FOREVER KNIGHTS: #7 King of Assassins
ALAZAR - A Spit Shake

Dread Brew Wake, Nightway

ALAZAR

When Riaura came tentatively to the pond that night, Alazar was waiting. Leaned against a tree. Arms crossed, he watched her step across the moonlit meadow.

At length she glimpsed him. “Oh, no.”

“What?”

“That is your disapproving stance.”

Probably. He lifted a brow.

“You only stand like that when you’ve a long lecture prepared for me.”

She’s damned right! He itched to lecture her. But doing so now would do no good.

“I’m not going to lecture you. I suspect you’ve come out here today to escape that.”

Brows knitting, she lifted her head and opened her mouth to ask.

He cut her off. “I want you to go to town with me tomorrow. Spend the day with me.”

“Out in daylight?” She gasped in mock horror.

Good, you’re off balance for once.

“Yes Ri,” His pet name for her now. “I can go out in daylight, but I choose not to.”

I’m not what you think.

“What will we do?” She asked excitedly.

That depends on you.

“I wanted to show you something.”

The orphans.

“Yes.” She clapped gleefully and gave a little hop that had him shaking his head and chucklingly. “What?” She asked in bemusement as he headed for.

“You’re adorable.” He tweaked the tip of her nose. “Sometimes there’s still the hint of a child in you.”

Not always the crazed young woman.

“You say that as though I’m still a child.”

“No.” He shook his head seriously. It was hard for him to correlate this bubbly woman with the one that could solemnly ask him to kill men in her name.

The seductress manipulating my desires for her gain.

“So, it’s to be an adventure then?” The cheerful note returned to her voice.

“Indeed.”

“It’s a deal!” She thrust out her hand for them to shake.

She wants to bind me to my word.

“You doubt I’ll go with you?” He tipped his head at her.

“I’ve known you a long while, Alazareth. You don’t like being around people. Nor do you ‘go into town’ so it’s reasonable I’d have your word.”

Fine.

“You have it.” He spit in his hand and caught hers to shake it roughly.

That ought to make her think twice in future.

She ripped her hand back and eyed it contemptuously. “That’s foul! What atrocious thing was that?”

A handshake. His lips twitched.

“It’s how a man gives his word.”

“It’s hideous.” Her lip curled. Still hanging her hand in disgust.

Yes. It is. I’ve always thought it particularly abhorrent. He had to bite his cheek to hold back laughter. Consequence for doubting me.

“I always keep my word.”

“You did that apurpose!”

Absolutely! He grudgingly shrugged.

“Remind me in future to trust you and refrain from shaking on it.” She wiped her hand on her skirt and eyed her palm as though it was contaminated.

Done. He nodded.

He detoured to the topic at hand. “Can you replace peasant clothes?”

“For?”

“You. A disguise.” He explained.

“I suppose it’d be wise.” She gnawed a cheek thoughtfully.

If you don’t want killed in the street…

Even if I explained, she wouldn’t understand the hatred of her people. She has no idea how dangerous it is for her.

NightVille, Nightway

The next morning dawned brightly with the sun tossing a rosy glow over the yellow-grass meadow. Warm lights poured into the woods to cast over brown and red leaves, damp from last night’s rain.

She arrived in a flowing tunic of simple fabric, complete with brown leather bodice cinching under her breasts. A heavy black belt and a plain brown skirt. Already scratching at her legs underneath the rough fabric.

It is appalling. Truly.

“What is this thing made of? Burlap?” She grumbled.

“Likely.” He laughed. “You borrowed it, I assume?”

You certainly wouldn’t own anything that looked like that, I’m sure of it.

She winced and half-shrugged. “From a maid.” She glanced down askance.

Whoever is sharing their clothes is probably unaware they are. He was certain.

“Was it necessary to wear your riding cuffs?” He glanced at the brown leather cinched up her forearms to her wrist.

“I needed something to control this tunic. It wants to move everywhere.” She pointedly glanced down her cleavage and pulled the shoulders back up.

Not a bad view…

“Hmm. We’ll see if the men keep their eyes to themselves.”

They won’t.