Another Day

Savage Jaxson faced them both. Blue eyes locked on the withered man. Head lowered with warrior braids twining his blonde hair. “What do you want Radix Malorum?”

“You need to come back to us, Boy.”

There was hissing breaths in the crowd at the ancient man referring to their leader as a boy.

“I’m no Boy, old man. I need do nothing any longer. As you can see.” He gestured around. “We don’t permit uninvited guests. And since you already sent Sarabi over my walls, you clearly threaten us.” He tilted his head with a smirk. “We know how to deal with threats.” He winked as he pointed at Radix meaningfully.

Cocky.

“Sarabi?” A man behind Savage murmured to another. “Is that what those were?”

“Savage tore through it like it was a breakfast ham.” Another murmured laughing.

Chavias assessed the boy realizing he was now very much a man. And these hardened assassins thought he was their king.

Well done, Savage. Chavias admired the work he’d done here. Knew where goods from the raids were coming now. And knew they’d somehow move from this place to the Grier Market to undermine King Ocnomad and take commerce from his Kingdom back to this Guild. Exactly as Savage had planned to do…

Radix’s gaze slid to Chavias and Chavias knew in that moment that sure as the wind blew, Savage Jaxson is the reason we’re here.

Radix wants him dead. Or taken back to return to slavery.

But Chavias assessed this new Savage and was confident he’d never be someone’s slave again.

Savage was giving him the same measuring rundown. His gaze fixating on where blood seeped over Chavias’ leather armor from his collar. It was only half a second that Savage’s gaze narrowed on the wound, before flicking up to meet Chavias’ look.

Savage’s eyes flared gold in the black night like a burning torch. He tilted his head minutely in question. In that familiar way Chavias knew so well. The question always the same.

Do I get you out now?

And as Chavias had always done, his lips whitened, and he turned his head only once in denial. Too many people will die.

Savage’s gaze locked on Radix. “Send your man in here.” He tossed his head toward Chavias as he held his hand out to the man next to him.

What in bloody hell are you doing now? Chavias’ eyes widened.

Alazareth slapped a dagger into Savage’s palm. Confusion written over his face. “You never take a weapon to a fight.” He murmured under his breath.

Savage gripped the handle ignoring Alazareth. “Send him.” He reiterated. Nodding in Chavias’ direction, crouching. “I haven’t had a good fight in a long time...”

Have you lost your mind, boy? Chavias’ jaw ticked. He prayed he wouldn’t be forced to kill this boy.

Because I won’t let Radix have him as a slave again. And I don’t believe Savage will either.

“That son-of-a-bitch drug me around like a pup on a leash.” Savage spat. “Telling me what I could and could not do. Who I could or could not kill…”

That’s not true. Chavias reared back slightly as though Savage had punched him. I never laid a hand on you!

“No one gives me orders any longer. Come on, Old Man. I want to kill him.” He invited Radix. “Probably more than just me in here that do…”

It finally dawned on Chavias what he was doing. The one thing Savage never did. He’s bluffing. Chavias was surprised at the ingenuity of it. Ensuring Radix won’t order me to fight him, if he thinks we’re not as close as we seemed.

Radix assessed Savage shrewdly. Looking from Chavias who worked not to move, to keep his face impassive. And back to Savage who looked like a starved animal ready to sink in some teeth.

Chavias saw Radix’s gaze move to those iron spears separating them from the rough mob just inside the door. And the crowd gathered beyond them. Most of which, being the two vicious Forever Knights at the forefront who’d pick them off one by one as they eeked through those iron spears and into the inner courtyard of the Blue Lark. It’s a bad set up. Dangerous.

Even Radix saw he was being goaded into making a mistake. He knows he’ll lose too many Cimmerii for this vengeance. But hatred shined on Radix’s face as he eyed Savage. True, deep hate, beyond his usual contempt for humanity.

In that moment, Chavias knew Savage had won. Radix sees the trap. A beautifully designed snare devised to meter down the number of his Cimmerii.

Savage is vicious enough, he alone could hold this door with only one Cimmerii able to come through at a time.

Well done. Chavias felt a surge of triumph for this victory over Radix. Perpetrated by a Dread Boy Radix had considered a mere pawn and no more.

Checkmate to Savage.

“Chavias.” Alazareth said under his breath.

Chavias’ head spun to look at Alazareth as he continued. “I’d thought so much more of you then this.” Alazareth’s disappointment was obvious.

The blow was crushing. Chavias’ throat tightened. He was awash with pain though he forced his face expressionless. Unmoving.

“Look how far ye’ve fallen.” Mardichi murmured shaking his head.

Chavias closed his eyes against the grief and soul-deep guilt. Eyes flicking to Savage to see if he’d heard. Hoping he wouldn’t have.

Savage was too intent on challenging the old demon to pay their words any mind.

Chavias was sickened to feel the disappointment of men he’d once considered two of his closest brothers.

Let me leave this place. He looked at Radix. No longer able to meet the pained gazes of his former brethren.

Radix and Savage stared each other down. When Radix took a dragging step back, Savage knew. He straightened. Absently tossing Alazareth the blade.

Alazar’s hand shot out reflexively and caught it mid-air.

Huffing like an infuriated animal, Radix spun on his heel. Cimmerii howling and snarling in an echo of the demon’s malcontent.

“Another day Radix.” Savage crowed after them.

“Another day Warlord.” He added, softer.

Chavias glanced over his shoulder and saw Savage’s head tilted in that same waiting way.

Continued in BOOK THREE:

Forever Knights: Forsaking the Vanquished