King of the Seditious

It was hours of walking at a painstaking pace before Dimurah and the man finally reached the edge of the land bridge and the fog cleared enough to make Sourthern Vale visible.

Dimurah blew a long breath of relief.

“What the hell were you doing?” The man rounded on her. Accusation in his voice and fire in his eyes. Looking surprisingly fierce.

“Trying to escape the fortress.”

“It’s a sanctuary! Why would you need to escape?”

“I didn’t want to be there. I need to get back to the Blue Guild.” She was already hoping that there was a chance this man might help her in that direction.

“You nearly got your fool hind-end turned into demon dog food!” His fists were tight. He was clearly furious.

“There’s a reason people sail around the edge of the land through the Sea of Souls rather than risk the land bridge!” He gestured furiously over her shoulder. Back in the direction they’d just come from. “Very few survive the journey.”

“We just did.” She said softly.

“Because of my animal senses. Who’s fool, are you?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” She stomped an aggravated foot.

“Someone important was stashing you at the Sanctuary Fortress. It takes special contacts to be allowed entrance if you’re not part of the salvaged slave ships.”

He eyed her torn, fine clothes. “You’re clearly not one of those.”

Her mouth whitened.

“So, who do you belong to?”

“Savage Jack.” She lifted her chin. “I’m the Barter Queen.”

“He hid you to save your tail, why the devil would you tell a stranger that!” His voice rose even more.

“You asked!” She tossed her hands in helplessness.

Groaning, he rolled his eyes and turned. Huffing in aggravation. “No wonder he hid you.”

“You’re an absolutely awful man!”

“Yes.” He admitted. Looking through the trees edging Sourthern. Deciding which direction would prove safest. “My name is Christophe Rhyers.”

“That sounds familiar.”

“Probably.”

He looked up North toward the Meadow Mountains. As if he could see through the fog.

“What are you looking at?”

“I’m deciding which direction to go.” He eyed her. “I think it best if we take you to my country home in the Paladines.”

“Why?”

“To get you off these roads, and away from the reach of assassins. And to keep you safe for the King of Assassins.”

“Why would you do that?”

“It certainly can’t hurt me to be on his good side.”

She eyed him perceptively. “You want something from him.”

“You’re not as dumb as you seem.” He remarked.

“Excuse me?” She asked appalled.

“Only a belligerent fool would risk this stone path.”

She gasped. “I am the Barter Queen.”

“Not out here.” Rhyers grumbled. “You’re not in the Blue Lark anymore Queenie. Out here, you’re just assassin bait. So how bout you start heading Northeast and shut your fool mouth.”

“You are the most rude and atrocious-”

“Do you ever shut up?” He spun his head to ask.” Have you not figured out that as long as your mouth is running it is putting us in danger.”

“Why does everyone seem to want me dead.”

“I’d guess two reasons.”

“What?”

“One, you’re annoying. That’d be my main reason for killing you. Two,” He lifted two fingers over his shoulder as he pulled her down behind a bush with him. “I’d suspect that for some reason the Demon Master wants your tail. And because you are a direct line to the King of Assassins.”

“That’s three.”

“That’s what I said.” Rhyers remarked over his shoulder.

“No. You said two.” She whispered.

“Truly!” Rhyers eyed her with snapping green eyes. “Do you ever shut up?”

She silenced. Lips whitening in aggravation.

Blue Lark Guild, Dread Hideout

SAVAGE JAXSON

Savage sat in Winter Haven watching Adrea scramble behind the counter. Floundering to keep up with the demands for drinks. There was a new blonde working aside her, he noted. Neither is as prompt or levelheaded as Dimurah.

And the Assassins in the alehouse were getting loud.

He couldn’t have cared less. Word had reached him only a few days ago that Dimurah had left the fortress.

And risked the land bridge.

As soon as he heard it, he travelled there to examine every inch of the foggy terrain but could find no trace of her. Not so much as a bit of fabric.

He did find recent tracks from a Targue, indicating they roamed this far East.

A bad sign.

He’d looked around terrified. Afraid that at any moment he might spot a section of boulders splashed with blood as dark as her hair.

Nothing.

He’d drawn down to the shore and checked the bodies in the Sea of Souls.

None of them were her.

Where the devil is she?

His attention was caught by a ruckus beyond Winter Haven.

Outside there was an argument escalating from the Trader’s Market. But Savage was mesmerized at the counter, leaning on his usual spot and sliding a tankard back and forth between his two palms.

Adrea shot him a pleading look.

Probably hoping I don’t leave.

I’m not helping her. So, he wasn’t certain why she wanted him to stay just now.

“What is wrong with you?” A man took the high seat next to him. Turning intent green-blue eyes on him.

Savage shot the Nauvree an impassive glance.

“RedBayne told me he took her out of here. I didn’t expect to see you in such bad state over it.” Nauvree confessed. Brows lifted.

Savage gave him a derisive look. You’ve no idea what you’re talking about.

“Perhaps not a topic you wish to discuss.”

The tankard scraped as Savage resumed sliding it.

“I know you hate when we ask about your business.”

“Then don’t do it.” Savage cautioned tonelessly.

“My curiosity insists I do.”

I haven’t the patience for this tonight.

“A curious assassin is usually soon a dead one.”

“True.” Nauvree frowned. “Still…”

Clearly, he’s not going to go away.

“What do you wish to know, Friend?”

Let’s speed this up so I can go back to being alone.

And missing Dimurah…

“The Nightway goods.”

“Yea. I’ve been taking them. I never agreed to give you a stake in them.”

I hadn’t thought you greedy.

“I never asked.” Nauvree countered. “I just pondered what you’re doing with them?”