Sabre's Quest

Rainer

Sabre

I wake up feeling rested for once. No interrupted sleep to escape Brandon. I yawn and stretch my arms as I sit up on the very comfortable bed. The sun streams through a thick curtain. I see a clock sitting on the dresser. “s**t,” I curse. It is nearly eleven o’clock.

I throw the covers back and quickly rush around the room to gather my things and get dressed. I only have about three outfits with me. I pull on my usual jeans and a beat-up T-shirt. I shoulder my bag and leave the room.

Ruckus woofs at me as I walk down the hallway. I pat the dog on his head, and he wags his tail and follows me.

“Good morning,” Pepper greets me as I walk into the kitchen. She hands me a cup with liquid.

“I overslept,” I mutter as I look at the mug. The liquid is a golden-brown color, “What is this?”

“Tea,” Pepper replies.

“What kind of tea?” I ask as I sniff it.

“Delicious tea,” she says.

I give her a look.

“It’s just tea, I swear,” She laughs.

I take a sip, and my eyes widen at the pleasant flavor. It’s fruity with a floral hint. “This is delicious.”

“Told you,” Pepper says.

I take a few more sips and set the cup down. “Thank you for everything. I appreciate it.”

“You are welcome,” Pepper smiles.

“I have to get going,” I say and heft my bag.

“You don’t want something to eat?” She asks just as my stomach growls. “You will be fine. Rainer’s bar isn’t far from here.”

I sigh and sit, “I guess I can eat something.”

Pepper nods and turns toward her stove. “Eggs? Bacon? Sausage?”

“Yes,” I laugh. “All of the above.” I stare into space as Pepper cooks something. I feel strange having her wait on me. “I feel so rested,” I mutter.

“I slipped you some melatonin last night,” she confesses.

I narrow my eyes at her, “Why?”

“You looked exhausted. I wanted you to get a good night’s sleep, Sabre,” she responds.

“Really?” I ask with a snort.

“I like you,” she shrugs.

I look at the counter, “Well if it’s any consolation, I did sleep damn well. It was nice not being on edge wondering if he was going to find me.”

“Hmm,” She mutters as she plates up some food. “He was here last night.”

My blood runs cold. “What?” I nearly growl.

“Well, he didn’t make it off the highway,” She replies. “He and his men searched for a while but then moved on.”

“And you are sure they can’t track me now?” I ask as my heart rate goes up. “I just want to finish my quest.”

“You will finish your quest, Sabre,” Peppers pats my hand. “I only gave you a potion to quiet your wolf. He may still be able to track you in other ways.”

“Do you have potions for that?” I ask.

“I do,” She replies. “But you don’t need them.”

“Pepper, please,” I plead and pull out my wallet. “I will pay you.”

Pepper clasps my hands and looks deep into my eyes, “Sabre, you can’t run from him forever. One day, you will have to talk to him.”

“I don’t have time for that,” I complain. “I need to find my mother, and I can’t do it if that moron is trying to capture me.”

“He is not a moron,” She smiles. “Brandon Fairbanks is not your enemy.”

“I didn’t say he was. He is just irritating,” I mutter. “He won’t leave me alone.”

“His wolf is a hunter. You are his prey,” she explains.

“How do you know that?” I ask.

Pepper smiles, “It's hard to explain the how sometimes. But maybe Brandon could help you.”

“I must do this alone. My mother did her quest alone, and I will do mine alone,” I state.

“Hmm,” She sighs. “Eat your food.” She picks up her tea and walks out of the kitchen.

I quickly eat my food and set the plate in the sink. I grab my bag. I look through the house and then find Pepper on the front porch. “Thank you again for everything.”

“Safe journey, Sabre Wylde,” Pepper raises her mug. “Goodbye.”

I smile softly as I tie my bag to the bike and get on. I start it up and head down the road. I follow the directions Pepper gave me to find her cousin Rainer. It takes an hour to find the bar. I stop at a low-lying brick building surrounded by commercial warehouses. It looks rundown and closed. I park my bike and walk towards the door. I groan when it says closed. “s**t,” I curse as I rattle the door.

“Try not to break my door,” A deep male voice rumbles behind me.

I turn to a short and round man with dark brown skin. He has a white beard and hair and is wearing a velvet cloak. “Are you Rainer White?” I ask.

“That depends on who is asking,” He replies.

“My name is Sabre Wylde. I am looking for Rainer White,” I explain. “Pepper Willow sent me.”

“Of course she did,” He looks me up and down and sniffs the air. “Werewolf, “He shakes his head.

“Is that a problem?” I c**k my hip.

“Nah,” He shakes his head. “Come on in,” He gestures, unlocks the door, and leads me inside.

The air inside is heavy with the odor of beer and cigarettes. A large bar takes up most of the space. There is an old jukebox and a pool table on its last leg.

“Sit,” Rainer indicates a stool.

I do as he says.

“Want something to drink?” He asks while pouring himself a shot of what smells like whiskey.

“Just soda,” I respond.

“Soda,” He grins. “Coke?” He asks, and I nod.

“So, you are Rainer?” I ask.

“Yep, Rainer Cleveland White,” He declares.

“Son of Hecate?”

“Right, again,” He sets a glass of soda before me. “What did Pepper send you to me for?”

I take a long swig of my soda. “I am looking for Xaclos.”

Rainer’s eyes widen, “Why ever would you be looking for him?”

“He has my mother,” I reply.

“Your mother?” He asks.

“My mother is a daughter of Ares,” I explain. “She was on a quest, and he captured her when she was trying to get home.”

“You think you can just walk into the realm of the Giants and take your mother back?” Rainer snorts.

“No, I don’t think that,” I shake my head. “Do you know where the realm is?”

“I do,” He nods.

“Would you be willing to tell me where it is?” I ask.

“Who sent you on such a fool-hardy quest?” He laughs.

“My grandfather,” I reply, and Rainer frowns.

“Sounds like Ares,” He snorts.

“My mother was on a quest she got from Zeus,” I laugh dryly. “I don’t know how I will get her back from Xaclos. I just know I have to do it. My brothers and I grew up without her.”

Rainer is quiet for a moment. “I’ll be right back,” he says and sets a big plastic jar of cheese balls in front of me before walking into another room.

I grab a handful of cheese balls and munch on them while looking around the bar.

The bells on the door ring, and I watch as a handsome guy walks in. I cannot take my eyes off him. He has gorgeous curly hair and deep blue eyes. I also sense a powerful aura coming from him, but he is not a werewolf.

“Are you Rainer White?” He asks me.

“Do I look like it?” I snort and pop a cheese ball into my mouth.

The man narrows his eyes at me, “Who are you?”

“I had to dig for this,” Rainer grumbles and walks into the bar. He freezes when he sees the man. “Who the hell are you?”

The man looks from me to Rainer. “Are you Rainer White?” He asks.

“Zeus almighty, another one?” He grumbles. “He didn’t follow you?” Rainer asks me.

I shake my head, “I have never seen this man in my life.”

Rainer sets a yellowed piece of paper in front of me. “This is a map to Xaclos’s kingdom.” He looks at the man who is eyeing the map.

“I am looking for Xaclos, also,” He states.

“Let me guess, he took your mommy?” Rainer laughs.

“Yes,” the man says with anger in his tone.

“What is your name?” Rainer asks.

“My name is Kai Seabrooke."