King of the Seditious

She tilted her head back and flowing copper hair flooded down her back. Dangling between the spots of blood forming dual lines down the back of the brown cloth. Her hair began to spear with short bursts of lightening. The currents tossing her tresses hauntingly. Red lights travelled from her hair and wings over her shoulders and down her arms. Moving into her hands in bright flashes that generated a methodic hum.

There was a tink like the sound of someone clicking metal on glass. Then a pop that shook the room. Making the bed vibrate so rapidly it rattled on the floor.

Savage stepped back to get away from the orbit of her power. A boom like thunder sounded and Dimurah peered over her shoulder at him. Her eyes were so vibrant that blue beams speared from both into the darkness. The perfect white of her skin was pearlized. Like rainbows danced just under her flesh.

Her expression was pure confusion.

Despite that she’s controlling it, she’s scared. He reached out a hand to her.

She outstretched hers and he wasted no time taking two long steps to grasp her forearm. She caught his and he yanked her from the bed and spun her around to pull her into his arms.

Feeling her energy mounting in waves too powerful for her to control he sent a surge of his own to meet it.

A bloom of gold light surrounded her in finger tendrils which clasped her like a fist. Sending soothing energy into her. Bringing down her mounting heat. Slowing her expedited heart and erratic breaths.

Savage drew two long breaths and they wafted into her. Calming her body. There you go.

Soon her heartbeat matched pace with his. They breathed as one.

I give you everything.

“I can feel you.” She whispered. Putting a hand over his heart reverently. “What have you done.”

“Brought you back.” He said.

I know not how else to explain it. He’d reached her in the process of ascension and pulled her back to the current plane. Back with me.

“Thank you.” She whispered.

“I am always here. To offer you anything I have.”

“You,” She shook her head in shock. “Are extraordinary.”

He leaned his face down to hers as the vibrant colors around them settled and the room was once more bland shades and dim lights. “Says the woman who just sprouted wings to heal a man.”

“Heal him!” Her eyes went huge, and she spun to return to the bed.

Rhyers was blinking his pale green eyes. “I’ve no idea what that was, but I’m sensing I owe you. At least one of you.” He laughed before it turned into a choking cough. Making him groan and massage his hurt leg. Soothing it enough for him to grumble that he and Savage were now even.

“Phalanx, I need you to run command of the Seditious for this raid.” Savage directed his closest friend.

One of the only men I trust.

“Why, Savage Jack?”

Because I need you to. He took a drink of his ale.

“Because I have other plans for this raid.”

Phalanx’s green eyes narrowed intensely on him. “What are you plotting?”

I need no one to know.

Savage’s lips tightened and he shook his head. “Not this time, Friend.”

Phalanx sighed, relenting. “What do you need me to do?”

Protect her.

“Look after her. Don’t let anyone touch her once they think I’m gone she’ll be in danger.

Dimurah.

“Think?”

I probably will be in danger, yes. But I’m not unaccustomed to that.

“I hate when you make plans without me.” Phalanx grumbled as he rose. His blue cloak hooked to the armor at his shoulders swished with his movements as he looked down at his friend. “Try not to die.”

“I’m a mite hard to kill.” Savage said factually. Taking another drink.

Phalanx snorted. “That’s putting it mildly.”

Perhaps.

Phalanx was walking away but Savage’s dangerous tone stopped him.

“I’m trusting you to look after her.”

Phalanx didn’t move. Understanding there was more.

“But if you trust her, Old Friend, I’ll break your hands.”

“I’d expect nothing less.” Phalanx said without looking back.

Though Savage sensed his smile, as he resumed walking out the door.

Road to MidGale City from Nightway

He’s expecting me. Savage knew. Sensing the differences in the carriages. He watched them carefully from much higher in the tree overlooking the road. Where it’s denser. He was completely concealed by the clinging leaves.

He studied the three vehicles this time he saw they were dropping far lower than usual.

Men. With armor. The stink of remnants of blood on their clothes and shields wafted to him on the summer breeze. He inhaled it. Assessing the different smells to try and get a number. A lot.

Perfect.

He dropped out of the tree and landed on his creaking boots in the road.

Shouting an objection, the driver yanked his horses to a halt. Waving his hand to signal the two carriages behind to slow. They lurched to a stop as well.

Savage tossed his head sideways to signal Phalanx who gave a shout to the Seditious. They rose slowly from their cover of trees and shrubbery and began slowly milling from the Warwood into the clearing.

Too slow, if Danbury bothered to pay attention. Savage could tell Radix wasn’t in these vehicles today. He’d purposely let the last few convoys through until he was certain Radix was no longer wasting his time accompanying them.

Oh, the frustration he must be feeling. It made dimples appear in savage’s lean cheeks.

To Savage’s mild surprise, boots swung from Danbury’s carriage to land smoothly in the rode, facing him. Savage assessed Danbury’s frame. Now that he’s not pretending to be crippled.

Vaguely amusing. What purpose did that serve? He was briefly curious but quickly determined he didn’t care enough to ponder on it.

Four massive men exited the carriage behind Danbury, making it spring up from relief of the lost weight.

Savage’s eyes boredly skimmed them. Five men I’ve banished from the Blue Lark. They were assassin’s that had no code. Or had turned on the Guild. Revealing they lack loyalty.

So now the Blue Lark lacks them. No loss atall, really.

The five massive assassins circled Danbury protectively.

Must be paying them well. Savage noted.

He drew close.

The five stepped out to ring around Savage while he remained unmoved in the road. Danbury had a short wide sword in hand.