King of the Seditious
Getting to the Crux of It

“How long will you keep killing my patrons?” Dimurah countered his statement.

Endlessly.

“Forever. If warranted.” He shrugged. “But we both know this,” He vaguely gestured around the alehouse. “Isn’t why you’re upset.”

It’s the same reason you’re always upset.

Glancing to both sides she saw everyone else had lost interest during their whispered interchange. That was typically when she’d be more inclined to have real conversation.

She’s not going to relent until she admits why she’s really so pissed off at me.

She’d only dropped hints about it previously.

She tipped over the counter again. “We both know exactly why I’m so mad at you!”

Then just say it.

“You can’t be hurt forever.” He leaned closer. The tips of their noses brushing as he returned her heated glare. Teasing her lips with a quick sweep of his as he tipped her chin by lifting his.

“Will you change?” She moaned breathlessly. Before shaking her head quickly and fixing an angry glower on him. Annoyed at her weakness.

She’s not talking about killing.

“I could change many things for you. But I know not how to change that.”

Dimurah swatted the top of the counter, gritting her teeth.

Savage had told her the truth. One she doesn’t want to hear.

He’d change most anything for her. But he couldn’t change the one thing she demanded he do.

Truthfully.

“Don’t you?” She lifted a brow.

He shook his head slowly. Indicating how serious he was.

“Savage Jack!” Garix Trembath boomed from across Winter’s Haven. Having just kicked the door closed.

Not right now. Go away. Savage willed. Despite that he liked the man. I was perilously close to some meaningful conversation with my woman.

“Garix.” Savage looked over his shoulder in greeting.

Garix made his way through the crowd.

“Meet me in my tent later and we can talk of it more.” Savage told her under his breath.

She gave him a wary look. Blue eyes cautious.

It’s not a question, Murah.

“Or we can meet in your hut.” He shrugged. “After I get past your men.”

“Or not at all.” She countered waspishly.

“Good luck in that endeavor.”

“You’re abhorrent!”

“That’s not what you say when no one is looking.” He gave her a long look. Forcing her to evade his gaze.

It’s true. There was much history between he and Dimurah.

“The choice is yours.” He finished as Garix drew close enough for them to lock hands in a firm shake.

“I’ve finally acquired that item you’ve yearned for!”

Savage’s head snapped and he became alert. “From the lair?”

Garix nodded slowly. Brows lifted in a triumphant grin.

“Well done!” Savage slapped his shoulder. “Come. Let’s have a tankard!”

Garix nodded.

Savage persuaded Belline to fill them a couple drinks which he took to the table in the corner. The one reserved for business.

Or me when I’m home.

They took their seat.

Garix prolonged the suspense as he pulled the fresh forged key from his pocket.

“How did you get it?” Savage asked reverently.

“I asked for it.”

Savage’s blue eyes went huge and Garix erupted in laughter.

“I stole it.” He admitted.

Savage gave him a dead-eyed look.

“It was vaguely amusing.” Garix said, sobering.

“You’re forgetting how to speak.”

“Ah, ye’re righ’.” Garix said. Glancing around. “I forge’ wit’ ye since ye spen’ so many days teachin’ me righ’.”

“You’ve done admirably. But it’s not safe for them to hear it in here. They’ll think you a fine lord.”

“Someday per’aps I shall be.”

“You could work your way as a trader.” Savage suggested.

Though unlikely. It wasn’t unheard of.

And Garix certainly possesses the mettle.

“Me daugh’er woul’ certain be set then.” He sighed. Reverting to the subject of the key. “I stole it, of course. I though’ tha’ bes’ so’s Radix wouldna know ‘twas missin’.”

“Good decision. And it is to the right cell?”

“Definitely. I’ve saw Radix and Okine use it many a time.”

Savage nodded slowly as Garix handed it over. Setting it carefully in Savage’s rough palm. Wrapping his fingers around it, Savage slid it from the table. His other hand snatched Garix by the collar and nearly pulled him across the wooden table. “You wouldn’t betray me, would you?”

“No.” Garix chuckled. Unsurprised by the sudden aggression.

Unsurprised when it’s from me, I suppose…

“Tho’ ye are a man to be feared, tha’s no’ why. I wouldna because ye’ve been me mentor and I care fer ye, because ye know where me daugh’er is, and because I’ve no reason ta.”

Bobbing his head slowly Savage released his shirt and let Garix slide back to the bench while he lovingly fondled the key.

“Wha’ is it abou’ tha’ man tha’ means so much ta ye?”

“He raised me.”

Garix’s brows shot up. “I suppo’ tha’ explains a lot!”

“Should.” Savage nodded grudgingly. Mesmerized by his little treasure.

Now, to replace Chavias.

I’ll have to lure him out again.

Savage concluded his meeting with Garix, satisfied that he’d come up with a plan to get the item that was so important to him. Feeling somewhat relieved about that, he was willing to continue the conversation that had gotten perilously close to her speaking aloud the things that needed said between them.

If we’re ever to have a chance to resolve any of the chaos and conflicts.

It was hours later after rain began pelting the Blue Lark, that a blade soundlessly slipped between the shutters of Dimurah’s bedroom. The slip of silver slid upward and flipped the latch. Pushing the shutters open, Savage gripped the overhanging roof and swung booted feet through the opening. Landing smoothly inside. A wrapped parcel tucked under an arm.

He spotted her laying in the dark. Closing the shutters, he flipped the latch back down.

She needs a bit more than that.

Too easy. He decided.

He turned and saw the soft curve of her hip and the rounded turn of her shoulder beneath a thin wool blanket.

The same one she’s used for years. Despite all his urgings. In characteristic manner he’d given up offering and brought the gift. He unraveled the plush cover he’d bought for her in the Trader’s Market and silently settled it over her.

She sighed comfortably and snuggled deeper under the layers.

Savage rounded to crouch next to the bed, inches from her face. Resting his elbows on his knees he dropped his chin on his overlapped fists. Studying her long curling lashes wisping against her warmly tanned cheek. Her short, upturned nose and small bow mouth. Relaxed and open slightly as she drew soft breaths in slumber. A twisted red lock angled across her face. He reached out a finger to slide the tress from her face and over her shoulder.

A blue eye slid open, soft with sleep. “Good eve, Lover.” She whispered huskily.