FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts

Alazareth grunted in pain. Gripping the man’s wrist, he snapped it. Hand shooting to clutch the man’s neck. Alazar lurched forward with inhuman strength. Forcing the assassin, screaming and cradling his flopping wrist, back. Alazar struck him in the chest and he stumbled back and hit a trunk, slumping against it.

Alazar returned to his throat. Descending with the righteous fury of a stormlord.

“Why kill her?” He hissed near the man’s ear.

“She’s the killer! Her people are suffering…dying…” The would-be assassin strained to speak past Alazar’s crushing grip. Alazar eased enough he could talk. “Kill me. I came after her, knowing I’d die. But more will come. And one of them will get her. Her own people are rising against her. We are the Rebels…”

Very articulate for a commoner. Alazar studied him a moment before crushing his windpipe. Then he elbowed the assassin in the face so hard it collapsed.

Riaura gasped behind him. “Alazar!” She shrieked.

Alazar turned to her. Touching his collar and examining his hand to see how bad he bled. He returned to the log and found himself weakening. Slipping to the ground to put his back against the log. Blinking dizzily.

On the ground next to him was the dagger the man dropped. Alazar lifted it, studying it thoughtfully.

“My God…” She said breathlessly. Hand over her mouth.

When he’d collected himself, he slid to sit on the log next to her. Turning the blade between his fingers.

Well made.

Not for show.

She immediately caught at the laces on his tunic. Pushing them open to see the gaping wound in the firelight. “Alazareth!” She gasped.

His gaze was locked on the knife that’d nearly killed her.

“There truly is nothing you won’t do for me…” Her eyes were huge.

Alazareth tilted his head to look at her. Hearing a note in her voice he’d never heard before.

At his silence she persisted. “You really would protect me…No matter what?”

“Riaura.” He chastised in a whisper. Pleading. “Do not.”

“Igonox has hired an assassin to kill me. There’s not just this one.” She gestured to the man across the clearing.

More nonchalant about killing then I’d have expected. But he realized he’d no idea what she’d witnessed living in that castle with Marod as queen.

Alazar gave her a confused look. “Who?”

“The Death Dealer.”

The best in Igonox. One of the best in general.

A member of the Blue Lark’s Guild…That’s a treacherous road.

“Riaura.” He rolled his head back. “Do not…” He knew she saw the heartbroken pain ripping over his features.

“Do not what, Alazar?” She stood. “Ask you to save my life?”

He groaned. Rolling his eyes Heavenward before slowly shaking his head side to side.

“Would you kill him for me Alazar?”

It means challenging the man that commands the assassins of the Blue Lark. My friend.

Savage Jack won’t take it kindly. And betraying him is a dangerous game. Alazareth didn’t fear Savage but he’d be a fool not to realize that the Dread warlord was a formidable foe. He seemed to have a specialty in killing immortals.

“And what would I get in return?” Alazareth’s met her look levelly.

He’s an assassin afterall. Someone whose killed hundreds. He reassured himself.

She lifted her skirt to expose beautiful calves as she stepped over his legs to straddle him. She lowered over his lap. Slowly dropping onto his thighs.

“You get me…” She reached up to caress a hand along his cheek.

Making him moan right before he pressed a kiss to her palm, savoring her touch. “Riaura…” He pleaded.

Knowing full well he was lost.

I’ll do it. I’ll kill for her…To keep her from being killed. His face hardened.

“It’s true what she says.” The voice stopped Alazareth in his tracks as he returned to the woods from escorting her back to Nightway in the early hours.

Mardichi.

He stood near the remnants of the long dead fire. Eyes skimming the body of the dead man.

The man I killed trying to assassinate her.

“What are you doing out here?”

“I came to warn ye.” Mardichi murmured. “Someone from Igonox hired an assassin last nigh’ ta kill yer Nightway princess.”

“You came albeit late.”

“Nay.” Mardichi murmured. “I didn’t. The Death Dealer is still back at the Blue Lark. He planned to come this way late this eve. I knew nothing of this un’.” Mardichi gestured to the dead man at his feet.

“How many are there?” Alazar asked worriedly.

“I’ve no idea…Now. Perhaps every assassin who crossed the path between the Blue Lark and Igonox may’ve received coin to murder yer wee lass.”

“That’s not going to happen.”

“It will unless you’re heading to the Blue Lark to intercept him.” Mardichi gave him an extended study.

Alazar nodded and headed west. Planning to cut straight across Grier. To get there as soon as possible.

“Ye can’t kill him in the guild.” Mardichi called. Trotting after him.

“I know that.”

“Ye’re challenging Savage Jack…Killing an assassin.”

“I know that.”

Mardichi grunted and shook his head. Falling into step behind him.