Home.
That was how Savage saw the Blue Lark anymore.
Especially when she’s there.
He looked across the carriage at the woman he’d so dearly missed for this long month.
The longest we’ve ever been apart.
She was sleeping. Her head lolling limply as the wheels turned through the rough terrain of Dread Country. She rested soundly.
She’s exhausted.
He felt the hint of guilt for being the reason she was so tired.
Though he’d never admit to her, he knew how she worried about him when he was away.
And how I worry for her.
Knowing she was in the Guild surrounded by assassins should terrify him but at this point, it felt like the safest place she could be. Though that wasn’t what he’d thought a month ago.
Though that was before they promised to help me.
Redbayne and The Nauvree had both vowed that they’d conduct frequent checks at the Blue Lark
The guard Queen Riaura had spoken to, re-entered the Nightway bailey and conferred with his Captain in low voices while the Queen peered out the window slit to watch the interchange. Explaining to his leader that the queen suspected the interloper was there to try to negotiate the release of the Nauvree, whom she was holding captive in a chamber on the third level. “What’s your name?” One of the King’s Guardsmen, backed by the Captain of the Guard approached the man. Demanding an answer. “Jaxson.” He grinned lazily. Riaura’s breath stilled, and she lurched out the window slit to scream into the bailey. “Kill him! Kill him now!” “He’s unarmed, Your Highness!” The Captain shouted back. Shock written over his face that she’d want an unarmed man slaughtered in their bailey. “He won’t be! I know who he is. Kill him!” She shrieked furiously in her panic. The man lifted his hands showing he held no weapon and tilted his head. Blue eyes pierci
Making him yelp before he swung around the tree. The next two dropped, aiming their wings along their sides to drop like rockets. Before he could move from their path, they hit him from two different directions. Sending him careening from the trees. Spinning until his head aimed at the ground. He managed to tuck his head and land on his shoulders and back. Grunting at the impact. Snakes immediately sunk in venomous teeth. He grimaced against it. Feeling his gaze blur. He climbed to his feet shaking his head. “Fine beast ye are…” She cooed. Reaching to caress his chin. “If you’re intending to draw a blade on me, please do so…” He invited. Not seeing one anywhere on her at a glance. Blinking against his blurred vision. She outstretched her arms as she turned. “I ‘aven’t one on me.” She turned. Displaying her arms. As she turned a slow circle. “Hard ta ta’e a blade from an unarm woman, aye? Me know ye Code, Savage Jack.” She lisped. His gaze flit
Savage woke slowly to a warm touch on his forehead. A cooling rag dabbing his face.Reflexively his grip snapped up to clutch the woman’s wrist.The woman hissed in response and for a moment he thought he felt the skin in his grip going rough. Turning brown?“Dimurah?” He asked.“Elsabet.” She corrected acidly.He blinked slowly. “Who are you?” He tried to lean up, but his weak neck wouldn’t obey his commands.“Currently, your nursemaid.”He released his grip on her. His hand falling.“When were you born?” She asked carefully. Hesitating with the rag as she awaited his answer.“1694.”Why is that relevant?“Why?”“Some things a woman just knows.” She said cryptically.“Huh.” He grunted.Days went by. With the strange woman caressing a cooling palm over his forehead. Washing and bandaging his wounds.He heard her shouting for more wraps for his wounds and RedBayn
Some things a woman just knows. She’d spoke. Now he knew what she’d meant. Savage’s lips tightened. “My mother told me she had an affair. And he knew nothing of me.” “I did not!” Bast proclaimed. “All this time…King of the Blue Lark, and I’d no idea…” “You do now.” Savage shrugged. Unwilling to engage in some emotional moment. He turned and headed for the door. “I’ve a woman I must get back to.” Bast’s brows lifted in interest. “I’d like to get to know you, Boy.” “Start by knowing, no one calls me boy.” “Fair.” Bast straightened. Restraining himself from approaching. “I’m not an easy man to know.” “I wish to just the same…” “You know where to find me.” Savage shrugged. “How do I get there from here.” “This is a secret place.” “I keep secrets well.” Sebastian gave him a long study and was convinced no amount of torture would wrench something from this stubborn man’s lips if he wer
“What do you suppose his name really is?” Bast pondered aloud. “No idea.” She stood on the steps. Tilting her head to peer up the stairs over her shoulder. “Redbayne!” He stepped from the corner at the top of the stairs. Thick arms crossed over the expanse of his chest. “Yes?” She sensed him lurking there. I’d thought he left. “You were listening in?” Bast scowled. “Ever delicious word!” Redbayne said unabashedly. “Quite the gossip, truly.” Bast looked displeased. Elsabet didn’t miss a beat. “Do you know his real name.” “Jaxson.” Mardichi supplied. “Not sure of anything else.” “Jaxson Ocnomad.” Bast murmured. “I dunnot think he’d ever accept tha’ name.” Redbayne blanched. “Ye’d ‘ave better luck settin’ the sun than gettin’ ‘im ta do anythin’ he’s not of a mind ta.” What does he want? Bast wondered. “He’s the one that’s been after my taverns all these years.” Bast said. “
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 gl
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.
Phalanx and the Seditious were partway across the glen but had begun to slow at the sight. There were shouts of objection and yelled threats. Savage’s gaze was fixated on Danbury who leisurely lifted the sword and hooked it under Savage’s throat. Notching his chin higher as he pressed the tip into Savage’s chorded throat. Savage felt the quick bite but was unblinking. “It’s a shame I can’t gut you here. After all you’ve done, it’d be the least warranted.” Danbury said in an enraged voice. Nearly shaking with the desire. You’re too afraid of Radix. Coward. Savage gave him a lopsided grin. Archers had climbed from the second carriage and more paid guard from the third. They all circled around him. Weapons at the ready. “Now whose outmanned?” Danbury taunted. “We shall see.” Savage said emotionlessly. It has yet to be determined. “Yea. We shall.” Danbury gloated as he sheathed his short sword and pulled h