“What happened, Reb Shabsi? What happened that broke up the life you once had, separated you from society?”

The golem emerged from home, blinking in the sunlight, his giant hand shielding his eyes against the last rays still blinding him. He looked at the men standing around him with drawn swords, spears, and some even with crossbows. There was a tall man in the front who looked like the leader of these armed ruffians; he was pale-skinned and seemed to have eyes that glowed, though they were black.

The golem grunted deep in his throat. He disliked the tall man in the front the most. Stepping forward quickly, with speed that surprised everyone there, the golem stretched out a hand for Sylvester.

A crossbow twanged and the golem roared in anger as an arrow flew near him. He swept his massive arms left and right, sending all the attackers flying through the forest trees. Horses together with their riders were knocked over like twigs in the wind as the golem ensured no one was left standing.

Among the tangled heaps of weapons, people, and splintered wood from the wagons, Sylvester began to crawl toward safety. The golem’s gaze swung downward and then narrowed as he spotted Sylvester. He reached out and closed his fingers around Sylvester, but the slim-framed villain rolled quickly behind a tree, escaping the golem’s grip by inches.

The golem stormed into the trees, looking everywhere for Sylvester, but he couldn't find him. Shabsi and Shimshon exited the house and watched as all of the men picked themselves up from the forest floor, staggering around in a daze. Sylvester was long gone by now.

“Pinchas… well done.” Shabsi looked around. He looked nervous now. Finally, perhaps, Shimshon’s warnings had hit home.