Harridan Hamlet, Dread Country

Chavias was making the long trek to Dread Country. Evening was drawing close. As customary the demon had sent Chavias to raid Harridan Hamlet on the edge of Dread Country. Knowing by now they'd have a healthy stockpile.

Chavias caught the scent of a dead deer in an alleyway behind some booths. The slightly rotted stink of it immediately drew the attention of the demonic dogs, Targue and the demonic rodents, nonis, with him.

Chavias walked faster to the storehouse.

Just as he reached it, a voice from a nearby rooftop, stopped him outside the swinging doors. "There's nothing in there."

Thadeus, Chavias' crow, shrieked in objection. Turning his head to look at Savage Jaxson, the bird shifted restless feet.

"I thought not. He'll be displeased." Chavias rotated to spot Savage Jaxson crouched on the peak of the bakery roof. Next to the storehouse.

"Is he ever pleased?"

"No." Chavias grunted.

"Are the Firoque starving?" Savage rose and thoughtfully walked to the pointed peak to draw nearer the Southern edge. Peering down onto the road to see if the demonic beasts were catching up to Chavias.

"They are."

"Is it worth the torture?" He asked tonelessly, crouching again to watch the road.

But Chavias knew what he asked. "Yes."

"Good." He didn't move. Twisting a bit of leather in his fingertips. "Are you ready yet?"

"No."

Savage Jaxson didn't push the subject.

But he wasn't leaving either.

"What's on your mind, Lad?"

"I took the girl with the light."

Chavias nodded slowly. "Have you hurt her?" He felt the need to ask though he hoped he knew the answer.

"No."

"Are you fond of her?" Chavias probed.

"Yes."

"Good." Chavias nodded slowly. "She's important."

"She is." It wasn't a question.

"Where are you keeping her?"

"At the Blue Lark."

"Is she safe there?" Chavias asked guardedly.

"I keep her safe." Savage Jaxson looked up and met Chavias' look solidly. Blue eyes to gray eyes.

"What about when you're not there?"

"They don't cross me." He rose and walked the roof absentmindedly.

Chavias was sure Savage Jaxson did retain total control of the Assassin's Guild. "You'd make a fine King." He thought aloud.

"What fool would make me king?" Savage reached the back peak of the bakery and looked back at Chavias. "I like her."

"I'd gathered that."

"I want to keep her." He looked down and they both heard the Targue coming down the road. Savage's bait, the dead deer, consumed.

"Savage Jaxson?"

"Yes?"

"Be gentle with her."

"I try."

That made Chavias grimace.

He drew a shaking breath. Telling himself to trust the boy that'd never let him down. But he couldn't picture Savage Jaxson being gentle with anyone. Woman or man.

Cringing, he spun and looked at the doors of the storehouse. Throwing them open to reveal the barren interior as the demon dogs flanked him.

Howling in misery to see it was empty.

***

Blue Lark Guild, Dread Hideout

Redbayne, one of Savage's more honorable assassins, had asked Savage for a very particular item. Poison.

Savage had been waiting for his return to the Blue Lark to deliver the toxic bit when he'd spotted the large redheaded barbarian across the Undermarket courtyard.

"RedBayne!"

Redbayne's head shot up to assess the blonde man. Though he liked the place, there were times of year when it was so dense with killers it was hard to move within the courtyard. Redbayne wished for nothing more than to find the nearest tavern and find a friendly barmaid.

Savage lifted a vial of murky gray liquid above the heads of others milling the courtyard.

Redbayne straightened happily. Pushing through the meandering assassins with all the grace of a battering ram. Lumbering shoulders forcing them apart.

Other men cursed or spat threats but when they turned to confront him and glimpsed the sheer size of him, their voices faded to silence. They ducked their heads and returned to former conversations.

Redbayne arrived at Savage's side, outstretching a hand for the vial.

Savage grunted and jerked it from reach. Tossing his head toward the Winter Haven Alehouse. Recently built for Savage's little ward. The one he kept in the hut behind the Blue Lark Fortress, in the courtyard.

They entered the Alehouse and Redbayne was stunned to see her serving drinks in an oversized green cloak.

They told her which drinks they wanted.

She walked away, cloak dragging.

"Ye're letting 'er in 'ere already?" Redbayne was surprised.

Savage Jack shrugged. A half-smile hovering about his lips. "She does what she wishes."

"I take it ye tell her to wear that?"

"I suggested it. Keeps her a bit safer." Savage shrugged.

She set the drinks on the table and Redbayne lifted his to begin guzzling.

Savage reached for his and she slapped his hand.

Redbayne hissed on an indrawn breath. Expecting the man to grab her by the neck and toss her across the room.

"A thank you would be appreciated." She snapped. Blue eyes sparking under the hood.

Redbayne stared at her. Jaw dangling in shock.

Savage chuckled.

"Thank you, Murah." He emphasized mockingly.

"Dimurah!" She corrected sharply.

Savage Jack laughed harder.

She stalked from their booth.

"Is she yer lover?" Redbayne blurted, immensely curious how a whelp of a girl was swatting the hand of this ferocious killer.

"Gad, no!" Savage shook his head. "I'd safer lie with a Quiller."

A spined beast able to inject venom through the spears jutting from its back didn't sound altogether pleasant to take abed. Redbayne winced. Worried for what could be injured in such an endeavor.

Redbayne plunked the bag of coin on the table and Savage Jack glanced around before sweeping it into his fist.

Slapping down the clear vial in exchange. Pointing to it. "Dangerous stuff. Don't slosh it on you on the way to delivering it to whatever poor sop you intend it for."

"Not me." Redbayne shook his head vigorously. "Even I'm not that merciless. Friend of mine."

Savage Jack nodded his head. "Best be careful drinking with your friend..." He slid it across the table. "Don't let the Grier Guard catch you with it." He nodded toward the pocket, "And if they do..."

"I kill them before they can do anything about it." Redbayne nodded slowly.

"Actually, I was suggesting you lie about where you got it." He leaned back to point at Redbayne. "But I like that better."

He and Redbayne exchanged a long look.

"How is business?" Redbayne queried to lighten the mood.

"You mean raping the commerce from Grier?" Savage Jack took a heavy dram from his tankard.

"Yeah."

"Well. Very well indeed."

"Why do you do it?"

"Vengeance." He clicked in his cheek. Indicating his discomfort with the direction of the conversation.

Savage Jack's tension was clear. And though Redbayne liked the man, he respected what he was capable of when in this manner of mood. And Savage Jack exuded intensity tonight. Obviously in no mood to socialize.

"Good eve to ye." Redbayne took the hint and rose.

Savage Jack waved an absentminded hand over his shoulder. Not bothering to look up from staring in his tankard.