10 Minute Tales, Part 2

Aug 10 - Leviathan

"Ain't nobody that goes sailin' 'round these parts no more." the old lady grumbled around a wad of tobacco. "Nobody's been out there since th' last leviathan attack."

"What can you tell me of the beast?" the hunter asked, sipping his drink again. She eyed him warily.

"I can tell you there 'asn't been a hunter that came back." she jabbed her cane accusingly as his gut, but he barely flinched. "The beast gets its grip on you once, and that's it. It drags you down to the depths and you're gone."

"So it prefers to drown its opponent first?" he scribbled on a notepad. She laughed at his question, poking again.

"It prefers ter eat the meals whole! Unless you can survive that terrible... beak... maw... thing, you 'aven't got a chance! Strong enough to crunch one of yer fancy submersibles in one, I tell you that!"

"Truly?" he raised his eyebrows, impressed. "A submersible?"

"Aye, we've seen it twice! Snap!" She made an ugly, twisted face, mimicking the leviathan's mouth. "Crunch! P-ting!" she spat on the ground. The meaning was obvious. "Ain't nobody come back from that."

"Very well." he nodded. "Thank you for your time."

"Beware the beast!" she repeated, preparing a second load of tobacco. He walked over to his partner, reading his notes.

-----

"Well?" the partner asked, sipping her water quietly.

"The leviathan is capable of biting through submersible vehicles. We will have to rely on your powers after all." her eyes widened briefly, then she sighed.

"I hoped it wouldn't come to this. You know I hate using it." she frowned slightly, putting the water on the counter.

"Yes, I know, and I'm sorry it has to come to this." he frowned slightly. "I'll make it up to you later if I can."

"Well, I suppose I'll need to gather the reagents." she grumbled, standing up again. "I'll go fishing, you browse the market."

"What am I getting?"

"I'll make you a list, but it'll have to be fresh. This is going to take a long time."

"I... understand." he gulped nervously. If another recipe of hers demanded human blood, he'd have to do something he would regret. "We should book a room, then." She nodded in agreement, standing up. The two walked over to the bar. "Excuse me?" he asked the barkeep.

"Wha'?" the man replied. He was still as strong as the last time they had met. Hopefully, this time he wouldn't sample it first-hand.

"I'm after a room to spend the night."

"... you're still thinkin' of hunting that beast, aren't ya?" he grumbled. "Even after last time?"

"I have a better plan this time. Hopefully, one with no bodies." the barkeeper raised an eyebrow, unimpressed, and looked over to the woman.

"This her?"

"If you want to put it like that, then yes. I just need somewhere to stay for one night."

"Two." the woman quickly commented. The barkeeper nodded.

"Payment up front. If you don't come back this time, I want payin'."

"Makes sense." he reached into his coinpurse. The barkeeper stared at the woman with a frown, trying to understand who - or what - he was looking at.