Caught by a Hunter

Chapter 14

Alderoth had just finished scrubbing the big patio all clean. It was a good day to do so since it was cloudy but not raining. It wouldn't get too hot to spend a few hours outside, cleaning and moving around furniture.

"Looks great!" Reth smiled when he stepped outside. "Ashura will be really happy to see that this place finally got a good scrubbing. It has been looking shitty for a while now but we both have so many other things to do so it has been delayed."

"It wasn't so bad", Alderoth chuckled when he leaned against the brush he had been using. Even if it wasn't hot outside, all that work sure did make him sweat! "I hope he doesn't mind I used these old chairs and tables, it makes the patio look so much more inviting", he smiled when looking at the furniture.

They were nothing special, just very ordinary chairs and tables suitable for being used outside. He had left enough space in the middle. He was hoping that maybe, if he would ask around a bit, he might find a gramophone or something and he could already imagine villagers coming here during evenings, dancing while the music was blasting.

"By the way, where did you get these?" Reth asked and he was confused, scratching his head. He didn't remember seeing these furniture before.

"They were in the basement, under sheets."

"In the basement?" Reth asked, his eyes snapping towards Alderoth. No, the man couldn't possibly...? "Um, where exactly?" he asked, trying to smile like nothing suspicious was going on. "You didn't open any doors or anything?"

That was what made Alderoth confused.

"No, they were just tucked behind some other stuff right beside the stairs", he said and raised his eyebrow. "Why?"

"No reason at all! I see, so they were stored there? If they were stored away, I'm not sure if Ashura has had some other plans where to use this stuff."

"Do you think he'll dislike this arrangement?"

"He won't be mad", Reth assured with a smile. "He's a reasonable old guy. He knows you were just trying to do something nice."

"I hope you're right", Alderoth said. "I guess I should go home now, continue my own work.

"Yeah, you do that! I definitely want to see those bags you've been making so bring some over some day, okay?"

"I'll think about that", Alderoth chuckled and he took his bag that had been lying nearby and stepped down the stairs. "I'll see you tomorrow, Reth."

"See you, Sweet Tooth!" Reth smiled, waving his hand and the man went back inside.

Alderoth hummed while he started walking. He really hoped Ashura wouldn't be mad because of what he did. He probably should have asked permission to even go down in the basement before deciding anything like this...

He was so deep in his thoughts he didn't even notice an emerald green eye that was following his movements.

"Hey, kid."

Alderoth was surprised and he looked around. Was someone talking to him?

"Yeah, I'm talking to you", he heard a laugh and quickly looked towards the shop he was just about to pass.

Zeki was standing at his shop's doorway, those whiskers moving when the man gave him a smirk and then he crooked his finger to encourage Alderoth to come closer.

The man was hesitant to do so. He hardly knew Zeki at all! The grimalkin had always somehow made him feel a bit uncomfortable, it was like the man was constantly plotting on something. That was probably one of the reasons why he was as successful as he was now...