King of the Seditious
Evolving

Dread Hideout

SAVAGE JAXSON

Beaten and with a bad injury to one knee, Rhyers had moved slow. Until Savage slung one of Rhyers’ arms over his shoulders and helped him walk the winding road to the Blue Lark.

“Can we say we’re even?” Rhyers gave him a wink.

Savage tilted his head in acknowledgement.

“I owed you for saving that which is most precious to me.”

Rhyers’ expression changed. “She means that much to you?”

Absolutely.

He thought I was as black hearted as everyone else says. Savage wasn’t particularly surprised.

“She does.” He said off-handedly.

“Had you not shown up and soundly slaughtered both the advisor and the pugilist, I doubt there’d be much of me for my brothers to salvage.”

“But the creature got away.” Savage grumbled.

The pasty white thing running on all fours. Unsettling little bastard. Savage recalled glimpsing it now and again when he resided in Radix’s lair.

He’d never much liked the look of the thing.

“He’s easy to track. I’ll replace him again. Besides, I got what I really needed.” Rhyers lifted a leather bag and plunked it on the table. It clanged heavily.

Whatever treasure he’d taken from Danbury. Savage guessed.

Savage had stabbed Yuen with his own dirtied blade and let him suffer. Dimurah’s guards will be disappointed. But at least they can come back home and watch over her.

Phalanx could use some rest.

Protecting my Barter Queen is restless work. Savage knew it well.

He’d moved on to the bounder, but the man was unarmed. So, I played his game.

“I’ve never seen anyone throw a punch so fast.”

Savage had ducked once, struck twice. Ducked a few more times and hit the bounder in the face from every direction until he’d collapsed like a board.

Rhyers had clambered to his feet and limped over to retrieve the bag from the carriage. Much to Danbury’s objections.

Then we hit the road to the guild.

Savage focused on their step as they wove through the close trees of the Dread Hideout. Closer to the Blue Lark with each step.

“What was so valuable you nearly lost your life for it?” Savage asked.

“We protect sacred things.” Rhyers weakly lifted the bag. “This is a sacred thing.”

“Fair enough.”

WaterRose, Grier Country

SEBASTIAN

Sebastian still stood in the Parlor staring out toward the stables.

He hadn’t heard a sound when Elsabet suddenly spoke from behind him.

Though he was unsurprised.

She’s often soundless.

“You were listening to them again?”

Sebastian nodded.

“Who needed help today?”

“Rhyers.”

“Rhyers?” She reared back in slight surprise. “He’s usually too quick on his toes for anyone to corner. How could he not see it coming?”

“An ambush apparently.”

“You didn’t leave.”

“There wasn’t time for me to get to him.”

“So, whom did you send?” She strode in as quietly as she arrived. A silver dress swishing around her form like a second skin. A shower of fine silver chains dangled around her neck and there were small silver leaves turning from her earlobes.

She looked as beautiful this day as she had the first time he’d brought her into the walls of WaterRose.

He hadn’t realized he was quiet for so long, peering at her over the high gold collar of his overcoat until she quirked a haughty brow and her voice hardened.

“Well?”

“Well, what?” He tried to focus on what she’d been saying.

Instead of her tantalizing beauty.

“Who’d you send to him.”

“I’m not…Sure.”

“What?” Her brow furrowed.

“Someone answered but it wasn’t any of the Knights.”

“Your boy.” She remarked in a softer tone.

“I don’t know.”

She smiled slightly. “Yes, you do.”

“The power I saw coming off him when he was here wouldn’t have been enough to tap into our link.”

“Unless he’s evolving.”

“That much? That’s not possible.”

She harrumphed. “Eventually you will have to admit what we both already know…”

She turned and glided from the room. “It appears, King of the Castle of Water, that I’m not the only one who runs from issues of great import.”

Sebastian opened his mouth to retort but couldn’t settle on a proper one before she was gone.

Damn her lovely hide.

Blue Lark Guild, Dread Hideout

Once inside the guild, Savage made way to the Winter Haven. Kicking open the door resulted in the usual hush of the crowd. “Murah!”

Where is she?

“Dimurah!” She corrected. Straightening from behind the counter to shout back.

“We need a room.”

Blue eyes widening she saw the severity of the situation. And the serious look on Savage’s face. “Take him to the second one on the left.” She pointed upstairs. “It’s empty.”

Savage helped Rhyers take the steps. He’s more injured than I thought.

It was getting harder for Rhyers to put any wait on it. And every time he bent it for the next step he winced and huffed through his teeth.

He’s in agony.

Murah followed them up. “Is that the Tracker?”

“Aye.” Kill beads in his hair clacking together as he nodded.

“What’d you do to him?”

“Me?” He frowned over his shoulder. “I saved him.”

Why does she always assume it’s me that caused the harm?

“You don’t save anyone!” She argued.

“I saved you.” He said under his breath.

Making her pause on the stairs. “Yes…” She resumed walking. “You did.”

How quickly she’s forgotten, it seems.

As they entered the chamber, Murah pointed to the bed. “Put him down there.”

Savage tossed him onto it. A bit rougher than I intended perhaps

Dimurah sat on the edge of the bed.

Savage watched baffled, as she leaned over the injured man. Putting a palm to each of his temples. What’s she doing?

The back of her brown tunic rent. Long red wings began to work their way from the cloth. Tearing the side with the pointed tip before jerking free bit by bit until finally splaying fully. Tossing crimson feathers over the floor as they solidified. Stretching out to an impossible length.