Somewhere, West Virginia, USA.

The wave of red scaled bodies continued to move up the mountain behind Jeb. The air buzzed with the many voices of over 80 kobolds as they chatted and whispered about the celebration that Jeb was leading them to. Even a small group of hatchlings came along as they were excited over the prospect of new games to play! Some salamanders also trailed behind the group. Perhaps as extra guards or curiosity as to where so many of the tribe were going.

Along their way up she and the rest of the tribe saw more effigies and even carvings in and around trees! These weren't made of wicker like Jeb's though, they were just plain bone or wood. Some animal skulls hung from certain points on some trees. Bark was torn off and etchings were carved into them as well. These were like what Jeb carved into the skulls of the wickermen. Runes and script that made no sense to the kobolds. But they made their eyes hurt to stare too long just the same. They saw small totems with grisly carvings placed around and even carved into some of the trees, some were stained with dark red paint.

Everyone was having high hopes, except for Ruby. The others may not have felt it, or were doing a better job of ignoring it, but as they ascended the mountain the air felt more tense and heavy. The others were murmuring about it as well but they chocked it up to the general attitude of the group.

She knew why the air felt that way. Like an oppressiveness that hovered over them as they got closer to their destination. She kept close to Jeb while the Trap Master took up the rear of the group to make sure no one got separated and lost. She was more worried about Jeb's mother's warning/threat. That if it wasn't for Jeb then they wouldn't have lasted long out here. She didn't want to chance whatever creatures and beasts making a meal of them because someone got distracted.

But it was a fear that amounted to little as they soon reached their destination. The camp was practically alive with activity! The various huts, cabins, and trailers were still where they were last she came. But now many more tents were set up where dozens of people would talk, drink, and eat.

Then it all died as dozens of eyes turned towards Jeb, or rather the kobolds that were with him.

The group stopped dead as many rough, scarred, and dirty faces, who just moments ago were wide with joy, were now starring at them with looks of distrust. Jeb didn't seem to pay them much mind as he continued to walk forwards.

"Evenin' everyone!"

"Whos they Jeb?" Someone in the crowd had asked.

"They're with me, that's who they are." Jeb stated plainly, though there was a measure of force and challenge in his voice as he dragged his gaze along the many faces.

But apparently that was all it took as most of the group shrugged their shoulders and the celebration returned to normal. Music played and glasses clanked as everything resumed to how it was before the heavy and awkward moment.

Though Jeb and the kobolds weren't out of the woods yet as a older and sharp featured man with dark eyes and white hair in dark purple robes walked calmly over to Jeb, flanked by several others who wore fully hooded robes.

"Jebadiah! Good of you to arrive! I see you brought... outsiders with you."

"And I see there are a few more among your ranks as well. It seems we both brought new folk with us tonight." Jeb retorted.

The man smirked, though there was little humor in it.

"Yes, indeed. Except those under my care have embraced The Mother. So they are as welcome as you or I here! They on the other hand..."

"Are under MY care. What was it you said once durin' one of your sermons Casius? The shepherd doesn't always choose where his flock hails from, only that they are now in his charge?" As Jeb spoke this the kobolds began to huddle around Jeb, whether it was to protect him or them Ruby couldn't tell. Of course it was hard to do when there were so many. But it was the thought that counts.

The man, Casius, looked at Jeb with a measure of genuine surprise and pride.

"I see you were paying more attention than I thought! A pity it wasn't more."

"Yeah, real pity." The kobolds seem to have taken this as a form of territorial display and was backing Jeb with glares and hisses towards the robed men.

Casius smiled still.

"No matter. Tonight is a time for celebration! So by all means, enjoy!"

"We will. But I'll say this once and once only. If you or your robed friends here so much as touch any of them, I'll spread what bits of you are left over all across this mountain!" As Jeb said this Ruby noticed a brief flash of blue in Jeb's eyes. Casius seemed to notice it to, but where Ruby was relieved when it was gone, he seemed somewhat disappointed.

Casius sighed.

"Of course Jebadiah. I and my flock will be on our best behavior. The Mother has decreed that those in your care be treated the same as one would yourself."

With that Casius held his hands up in a placating manner as Jeb brushed past him. The kobolds followed closely behind, still giving hisses and glares at the robed men. While Casius had a kind smile when he watched Jeb go, he had a disgusted sneer as his eyes fell upon the kobolds.

Jeb was special to The Mother, and it was Casius's job to get things ready for his Awakening. An astronomically rare event few in mankind's history have ever witnessed let alone be apart of! For but a brief moment when that dark rage entered Jeb's eyes was like a fire being lit in the robed followers. Like a sign from God that your on the right path. All in good time though, thought Casius. All in good time.

His opinion of the little klepto lizardfolk was a different matter. Like The Mother, him nor the rest of Her fervent followers thought kindly of the denizens of another world. It brought them great pleasure and joy to slaughter the greenskins at the mine! Unfortunately they make poor sacrifices to Her. It was only a shame that Mortimer wasn't there as well, then they could both cleanse a great stain on the land and dispense a measure of retribution for the blood his family spilt many years ago.

"Good things come to those with patience." Casius muttered as he watched Jeb and the kobolds disperse around the festivities. Him and his cultists returned to their duties.

Meanwhile, the run in with Casius made the kobolds nervous and few were willing to wander too far from Jeb. Him, Ruby, and the Trap Master decided that it was better if they stayed in groups of 5. One group was designated to watch over the hatchlings, the rest broke off in their own groups and made for the various tables of refreshments and games.

The Trap Master and a couple skirmishers wandered over to where Cole and some others had set up a shooting game. Bottles, cans, wooden targets and even some gourds were set up down range for people to shoot at.

"Well! Ain't it da GIANT! RED! LIZARD!"

"Yeah yeah Cole we know!" Someone retorted as Cole continued to gloat.

"Is this where we shoot?" The Trap Master asked.

"Dats right! When yous ready, pick up a rifle. I'll click dis here stop watch and we'll see how long it takes you ta shoot all da targets or run dry! Intrested?"

The Trap Master nodded and took up a rifle. When he had it settled he looked to Cole and gave a nod.

Click!

Several bangs went out. By the time the rifle was empty barely a single can had been hit.

"Oh, looks like you didn't get none!" Cole teased.

"Again." The Trap Master said.

Cole shrugged and reset the watch before holding it up again.

"Ready?"

The Trap Master nodded again. This time was the same as last however, though a single can DID get knocked over.

"Just ain't yer night is it?!"

The Trap Master nodded to Cole once more.

"Again."

"Sorry! Limit ta how many times you can shoot!"

The Trap Master had brought along a small leather pouch. Jeb said that shiny things and furs would be more tradable than most of the things the kobolds scavenged. From this pouch he pulled some shiny rocks and a couple fine hare furs.

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"This says I can do it this time."

"Oh a wager is it? Fine." Cole pulled out a old badge from the pocket of the worn brown coat he wore.

"My grand pappy got dis from a Prohbi agent dat done came sniffin' 'round." Cole started to laugh.

"He weren't sniffin' fer long! Dis here says you cain't!" Cole said as he slammed the old prohibition agent badge down on the pile of shiny rocks and furs.

The Trap Master picked up the rifle and reloaded it. He nodded to Cole when he was ready. Cole clicked the watch with a grin. A grin that quickly fell when the Trap Master hit target after target! Cans pinged, bottles shattered and wooden targets splintered as the Trap Master nailed shot after shot.

Before long the rifle clicked to tell it was empty. With a grin the Trap Master looked over at Cole, whos face fell as he pushed the winnings towards the kobold. The Trap Master grinned smugly as he pocketed his well earned winnings and made to leave.

"Hey Jeb!? Yer lizard friend done hornswoggled me!" Cole whined.

"Then maybe you shouldn't write checks your ass can't cash!" Jeb retorted from nearby as he snacked with Ruby and a few others while watching the hatchlings play with the other children.

Despite her hesitation, Ruby was enjoying herself! She was eating some sweet tasting bread made of corn. While she was watching the hatchlings chase and play with the human kids, she saw out the corner of her eye the two Egg-maids slink over to Jeb's side. Each carrying several dark brown bottles.

"Hey Jeb! Enjoying the celebration?"

Jeb looked at the two as he sipped his own beer.

"Yeah, I'm more lookin' forward to when the fightin' pit is opened so I can maintain my title!"

The two lusty lizards slunk up and onto each of Jeb's arms as they tried to stomach the human booze. Which amused Ruby as their attempts to appear ravishing was diminished as they screwed their faces up in disgust at the alcohol. It seemed their plan was to get Jeb drunker than them. But they underestimated how strong the beer was, and Jeb's own tolerance.

Jeb just nursed his own beer as the two tried, and continuously got worse, to flirt with him. Ruby rolled her eyes as the two got increasingly sloshed. Though it was a common theme amongst the celebration. Most of the guests seemed to be in various states of drunk. From pleasantly buzzed to out-right shitfaced, and it got worse the later the party went on for.

"Gib eggsh!" Ruby turned to the voice and found one of the Egg-maids passed out in Jeb's lap, while the other was tugging on his collar.

"I want yer eggsh in me!" She slurred as she tried, and failed, to convince Jeb to 'give her eggs'.

"Yer tha only one who can! Pleashe make ush mommeysh!" She burbled as her strength continued to fade and before long she too passed out on Jeb's chest.

Ruby rolled her eyes and finished her snacks before dragging the two over to lay on the bench nearby. Once off Jeb a few others dragged them over to a pile of kobolds who also couldn't hold their liquor.

"I'm sorry. I didn't think they'd get that bad!"

Jeb chuckled as he watched the two horny lizards get put in their drunk pile.

"Its fine. Glad their enjoyin' themselves!"

Everyone was actually. Several groups of kobolds were mingling with the crowds, either eating food or trying human liquor. Most were trading bits and bobs they had for other things. Jeb noticed several pieces of his silverware get bartered away in return for marbles or polished bits of scrap.

They both could see some kobolds trying a game of bobbing for apples. Though it wasn't much of a competition as the kobold's snouts gave them a better chance of snatching an apple. Nothing serious, though Cole made it a point of refusing any kobold that showed up again.

Jeb watched keenly however as he saw Casius talking with several kobolds off to the side. They were still in their groups, but it still made Jeb nervous. Eventually though the kobolds would shake their heads and wander away from the hooded men. Casius smiled and nodded to Jeb when he saw him watching, before wandering off.

As the sun set and the moon rose, the music and atmosphere changed. Gone was banjos and fiddles and other typical instruments of folk in the hills. Now leather drums were brought out.

"Oh yeah! Now its my time!"

Jeb cheered as the party moved over to the large pit near the center of the collection of homes. Many hooted and hollered as men would jump down into the pit. Some were fully clothed and some were buck naked! But it didn't matter to anyone for as soon as they hit the ground fists were thrown!

It was a savage display! Even when Ruby came with Jeb last time, it was a brutal affair. Now it was just plain beastly! Several others would gang up on someone, only to throw fists at their momentary comrades. Headbutts, biting, kicking. It didn't matter as anything went. Teeth flew, bones broke, and blood mixed into the dirt. Creating a red mud at the feet of the fighters.

Once it was in full swing Jeb himself entered the pit. Jumping down with a roar, and no shirt, he fell onto the back of someone. He threw a punch at a charging enemy while he planted a foot down on the head of the poor sod he landed on. As Jeb fought on, more and more bodies entered the pit.

But it never deterred Jeb. He had a smile on his face as his head met the nose of someone with a wet crunch of cartilage. Followed by a punch to the sternum of another, and slamming his hands into the temples of another.

The savage display was watched by everyone. Men, women, children. Even the kobolds were watching their protector brutally hammer away at several others! Not that Jeb didn't get by unscathed. He took several hits to the face and body during this mad frenzy.

The group around seemed to get more excited as brown beer bottles were soon replaced with crystal clear mason jars. Jeers and cheers were heard as several handfuls of cash were passed around. Before long Cole entered the pit. Wearing a dirty stained bathrobe.

"You ready cuz? Imma 'bout ta show you a can o' whoop ass!"

Cole threw out some fancy, if ill-coordinated, punches and kicks. Hooting and screaming like Bruce Lee or Jackie Chan as he continued to show off his poor understanding of martial arts.

Jeb wasn't impressed. As Cole spun himself dizzy from trying a tornado kick, Jeb gave a quick jab at Cole's face. Sending the man spinning into the mud with several others. After Cole's tomfoolery, the actual bare-knuckled brawl continued. Eventually several others tried to take down Jeb at once! But because of the bloody mud, and their own states of intoxication, as well as Jeb's own strength, it amounted to little more than a drunken dog pile.

Jeb roared as he fought his way out of the semi-conscious bodies of his kin. Punching and kicking any that tried to keep him down. Eventually though, there were no others to challenge Jeb. Those left standing were Jeb and the spectators. The bloody and broken bodies of the contenders were dragged up and out of the pit and pulled over to the side where they were taken care of by those that knew medicine.

Jeb raised his bloody knuckles and roared as the crowd cheered. His bloody face met Ruby's.

"I did it Ruby!"

Several humans chuckled, though Ruby didn't know what was so funny about this brutality! She rushed Jeb as he climbed out.

"That was horrible!"

"Oh not really. Eveythin' will be patched up before sun up. Well, except for the hangovers." Jeb said as a couple bottles of water were brought over for him while someone looked at his various cuts and bruises.

"That doesn't mean that you should be putting yourself in danger like that!" She hissed in frustration.

"Its fine! No one ever dies durin' this! Not sure why. Seriously hurt, sure. But dead? Never!"

"Its The Mother's blessing is what it is." Casius said as him and his robed hanger-on's arrived.

"What now Casius?" Jeb asked irritated.

"What ever is with that tone? I've merely come to congratulate you on once more proving your superiority!" Casius said, though the words sounded mocking, his tone suggested that he was genuinely proud of Jeb.

"Well thanks. Not like its hard when half the people your fightin' are drunker than skunks."

"True. But I doubt even if they were sober as birds it still wouldn't have mattered. You are, after all, quite capable of great feats of power." Casius stated with a knowing grin.

"Great thanks, is there something you wanted?" Jeb asked shortly, he didn't like the genuine praise Casius gave him.

"Just that The Mother has asked that the... lizards, return to your home. A Bonding ceremony is about to commence and she believes they would be better off at home while it occurs."

Jeb rolled his eyes. He called over the Trap Master.

"Can you start to lead the tribe back home?"

He nodded and rounded up the tribe. They began to gather the sloshed kobolds and placed them on the backs of the salamanders that showed up with them. They actually seemed to keep to themselves during the celebration. Though they took the time to raid the various tables of their food while most of the party was focused on the fighting pit.

Once they were stowed away they made their way back down the mountain. Sacks and pouches filled with new things and bellies full of wonderful food and drink! All except Ruby who stayed near Jeb. Casius cocked a brow at the lone lizard woman.

"Is she not leaving?"

"No, I'm not! I can stay... if its ok?" She huffed, though asked Jeb a little unsure if she was intruding or not.

"Its fine. Its just a wedding. You can be my plus one!" Jeb said as his nurse got done patching him up. He downed his water and chased it down with a shot of whiskey before picking Ruby up and following the crowd as they gathered out front of his mother's shack.

A freckled faced young man and a button nosed young woman stood beside one another as Jeb's mother went through a simple marriage ceremony. Simple vows were said, even their outfits were simple. A nice, though plain and worn, suit for the groom and a nice, if slightly tattered, sundress for the bride.

As the simple ceremony came to a close the bride and groom kissed as the crowd cheered. Then the two followed Jeb's mother into her shack. Ruby asked what was happening now.

"Now they'll be sent off to another part of the mountains to start their own family. Right now their workin' out what all they'll be provided for." Jeb said. Though Casius stood nearby with a smirk.

Ruby wasn't sure what it was. Either Casius's smirk or the fact that the couple had gone, alone, into Jeb's mother's house. But an itch formed in the back of her mind that told her to investigate. So she climbed down from Jeb's arms with the excuse of getting something to eat before they left. As she did so, Jeb's mother came back out. Proclaiming that the Bonding is complete and that the couple would soon make their way to their new home! Cheers rung out and many of those that came lingered a bit longer, eating and talking about various things before they too began to filter away and into the darkness of night.

Jeb's mother walked over and was talking with Jeb as Ruby snuck over to the cabin. She knew this was rude and would no doubt get her in trouble, but her curiosity was driving her forward. She looked around and saw no one save for a few who were too busy drinking and talking to notice her. She climbed up and peeked into a window, but didn't find the couple.

She was confused as to where the couple had gone before she hear a noise towards the back of the cabin. She slunk over and peeked through a window at the back of the cabin. She threw a claw over her snout at what she saw! Two creatures were rutting in a back room of the cabin, nothing but moonlight peeking through the windows illuminated their bestial features.

At first glance they seemed human, but she saw that they walked on hairy legs with black cloven hooves instead of feet. Their heads were like that of goats or sheep. Except for their eyes and mouths. They had three black marbles for eyes on both sides of their elongated faces. Their ears would twitch every now and then like that of cows. Their maws were vertical slits, going up and through the jaw instead of around it like normal creatures. A long thin black tongue flicked out between the rows of sharp teeth that lined the creatures mouth. Atop their heads were black and curved horns. Their bare chests and arms were the only things that would resemble a humans, though the fingers ended in dark claws that looked like black needles.

Eventually the creatures finished their fornicating and burst through the back door of the cabin and sprinted off into further into the darkness of the mountains. If it wasn't for the sounds of some lingering music and talking she would be surprised that no one heard them!

It wasn't the bestial rutting that made Ruby shocked, though it wasn't something she would like to remember. It was the fact the two beasts wore the tattered remains of the clothes the bride and groom wore! What did she do to them that would turn them into that, she thought. Then a shadow fell on her. She turned and saw Casius standing near her, watching the formerly human couple sprint away.

"Isn't it such a marvelous thing to behold? As one form, one life as it were, gives way to another, greater one?"

"W-w-w-what did y-y-y-"

"Me? Nothing. Of course we helped prepare the ceremony for the couple, but that? That was all the power of The Mother! Isn't it wonderful?!" Casius said with zeal.

"NO! They're, they're..."

"Monsters? To many humans YOU would be a monster wouldn't you? Someone, something, to kill on sight? To cast back into the abyss in fear by ignorant savages?!"

"Is this what Jeb will become?!" Ruby asked fearfully.

Casius pointed after the creatures.

"That? Oh goodness no?! Jeb won't be something so crude and simple minded as that. No, he'll be something grander! A new god to worship and find solace in! Just as The Mother has done for eons, so to shall Jeb."

"NO! I won't let you turn Jeb into a horrible creature!" Ruby shouted, no longer caring if she was caught.

Casius looked down on Ruby with a face like that of a parent telling their kid to go to bed, even though the kid said they didn't want to, knowing that the kid was tired and would fall asleep anyway.

"What your proclaiming is like an ant telling the sun to stop. It will happen. No matter what you or that fool Sam try it is an inevitability. He will shed away his humanity and, just like The Mother, will welcome those mankind has scorned and hunted into his dark embrace. Like you and your tribe of lizards."

Not if she had anything to say about it, thought Ruby as a fire burned in her chest. She promised Jeb's father, and herself, that she wouldn't let Jeb fall to darkness!

"I'll see to it that that NEVER happens!"

She huffed and ran away towards Jeb. Casius looked on with a measure of pity.

"Poor soul. It started long before you ever came here. Like a star collapsing, you can't stop it. Though I'll pray for you regardless."

Ruby ran towards Jeb, unaware of Casius's speech.

"Jeb!"

Jeb was still talking with his mother when she reached him.

"Hmm? What's the matter?"

Just like last time however, she didn't know what to say. What COULD she say?! She glanced at Jeb's mother, who gave Ruby a knowing wink.

"Enjoy the show?"

She could be referring to anything, but Ruby knew she meant the creatures. It wasn't curiosity, it was her that whispered into her head!

"Can we go home now?!"

"Sure. Its gettin' late anyway. G'night Ma." Jeb said as he hugged his mother. She returned it warmly and with a equally warm smile.

As they departed, Ruby climbed into Jeb's arms. Watching Jeb's mother and Casius talk as they left The Gathering.

Once they reached home Jed headed to bed. The rest of the tribe had already gone to sleep, save for a few lookouts, while they were gone. Worn out from the merrymaking, but it was good for them. As Jeb did his nightly ritual, Ruby stood nearby watching him.

Then Jeb got a chill up his spine.

"Ooooh!?"

"What's wrong?!" Ruby asked fearfully.

"Nothin'. Just felt like someone ran their finger up my back!"

"Why?"

"Don't know. This time of year Ma would say it's the magic workin' whatever that meant." Jeb said as he continued.

"The magic working?" Ruby asked. Her eyes went wide as she ran out the room and down the steps, ignoring Jeb's calls. She flung open the front door and stood shocked.

The wickermen were all gone.