King of the Seditious
Word with a Mentor

Chavias looked up the road where Savage leaned against the bakery wall, near the storehouse. Tapping his forehead. “How’d you know I’d be here tonight?”

“I didn’t. Stumbled across your tracks.”

“Hmm.”

How’d you know it was me? Chavias was somewhat doubtful.

“Recognized the Targue following your boots.”

“Ah.” Chavias nodded.

Logical.

“Can I ask you a question?”

That’d be unusual for you. Chavias noted.

“Best be quick. They’re not far behind.”

“Oh, I left a woman for them to chase.” Savage dismissed.

“You’re feeding them a live woman?” Chavias was horrified. Feeling a tinge of disappointment that the glimpses of humanity he’d seen in the younger man had been an illusion.

“No.” Savage straightened. To sway a boot through the dirt. “I smeared her with their droppings and told her to hide once she got deep in the trees. They won’t replace her.”

As if on cue there was a woman’s horrified shriek.

Not sure if I’m still disappointed. Chavias shook his head in bafflement.

“What if they do get her?”

“It’d be no great loss.”

Chavias’ brows lifted.

“She’s no cimmerii. But plenty evil.” He explained.

That sounds more like the man I was getting to know.

“So, to my question.” Savage said, lifting his head to look at Chavias. “Is there one person in his lair, you’d kill?”

Deiti.

“His queen.” He said albeit too quickly.

When did I get so dark?

“That was fast.” Savage said. Impressed.

“She’s miserably evil.”

“Good.” Savage vanished behind the bakery wall.

What was the meaning of that question? He pondered.

Chavias heard a creak and glanced at the roof next to him in time to see a key falling from the overhang.

He instinctively caught it.

“I need Radix to know I can get to him, even in his own lair.”

Chavias fingered the key thoughtfully. Before slowly nodding.

“Good.”

There was silence.

Chavias thought for a moment that Savage Jaxson had left.

Until he spoke again. “Chavias?”

“Yes?”

“Are you ready yet?”

“No, My Lad.”

Savage gave him that long look then turned on his heel and vanished.

Rum Runnel Tavern, MidGale City, Nightway Border

SAVAGE JAXSON

“As simple as sipping wine! Like stealing chicken from a pup!” Savage proclaimed.

“What are we discussing?” A skinny man with a badly scarred face strolled up.

ColdKill, a well-known assassin.

“I’m planning to lighten Me Lord Danbury’s load!”

“Oh, are you?” ColdKill lifted a bushy gray brow. Clever eyes astute.

“Indeed.” Savage declared. “Me and the boys here were just looking for some amusement and I’ve gotten word the man plans another tour this way from Nightway with all the goods he’s earned from the Nightway Queen.” Savage made a vulgar gesture of thrusting to emphasize how exactly Danbury had earned the goods.

In reality, he stole them. But this is more fun.

“Are you sure it’s wise to do so after telling everyone in here your plan?”

“Who’d dare cross me?” Savage dismissed.

The twelve men encircling him lifted their mugs and loudly began sing song chanting Savage’s code.

Savage grinned in approval. Blue eyes dancing. He waved a finger to their cadence. Kill Beads in his hair clinking together as he bobbed his head cheerfully. Clearly intoxicated.

“Be careful, Savage Jack.” ColdKill put a hand on Savage’s arm.

Savage sent a scathing look to that hand on his arm until ColdKill let it slide away.

“Careful, ColdKill.” Savage said under his breath.

ColdKill grunted. “If you’re going to raid, Danbury just be cautious. MidGale is his ground.”

“I’m aware.” Savage turned to ColdKill hitching his chin in a threatening way that had ColdKill lowering his head in deference and backing away.

Skitter Little Rat. Savage thought. Watching the man scamper across the tavern. Run home.

Peak Mountain, Black Mountains, Battling Border

CHAVIAS

Chavias was emerging along the surface with a soiled bucket filled with the fecal matter of hundreds of nonis and Firoque. The acrid odor singing his nostrils as he fought to not draw air until dumping it aside the cave. As he stepped into blinding sunlight, he ducked his head to avoid the glare he’d become unaccustomed to.

He heard the churning of carriage wheels lumbering up the mountain trail. It sounds heavy. Too heavy.

He dumped the bucket down the backside of the hill and turned to climb the rocks back toward the entrance. Pausing when he saw a wide carriage with creaking tires making its way to the flat expanse before the entrance. A male servant hung off each side of the carriage as though there were not room within.

Who is this?

Servants piled out, immaculately dressed in crisp white and shining black overcoats, reaching in to unload a creaking wooden chair. One that was clearly so heavy, it took all six of the men to pull it out and unload. It was a strange contraption with wheels attached to the seat. But once it was set on the ground and levers on the side locked the wheels, the man stood and strode from the seat to walk past Chavias and into the cave.

Chavias watched stunned. Head spinning to look back at the six men who stood around the chair. Staring ahead impassively with their hands linked behind their backs.

What kind of a man insists on men unloading him from a carriage when he has capable legs? Chavias’ upper lip curled derisively as he strolled in with his bucket. A drip of brown waste slipping down the side of the rough metal.

He stopped outside Radix’s personal chamber. Ensuring he was far enough away that Radix’s supreme hearing wouldn’t catch Chavias’ breathing.

“Danbury.” Radix greeted.

“My Liege, I was raided days ago.” He grated out. Obviously, furious someone would dare.

“Oh? By whom?”

“The King of Assassins.” The man spit the name.

Savage Jaxson.

“How much did he take?”

“Everything.”

Well done! Chavias had the urge to whoop in triumph. That’s my lad.

“Impressive.” Radix acknowledged. “He had help then?”

“His Seditious Lot. They took everything. They’d have taken my carriage had my chair not been in it. I’m certain of it!”

He sounds like a distraught woman.

“So, what is it you’d have me do? Seek some vengeance for you? I’m not in the business of vengeance. It means nothing to me. Save another toy for me to play with amongst humanity.” Radix sounded bored.