As said earlier, had Hendrick known that Tom had some influential friends he would have tried to reason more with Tom. But when the dog – Jeff – just couldn't stay away from Marilyn and how it drew Tom's attention to her, Hendrick didn't feel like being so friendly. He grabbed the dog by the scruff of its neck moving it away from Marilyn. In response the dog begun thrashing about and barking even more. The cats that had been brave enough to stay in the room scattered away.
"This dog was fine? Then he can wait outside".
Jeff was a big dog but Hendrick was stronger. Hendrick went to the still functional back-door and threw him out. He wasn't trying to hurt the hound but his patience was slipping. No one messed around with Marilyn. Hendrick was too used to people doing things to her when he wasn't around to get a reaction. Luckily he had always been able to get back in time before anything serious happened. It still didn't make the mercenary feel any better. He cared too much.
Hendrick closed the door shut and Jeff threw himself at it, howling. All this while, Tom had been talking about Petal. Just when Hendrick turned around to face the other people in the room the other man bumped into him.
"Well move ya big oaf! I gots to investigates!"
"No you don't."
Hendrick's voice was low, but it brimmed with reined-in anger.
"I have no problem with you speaking ill of me. But you should watch your tongue when in the company of a lady", Hendrick continued and took a step forward, coming even closer to the other, smaller man. Alcohol makes a man brave, but every man has his limits, drink or no drink. Hendrick was determined to let Tom know this.
"As for whom I am. I am Hendrick of Cannerburgh, Sword-for-hire. The girl back there is Marilyn and you leave her alone".
The last part was just a whisper. Without being entirely aware of it, Hendrick had taken hold of Tom's cape and was now holding him so his soles barely touched the ground. Jeff whined from outside.
"Now, apologise and thank Petal for taking such good care of your dogs. You should treat this woman better, for trust me, had I been master of this house I'd have you beaten into a pulp right now", Hendrick threw the drunkard to the floor close to Petal. Tom scrambled to his feet and his haggardly face showed all his teeth as he growled forth his words;
"I'll make ya pay! Ya hearin' me?! I've influ... influnti ... powerful! Powe'ul friends! Ya gonna regret 'is!" He turned around, facing Petal, suddenly seeming so much more sober: "And you! Lettin' wild men like that in?! Ya be glad I like ya so much, misch Petal or else I'd make ya suffer you too!"
While Tom said this he slowly backed towards the broken front door, his eyes looking everywhere as if he was afraid that there would be more 'wild men' inside, just waiting for their chance to jump at him.
"I be back in the mornin'! Then ya'll see, you freakish ..." a pause while he struggled for a good enough insult "... bastard!"
With those words he was out, back in the rain, whistling for Jeff, leaving Petal, Hendrick, Marilyn and Jerry (and all those other creatures).
Hendrick breathed out and checked Marilyn. She looked okay, expressionless as usual. He led her to the chair by the fire before turning to Petal.
"I'm ... I'm so sorry. I just ... when he went to Marilyn, I ... " A flash of thunder interrupted him. Hendrick looked back. The door was lying there on the floor.
"I'll help you repair the door tomorrow. For now", he went to the door, picked it up and tried to make it fit as well as he could in the door hole " ... I hope this will do ..."
"I hope I haven't caused you too much trouble. I am truly, sorry."
[[I hope not too much happened in this post. Tell me if you want to react to something, then I'll change it for you :) Sorry for the long wait! ]]