FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

They were nearly back to Nightway, deer in tow, when Alazar heard something. A rustle and a scent he’d not caught in years. Catching Riaura’s wrist he ordered her to slow down.

Firoque.

Her eyes sparked, and her chin lifted in a defiant way. Upon assessing the expression on his face and his eyes scanning the trees, she fell into step next to him. Pressing her shoulder to his so she could keep him at her back if needed. “What is it?”

“A Cimmerii.”

“A what?”

A threat. Be quite, Woman!

“Creatures Radix Malorum commands.”

“The old man with Marod?” Riaura hardly noticed her step in-line with his hip. The deer’s tail brushing her shoulder with every step.

Yes. He nodded. If you use the word ‘man’ loosely…

She helped him look for the dark being.

Where is it? He felt his apprehension growing every heartbeat.

It wasn’t a long wait. In minutes a man dropped from a tree above, in a bid to land a blade in Riaura.

No! Alazar sidestepped and knocked her to the ground, from the man’s path. Tossing up a hand to block his face, roaring as the knife sunk in deeply. Dammit!

Ignoring his pain, Alazar tossed the deer from his shoulders toward the man. Dropping to slide through the snow to take out the man’s legs.

The assassin fell.

Alazareth leapt up, catching him by the neck and lifting him until his feet hovered a foot off the ground. Now, you will talk.

A thin man, weighing little more than Riaura, was tumbled around like a doll under Alazareth’s massive size.

“Why are you trying to kill her?” He bellowed. Grabbing the man’s tunic and slamming him back to the ground.

Garix vowed you’d leave her be!

“We’re starving. Her people-” He pointed a shaking finger at where Riaura climbed to her elbows panting. “are starving. She and her queen do nothing to help us.”

“Are you a Rebel?”

Is Garix’s word worthless?

“Well…” He let his hand fall and looked at Alazar a moment before his eyes bled into vibrant orange. “That’s one of the reasons. The other is a message from The Master.”

Radix.

“What message? Best be quick. You’ve little time before I rip out your throat.”

“He knows what she is to you.” The frail man laughed roughly. “Go ahead and kill me, Knight. More will come. Especially since she starves those she’s sworn to care for.”

“It’s not me. It’s Marod!” Riaura defended angrily. Swiping hair from her face and trying to get off her cloak to rise. “What’s wrong with your eyes?”

They’re demonic.

“You’re one and the same.” That assassin accused her. Pointing a gnarled finger covered in black hair.

Your time has run out. There was a crunch as Alazar snapped his neck.

“What’ve you done?” Riaura swiped at Alazar’s hand several times before managing to catch it.

Killing him? He was trying to kill you. But his gaze followed hers and saw her looking forlornly at the hand she grabbed. Observing the slit entering on the palm and exiting the back of his hand.

Not bad. It’ll heal quickly.

“He stabbed you!” She cried. “We need to get this cleaned before it’s infected.”

He was half amused by her needless worrying. It won’t have time to get infected. It’s a scratch.

“I’m not worried about that.” He tried to tug his hand away but found her grip surprisingly strong.

She glowered at him. “I am.”

There’s bigger issues at hand, Ri.

“You’re in danger, Riaura. You need to be very careful leaving the castle. You must always have someone to guard you.”

If Radix is after you, it’s getting progressively more dangerous.

“Isn’t that what you’re for?”

That’s no reason to be careless!

“I can’t be with you every second.” He expostulated. Wrenching free of her grip, he fisted the hair at the back of her head and forced her gaze up to his face. “Listen to me. You need to ensure your safety. No one can keep you safe if you won’t look out for yourself. It’s Nightway people trying to kill you.” He grated out. “Now you know, so make certain you’re properly armed at all times.”

“You could.”

“Could what?” He snapped. Inspecting her hands and face to verify she wasn’t harmed.

“Could be with me all the time.”

That’s impossible.

“How?” He demanded.

“If you wanted me…”