Page 74 of Swamp Kings 2

Time to find that out. “You’re trespassing on private land,” Gideon yelled, conveying his threat. “We’ve got an army of sharp shooters with high caliber rifles trained at your heads. State your business.”

One of the men’s hands went up while the monster ones seemed to stare right at them.

“We’re not here to make any trouble,” another man with wavy black hair called back. “We’re just looking for a woman who needs our help.”

“Oh boy,” Pike said. “You think they meanyourwoman?”

The woman from before came back out and the man tried to hurry her back in. “Just let me try and talk to him!” she pled.

“Do it from here,” he ordered, putting her behind the vehicle.

“But will they hear me?”

“They will hear if you yell, Ma Petite,” he assured.

“What if they shoot you?” she worried.

“They might if you don’t hurry and talk to them.”

“E-excuse me sirs,” she called out, her voice barely carrying.

Gideon sighed and lowered his rifle, and his men followed suit.

“I know this is going to sound very strange, but… I need you to listen to me. And to trust me. And believe what I’m going to tell you.” She paused and whispered, “Do you think they can hear me?”

“We’re listening,” Gideon called out.

“Oh good,” she yelled.

“My name is Beth. This is my husband, Bishop. We’re from Louisiana. The swamps to be exact. We belong to a community of Kings.”

“Ma Petite, I don’t think they care about that.”

“I’m giving context,” she said, making the men chuckle.

“They’re not a threat,” Shaw said, returning his rifle to the holster on his back. They all didthe same as Gideon stepped out from the trees. “We’re coming to meet you,” he called. “In peace,” he added.

The woman gave a happy clap and smile, hurrying back into the bus while Gideon wondered what the hell they were walking into. They may not be a physical threat, but Gideon couldn’t shake the feeling that the nature of their business would flip their lives in ways none of them were ready for. Especially him.

****

Gideon aimed for the man she referred to as her husband, holding his hand out as he came. “Name’s Voss,” he said before him.

“Bishop,” he greeted, giving his hand a solid shake, then turning to the smiling woman next to him. “My wife, Beth.” He turned to the man on his left with a long scar on his face. “This is Seer, my spiritual advisor who tries to keep me out of trouble.”

Voss nodded and shook his hand, finding a similar mellow vibe in the blueeyes. “I’m not the best at the job,” he muttered.

“This is Zodak, he doesn’t shake hands due to a uh… nerve hypersensitivity. Nothing contagious, just makes touch painful.”

Voss gave him a single nod, finally eyeing the three odd men with the white-blonde hair, he realized now.

“And those are our brothers Fetch, Fathom and Fin.”

Voss didn’t even try to conceal his surprise at those names. “Every family has a few of those,” he muttered, actually getting a handshake from all three, but zero vibes, making him more curious than before.

“What’s up with all the women and children?” Kaine wondered.

Voss turned to his suspicious adviser. “And this ismyspiritual guide, Obadiah Shaw.” He got the rest of the introductions out of the way before returning to the topic. “Are they displaced?”

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