FOREVER KNIGHTS: #2 Rise of the King of Assassins

“Were you going to?” Chavias was startled that he’d seen the need.

“Of course. Why I took the sticker.” He held his hand out for the dagger and Chavias handed it back. Offering it blade first.

To see what the lad would do.

The boy gripped the knife. Apparently without cutting himself since he didn’t wince or hesitate. He put it back in the ratskin pouch.

But Chavias caught the whiff of blood. And heard the drip of a heavier droplet into the puddle at their feet.

He did cut himself. He just didn’t react.

Unemotional little Dread. Chavias’ black brow lifted in surprise.

A rat squeaked to the side of the boy and his head whipped to see it. Without anything further, he lunged and landed on it. Sinking white teeth into its thick sides. Making it shriek in pain as he bit through rodent bone.

He ate it without blinking. Clearly starved.

Obviously starved much of his life to be so comfortable eating vermin. Chavias gathered it was safe to assume that with the child’s strange flaring gold eyes and brutal nature, his parents had feared him. Likely hidden him away somewhere as cold and dark as this. That’s why he’s so comfortable here.

A dungeon. It pained Chavias to realize someone had thrown this child in the bottommost level of a castle. And, it appeared, left him to die. A feat which he’d refused to comply with until they felt it necessary to send him off in finery as a last farewell.

Paying a mercenary to kill him.

Chavias had no idea why he was drug straight from the torture room to Radix’s throne room the following day.

Radix sat on a stone seat framed by jutting boulders. An expansive room. Littered with fallen granite.

“Slave.”

Chavias blinked up into his beady eyes. He’s something that can only look at you from dark corners. Chavias’ contempt was obvious on his face.

“It fascinates me. That all my attempts to converse, charm, or cajole the boy have failed. He scurries like some animal in these corridors.” Radix gestured around. “But hardly says a word. Yet my Nonis tell me he has spoken to you. Sought you out.”

“He’s spoken to me.” Chavias acknowledged. Uncertain where this was going.

“Then you will take him in hand. He will accompany you on your missions.”

“You don’t fear I’ll sway him from you?”

“It matters not. I have found him immovable. He will either see your bloodlust and learn it or he will not, and I will kill him. It matters little to me.”

I think you underestimate him. Chavias thought. But was willing to play Radix’s little game.

Chavias had seen the intelligence in the boy’s eyes. Heard the sharpness in his tone. And it had occurred to Chavias that in all these caverns and all the versions of evil filling them. It’d been Chavias, the only one with a glimmer of good still remaining, that the boy spoke to.

He’s not evil. I don’t believe he ever will be.

But I will train him, mentor him, teach him to fight…And one day he will turn on you like the animal he is.