FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions

“Chavias…”

And Chavias knew instantly what he was seeing. And why.

He turned on his heel and spotted Savage Jaxson crouched atop a nearby shop, in characteristic fashion.

“Yes?”

“You burn my storehouses now?”

Chavias sighed. Staring to his side. It was pointless to explain why. Savage Jaxson knew why. But it ached just the same to betray this boy who’d never betrayed him.

“Cease your guilt.” Savage said after watching him an assessing minute.

Chavias lifted gray eyes to him.

“Did you truly think I’d not guessed he’d figure out where my storehouse is eventually?” Savage cocked his head. Plucking a bit of hay from the thatched layer of the roof, to toy with between his fingers.

“That’s why there’s not much here.” Chavias supplied.

“There’s not much at any of my locations.” Savage straightened with a grin.

“You’ve more?” Chavias’ brows drew together.

Savage tsked in his cheek. “Chavias…You think I’d have all my eggs in one basket? A basket Radix was sure to find?”

“And sure to send me after.” Understanding dawned on Chavias. “I killed a man back there.”

Savage wandered along the peak of the roof to hop down before Chavias. He shrugged. “You’ll kill more.”

“I will betray you.”

“No, you won’t.” Savage tilted his head thoughtfully on Chavias. “You’ll do as he orders.”

Chavias’ brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you driving at, Savage?”

“You knew I’d raid the villages, you knew what order, you knew what I’d do with the goods…But strangely Radix knows none of that. You’ve always done as ordered but you’ve never betrayed me.”

Even though the boy was saying something enlightened, it stung him to hear Savage say Chavias mindlessly obeyed Radix’s orders.

It’s not what he means. Chavias settled his sorrowful soul.

“Chavias,” Savage approached him to stand toe-to-toe with him. “Whether you believe it or not, we are undermining Radix together. All of this,” He gestured at the village. “Is ours. We’ve done it together. Me by operating out here. And you,” He pushed a finger into Chavias’ chest. “By keeping my secrets in there.” He lifted his finger to aim it toward Stone Peak.

The thought that someone believed in him. And saw how deep his loyalty ran despite the ugliness of his situation, gave Chavias a strange sort of hope.

“Have you found others like me?” He blurted.

Savage smiled and lowered his head in the affirmative.

“How do you know they’re like me?”

“The colors.” Savage gestured around Chavias absentmindedly.

Ah, yes…I forgot you see the shades around people. Chavias was impossibly curious as to who Savage Jaxson had met. And how much they know? About me, and what this young man is doing for Grier?

But they’d run out of time. A shout near the storehouse declared the Firoque had found it.

“We’ll pick it clean. And we’ll burn this ville.” Chavias warned.

“And I’ll have it rebuilt in a sennight.” Savage gave a dismissive wave and walked away. “The loss of a pawn when it’s set for consumption is far from checkmate.”

Chavias puzzled on that statement.

“Oh, and Chavias…” He turned back. Padded leather armor creaking as he moved.

Chavias lifted a brow in question.

“Are you ready now?”

Chavias shook his head slowly.

Savage Jaxson gave him a long look, as he always did, and turned, ducking his head as he vanished into the dark.

What thoughts go through his mind when I say no, and he stares so thoughtfully?

The wish to argue? The wish to call me a fool?

When they returned to the caves it was on exhausted limbs. But the most tiring part of his evening was yet to come.

All day he’d pulled in his energy and conserved it. Using none to accomplish the physical labors he was tasked with in the encampment nor during the raid. Now he stepped into the caverns and met the unwavering looks of Radix and Okine. Beady black eyes shining on him.

Rodents in the dark.

“Take him.” Radix ordered Okine who cackled joyfully.

Chavias could no longer grow irate at the bidding. It was a guarantee it would come anymore. Nowadays he counted on it. Preparing his body to release his spirit which would be stronger than his physical body.

In a matter of time he was shackled to the torture board. The extra restraints applied along his bicep and thighs.

Okine picked up the serrated razor and snapped it open. His eyes brightening in anticipation.