King of the Seditious

“What do you suppose his name really is?” Bast pondered aloud.

“No idea.” She stood on the steps. Tilting her head to peer up the stairs over her shoulder. “RedBayne!”

He stepped from the corner at the top of the stairs. Thick arms crossed over the expanse of his chest. “Yes?”

She sensed him lurking there. I’d thought he left.

“You were listening in?” Bast scowled.

“Ever delicious word!” RedBayne said unabashedly. “Quite the gossip, truly.”

Bast looked displeased.

Elsabet didn’t miss a beat. “Do you know his real name.”

“Jaxson.” Mardichi supplied. “Not sure of anything else.”

“Jaxson Ocnomad.” Bast murmured.

“I dunnot think he’d ever accept tha’ name.” RedBayne blanched. “Ye’d ‘ave better luck settin’ the sun than gettin’ ‘im ta do anythin’ he’s not of a mind ta.”

What does he want? Bast wondered.

“He’s the one that’s been after my taverns all these years.” Bast said. “S.J.”

RedBayne nodded thoughtfully. “Savage Jack. Me noticed tha’ awhile back when me saw the tavern keep slip ye the note.”

“Why does he want them?”

“Not a clue.” RedBayne straightened. “But there’s always a reason with him. He wastes no motion. Ever.”

“I was getting that.” Bast stared at the door where the younger man had gone. Tempted to follow him. He looked up at Elsabet as he considered it.

Her hand still lightly slung on the railing. “Go.”

Warwood, Outside Nightway Castle

SAVAGE JAXSON

Savage was coming off of Meadow Mountain and recognized Warlock Grove as where he’d followed The Nauvree to.

When I confronted him about killing my assassins.

He was going to the water castle then. Savage knew now.

To see his twin. It was obvious that Sebastian Bodane was a replica of The Nauvree. Plain to anyone with eyes.

Realizing he was so close to Nightway Castle again, Savage was curious as to how the Nauvree faired in his hostile takeover.

He had crept to Nightway Castle and peered into the bailey. Satisfied to see that The Nauvree had not wasted his distraction. He has it well in hand here.

Savage had moved back to the road and planned to head back for the Blue Lark Guild. And Winter Haven. And Dimurah.

He sighed. Already feeling relieved. He considered thinking about the implication that the King of the Castle of Water was his father but dismissed the thought just as fast. I’m in no mood to think about that just now.

I don’t even know who he is.

But I do know what manner of man he is. Savage had watched him over the years. Seen the carriage loads of goods that Sebastian imported in from the Isle to deliver to the peasants of Ardae.

Keeping both the Isle and Ardae in commerce. He had respect for the man’s wisdom.

And his care for the people who can hardly care for themselves. Savage sighed.

He nearly leapt from his skin when a voice tore through his mind. ’Can anyone get to Rhyers?’

Rhyers? The Tracker. Savage recognized the name. Immediately picturing the man’s face as he’d peered over the shoulder of the assassin who’d tried to kill Dimurah.

He saved her.

I owe him a debt. And I’m close. Savage’s blue eyes flashed gold and he hopped into a sprint.

He knew that voice. Though he’d only heard it on occasion, it had left a lasting impression.

There weren’t many men that Savage admired. But the one owning that voice…Was someone he’d found intriguing.

Sebastian Bodane.

Running down the road, he rounded a corner and saw Danbury’s massive carriage blocking the road.

And in the meadow next to it was three men standing over something laying on the ground.

Well, two men and something that looks like an animal on all fours. Something hideous.

Savage concentrated and drew a slow breath through his nose. Reaching into the part of his mind where he often heard the knights talking. I’m here. And I’ll help him.

Who’s that? An unknown voice queried back.

I don’t know him. They were talking rapidly amongst each other.

RHYERS

I must have called to him in my worry. Rhyers recognized Bast’s voice.

You did. Bast answered.

No one can make it here on time if I lose. Rhyers’ voice was somewhat disheartened.

I’m seeing if there’s anyone close. Bast argued.

Is there.

I don’t think so…Bast answered hesitantly. Focus on your fight. I’m coming.

You’ll be too late.

I’m coming anyway. Bast said. Focus! He shouted.

And Rhyers realized the pugilist was charging him. Bast realized it before I did.

Rhyers ducked and swung his ball and chain toward Essius who was already charging his legs from the other side.

The weight of the ball hit him aside making him roll through the weeds.

Yuen did as expected, and used Essius’ attack to mask his own. Running at Rhyers in a zig zagging pattern to try and make him unpredictable.

But he’s not. Rhyers retracted the chain and ducked both of the pugilist’s swinging fists. Stepping to the right when he knew the man was moving left to by himself a moment.

I’m out of reach for a heartbeat. He used that time to send his chain unraveling toward Yuen’s leg. Sending the ball colliding directly with the man’s bony knee and shattering the bone.

Yuen cried out and collapsed to his back, clutching his injured leg.

One down.

He knew the pugilist would be swinging again but Essius also had time to roll to his feet and was rustling through the grass behind him.

Rhyers stepped sideways as the pugilist’s fist grazed past his nose and shoulder. Then crouched to duck the other fist as he shouldered into the boxer’s middle. Making him gasp.

But it gave Essius time to charge and take his legs out from under him.

As Rhyers twisted to catch his footing, rotating his body in the air to stay on his feet, the pugilist caught him in the back of the head with a sturdy punch that rocked Rhyers.

Shit.

“Clever fighter.” The pugilist remarked looking down at him as he stepped over his waist to straddle him. Pulling back to deliver a range of hits that were going to rock Rhyers.

“It’s how he track Radix.” Essius cackled through his locked jaw. Holding it together and eyes shining as he knew they’d won. “He can see how someone move next.”

“Not when there’s three of us.” The pugilist grinned. Revealing he was missing many teeth. “One man never stands good odds against that.”

“What about two?” Another voice intruded.