King of the Seditious

Savage figured it’d be a long time before she spoke to him again. If at all.

He drew a steadying breath. Scooting backward until his back rested against a tree trunk. Knees drawn to his chest as he eyed the onyx blade he twirled between his fingers.

A Cimmerii blade.

Savage had found it tucked in the cimmerii woman’s skirts. Already unsheathed as she rested inches from Dimurah’s back. That left a bitter taste in his mouth.

He recognized such a weapon. From Radix’s armory. Savage toyed with it. Recalling its sharpness. Remembering how they were both fierce and delicate.

Like her. His eyes slid back to Dimurah.

He asked himself how much he’d do for her. No answer came. And he realized that it was because there was no limit. I’d do anything for her.

Another man walked over and slid down the trunk in a different direction. “You were right. That’s all of them.”

Phalanx.

“They didn’t even wake.” Chavias gestured to the bodyguards sleeping soundly in a circle around her. Somewhat disappointed they’d put up so little resistance. “Some guards.”

“Well, that’s what you hire me for, isn’t it?”

He’s right on that point.

“Thank you, Phalanx. For making sure you were with her.”

“I’m always with her. Right behind her. Like you asked me to be.”

“Like I pay you to be.” Savage corrected with a slightly lowered head.

“I don’t do it because you pay me.”

“Oh, it’s not you taking my coin every sennight?” Savage glanced at him.

“I didn’t say I don’t appreciate your generosity.”

Savage snorted in vague humor.

They were quiet a moment.

“She’s not going to forgive you.” Phalanx said abruptly.

“I know.”

“She went to great lengths to protect her from you.”

“She hates when I kill things.”

“Why?” Phalanx asked.

“She’s unaccustomed to it.”

“Everyone is unaccustomed to it.”

“I’m not.” Savage said.

“No, you’re not.” Phalanx acknowledged. “I’ve never seen as lethal a killer as you.”

Savage grunted.

“You should leave.” Phalanx suggested. “Not be here when she wakes.”

“No. I won’t let her suffer my actions alone.”

“She won’t want your comfort.”

“She never does.”

“How will you make amends?” Phalanx asked. Curiosity getting the better of him.

“However, I have to.”

“You’re very devoted to the woman.”

Savage said nothing. There’s nothing more to say.

It’s true. He doesn’t need me to acknowledge it.

Dimurah’s breathing deepened. She’s having one of her nightmares.

He jerked as he watched her shivering.

Her eyes popped open, and she lurched to a sitting position just as the sun crested the horizon. Casting a gray glow over everything. Illuminating Savage covered in blood. And the face of the dead woman next to her.

Dimurah shrieked and crawled backward. Her expression on Savage was betrayed. “No.” She shook her head. Tears streaming her face. “She was me.”

That’s why she meant so much to you. The woman was tiny. A round face and huge vulnerable eyes.

Her mask.

But Dimurah had seen herself in the woman. Longed to help her.

You were deceived by the face she showed you. But he couldn’t summon the words to explain it to her.

I tried to protect her innocence from the knowledge such evil exists. Now she’s looking at me like I am that evil.

“You don’t know what she was Dimurah. You couldn’t see past the curtain.”

“Why do you do it?” She sobbed. Body shaking in anguish.

To protect you. It was crushing for Savage to watch her pain. Without intending to his hand lifted to reach for her.

But seeing her cringing away, he lowered it. Drawing a long breath.

The strange troupe rode back together. Utterly silent in their discomfort. The only sound was the twigs snapping under the horse’s hooves.

Dimurah’s bodyguards cast him wary looks. Eying the bodies the horses stepped over nervously.

Naked bodies severed and broken.

Dimurah had looked at them horrified. Her eyes returning to Savage.

Looking at me, like I’m an animal. A look he’d never thought to see on her face.

I betrayed her. He understood her rage and hurt. Better than most for his lifetime of living it.

He rode Delcourt behind her. Ushering her back to the Blue Lark like some prison convoy. She looks a captive.

Heartbroken and crying.

Like I’m the worst kind of beast.

For saving her life. He swallowed his regret. Knowing he couldn’t have done any differently.

Peak Mountains, Black Mountains, Battling Border

CHAVIAS

“Demon!” Chavias called.

“Demon…” He strung out the word in a triumphant tone.

Okine, the demon’s Commander, stepped into his view instead. “What slave want.”

“Oh…” Chavias linked his hands behind his back and rocked forward and back on his toes. “I was just wondering where Libby is. Seems she’s been gone a long time.”

“She hunt Savage Boy.”

“But that was yesterday.” Chavias stepped up to the bars to put his face against them. Gripping the cold iron. “Shouldn’t she be back by now?”

He knew very well what the answer was.

“Take time kill Savage Boy.”

“Oh, I doubt that.” Chavias grinned. White teeth glinting in the dark. Contrasting with his black beard. “Everything he does is fast and decisive. I’d assume that’d include dying. Wouldn’t you?”

“You proud of boy.” Okine rolled his head in contempt. Lumbering down the long cavern toward Radix’s chambers to discuss what was happening.

“Libby be back.” He waved a meaty greenish-yellow hand dismissively.

“Oh, I doubt that…” Chavias called after him tauntingly. “If she’s not back by now. She won’t be. I bet flies are already gathering on her gray face.”

Chavias’ voice rose after Okine. “Like they will yours one day. While I stand over you to watch!”

Okine’s cold laugh echoed through the cavern to reach Chavias.

But he wasn’t laughing.