King of the Seditious
Sanctuary Island

I absolutely am. Savage rotated on his heel and lowered into the dark stairs of the hold. Poking his head below to see her sparking blue eyes glittering in the dim light.

Observing the face of the woman that was so dead set against being left on this island. She was straining the chain, its length pulled tight.

“You said I wouldn’t get you out of the Blue Lark either…”

Yet I did.

“You bound me and tossed me over Delcourt you filthy Whoreson!” She rained a shower of curses down on him.

Still angry apparently.

“Dimurah it’s-”

“No, it’s not!” She cut him off. Knowing him well enough to know where he was going.

Better for you. He finished inwardly.

“I’m trying to-”

“You’re failing!”

Save you…

There was another bump on the side of the ship.

“Floater!”

Thank God.

“I need to go deal with that.” Savage pointed over his shoulder.

Urgently needing away from this floundering conversation.

“Jax, don’t you dare leave! You wouldn’t-” The chains clanged as she rattled them ferociously.

He was already heading up the narrow stairs. “I am.”

Leaving this hold before she’s done talking.

As quickly as possible.

“We’re getting close.” RedBayne said as he leaned over the bow with a clearance stick. Steering a body from the hull.

Savage coasted one along the side a distance back. “That’s

apparent.” He said ruefully.

The bodies are getting thicker. Peering over, he saw another coasting past with a white bird resting on its chest. Pulling bits of hanging flesh apart where bone was already visible. The corpse was already missing much of the soft tissue on its face.

Better that Dimurah is below for this. She wouldn’t sleep for a month afterward. He knew how quickly her sleep could be affected by the sight of dead bodies. Unfortunately, I’ve caused her many.

“Why does the King bounty ’er ta lure ye out?”

Because I’ve been the bane of his existence.

“I steal from him.” Savage said simply.

Everything I can.

“Many steal from him. He’s taking what ye’re doing personal.” RedBayne gave him a long look.

It’s been personal since the day I was born.

“He tried to kill me, and it was unsuccessful.”

Multiple times.

“Mayhap that’d do it.” RedBayne grunted. Long copper hair flowing in the misty breeze. Fog so dense, even he was hard to see. Impossible for Savage to see the crew working ropes and sails behind him. Or the ones across the deck with clearance sticks.

Sighing, Savage realized that this man he already considered towering above the other assassins in morals, had sacrificed a heavy purse himself, to warn Savage. And to protect Dimurah.

Something I won’t soon forget.

“The Ocnomad lineage is complex.” He grumbled.

“I’m aware!” RedBayne laughed. “Written through the queens. My people would’ve never heard of such a thing!”

Most wouldn’t.

“I’m King Ocnomad’s son.”

RedBayne nearly dropped his stick. “The wha-wha’?” He blinked huge blue eyes in Savage’s direction.

“He has two sons. Both are slimy bastards already fighting

over the throne.”

Yes, they are.

“And I am the third.”

RedBayne sputtered.

Rather amusing really to see the big barbarian at such a loss for words.

“And I am the first.”

The eldest.

“You’re the heir!” RedBayne nearly fell over the railing.

Never that.

“Not by choice.”

“Why have you not claimed the throne?”

“I’ve no interest in overseeing a corrupt realm. And no desire to compete with the King in court. I’m not suited for it.”

“He’d have you assassinated!”

“By whom?” Savage’s brows lifted.

Which of my men would come after me?

“Valid point.” RedBayne pointed at him.

“He needs me dead so no one will ever know what I am.”

The heir.

“So, you can never overtake his rule?”

“I believe so.”

“Definitely so!” RedBayne grunted. “Tha’s thick complexities, there.”

“I’m aware.”

Unsurprisingly, Dimurah punched Savage soundly across the face. Making his head spin.

“Barter Queen.” RedBayne roared. Rushing to yank her back from Savage to avoid retaliation.

Savage didn’t move. Watching RedBayne drag her away.

“I told ye, ye were lettin’ ’er out ta soon!” RedBayne shouted over her head. “Ye left ’er down there so long. Shoulda bound her and dropped her off. Would’ve given ye time to escape while she chewed through ‘er ropes. Safer tha’ way.”

Probably true.

“I won’t go! You’re not leaving me.”

“I am.” Savage said dully.

“You try!” She hissed. Fighting against the barbarian’s grip like a fly trying to escape a cat.

“Murah-”

“Dimurah!” She corrected.

We’re back to that.

“You need to stay. It’s safer.”

“For whom?” She asked venomously. Her blue eyes locked on him, threateningly.

“I don’t believe she’s a damn bit afraid of you.” RedBayne murmured stunned. “I thought it was just a bold front before.”

“Nay. She’s not.” He stared at her. Flushed with fury.

“Calm down.” He said. Knowing it’d be to no avail.

“Calm down! Calm down?” She shrieked. Kicking backward at RedBayne’s legs.

“Savage Jack, I think ye’re lass may be more feral then ye!”

“She is.”

“I’ll rip you both apart.” She curled an arm up to reveal pointed claws. Emphasizing her point. “You’re not leaving me.”

“I am.”

They were only a little way onto the bank when they realized that the statues along the bank were not stone structures but silent people waiting.

They came here to meet us. Savage realized.

A woman stepped forward and moved into Dimurah’s view. Affectionately stroking her cheek.

Dimurah blinked blue eyes in surprise. The woman reached down and caught Dimurah’s hand. Leading her numbly through the fog.

“Take care of her, Rosemary.” RedBayne called.

Savage gave him a questioning look. “She’s a friend of mine. I let her know we was on her way with a live ’un.” He tossed his head toward Dimurah’s back. “She’s known ta ‘ave a calmin’

effect on wild women.”

“That’s good.” Savage watched until the fog swallowed Dimurah.

“Come.” RedBayne wrapped an arm around his shoulders. “Let’s head back before ye change ye mind.”

“Wise.” Savage nodded in assent. Still staring over his shoulder where she’d vanished. Unable to tear away his gaze.

“She’ll be fine.” RedBayne assured.

“You better hope so.” Savage said under his breath. “If anything happened to her as the result of your plan…”

“I know ye.” RedBayne said. Slapping him on the back as he urged him aboard the FireStar.