FOREVER KNIGHTS: #15 Insatiable Beasts

Greenway Village, Netherlands

SAVAGE JAXSON

Savage liked to check the commerce in the villages. If the villages are flourishing the towns are struggling which means the kings and queens are getting desperate.

I like them desperate.

And Greenway was flourishing.

Today was trader’s day. And the boots were overflowing. People were exchanging goods as fast as they could trade hands.

Good.

As he walked down the line of booths. People turned with their wares but seeing him they stepped aside to make way for him. Casting him furtive smiles.

He’d nod in exchange.

“You could feign some warmth.” Phalanx remarked at his back.

“I thought I was.”

“Not even slightly.”

“For some strange reason you’ve garnered their respect anyway.”

“How do you discern that.” Savage walked with his hands linked behind his back in an effort to look harmless.

Not an easy look for me to manage.

“There’s thanks on their face when they look at you. They know its you replenishing their stores after the raids.”

Savage sent him a sharp look warning him to quiet.

“It doesn’t matter. They all know. Children have laid awake watching you do it, like you’re some white knight.”

Savage scoffed. “I’m the very opposite of that.”

“Thank God for that.” Phalanx remarked.

Savage’s brow knitted. He looked back forward and stiffened. Pointing to a booth he asked Phalanx. “Do you know her?”

“Has she caught your fancy?” Phalanx asked hesitantly. “I thought the only woman you could even see was the red-haired vixen.”

“She is the only woman. The rest are just people.”

“Then why is she special? I don’t know who she is.”

“She has a unique glow.”

“She’s not glowing.”

“She is to me.”

“Seriously,” Phalanx frowned. “I do not understand half the things you say.”

“No one does.” Savage remarked.

“You’re vixen does.”

Maybe she does. Savage tilted his head grudgingly. Abandoning Phalanx to head to the potion booth.

“Who are you?” He asked in his characteristically direct way.

The woman’s blue eyes widened, and she reared back. “I’m-I’m-”

“You are?”

She should be asking why I’m asking.

Dimurah would. She’s that fierce.

“D-Dorena…”

He tipped forward on his front foot. “Do you know what you are?”

A Watcher.

“I do.” She said fearfully. Terror written over her face.

“There’s precious few of you.” He remarked. Giving her a long look. “Be careful. There are those that would corrupt your light.”

“Radix.” She whispered in hushed understanding. As though his very name were something to dread.

She’s right to think so.

“Yes.” Savage eyed her warily.

But there was no darkness to the light around her that would indicate Radix had corrupted her.

Like he has so many.

“He had me in his clutches. But one of you saved me.” She whispered.

One of me? She thinks I’m a Forever Knight. He filled in the gaps.

“Oh, which one?”

“Sebastian Bodane.”

Savage’s head lifted. Of course, it was.

That is a white knight thing to do.

“But sometimes,” She swallowed. “I can still feel it.” She patted her stomach. “Writhing around.”

The dark magic. It’s how he baited her.

“It will ease. But careful he doesn’t sense where you are through it.”

“I am.”

He turned to walk away but she caught his hand. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“I haven’t had a kind word since him. You remind me so much of him.”

Of Sebastian…The man whose allegedly my father. For some reason it made Savage’s chest tight. Though he couldn’t define why.

“If you’ve not heard kind words in the trader’s market here. Come with me. Come sell your potions in my Undermarket.”

“In the Blue Lark?” She looked startled.

“Yes.”

“I’ve heard it’s a terrifying place.”

“Not if you’re under my protection.”

“Who are you?”

“He’s the King of Assassins, clearly.” Phalanx had walked over to join them.

Curious as to what kept me.

“Why do you want me there?” She looked nervous.

Afraid of what I’ll want in return. Smart girl.

He lifted a small stoppered bottle of a pink liquid. Clicking it on the booth’s surface. “You provide a commerce I don’t yet have.”

“How would it work?”

“I’d provide you the ingredients. You provide me a quarter of the potions you make and half the coin you earn.”

“And the rest is mine.”

“Indeed. You have my word.”

“And you’ll ask nothing else in return?”

You’ve nothing else I want.

“Nothing.”

“He has a woman.” Phalanx contributed.

“That doesn’t always mean much.” She countered.

“It does to me.” Savage said a bit harshly. “Men without loyalty are men without souls.”

He turned from the booth as quickly as he’d arrived at it.

“Sometimes you’re a bit too intense.” Phalanx remarked.

“Perhaps.”

“Why’d you really want her at the Blue Lark. It’s not the commerce.”

“No. Though it is good business.”

“You want to protect her. Or me to protect her.” Phalanx said shrewdly.

“Both.”

“Why?” Phalanx asked.

“Because of what she is.” Savage used the tone that told Phalanx he’d say nothing more on the subject.

There was suddenly running footsteps behind them.

“And here she comes.” Phalanx remarked. “Just like you knew she would.”

“I’ll go with you!” Dorena declared.

“Load up.” Savage gestured off-handedly back at her booth.

“I’ll help you.” Phalanx offered in a softer tone. Shooting Savage a chiding look.

Wanting me to be more polite. An adorable design.