Chapter CHAVIAS - Tracked
Merwood, Dread Hideout
CHAVIAS
Chavias finally surrendered watching his back and turned to face forward. Knowing he needed to find a path into the trees. Quickly.
His body snapped taut at the sight less than a foot in-front of him.
“Hello Chavias.” Rhyers stared at him levelly. “Hunting, are we?”
Chavias’ jaw ticked as he stared at the light green eyes of the Forever Knight’s pack tracker. How many know he’s here?
How many know he was after me?
“You’re a fool to be here.” Chavias snapped.
Challenging me. You’re not that artful a fighter.
And I’m twice your damn size. But Chavias was undeniably nervous.
“Funny.” Rhyers gave a malicious smile. “I was just going to say the same thing to you.”
“You can’t kill me.” Chavias warned.
I’m a better fighter. By a lot.
“No, I cannot. But Bast knows you’re here. And you know as well as I, that he can. All I need do…is stall a moment more.”
He’s keeping me here! Chavias’ eyes widened at the realization. He drew a dagger and swung it toward Rhyers, who leapt agilely out of reach.
Dodging the punch that followed and moving aside.
I forgot how quick he is. Chavias admonished himself and forced his movements faster. More precise. He closed in on Rhyers.
He caught the feline scent in the distance. Bast.
Rhyers wasn’t bluffing.
He’s coming fast. Chavias knew.
If he’s close enough to smell…He’s too damn close! Chavias needed to end this fight quickly. He rolled in close to Rhyers and threw an elbow into the tracker’s jaw.
Rhyers ducked and swung his body to the other side. But was unprepared for Chavias anticipating his movements, throwing the opposing elbow on the other side.
Rhyers’ own movement forced him even more roughly into Chavias’ counterstrike. Rhyers grunted and stumbled back.
Chavias lunged at him and plunged his dagger into Rhyers’ side.
Making Rhyers yelp and clutch his ribs. Feeling the dagger drag back out, gratingly. The look Rhyers gave Chavias was more painful than the wounds. “How could you do this to us?”
You give me no choice.
If just once, you’d mind your own damn business!
“How could I not?”
“Is the man we knew even still in there?” Rhyers panted. A faint whistle emitting from his side as he rolled into a ball.
Chavias stumbled to his feet panting heavily. “Turn Rhyers.” He looked down at the other man coldly. “Your body will heal if you change.”
Save your foolish self.
“So, you can kill me then?”
No, Rhyers. I never wanted to kill any of you. But it was unlikely he’d believe it even if Chavias said it aloud.
“You’re not the one I’m here for.” Chavias spun the dagger back into the sheath on his hip.
Rhyers coughed and the whistling grew more prominent as he struggled for air.
“I’d thought you had more in you.” Chavias said sincerely.
I wasn’t trying to kill you. Just hurt you bad enough to leave.
I don’t want you to die.
Rhyers didn’t spare him a glance as he turned to leave.
But as Chavias lifted his foot to walk away, the slimmer man kicked it out from under him. Making him fall backward. Landing heavily next to Rhyers who’d instantly drug his torso over to pull Chavias’ blade before he could blink and slam it into the warlord’s chest.