“Ok,” Rex said, sitting up a little straighter, “You have my attention.”
Dilo sighed loudly and her shoulders slumped forward a little, “I thought that would. His message came while you were at the river. I wanted to tell you about it straight away, but no good time came up, but I wanted to also let you know I have no intention of responding to him, like I said earlier, my loyalty is mainly to you, but also by extension to anyone you deem worthy to be a part of our group.”
The soft sincere tone Dilo had while speaking resonated with Rex, he could tell she genuinely met what she said about her loyalty, he just was not sure why it had changed so quickly. “What did he want?”
“He wanted me to let him know where I was. I get the feeling he thinks I am a prisoner in need of rescue. I wanted to get your thoughts on replying saying my allegiance has changed,” Dilo said her tone remaining soft, with only the sma
Taking in his surroundings as he came through the doorway and out onto the roof, Rex’s senses were on high alert as he snapped his head back and forth, checking corners, shadows and places one could hide to ambush from. Just because Brend and his group of soldiers had not caused any issues for Rex and his group yet, did not mean they wouldn’t try something while he was alone.“Someone is on high alert,” Rosie chuckled, turning to see why Rex’s footsteps had quietened, stopping one foot onto a two-step rise to an open-roofed pagoda with a few low wicker chairs and a table.“One cannot be too sure,” Rex shrugged, still wary even though Rosie seemed at ease.“I can see the sense in that,” Rosie nodded, “I have no reason to do you harm, plus after seeing you defeat Gary, I would be more worried about you overpowering me.”“I consider myself more of a pacifist when possible,” Rex sai
After Rex said his goodnights and departed, Rosie was left trembling and breathless as the shock of what she had done finally hit her, “I don’t know why I did that.” Remembering what had happened as she walked back down to her room, a voice halted her outside the door of her room. “Where were you? You seem happy about something.” Looking at where the voice had come from, she nodded and then shrugged, “Squad leader Brend. I was upstairs with father. I’m just heading to bed now.” As she turned back to face her door once more, something out of the corner of her eye drew her attention back. “Why are you dressed for an outing? Going somewhere at this hour?” Looking at his riding equipment and warm travelling coat draped over his shoulder, he grinned before shrugging smugly, “Not that it’s any of your business, but I’ve just returned from the garrison.” Seeing a smugness more than usual in his body language piqued her interest. Brend was usually secretive when he left to send and receiv
Cassius’s mind reeled once he heard Rex’s declaration of crossbows being aimed in their direction, he didn’t think they would have had time to set something like that up before they closed in their position. The soldiers had accosted them as Karinna was purchasing some supplies to ask if they could travel in Rex’s company. She had told him last night before retiring for bed that she had a vision that had followed Rex and released a whole township of Assarians from the clutches of one of the godking’s death camps.“I find myself at a loss,” Cassius admitted, not being able to catch any glimpse or sheen of the metal parts on a crossbow that would be shining in the sun.“I have it sorted. We will need to focus on ending this fight quickly, or at least holding out until the guards arrive. I think I heard someone say they ran off to wake and warn Smarluuten about the godking’s soldiers violating his laws in his town,” Rex said.“A sound plan,” Cassius said with a nod, “Assuming the crossbo
After the soldiers had left, Rex turned to Cassius and Karinna, who both seemed to be looking at him, almost as if expecting something from him. “Um, everything ok?” he asked, a little nervous under their expectant stares. “We are fine, thanks to your intervention,” Karinna smiled. “Besides the crossbowmen, I think Cassius would have been fine,” Rex replied, nodding to Cassius with his head . “The fact I did not think to look for such a dastardly tactic shames me,” Cassius said, his shoulders sagging slightly, his eyes downcast. “Luckily we had Rex’s strong direction,” Karinna said looking up at Cassius with a reassuring smile, patting his forearm gently. “I would ask a favour,” she said, looking back to Rex, her face scowling slightly. “If it is something I can do, but please be hasty,” Rex replied, looking back to the roof, his face covered in a worried frown, “I think I heard Grub isn’t doing too good.” “I know a little of healing,” Karinna said, “The favour can wait. Lead on
Rex had only just regained his balance, having to use what energy remained in his legs to thrust himself, while carrying an unconscious Grub in his arms, forward enough his feet were firmly secure and planted on the roof of the tavern. He breathed out in relief, the gap had been much further than his original estimate, causing only the balls of his feet to land on the roof’s edge. “That was a close one,” Rex said nervously, lowering Grub to the ground gingerly, stopping to take the time to inhale and exhale a few times in a slowed controlled pace, going through his breathing exercises helped to slow his thumping, panicked heart rate. Once his heart had taken a regular rhythm again, Rex squatted down, and hefted Grub into his arms once more, smiling when he only received a slight complaint from his weary legs from the added weight. Spinning to continue carrying his friend toward the door he knew was situated on the far side of the rooftop, he stopped only a few paces later, recognisin
Looking down at Toban with a suspicious look, her eyes travelled back upward, “He is not dead, Kealy taught me a way to render him unconscious. I may have used a little too much force, it was my first time trying the technique.”“Well Dilo, why does Rex want to see me?” Rosie asked, her stance faltering for a second as her mind raced with possibilities as to why she was summoned.“He wants to offer you a way to change your allegiance,” Dilo replied, her tone barely containing any of her usual growl.“Why would he do that?” Rosie asked, her rapier tip falling slightly, she had thought Rex would find her distasteful now seeing what trouble Brend had brought, so she had given Emanuel the information to pass onto him.“Actually, it was not his idea,” Dilo replied with a smirk.“Whose was it then?”“Mine.”“Why…” Rosie stuttered, her eyes widening in shock as her mind went blank, “Why would you give him that idea?”“He offered it to me when I didn’t think I even needed it, and my choice to
Seeing an exhausted Karinna and Cassius join them, Rex changed the topic quickly, “Before I explain what I know about the godking, how is Grub?” “Surprisingly resilient,” Karinna replied, rubbing her hands over her face before speaking. “So, he will make it?” Kealy asked. After a pensive expression, Karinna nodded, “It will take quite some time for him to be mobile once more, the damage to his shoulder and the amount of blood he lost was significant. But I believe he will make it through with only a scar to show.” “And a ridiculous story about how he saved us,” Venya sighed with a slight smirk, this comment getting a chuckle from Rex, Dilo and Kealy. “Now the topic of Grub has been discussed, I think I speak for everyone when I believe we all want to know what it is you know about a man so mysterious and powerful, only a handful of people have even met him, let alone know anything about his background that has not been told in the stories,” Dilo growled, leaning forward eagerly.
Rosie thought for only a second before nodding, “I agree with whatever method you have.”“That may be a decision you’ll come to regret as the magic assaults your mind,” Kiri replied, half amused.“Better than death I suppose,” Rosie shrugged.“It will be indeed better than death,” Kiri agreed, turning to Rex. “I will apply pressure, through magic to a part of her brain that holds memories. In turn after a bit of searing pain, she will have those memories locked away until you give her the trigger word.”“You must be powerful to be able to magically suppress memories,” Karinna said, squinting suspiciously as Kiri.“It is magic that I loathe to use, but in this instant, is better than the girl’s death. Don’t you agree?” Kiri replied, raising an eyebrow at Karinna.After a few moments of deep thought, Karinna sighed and then nodded, “I can see she wanted to accept Rex’s proposal, but her oath prevented it. So yes, I do suppose it is the best option in this instance.”Turning back to face