Alazar, The Nauvree, was assessing the camp site the next morning. Still analyzing that intriguing dagger the assassin had tried to use and trying to recognize who this assassin was.“It’s true what she says.” The voice stopped Alazareth in his tracks as he returned to the woods from escorting her back to Nightway in the early hours.Mardichi, The RedBayne.He stood near the remnants of the long dead fire. Eyes skimming the body of the dead man.The man I killed trying to assassinate Riaura.“I came to warn ye.” Mardichi murmured. “Someone from Igonox hired an assassin last nigh’ ta kill yer Nightway princess. Savage called ‘er out in the Blue Lark.”“You came albeit late.”“Nay.” Mardichi murmured. “I didn’t. The Death Dealer is still back at the Blue Lark. He planned to come this way late this eve. I knew nothing of this un’.” Mardichi gestured to the dead man at his feet.“How many are there?” Alazar asked worriedly.“I’ve no idea…Now. Perhaps every assassin who crossed the path be
Savage entered Winter’s Haven. Damn grateful to be back from his miserable venture.His eyes automatically finding Dimurah working behind the counter.And there she is.The view never grew old. Her cloud of red hair crept from the green hood and the mud smearing her face did little to hide the beauty of it, once one knew it was there. Her soft blue eyes were moving beneath the counter looking for her next tankard and assessing the remaining inventory.She hadn’t yet noticed his presence in her alehouse.He was damn happy to see her. Despite that he suspected she’d still be angry with him for not telling her where he was going before he left nor allowing his assassing to obey her.She always is.Savage was excited to have a seat and relax and exchange some banter with his favorite little barmaid, especially after discovering that the Nauvree was betraying him.Killing my assassins behind my back.Why?It was quite a shame to discover it. I’d thought the Nauvree was one of the few here
********************************“My name is Acel Jaxson, Savage Jack. I’m assassin, killer, warrior. I kill without blinking. Man or woman. My code is simple. Don’t betray me or I’ll kill you.Only one betrays me and lives. In a world where I’m King, she is Queen. But she intends to never be mine. She doesn’t realize she already is…”********************************REDBAYNE“I don’t know what you’re implying.” Dimurah was nearly hissing at RedBayne. Disliking the large, red haired barbarian more by the minute. Purely for implying she needed Savage to maintain her stature in the Blue Lark.Hating it more because she knew it was true.“Ye know full well, what I’m saying. Have ye any idea what tha’ vile creature was sitting at the counter thinkin’?”“I’m no mind reader.”Well, fortunately for you someone must be. Because he heard what that creature wanted to do to you.“Well, ‘twas apparent tha’ creature ‘ad plans for ye…Unpleasant un’s.”“For me?”“Yea, Barter Queen.” He shook his hea
Savage was not wrong. Once he caught her waist and hoisted her atop one of the ale barrels he was able to meet her gaze, holding her motionless as he palmed her thighs and slid her skirt up with his wrists as his hands glided over her smooth flesh.“Savage...” She pleaded.Keeping her gaze, he slowly shook his head. Telling her he’d be merciless.He’d watched her lock up the alehouse and knew it was now fully abandoned, shutters locked. He stripped his little wraith of her pretty blue dress and immediately began molding her familiar body with his hands. Cherishing every curve in smooth caresses. Admiring the way she soon squirmed with need under his ministrations.But he was unwilling to sate her just yet. Letting his touch torment, her for far longer than he normally would’ve. Watching the pained expressions crossing her face as she finally surrendered to his touch. Thrusting her body toward him and wrapping her bare legs around his hips as she pleaded for him to fill her.He gave a
It was late that evening when Savage decided to risk entering the alehouse. To his surprise it was relatively empty.Good. I didn’t want snooping ears anyway.He walked to the counter and stopped to give the men there a slow study. He didn’t have to say a word for them all to scatter. Abandoning the counter entirely.He took the seat directly in-front of Dimurah. So. she can’t avoid me, no matter how angry she is.“What do you want?”“A tankard to start with.” He sighed.Her eyes narrowed as she awaited some humiliating declaration.But he made none.Not tonight.She slapped the drink down in-front of him.But it wasn’t ale. It was her Sleep Duster tea.She knew I didn’t sleep.If she only knew the truth...He picked up the wooden spoon she proffered and began lightly stirring the tea.She leaned across the counter.Ready to fight.***“It wasn’t one day, Murah.” He sighed. Stirring his drink thoughtfully. Reluctant to recall what he’d seen.Her suffering.The trader had been dragging
Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling BorderCHAVIASGarix Trembath walked into Radix’s Peak Mountain lair. Striding straight to Radix’s personal chambers. Noni’s flocking at his heels.What’s he doing? Chavias’ hands wrapped the square black bars, and he pushed his face sideways against them to see down the stone passageway. The smell of sulfur and waste wafted up from the lower dungeons. There was a bone deep chill down here today, that even Chavias could feel.“What is it?” Radix asked snippily.Clearly discontented at the intrusion.“I bring you word of the Rebels.”The Rebels? Of Nightway? Chavias had heard bits and pieces about them but they were a newer development since his slavery.“Oh?”“I’ve found a new leader.” Garix said.That’s a shame. Garix seems to be as good a man as any to lead.“You are the leader. I like it that way.” Radix’s voice was somewhat harsh.“He does well leading them.” Garix explained dismissively. “Seems to be positively lethal.” Garix moved around
Lord Danbury, the man that had been raiding the Princess of Nightway’s realm to feed MidGale City, and inconveniencing The Nauvree in the process, looked up at the man who hadn’t blinked during the interchange.Savage sat quietly watching them. Not reacting, though clearly close enough to hear.He was young. Blonde hair twisted into braids near his face with wood beads strung in them.Kill beads. Each engraved with a kill he was proud of.He wore a sleeveless black leather tunic with gold embroidering down the center and black hide pants tucked into dusty boots. As Danbury looked at him, he leaned his head back, making the beads click together, as he peered haughtily down at Danbury.“What do you want?” Danbury called.Seeing they’d drive no further, he dropped from the tree and landed smoothly in the road. Step half feral as he strode to the carriage with a smirk.“Are you trying to get killed, Boy?”“Oh, I’m no Boy.” He stepped before Danbury with a grin.And I don’t appreciate bein
“He’s my friend.” She begged. “He works for me. Don’t…”I know what he is.“Joe!”Young Joe turned apprehensively to face the inevitable consequence imposingly glaring at him.“Outside!” Savage commanded.Now.“Don’t kill him.” Dimurah implored. Clinging to Savage’s tunic.Blue eyes flicked to hers. Giving her a steady stare. You know better…“Don’t…” She whimpered.Joe walked past Savage and out the door with all the despondency of a man preparing for the noose.Savage rotated on his heel and followed him out.***“What’ve you done, Joe?”You slapped her.“I-I don’t-I didn’t…I’m a damn fool!” He whined.Would you have still realized it without me here? He doubted it.“Yes, Joe. You are. You know my rules.” Savage’s voice was low. Cold.“Yes, Savage Jack.”“Why are you breaking them?” Savage walked a slow circle around the muscled young man. Eyeing him assessingly.Was this intended as a challenge?“I-I…Meant no insult.”No, you didn’t. He assessed.“You touched Dimurah.”“I forgot sh
“Too far!” Rhyers intervened. Coming from the lower parlor to step before Savage. Clearly furious. But Savage’s eyes were locked on Bast who’d clearly deflated at the words. His hand gripping the railing next to him, shook slightly. Drawing Savage’s keen eye. He could see the fury written over the green-eyed tracker who looked ready to do battle in Sebastian’s defense. I needed to see. Savage stomped down the slight pang rising through him. How does this news really effect him? Savage was watching Sebastian carefully. Bast looked unsteady. Color drained from his tanned skin, and he looked prepared to vomit. “It was my fault.” The words were barely audible, but Savage heard them. “What did you do?” “My magic bound her when our daughter needed her.” “Sounded like there would’ve been too many for her to take on anyway.” “There were!” Rhyers spat. Angry at Savage as he turned to lead Bast t
WaterRose, Meadow Mountain, Grier Country Savage was standing, still as a statue, in the shadowed foyer of WaterRose when Sebastian came down the steps. Gaze on the stairs, he wasn’t paying any attention until he glanced up and spotted Savage’s shadowed face and stopped midway down. “Jaxson?” Sebastian echoed that quiet stance. Like a buck posed in the morning light. Deciding if there was a threat at hand. The Kill Beads in Savage’s hair clinked as he looked up at him. “Nobody calls me that.” Most don’t even know it. How’d he find out? RedBayne or the Nauvree. He sussed out. Didn’t take much to guess that. “What would you have me call you?” Sebastian asked kindly. Savage was momentarily taken aback. It had been a long time since someone had asked him that. Since Chavias, to be specific. “It’s fine.” Savage would never have admitted it, but it w
“How was your night?” He queried. Couldn’t have been too bad. I smelled no blood or Cimmerii. Nor did I hear any unusual ruckus. And he’d been listening. “Not bad.” She slid her undergarments down her milky white legs. And crawled under his coverlet next to him. “How was the last fortnight?” “You know well it was fine. I had a minor argument.” “And?” He leaned up to look at her. How’d that go? “Your bodyguard handled it.” He explained. Phalanx. Of course, he did. Savage relaxed. “And the bartering?” “Shut up, Jax.” She slid atop him. Palms and breasts pressed to his chest. Her legs outside his. Her mouth brushing along one side of his jaw before moving on to the other as she trailed sensual little kisses along it. “Make love to me.” Absolutely! He lurched up and caught her in a vise grip. His mouth consuming hers as his tongue engaged in the wild dance with her
Why? “From whom?” “Your father.” The elf said before ducking back into the tower. Sebastian Bodane. “He’s not-” Savage objected reflexively. Maybe he is. I’ve no idea. He opted for silencing. Rotating he headed for the elaborately vined double doors, entering into the castle foyer. He entered the cold structure and immediately felt it was different. Eerily silent, darker and far less welcome than it had been before. He suspected it was all for the same reason. He paused looking around and saw not a single candle burned on the base or second floor. Candles in the sconces long cold. “He’s not here.” The feminine voice wafted down from the hall of the second floor. Savage looked up. Eyes glowing gold around the pupil. Luminescing in the dark so he could see. It’s her. The healer. “I’m not here for him.” Not this time anyway. Perhaps I’ll return another day to
“But only Dreads float. Or demons. Or well, nothing good!” Phalanx added despite his vow not to discuss it further. “I wasn’t floating.” “But I saw you!” “I was flying. With her.” “Well,” Phalanx tossed his arms. Saying in a hushed voice. “suddenly that makes it okay then!” Savage gave him a sideways glance. Indicating he was getting annoyed. I should’ve heard him coming. “What exactly are you two doing?” Phalanx slowly turned to face the man confronting them. Savage rotated reflexively and snapped his head to meet the stranger’s blue-eyed glare. Who is he? Savage had never seen this one before. But he could instantly tell by the colored lights surrounding this man that he was one of them. He’s a Forever Knight. He’s with them. A quiet one. I thought only the Tracker could sneak up on me. “I came to see why he’s gathering you all here. What you’re prote
“Dimurah?” “Yes?” She blinked those pretty blue eyes at him. “If you’re going to ask me for something, there’s no need for flattery.” “I’m not, actually.” She sighed. “I just miss you when you’re gone.” “But you hate when I’m here.” “I do hate when you’re here.” She admitted. “I never know who you’re going to kill or when. Or what it’s going to do to my business.” He tilted his head in acknowledgement. She’s not wrong. I never know who or when I’m going to kill. “Should we go fly?” “We?” She gave him a chastising look. “I think you mean me.” “Do I?” Savage dressed. Putting back on his sleeveless padded tunic and black breeches and tugging on his boots before helping her do the laces on her green dress. Once she was clothed she caught his hand and began tugging him behind her. “This way.” “I know the way, Murah.” He laughed. But she was jogging. Pulling hi
Giving Delacourt a swat that sent him to the stable where the stable boy would recognize him and properly tend him, Savage made his way straight to the pond. Circling around to the part where very few people went, he shucked his clothes and entered the water. The chilly bite of the water was a relief today instead of a startle. Pleasantly cool on my hot skin. “You’re back.” He popped his head up and saw Dimurah standing at the edge of the water. Her arms crossed. “What are you doing up so early?” She likes to sleep in since the alehouse runs late into the night. “How else do you suppose I bathe in this guild?” She gave him a half smile. “We’ve bathed together many times in the afternoon.” “Yes. When you’re here we can bathe anytime during the day and no one would bother us.” He frowned at the logic in it. “So, when you’re alone you come early?” She nodded. How many times has
“I’m so hungry. And I’m angry…” Samuel said as if considering the same thing himself. “But my friend…” The Tracker? “He likely won’t be your friend now, I’m afraid.” “I’m afraid of that too.” Samuel swayed backward and forward. But the Tracker can handle this mess for himself. Savage saw no danger to the girl as this man would have his most volatile reaction when he neared a Forever Knight. And if he was right and that was precisely where he was heading, both Samuel Marshall and Rhyers would soon be discover what Samuel was and if he was capable of fighting it. Unlikely. He’ll instinctively be driven to kill Rhyers. Well, he’s healed enough to defend himself. Savage shrugged and stepped from the man’s path. Not my problem. But Savage caught another smell. A more potent stink of rot intermingled with the sweaty smell of all the animals that had come to the river for drink. He
Phalanx and the Seditious were partway across the glen but had begun to slow at the sight. There were shouts of objection and yelled threats. Savage’s gaze was fixated on Danbury who leisurely lifted the sword and hooked it under Savage’s throat. Notching his chin higher as he pressed the tip into Savage’s chorded throat. Savage felt the quick bite but was unblinking. “It’s a shame I can’t gut you here. After all you’ve done, it’d be the least warranted.” Danbury said in an enraged voice. Nearly shaking with the desire. You’re too afraid of Radix. Coward. Savage gave him a lopsided grin. Archers had climbed from the second carriage and more paid guard from the third. They all circled around him. Weapons at the ready. “Now whose outmanned?” Danbury taunted. “We shall see.” Savage said emotionlessly. It has yet to be determined. “Yea. We shall.” Danbury gloated as he sheathed his short sword and pulled h