- Text Size +
It naturally took a moment, or two. But, Lewis finally got over his amazement enough to reply to the giantess.

"OK! I'm here. What do you want?"

Her smile became a feral grin.

"YOU, LITTLE HANDSOME ONE. FROM WHAT I HAVE DIVINED, IN CONSUMING YOUR FRIENDS, I KNOW YOU ARE A GREAT WARRIOR. SHREWD, BRAVE, AND FIERCELY DETERMINED TO COMPLETE WHATEVER YOUR OBJECTIVES BE. SO AM I! THAT IS WHY I WISH YOU FOR MY CONSORT."

"I got a pretty good idea of what that ultimately means me for me, witch! So, why should I agree to your insane proposal?"

"YOU COULD FINALLY HAVE YOUR HEART'S DESIRE."

Whereupon, Heraclitoris took on the semblance...of Lauren Findlay! Albeit, still thirty feet tall, and topless.

"DOES THIS FORM NOT PLEASE YOU?" she asked, standing arms akimbo.

"It's mighty tempting, I got to admit."

Lancer looked at him, horrified.

"THEN, YOU ACCEPT?"

"I said it was tempting. Not irresistible!"

Heraclitoris lost her smile.

"I _WILL_ HAVE YOU, LITTLE ONE. ONE WAY, OR ANOTHER! AND, IF YOU DO NOT COME TO ME, BY THE TIME THE MOON HAS REACHED ITS ZENITH, THIS MIDSUMMER'S EVE, YOUR BROTHER'S INTENDED SHALL SUFFER THE SAME FATE AS HER FATHER."

Whereupon, she held up Luther Findlay in her left hand!

Once more, Lewis became drop-jawed with shock. The storekeeper had insisted on going out, with Tom Bigby, to spy on Fort Pecos. But, there was a huge difference between lying in wait for grouse, and military reconnoitering. And, now he was about to pay the price.

Luther Findlay screamed in pain as he was forced into a fetal ball, and secured in that position by a long lock of hair plucked, by the giantess (who still wore Lauren's likeness), from her own head.

Following which, she proceeded to swallow him whole.

Lewis looked at Dutch, and nodded. The Hessian mercenary nodded back, and barged his way out between Lewis and Lancer. He raised his Spencer rifle; cocked it; and fired.

Putting Luther Findlay out of his screaming misery.

Heraclitoris snarled, her anger at the robbery of her sadistic pleasure driving away the illusion of being Lauren. This did not stop her, however, from swallowing the storekeeper's corpse in spite.

After which, she repeated her threat.

"BY THE LUNAR ZENITH, LITTLE ONE! OR, LIKE FATHER/LIKE DAUGHTER."

Whereupon, she stomped back toward the fort.

tbc
You must login (register) to review.