King of the Seditious
An Unexpected Encounter

NetherRunnel Crossing, Netherlands

Savage and the Seditious had finished delivering goods to the commoners of Ardae.

Even the chocolate exported from the Isle of Wight.

It was a rare treat that was dissolved in cream or water to be savored near a warm fire. It had been the favored treat that Sebastian always brought them.

When he’d run low, he’d sent the Seditious Lot to go steal what Sebastian had his sailors unloading while they’d disembarked to fetch drink.

Making Savage laugh slightly as he’d heard the sailors shouting in objection in the distance. Returning to see men riding off with many of their crates.

Too late to do anything about that.

Sebastian won’t be pleased.

Savage ensured everything was equally dispersed amongst Ardae’s working people.

No one missed.

He wondered if Sebastian appreciated or resented the help. Savage’s intent was to give the other man a rest. Someone to help him with tending the whole of Ardae’s peasantry.

And Savage rather enjoyed being greeted as a hero rather than a villain.

For once.

Extra portions were allotted to the households with new children.

Savage was quite proud of that little detail. A little beyond what even the great Sebastian had managed.

Savage and a few more comely members of his Seditious had worked over a year to charm nearly every midwife throughout the countries.

It was now customary for them to send missives reporting births and tallies of households to the Blue Lark. Where Phalanx kept a running log of what peasants resided in what house and how many they supported.

As well as what the king or the queen of that country does to help the family…Or fails to do.

Now they’d concluded their deliveries and Savage had sent the Seditious and the carriages back to the Blue Lark. Letting them take their own pace. Hoping that they’d take a bit of time to savor having done something for the sake of others.

For once.

It wasn’t an opportunity they were often provided.

Savage hadn’t gone with them. He needed to deliver another letter to the Boar’s Tusk Tavern. This one, like the others before it, would offer the owner an exorbitant amount to purchase the tavern.

Even higher than the last.

We’ll see if he’ll let it go now.

As Savage neared the NetherRunnel crossing, he heard someone sobbing.

Who is that? It was very faint over the sound of the surging water. But unmistakable, nonetheless.

And the voice seemed familiar. Even distorted by tears and running water.

At first, he couldn’t spot anyone, so he opted to follow the sound.

Who is that? Winding through the denser trees, he found what looked nearly like a second trunk sharing a branch with a large tree. Then he realized what he was seeing.

A long, brown length, hanging upside down from the branch.

The creature shuddered and he was sure the high sobs were emerging from the mass.

Brow knitting, he crept close enough to realize it was some massive, winged, creature. Using those batlike wings to encircle itself in a dark cocoon.

“Hello?” He eased closer. Slipping a dagger from his boot and rising smoothly to stroll closer.

Could be one of Radix’s traps.

It certainly looked like one of Radix’s spawn.

There was a whimper, and the wings peeled far enough apart to reveal a woman with large blood red eyes and coarse dark hair hanging from atop her head. Her body was nude but dusted with fuzz along the sides and hips. Surrounding female genitalia.

Tilting his head nearly upside down to see her, he realized he knew her features. Though he couldn’t place them.

Not like this.

“Do I know you?”

She blinked red eyes. Tears dropping to saturate her hair, before slipping to puddle on the ground. Her taloned feet released the branch, and she flapped her wings slightly as she righted. Catching her balance. Her wings swept together to shield her briefly.

When they opened, it was to reveal Elsabet. Wearing a tan tunic tucked into brown breeches. Her hair wound into a bun at the back of her head.

As the wings moved from before her, they tucked behind her and vanished. Making her look entirely human.

“Elsabet?”

She blinked at him. Face mournful.

“What’s wrong?” He slid his dagger back into his boot. Shocked to see the strong woman so unsettlingly desolate.

Last I saw her she was rallying winged women in Radix’s lair.

“Sebastian…” Her voice broke.

“You miss him?”

“I went to him.”

That feels like progress.

“In WaterRose?”

She shook her head and smeared away her tears much as a child would. “I wouldn’t go in.”

“Probably a wise choice. Not sure he’d lose you again.”

Might keep you forever.

She nodded.

“Why were you there if you belong to Radix? Do you plan to give away the stronghold?”

She sniffled and shook her head. “No.”

Her voice was so soft, he wondered if it was really true. “I just missed him…And her.”

Her daughter…

“I’m sorry for your grief.”

He really was.

She reminded him very much of himself.

Beast to beast, I suppose.

“No one knows it, but I did love him.” She walked toward him. Her face pleading for him to believe her.

He took a cautious step back. Glancing side to side for a Cimmerii ambush.

“Until she was gone.” Elsabet continued brokenly. “And I could see the betrayal that led to my daughter’s demise.”

He was trying hard to track the conversation.

She considers it a betrayal that Sebastian never let her go.

“Don’t fool yourself.” Savage shook his head. “You love him still.”

She shook her head solemnly. “I despise him.”

“No woman has ever cried over a man she despises.”

She gave him a hateful look. “Damn you for being so much like him.”

That felt strangely like a compliment.

Savage blinked at her. No idea what to say to that. Not even sure if it’s truly intended as an insult.

“She was your sister, you know?”

“Are you completely certain I’m his?”

“You could ask your mother.” She suggested. But she noted the look on his face.