King of the Seditious

“Yes.” Chavias said softly. Confirming Savage’s understanding.

How could he have ever seen her?

Chavias was always here.

Locked in Radix’s lair.

How could he have ever gotten a look at the angelic face of Sebastian’s daughter?

Savage was tempted to ask. But he knew staying here too long could prove dangerous.

I need to get moving.

“What happened to her?”

“Targue and Sarabis got her.” Savage said coldly. Knowing that there was no changing that now.

“How’d he let that happen?” Chavias breathed in horror. Stepping back from the bars as though sickened.

Savage could understand his confusion.

Sebastian was a force to be reckoned. Moving like the whim of nature throughout Ardae. Always seeming to know what was going on.

He’s the heart of the country.

But somehow, he’d missed the moment his own daughter was in danger.

It was hard to fathom.

“I don’t know. Wasn’t there.”

“How is he surviving it?” Chavias wondered aloud. His hands fisting at his sides.

Savage was well-aware that there had been a time when Sebastian the demon’s warlord were as close as brothers.

But it hasn’t been that way for much time now.

“Seems crushed.”

“Probably more than that.” Chavias grunted.

Savage turned and began taking the corridor toward the torture rooms.

“Careful.” Chavias cautiously refrained from calling him by name in the lair.

Radix’s eyes and ears are everywhere. Savage knew. Seeing the wisdom in Chavias’ choice.

“She’s incredibly powerful. And will likely sense you.” Chavias warned quietly.

Savage rotated to face him. Walking backward a few steps before saying. “Oh, I’ve no doubt she already has…”

***

“You’re not welcome here.” She said as he entered the cave.

Much as I’d expected.

The floor was littered with Firoque worshipping at her feet. Brown winged women clung to the boulder around her. Reaching for her.

She was crouched atop the stone block, too high for them to reach but she looked at them below her with an unreadable expression.

“How are you faring?”

“Well. These are my people.” She looked at the winged women. “They’re like me.”

“Valkyrie?”

“Yes. That’s what you would call them.” She hitched her chin.

“Will you ever forgive him?” Savage cut to the chase. Not wanting to stay here any longer than necessary.

Especially when Radix could return at any moment.

Savage was not naïve. Though the nonis had not seemed to react to his entrance here, it wasn’t out of the realm of possibility that one or two had already skittered off to tell their master.

Like the dutiful sentries they are. He thought contemptuously.

She held her silence. Mouth whitening.

“This isn’t the best course.” He gestured to the caves around him.

“Yes, it is.” She gestured to the women around her. “They need a leader.”

“They have him.”

“They won’t follow him.”

Savage shrugged. “If they don’t, he’ll kill them. They’re too far gone to save.”

“Are they?” She looked at him. Red eyes seeming even darker in the cave. “Some thought I was.”

“Sebastian didn’t.”

“Sebastian always wanted what he couldn’t have.” She announced bitterly.

Savage scoffed. “Could’ve fooled me. From what I saw you both had each other.”

She grimaced as though he’d struck her.

“Impressions can be deceiving.” She stood. Revealing how dark she looked. Brown patches of fur curled around her sides and dusted her thighs. She wore bits of cloth to cover the important bits. Her hair was so dark it looked as black as the eyes of the Firoque on the floor.

Perhaps she is lost to us.

It looked as though Radix’s sickness had infected her.

And is now growing.

“I came to check on you. To ensure you weren’t harmed and he was not torturing you.”

To rescue you from the demon, if need be. Savage’s gaze narrowed on her fiercely.

Clearly not the case.

“He does not. I’m everything he wants. He treats me like his queen.”

“His Queen?” Savage sneered. “Quite a fall from being Queen of the Castle of Water.”

“Don’t say that here!” She said urgently. Looking furtively around.

She doesn’t want them to know who she was?

Or that she knows where it is?

He was too disgusted to even debate it. Turning he stalked from the caves. Aggravated and disappointed by what he’d found.

She said nothing, as he left.

As he passed Chavias’ cell, Chavias asked. “Is there anything left of her?”

“Nothing left to salvage.” Savage shook his head.

Chavias nodded.

“I must go. He’s returning.” Savage said. Sensing the sickness travelling back up the mountain.

Returning to his home.

“I know.” Chavias reached through the bars and clutched his bicep. Giving it an affectionate squeeze, before withdrawing into the cell and going to sit on his cot.

Savage saw a pale face, duck under it.

“Who’s she?” He pointed. Stunned to see anyone in there with him.

Radix doesn’t know or he’d never allow it. And she wouldn’t be hiding.

“Go.” Chavias’ jaw tightened. “Before he gets back.”

He doesn’t want to tell me?

***

Blue Lark Guild, Dread Country

It was less than a full two days before he made it back into the Blue Lark. Making a beeline straight back to her.

His step was thoughtful. A bit disheartened that the woman he’d begun to believe in, was what they’d all feared to begin with.

Mind plagued with such things, he didn’t know a moment of peace until back in his Guild. Hearing a cry from the door of Winters Haven made a smile cross his face, before his head lifted to take in the sight of her.

He dropped Delcourt’s rein, and the horse automatically headed to the stable of its own accord.

Savage wasn’t worried about him being stolen. Knowing that no one would want to tangle with the stallion.

And everyone knows he’s mind.

Even if someone could manage to steal the steed, they wouldn’t get far.

Dimurah was careening across the courtyard at a breakneck pace.

He chuckled as he welcomed her with open arms.

Phalanx came out shortly after her. “Thank God, the mumbling inside was true.”

“A handful?” Savage asked over Dimurah’s head.

Phalanx groaned aloud. “She always is.”