King of the Seditious
Death of a Son

I know the feeling. His twitched with the urge to get ahold of her. And have my way with her. Right now.

But it was clear on her face.

“That was a bit brutal.” RedBayne said from a corner of the alehouse. Though his tone indicated only approval.

He likes a bit of violence every bit as much as me.

“Care for a dram?” He lifted his tankard in offering.

Savage nodded. Happy to have an escape from Dimurah’s wrath. For now.

Savage slid into the seat opposite him. “You’re already good and sodden brother.”

“Indeed!” RedBayne declared triumphantly.

Savage’s eyes narrowed on him. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Tis an anniversary, Ol’ Friend.”

“Of what?” Savage already sensed that this wasn’t a celebratory date.

“Of the day me wife murdered me babe and bolted.”

“She ran?”

“Fled me like a doe in the heart of Fall. Taking what parts of me were whole, with her.”

“Is that why you’re so lost in the drink?”

RedBayne lifted the tankard in salute. “The drink ne’er betrays ye. Ye’d do well to give up on the Gel and stay wit’ da drink!”

“Would that I could.” Savage sent the furious redhead a glance. Catching the sight of the shadow near a pillar in the back.

Phalanx.

“I as well.” Savage said soberly.

RedBayne snorted. Regaining Savage’s attention.

“Tell me about this woman.”

“None like ’er. A rare ’un. I will tell ye a secret. Most think I met her here in Dread Country or perhaps Grier. But she was once a slave I purchased on the desert coast of the Isle.

“Hmm.” Savage said thoughtfully. Struggling to keep from looking back at Murah again. “I’m surprised she escaped you without reprisal.”

“She hasn’t.” RedBayne belched heartily. “Not yet. One day I’ll replace her again. And when I do…I’ll burn her world to the ground.”

“You sound like you mean that.”

“Wouldn’t ye if that ’un there,” He gestured to Murah behind the counter with his drink. “Did the same?”

“I’m not sure I could ever hurt her.”

“Are you so certain of that.”

“I am.” Savage levelled a look on him.

“Well then.” RedBayne said a bit more somberly. “Perhaps I am as much a barbarian as I once was.”

She’s not much in the mood. As he thought it, he was startled by a broken cry from near them.

Both he and Dimurah turned. Only now noticing Thomas had approached next to Dimurah.

A man had rose from next to him and stuck a long blade through his ribs. Cutting into a lung. Obvious from Thomas’ wheezing.

“No!” Dimurah cried. Rushing to her bodyguards’ side so fast the hood of her cloak fell back.

Savage realized the attacker was not a man he knew. And he blindsided the boy.

Filthy tactic.

Thomas sunk slowly to the floor. Fighting for air in desperate gasps. Holding his side and staring at them with stunned eyes. Mouth impossibly wide.

“No, No!” Dimurah was cupping his cheeks. Her hands fluttering to the wound and back to his face.

She doesn’t know what to do.

That’s fatal. Nothing she can do. Savage had long ago learned the look of a fatal wound when he saw it. I just ensure several are accomplished for the sake of being thorough.

The man watched the boy dying with interest. Wiping his blade off on his breeches. The movement made his tunic slide further up his forearm. Allowing Savage to glimpse the burn scar of a broken three-part oval.

The mark of a servant of the Throne of Ocnomad.

Here to kill me.

“Who are you?” Savage stepped closer to the stranger.

“Wildling.”

A few men shuffled away. Knowing the name

“Why’d you kill this man?” Savage gestured to the dining form, Dimurah was desperately sobbing over.

“He’s not dead yet.”

“Yes, he is.”

He just doesn’t know it yet.

“Don’t say that!” Dimurah cried. Cradling Thomas’ head as she laid him down on the floor. Trying to replace a way to help. “Jax! Jax! Please help. Help me!” She shook with hysteria.

Wildling watched it all with excitement lighting his features.

Calm down Savage. He willed himself. Feeling rage vibrating through him. This man’s actions were not defiance. I know what he’s after.

Savage rounded Thomas’ head. Crouched and quickly jerked his head. Snapping the boy’s neck and killing him instantly.

Dimurah shrieked. Covering her mouth with a shaking hand. As she looked across the body at Savage. Betrayal written in her blue eyes. The luster in them dark with emotion.

Savage sent a sideways glance at Phalanx who stood in his usual place along the side wall. Near the pillar by the door.

Get her out of here.

Catching Savage’s look, Phalanx walked quickly over and caught Dimurah’s shoulders. Pulling her backward while she made hysterical noises. Pained blue eyes riveted on the body of the dead man.

“Why’d you kill the boy?” Savage stood. Crowding Wildling near the table.

But, to his credit, Wildling didn’t back up. Though everyone could feel the waves of raw rage rolling off Savage.

“He was in my way.”

“Let’s not pretend I possess an inferior intellect, shall we?” Savage tilted his head at the muscled brown-haired man. “The only thing he’d be in the way of, is getting to her.” Savage pointed to where Dimurah was squeaking across the room. Covering her face as she sobbed. “And no one is getting to her.”

Wildling met Savage’s look. Taking a challenging stance with his legs apart. Crossing thick arms over his chest.

He thinks otherwise.

He thinks wrong. Savage took another step closer. Pushing his chest against Wildling’s.

Though the other man was far thicker. Savage was taller and wound with wiry muscle. Flexible, quick and utterly without hesitation or fear.

“So, let’s just shorten up this little visit of yours. You’re here for me.” Savage hissed. “Your mission is to get her or hurt her to disturb me. Then while I’m distraught to end me. Is it not?”

The sudden startled expression on Wildling’s face revealed the truth of Savage’s words.

“Either run home and tell King Ocnomad he can come kill his son himself, or let’s get to it.”