Looks like Chap 7 will have 4 parts. Might be more. Trying to work a few things in but. Having a bit of trouble getting through all the dialog and interactions here.

Look forward to Part 4..And maybe end of chap 7 in a couple hours. or so.

Hope you enjoy

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Chapter 7 Part 3

I had no good response to Leeroy's ribbing, He was correct that I had not thought out what I was going to do. So I just resorted to plastering a weak smile on my face and shaking my head. Seeing this Leeroy let out a laugh clasped me on the shoulder and said “It.. Good..All..Make.. Stakes..Learn. Them” Nodding I was grateful to Leeroy for not rubbing in how unprepared I was, With a final shrug of my shoulders I said “Live and learn..Lets get this BACON cut up and back to the village.”

After the group had rolled up to the two dead gippers, I saw Sara Washburn hop out of the wagon along with the rest of the group. Walking over towards her with Leeroy in tow I couldn't help but notice how shapely her ass was. While I was admiring her assets (pun intended) I failed to notice that she was looking at me also. “Liking what you see Richard?' She said to me. Snapping out of my ..Er. Asset perusing mode I am sure I my face turned a interesting shade of red.

Coughing a couple times I was just about to apologize when I looked at her face. She was standing there with a huge smug grin. After a few seconds she said “Like I said the other night Richard...Only a matter of time” Seeing that I was in over my head Leeroy saved my BACON by grabbing hold of my arm and leading me away from the she daemon with a chuckle.. Leeroy said “Good..Match” and with that and another laugh at my stammered protestations that nothing was going on we got to work cutting up and loading the critters.

Cutting up such large critters was something else..It took all ten of us to strip down and load just one of the gippers over four hours to finish. Looking up at the progress of the sun I knew that there was no way in hell we were ever going to be able to butcher the last one and make it back to town before nightfall. It was late afternoon already and as it was our group would probably not make it back In time as it was.

Not wanting to give the villagers anything more to gossip about I avoided Sara Washburn as much as possible. It would seem that was probably not such a good idea because I heard snatches of conversation involving “Lovers quarrel” and other such embarrassing things being said. 'Gahhhh I cant win no matter what the hell I do' I thought. Getting a bit concerned about the time I grabbed Leeroy and pulled him off to the side for another one of our stimulating conversations. One where I usually do most of the talking.

I explained my concerns about the time to Leeroy and after looking up at the sun he said “It Good, Grippys. No ..Come ..Two ..Three ..Day” Ahh well that was good news I thought to myself. But still there must be other critters that would be drawn to the smell of blood and guts ..Surely? Asking him about this he once again spoke “No.. All. Afraid.” I nodded my head in understanding but then a new question popped into my head. 'What now' ..Looking around I suddenly saw the answer to my question.

The woman were starting to setup a camp for the night. About this time I saw another group of villagers in a wagon appear at the edge of the forest. In the wagon I spotted Ben, Tommy and a couple other men that I had yet to meet. There were also a few more woman one of whom was Beth Tailor. Letting out a low groan at the sight of her I started to think of ways to make myself scarce.

As the new group rolled in I saw that they had brought casks of ale and loves of bread with them. Everyone greeted each other with a atmosphere of jubilation. After helping unload the wagon of its bounty of liquid happiness I was about to make good on my plan to skedaddle off and hide...Cough. Err I mean I was going to go out and make sure no critters were circling back to attack...Cough.. My plans were crushed When Sarah walked up with Tommy and a older man I had yet to meet.

Tommy was the first to speak and it came out in a excited rush “Ho Richard! You are Amazing! Killing Two gippers in one day! When no one in the village has ever even killed one! Oh and hey this is my Father ” He said pointing at the man with the small group. Smiling at Tommys exuberance my right eye seemed to have suddenly developed a slight twitch. I said in a lighthearted voice that I wasn't feeling “Oh is that so?”

I was about to continue when Tommys father spoke up “Yes indeed Young man the people of Washburn are deeply grateful for what you have done here today. Normally the only way we gain the meat from these gippers is after they kill each other in a fight.” Looking over at Sara I could see that she had a sheepish expression and was trying to avoid making eye contact.

The man then took a step forward and said “Let me Introduce myself, My name is Abe Washburn. I believe you have already met my Son and daughter and of course your living in my Mother Martha's house. It is a pleasure to finally meet you. I would have introduced myself sooner but me and a few other men from the village were out taking care of a nasty pack of 'masochistic gay pikachu's'* the last couple of weeks. We only returned to the village late last night.”

After hearing what Abe Said that annoying twitch in my eyelid seemed to go into overdrive. It would seem that I had been 'Volunteered' to be the local cleanup batter for critters they couldn't handle themselves. What was giving my temper a bit of exercise was the fact that these people didn't bother to just tell me all the facts before they sent me off to do the mighty white hunter thing.

Taking a deep breath and letting out I put on a smile and decided that life was too short to let little things like potential death and scheming woman bother me too much. I said “Its a great honor to meet you also Mr Washburn, You have a lovely daughter and a boy that is also a great hunter..'Giving him a wink' Why just the other day I saw that he had killed at least seven Wats that were infesting a barn in the village. He does you great credit as a father.” Hearing my words Tommys face lit up like a thousand watt lightbulb.

Abe “Thank you for those kind words Richard... Now it would seem that we need to finish preparing camp for the night and get everything ready for the celebration.” And with those words the group of three turned away and went about doing just that.

End chap 7 part 3

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*Just for you Claws8367 (Might stay in story might not..Did make me laugh though)