Chapter 19. Removal.

  As a blacksmith Sid couldn't help but be impressed with the craftsmanship that went into the iron trap.

  Precise and consistent edging that made the sharp jagged teeth. Each tooth had been meticulously cut with irregularity, and whoever filed them to that angle.

  Its designer wanted the trapped to bleed. Teeth that smile with a promise to rip whatever flesh it bite.

  Strong coiled springs four of them, each with their own recoil pad and lock. It was a trap to make certain that whatever had been caught within its teeth would not be released. Chewing madly all while tightening its bite with each release of the recoil. Not only that but the trap pulse with a sinister shimmer. There was something baleful about this iron.

  Links over links had been crafted along both sides of piping that withheld the traps mechanics. Driven through those links were many stakes of iron that held that same sinister glow. Sid suspect this was to hold the trap in place. Links continue along many of the trees surrounding the area. The same stakes had been pounded into the trees as well.

  Sid did not build traps himself, thinking they were barbaric. Those who kill a trapped animal are weak, and coward. It is shameful aspiration to have no respect for the forest or its designs.

  He sigh looking at the creature, he had no clue what it was but, …it didn’t deserve this.

  Segments of shredded bone could be seen within the open flesh, meaty muscles, and damp matted hair soaked through. Deep crimson flow, adding a new stain to the metal, as the iron jaws chitter at the leg. Pale yellow eyes opened detecting that heavy man in a red shirt, the beast thrashed.

  The animal kicked heavy paws just only that far from the ground. Those mystical links rattle loudly, and a neighboring tree groan while the chain whip and smash. The forest stilled and the animal take a hollow wet cough. All while a new flow rush along those sharp branches, then the pattering of pouring liquids could be heard.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Sid didn’t even move; the man was cold with compunction. There was a woe that held him grounded, he didn’t mean the creature any harm so why should he be panicked. He wanted to free the creature, he knew he couldn’t help now in that moment. No amount of precious stone and fine trade could be exchanged for that kind of help, no. The animal didn’t deserve to die trapped though. Not stuck along a tree for its blood to be aggregated.

  Not for what he fear this ground was in support of, as far as Sid was concerned those were just things of fire-tale and myth. Sid lived a safe life in a quiet settlement listening to the talk of travelers. It was all just exaggerated talk though, right? Then again, …where would the stories originate, people just aren’t that drawing of detail.

  He knew the churches would wage war with each other, but that was just factions against factions, right? Orders of reclamation for power over land? Adventurers the churches greatest champions, or just religious bullies? Were there actual monsters out here? His town was attacked by something he would describe as a monster, and there was no champion who came. Are the stories true?

  Sid start to burrow a spot for panic as he debate. He quickly look the treetops for widowmakers. Spinning abruptly, he check the grounds for other dangers of what he once thought were ghost stories. He turn hard and sharp again, causing a slight dizzy spell.

  The sinister chains rattle fiercely as the animal thrash along the tree. It take a shallow broken wheeze releasing a wet cough.

  The animals tongue roll with a sag supplying a crimson drip. Blanch yellow eyes rest along that heavy man in a stained red shirt.

  Sid held a content fixation with the animal it was calming observation that put him at ease. The feeling of simplicity luxury his body only for a moment.

  In that stare of connection came that subtle and graceful chirp of the bell. Pulsing with reverberation just as it did every time only until of course was that nasty snarl.

  Even knowing it was coming, it still raise the hair against his neck. That feeling of connecting advancement wasn’t with the beast along the great twisted tree, or even with anything in this area.

  That connection was near though, he could feel it. Sid step toward the large animal, muscles along his back flex tightly. The mud under his boots squished.

  Sid strain with slow movement. Taking his time he carefully remove the animal from the tree. When the creature came free there was a aura that pulsed through his body. Strangely after this pulse the creature weigh next to nothing, and Sid lay the mother as far as the links will allow.

  Sid may have been a seasoned blacksmith, but he could not figure out the trap. The shimmer sparkled with a negative hue, whatever it was it had a dark presence to it. Growing furious with the entire situation before him that left hand found the brass button, popping it free. Big Sid held the timber terror, while beady eyes follow the iron links along one of the trees it had been nailed.