the little hut and lay up close by so that he could hear the man in their conversation he soon found out that sheamus companions were called sean eamon and henry it'd all been laborers and work had recently been scared sheamus and henry had relatively steady employment but sean and eamonn had been unable to find work many days and times had been lean of late they'd greedily taken up the king's coin with hopes toward full bellies or

at least less empty than on most days for them seamus and henry have been convinced more by a chance to do something longer term perhaps occasionally dangerous but mostly steady with a chance for travel appealing enough for young men but this latest opportunity might be even better the work would be even less steady but there might be more treasures to be had well a chance to travel but in style the more the young men spoke the more appealing the life of a rover appeared as each built up the idea padre decided that he would let

them live for the time be over the next few days the pack of men made themselves a menace to travelers who took the small track over the hills they didn't find tremendous treasures but they found food and sundries to make their lives comfortable as their first week together came to a close padre who was happiest roaming the countryside at night gathered the men around the hall i must travel tonight i shall be back by morning but if not what i need to do won't take much longer with that he turned swiftly and disappeared from the

lodging that was in need of expansion sean looked to his companions after their leader had melted into the encroaching darkness ah that one is strange definitely a dangerous type i've never before seen his life nor any of us henry added has his hair grown during the past week eamonn stared into the fire he's taller and his face looks stretched his teeth are longer sheamus remained quiet for a moment and assisted eamonn in his search of wisdom in the flames we all know his stories of the uh of what lurks in these hills nobody stays here

after dark they hurry through quickly to get either side of the pass this place is eerie no doubt and not just because of our friend who roams the dark the other night i was sorry heard strange calls maybe house off in the distance and not far enough he shivered that still uh we've done well enough we'll have to move soon folks will stop traveling the trail all together when they realize that the shortcut will lead to disaster it's a shorter route but the main road is safer the men spoke long into the evening they were

young and accustomed to hard work the recent days of leisure and talk bellies had led to some restlessness their conclusions were that the outlaw leader was very dangerous and they wished to remain in his good graces even if the adventure had already grown stale mostly they spoke of the helplessness they'd learned from those above their station they understood that their position was precarious but had no idea how to challenge podraig or even to ask to be released back to their own devices they were sure that they could not return to their hometown well too many

fine citizens had seen them march off with the redcoats it would take many more conversations for them to resolve to act and many more before they decided to put their plans in motion billy podrick barked in the ear of his former soulmate in the manner it was loud to his target but with the door closed no one else would have heard billy heard and stirred accordingly his eyes rolled and stared into the gloom that they could not penetrate could see just fine his eyesight had improved dramatically with every draft of the elixir he discovered one

draft every other day or so seemed enough to keep him improving himself and as for billy he convinced himself during the week that he'd only imagined that podrick could become dangerous he didn't have the entire sum that the formerly scrawny fellow would demanded but he had a truncheon he'd scrounge from the wood bin clutched in his hand just in case the fool showed he felt the heat from the bulk that rested near the head of his cart you can see much but there was a deeper shadow in the general outline of a suit man looking

too close for comfort a stout hand gripped his shoulder and shook him once he didn't need all want further encouragement i i have your money mostly i couldn't get anyone to lend me more he stopped when a deep rumbling growl emerged from the obscure hulking figure that exuded even more menace than it had done only a few days past he forgot his transition something told him that it would be a fruitless and possibly fatal gesture to strike the beastly man who now crouched in his chamber he felt himself lifted by the grip on his shoulder

and another iron grip closed on his other shoulder as he was lifted bodily from the he kept rising for a moment and then felt himself plunged until his supine body struck the floor his head cracked against the floor but the primary impact had been across his shoulders he lay stunned unable to move his arms and to do no more than twitch his legs or drake's voice rast deeply what did you think you were gonna do with your little stick did you have some idea of failing to pay the decho he didn't wait for an answer

he knew that billy still lacked the oxygen to do more than cough and wheeze in an attempt to refill his lungs now unless you have something else of value i'll have to take it out and flesh your blood his hand searched the body of the stuntman on the floor he found the wee bag that billy kept strung around his neck he'd already filched his belt pouch that held all his coins he noted the little bag during their time living in the same space he'd been too intimidated to ask about it and billy appeared to want

to keep it hidden so he left it alone but now he snatched it and broke the leather thong careless of the pain and burn it must have caused billy's already abused neck he could see the expression on billy's face grown alarmed the bag clearly contains something of value that he feared to lose a round flush face worked to protest but sufficient air had yet to circulate to allow him to speak above a low whisper please not that it's all i have in my family i'll pay you double just please let me keep it portrayed bad

his now substantial thanks triple the original sum and i'll be back in ten days he stuffed the wee bag into his whisket pockets he now had to leave the garment unbuttoned since his chest and shoulders had expanded come through with it or i'll shove this he held up the truncheon someplace you don't want it he then barked out a short laugh he could only shake his head as his eyes filled with tears the door opened and podrake was silhouetted briefly against the light that leaked down the corridor and billy shuttered at the large hair-covered beast

man that exited the chamber and crept toward the kitchen podrake removed a pair of hams from the larder on his way out of the house he now cared mostly for a long pig but these would likely make his pack happy he made it back to the shanty before dawn and placed the food beside the heart he examined the four sleeping man they were a sorry lot and he'd have to find some way to improve them if they were to become a terrifying crew of cockroaches who would frighten travelers into quick surrender wish to continue to

take lives but the fewer the better travelers would tell tales he wanted them told of how ferocious he and his band were and how much better it was to surrender to their demands and preserve one's life for future travels he could always find meat wandering the countryside or in the back alleys of towns he left the men before they awakened and found his present he was soon refreshed and another empty jar joined a small pile in the brush beside the old broken cauldron for the long abandoned still there was still plenty of the fine potion

to keep him full and happy for at least another two or three weeks he'd never tasted anything quite like the distillation in the weed jars with the wolf or houndhead stamps on the stoppers he smelled the one syntasing odor of hell frying now he preferred his meat raw and dripping with hot blood but ham cooking provided a special bouquet to his olfactory senses he'd let the others eat then confer with them his plans to shift their operations to the roadway but in the meantime he decided that he wanted to look into billy's way back sheamus

set aside the large bone he carved out of the ham oh maybe he'll want it to know the other man just grunted or nodded nothing like to talk when podrick was near the hearts they knew how sharp his hearing was presently the big outlaw appeared as a shade in the doorway for just a moment and then he was inside hovering in the shadows which seemed drawn to his form his near-glowing eyes and glittering sharp teeth were the only things clearly visible sheamus noted that a silver crucifix pendant now hung from a cord around podrick's neck

the big man stroked the token of faith with fingers that spotted black nails like a beast this was a gift from an old friend but we may have intended me harm with it there are silly superstitions about silver and crosses i'm not sure why anyone who thinks such things would hold power outside a believer's mind when he fingered the piece he showed that they all had a chance to observe the ring that now rested on his left ring finger it was golden and heavy the seal ring of a lord something that had perhaps been lost

and then lost again when the wrong servant discovered it in the stable after his lord had returned from a long and wearying journey ah that's nice sean commented across his silver that ring though probably worth a fortune at the seal alone added henry eamon intensely studied the piece of gristle on which he'd been gnawing since podrake entered the shanty he didn't like to look at his new master's eyes they were black and soulless and gleamed in mallets he always felt like he was the ham boner podrake the biggest hound in the pack when the man

maybe well the demon regarded him but still he'd handle the silver cross with no obvious discomfort unless he was a very powerful demon or witch man he would have been burned or tortured by it in some way maybe he's the devil himself he shouted internally and nearly broke a tooth on the heavy bone in his hands we'll be moving soon this place will draw notice if it hasn't already we need something closer to the main road anyway that's where all the goodies are to be found podrag watched each of the men as they enthusiastically if

insincerely agreed with him he knew that their agreement was false not about the idea but about their feelings regarding him their own fears and misgivings he bared his fangs just to be certain they understood the consequences should they disobey him he didn't care that much what they wanted but he cared that they feared him more than any consequences that might be imposed by authorities he'd already moved the important item the case of weejaz to another cache nothing else they'd accumulated mattered in his mind the vital drink was the only thing of real value that he

owned stand and deliver podrick barked he blocked the roadway and his pack moved in from each side to guard the prize it was indeed a prize a coach a rare thing to be found on this round the past nine days had seen the crew take many purses and cargos but nothing from the truly wealthy they'd not be retiring anytime soon and yet this one it was a wealthy man's conveyance this was their golden opportunity they needed only to take on the guards podrick had issued his warning only as a formality based on robbers tales he'd

learned he did not await a response there were two mounted guards either end of the coach and a man beside the driver who looked down enough and who carried a wheel locked blunderbuss an unusual weapon likely very expensive rodrigue leapt upon the horseman who was closest to him he cleared the back of the horse with his bound and tore the man from his saddle as he passed the move carried him forward and he slammed into the other horse and rider he registered the reports of muskets from the rear of the train as his pack eliminated

the threat of the two rear guards he wrapped his arm around the second trooper and pulled both guardsmen to the ground between their mounts the horses poured free and fled by then their riders each had ripped open throats and padre could slate his unnatural thirst for human blood at least for the moment the driver had haunted the coach and produced a hangar stout man beside him and risen and pointed his piece at padre even as he faced off against them smoke rose from the lock in a blast of fire and bled spat at the highwayman's

chest the impact laid him flat on his back the driver clambered down and approached what he assumed was a corpse while the gunner began to reload he poked the robber's midsection with the tip of the little sword he felt himself pulled forward while a sudden crushing wrenching pain in his sword arm crippled his cognizant thought process fangs sank into his throat and rent it from side to side the bandit was worrying his throat like a terrier with a rat in his jaws and the results were essentially the same the gunner looked up in consternation as

the big managed shot rose and casually flung aside the corpse of the driver impossible his mind shouted he had to be dead at least a few of the balls had struck him and sent him to the ground he stared himself and continued to reset the wheel he froze when the driver's sword plunged into his abdomen and continued upward and through his torso until it splinted his spine the big hairy hiring man sprung up onto the carriage and skewered him he felt his upper body go weak and he lost grip on the blunderbuss he felt nothing

new below the place where the blade had severed his spine and then he rose well he assumed that his soul was ascending to heaven that was what he believed even as his body crashed to the higher ground and life fled to wherever it went at such a moment podrick set the break and jumped back down to observe what his team had accomplished there had been more gunfire during the episode and he was curious as to what had happened the occupants of the coach could wait for a moment longer at the rear he indeed found the

two guards out of commission one lay crushed under his equally dead mount he ever lay in a crumpled heap pierced by bullet and blade yet his foe could not escaped unharmed sheamus lay stretched on the roadway his head split neatly and the cavalry sabre hilt waved above his carcass like a standard the blade still wedged into his solid skull sean curled around an oozing wound in his gut he was as good as dead but would take some time to reach that state unless you was help from this world rodriguez stepped up close to the young

man who whimpered and prayed these sounds annoyed him he snapped the boy's neck and put him out of his misery amen looked unterrified when his master so casually slaughtered his wounded friends he was certain that sean could have been saved good young men always healed in the stories henry stared for a moment then shrugged and turned his attention to the coach it seemed that at least one of the occupants favored resistance indeed the earl had chosen to defy his attackers he was made of the stuff that led his ancestor to become a peer he stepped

from the coach and struck a dignified pose rapier poised a deal out there rodriguez and henry both laughed figure fought so hard at the shared humor that the lordly man had no idea how to respond eamon stood shaking his head in fear and revulsion at the entire turn of events padre who with the exception of the little hangar hadn't bothered with a sword much for the past week plucked the heavy blade from sheamus cloven head and struck up a pose every bit as dignified and absurd as that of the earth the nobleman glared at his

opponent and studied him has he been taught to do he looked into the eyes i appeared to him as burning black coals the figure was tall and what only a torn and filthy wesket over short trousers shredded at the knee he was covered in hell some sort of fur garment his face protruded oddly with some sort of deformity and his ears were long and pointed perhaps as a result of the same melody prepare to meet your demise black guys he issued his feeble challenge i am the earl of before he could continue he found himself

flat on his back the wind knocked from his lungs in a tremendous weight pressed upon his chest and body the gaping slathering more of the bandit leader loomed large in his vision oh i know very well who you are my lord you don't know me despite almost two years of service i provided to you and your family two miserable years that led me to this desperate profession the man coughed and wheezed and recovered his breathing as he stared in confusion this disreputable reprobate but it attacked himself dishonorably and without proper warning i would recall a

servant so deformed as yourself i would never have allowed such as you in my household in the first place stopped speaking as the shaggy giant stepped back and hauled him bodily to his feet and then into the air his feet dangled in a most undignified manner he tried to keep them so still they didn't sway improperly anyone else inside the bandit called over his shoulder henry had urged ayman to action and they'd sidled up to the door of the coach on the opposite side henry called out in return no but some interesting containers and appointments

podrick layered at his master he actually admired the man's bravery in the face of certain deaths perhaps he was simply too stupid to be scared but potrik sensed that it was dignity that the man desired to maintain so instead of shredding his body he rent the man's garments from him he left him naked and bruised on the side of the road he and his men stripped the coach and rounded up the three surviving horses of the troopers none of the beasts would come near while podrag was close so he left them in the care of

his half-diminished patch they left the other bodies stripped of valuables and dead where they lay the draft horses they recruited as pack animals there was enough treasure to set up the three villains for a long time when they reached their new lair and abandoned mill near a deserted hamlet that had gone back to the wild portrait examined his companions as they began to divide the loot he raised his hand with his long black animal nails stop henry we need to set aside a portion for me the two of you keep what you have move on

to belfast or dublin and then take ship to foreign lands use only coins and keep the other items out of sight until you arrive where you wish to go our friends have perished and you can take their holdings as well they're secreted near this mill house if you don't know where i'll point them out to you you've been boone companions but i prefer my own company as you know i believe that it is time to shift to another road and other victims so it's time to part ways well this little lord has plenty to take

but attacking likes of them brings unwanted attention henry greedily began to shift the items into two piles that were mostly equal it wasn't like eamonn would argue he was timid he paused to look up gratefully at his master but the large being had gone already at that point henry stopped dividing the pile and left the lion's share for himself he'd let amen have the little pile in front of him and whatever he'd already collected from earlier heists eamonn glowed in the way that the butterburn often did when they felt their betters were not watching then

recalled him what you don't think this division is fair you're always moping and fearful the last to act when things get dicey take your hideaway coin and get moving i'll keep the mill for tonight then it's yours to do with as you like eamon pouted but let the larger more fit man cow him into submission he scooped up the small pile that henry had already set aside for him and slunk from the crumbling structure to find another shelter for the night ahead henry meanwhile rounded up all the remaining fortunes of the little band of outlaws

it was more wealth than he'd ever seen yet had he known it would not allow him a life of luxury and ease at least not a long one satisfied he piled on the last of the fire woods it was cool this evening he set up a roaring blaze there had been food in the coach rich food unlike the fair he would typically enjoy it was a rare old time for him he slept well and dreamed of avaricious fantasies eamonn slept in a cold camp his back curled against the last remaining if crumbling wall of the

little village he hugged his pouch to his chest and shivered until exhaustion at last sent him into slumber beside him lay a fine pistol he'd filch from the coach and the gold hilted rapier of the earth the finest of the three riding horses and one of the draft horses wicked softly in their hobbles and munched on grass under the stars eamon didn't know much but he was an excellent charge of horse flash hodrig in the meantime downed one of his last drafts he had only one left each one and left him more beastly and mean

and bills yet they'd also gifted him with unimaginable strength his mind was still his own most of the time he tore the ruined wesket from his frame and tossed it into the bushes he had a visit to conclude and an old comrade to set straight it'll be a long night and it was already nearing evening when he set out he wondered if he passed the earl along the way the peer of the realm had managed to clothe himself after a fashion before he set out on his journey the clothing of the dead guards and driver

had not been nice enough for the reavers to pinch they had been mostly soiled in the death throes of the man he now had the over large trousers of the coach guard pulled up around his waist and secured with a belt from one of the other men he removed a torn and bloody coat from another and pulled some material from the lined walls of the transport to make a ragged cloak recovered a small blade from his colon everywhere the highwaymen had dropped in their rush to load the horses and be on their way and was

able to hack away at the cloth he require finally he removed enough strips of wool from the remaining garments that he was able to wrap his feet he then set out not for town and not for his estate but for the fort he knew to be near the next settlement he was famished and ached from his wounds but determined to set things right along this road and to recover what he could of his belongings and his dignity billy paced the yard near the back wall of the earl's manor it was day nine and he knew

there was no way he'd be able to obtain the sum podrick had demanded he had a little more than half yet he feared that the man would not be satisfied he wasn't sure that podrick would honor the agreement anyway he'd always been contrary in his actions he knew that he couldn't fight the big man on his own or even with a stick he feared that podrick had become something strange and worse than anything he'd ever known he hoped that the silver crucifix which would belong to his great-grandmother would singed the flesh and eyes from the

monster but he had to be sure he would have had more money but but he'd invested some in a project he'd paid the smith to insert a silver penny into the blade of a large dirk he'd obtained from within the earl's armory it was a wedge-shaped blade very sharp from years of stropping and sharpening and was worn down from a wider old-fashioned dagger the smith had suspected the origin of the blade and gouged him on the price because of the risk to himself but this was about survival he couldn't be stingy when it came to

preserving his own life it wasn't all that late but already after dark there's still lights in the place around the manor and quarters to display that most of the inhabitants were still awake he caught sight of molly she slinked her way toward the constable's quarters they'd likely marry soon steward seemed to approve he sat and gathered wool and worried and finally he dozed he was awakened by a grunting chortle from a throat that was no longer able to make the sounds the way an ordinary human would he startle awake and rose gruff barely decipherable words

rumbled from a deep chest concealed somewhere in the shadows ah you've lost some girth billy and your cheeks have gone from round to hollow like your eyes haven't you been eating well barco billy understood who owned that alien voice despite the metamorphosis in it oh yeah i thought she said ten days today was only nine i have almost all of it he lied there was a raspy chuckle oh but billy it is day ten the midnight chime sounded a while ago i didn't say what hour i intended to clap my song after last time i

no longer trust you you intended to attack me to intentionally beat me out of what you owe me i i was only afraid last time after all you know what treasure i held billy prevaricated in hopes of a miracle taking full the ominous laughter sounded from directly behind him a pore extended into his view from over his shoulder and on it gleamed the lord's ring and the palm rested the silver crucifix ah take the cross it's the one thing on which you told the truth billy quaking in terror did as he was bid and uh

as for the ring the voice rests once more i have determined to keep it in repayment for the dignity of which i was robbed so many times i completed the taxation of my former master on the highway earlier today now to it was the menace's turn to pause when the breeze shifted i smelled sweet molly is she in the yard a thrill ran through billy as he realized a chance to shift the wicked intentions towards another target shia she passed by some time ago on the way to the constable's quarters he felt a hot wet

trickle run down his leg when the voice descended into a beastial growl loud enough to set the hounds baying from over in their kennel and the horses in the stable naying and shuffling in fear perhaps he'd misjudged the potential for ire and the savage breasts of his tormentor he dug into his whiskey now slick with sweat despite the cool evening he would get only one chance at this and he had to take a risk i i think old fleming has already approved their marriage and will propose it to his lordship the growl indeed grew in

volume and ferocity and rose to a roar of rage every beast on the premises was alerted and based on the shouts and calls many of the human stuff even as the last rains of the noise issued from the creature billy turned and stabbed as hard as he could with the blade plunged such as finely between the large ribs and into the vitals of this unholy monstrosity the howl of agony and fury that slammed into his face caused billy's eardrums to burst and all perception of sound to see he felt huge hand seas each side of

his head and then a painful tug and ripping sensation in his neck his final few synapses formed to display the horror of the huge wolf-like man as it drank the fountain of blood from his body funny i guess it ripped off my head the bloody bandits and billy was no more podrick was hurt badly despite his exceptional vitality the gush blood from billy's ruined neck had held but he could feel himself losing almost as much from the wound as he'd replaced from draining billy's body he pulled out the blade in his chest and flung it

aside then bound through the gate and into the night the sounds of a thoroughly roused manor house followed him they would not pursue him in the dark and they would be terrorized and confused by billy's cadaver he had more than sufficient time to make his escape he knew from being hunted in recent weeks that hounds would not track his scent he had only to make it to his cache of potion and he knew he'd be healed amen wrapped himself more tightly as the false dawn lit the other side of the dilapidated wall clouds threatened rain

in the next few hours and he didn't wish to tromp about in the mud he curled up more tightly and resisted the need to awaken and construct or seek shelter he couldn't find comfort though something had dug into his side during the night might be a fallen piece of water or stone likely a fallen piece of water or stone he reached inside his blanket to rub at the saw spot and film something that was oddly shaped for a product of nature likely some leftover trash from when people called this lonesome spot home he kept digging

at the object until he pulled it out then forced his eyes open to view his tementa it was a small jar plain except for an animal head on the seal he awakened further and raised himself on one elbow well the jar felt full probably just waste water from the reins he grumbled well the seal looked to be intact so he tore at it as soon as the substance contacted the air he smelled the wonderful fragrance it was fresh after all the years that must have passed he took a sip he had never consumed anything with

such a marvellous flavor he'd soon down the beverage and was fully awake henry awakened a while after eamonn hurt only to the banging of hounds and the raised voices of humans that in turns exoriated and then encouraged the loyal beasts other men raised voices to quiet the hunters one voice barked all just like a soldier henry scrambled from his blankets and quickly dowsed the embers of the fire that had burned long and brightly through the night steam and smoke belched forth and rose through the ruined roof of the structure in which he sheltered if the

troops hadn't spotted his smoke before they certainly would now he picked up his musket and began to load well he'd neglected to clean and reload last evening since he'd been too excited by his prospects for a bright future of luxury he'd never considered loading the silver trim blunderbuss by the time he'd loaded the piece and picked up his saber the infantry had surrounded his little fortress a voice called the authoritative one surrender in the name of the king henry set his eye to one of the cracks in the wall and peered out to gauge his

circumstances he was indeed surrounded her best he could hope to hang for his crimes he might however gain clemency if he gave away the suspected whereabouts of the real bandit leader padraig he could even claim that he'd been forced to help the big unsean lunatic by means of witchcraft you have a count of five to show yourself hands raised the troop leader called before the count even began henry stepped out into the morning lights hands empty and raised padre raced back to the little settlement that had been devoured by the wild some years past his

wound had finally stopped leaking the vitality was still within him however he wanted to heal completely and to see what changes the final draft might engender it was full daylight and hedging toward noon he didn't care for daytime but today was a nice gloomy one with lowering clouds and a soft rain that had begun not long after dawn there was no drama to the weather only persistence he circled around the old mill he didn't want to bother with his form about he only wanted to reach his potion and find relief he approached the war with

no fear of encountering another soul he'd left his last region near the last standing wall of the village despite the rain he caught some strange odors with a heavy smell of horses and then amen the effluvia emanated from all too near his hidey hole he bounded ahead and his darkest fears were realized the little jar opened and emptied lay next to the wall well he was a top tier predator and soon located the trail that led from the settlement and deeper into the hills above even after the rain it was easy to follow horses and

ayman's sense seemed somehow more vital despite his pain and unaccustomed weariness he set out in pursuit of the thief the ragged little coward who'd always slunk along at the rear of the pack during their forays the earl was satisfied that henry had given all the information he possessed about the whereabouts of his companions i believe we should hang him in town as an example for any who are attempted towards criminal enterprises henry would have bought and squawked but he was barely conscious after the interrogation he would indeed set an inspirational example for his fellows in

the little town a few decided that they had nothing to lose and set forth roving others decided that they had a community spirit and would comply with the law such as it was and the four lost recruits were soon replaced by new more eager ones many found new wonder in their occupations and applied themselves just a little bit more diligently the wages of sin and high crimes did not appeal to the reticent majority eamonn heard the thumps behind him and halted he didn't get through the turn he started since a large form slammed into him

and knocked him several feet back he drew the fancy rapier and struck a pose much as had the rapier's previous owner it was podrick looking wilder and more beastly than ever he'd finally shed even his breaches and stood hunched and breathing heavily eamonn noted the blood began to trickle from an aggravated recent wound he intended to add to that opening and end the threat of the monster of the hills come on padre i no longer fear you i will skewer and eamon felt his arm gripped with him powerful claws and his body flung to the

ground the rapier spun away and sparkled when a ray from the newly emerged sun struck it the foot crashed into his side the one into which the wheat jar had dug then a deep sore pain followed by a sharp tucking which plagued his shoulder for a moment he felt a rush from his heart as the blood fountained and then was drawn from where his sword arm had been he heard noxious gulping and slurping sounds as padre gorged himself on eamon's blood potion tonic and all he heard the panicked nays of his horses and the thunder

of their hooves on the turf as they ran away in search of a sturdier master and then he heard nothing more in this line padre ran the hills in glee under the newly risen full moon he didn't truly think of himself as podrick anymore names did not concern him he ran about on all force and felt freer than he ever had clumsily stomping along on too using only half his resources for running he stopped for a moment and helped he knew that the sound would strike fear into anyone caught out after knife though he stalked

travellers along the various trails and treks of the wilds he no longer sought golden treasures he now preferred the crimson fountain that sprang from the arteries of the soon to be dead [Music] [Music] well another phenomenal story there from michael g lockhart also known as belair 64. he's been a good friend to this channel for many a story now and that one was as good as anything he's ever done brilliant brilliant stuff many thanks to him and thanks to you all for once again taking the time to listen well what did you think of that

one thoughts feelings anything else you want to say in the comment section below the vid and as usual i'll do my best to join in the chat well that's it for monday back again here on wednesday probably i hope you're all gonna join me once again so until next time sweet tree some bye bye [Music] do [Music] [Music] thank you so much for taking the time to listen to this story today really means a lot to me and to the author of the story of course well if you want to know more about me i'm

pretty much everywhere on social media you can find me on facebook twitter instagram you can download my music on soundcloud um i've got a patreon if you feel like throw me a dollar or two very much appreciated and of course on reddit i have a place where you can leave stories if you want me to read one that you've written well hoping to see you all again very soon till then sweet dreams you