Savage (14 page)

…

It took two more days to cross the badlands and make their way into Draisha. Twice they were almost spotted by riders. It seemed that after they crossed the lava fields, General Vargas sent his men to Pera for water, leaving only two trackers to follow them, or at least only two made their way out of the lava fields. The rest made a search grid from Pera to Draisha, hoping to spot them before they could enter the city. Instead of walking into the city alone, Bazur found a wagon caravan on its way into Draisha. He paid the wagon driver a couple coins to hide him and Kyra. They needed to avoid being spotted by any of General Vargas’s men, including any spies he still might have in the royal guard.

Opening the door to the bacco, Bazur looked at the man behind the counter. “Are you Hoggard?”

Hoggard nodded and noticed immediately that Kyra was leaning against Bazur’s shoulder, still not strong enough to stand on her own for long periods of times. “Put her in a chair,” said Hoggard. He grabbed a mug of ale and a large slice of cinnamon tarka cake and brought it to the table. “What happened?”

Bazur looked around the shop, there were only two other patrons and they were sitting at the far end of the bacco. Could these men be trusted or where they spies for the general?

Hoggard noticed his look. “They can be trusted. Kyra knows them.”

Kyra looked up from eating her cake. She studied the men, nodded and went back to her food. Bazur had fed her most of their supplies, but they had run out the day before and she needed sustenance.

“We were attacked. Or rather, we interrupted an attack but I wasn’t as smart as the man who planned the attack. He outsmarted me and we ended up almost dying. I took an arrow in the leg. She took one in the back and broke her leg trying to escape.”

Kyra took a swig of ale and then added, “It wasn’t just anyone that planned the attacks. You can tell him. I trust Hoggard.” Kyra looked at Hoggard. “It was General Jasper Vargas.”

Hoggard frowned. “Does anyone else know this?”

Kyra shook her head.

“You are not safe here. Not anywhere in Draisha, not until you talk to the prince. Wait here, I’ll be back in a moment.” Hoggard went to the far side of the room and spoke to one of the men sitting there. The man got up and went out the door without saying a word.

“The prince will be here soon. He has been waiting to hear from you.” Hoggard brought an entire tarka cake to the table, along with another mug of ale. “Bazur, sit. Eat and drink. It looks like you haven’t done either in a while.”

Grateful for the meal, Bazur took a seat. It had only been a day since he last ate, but he’d been cutting his own rations down to a bare minimum so that Kyra had enough to start regaining her strength. His stomach wasn’t ready for a full meal, so he only took a small piece of cake to start. He savored the strong cinnamon smell as he brought the desert to his mouth. Even half-starved, he still studied the flavors. Tarka cake wasn’t something he’d eaten often, but he had tried the dish several times so he knew what to expect. What he didn’t expect was how good it was. The dense cake was moist and firm, not crumbly as was often the case with the cake. The flavor of cinnamon was strong but not overpowering, there was also a hint of something else… “Is that mint?”

Hoggard smiled. “You have an excellent palate. Most people don’t recognize the mint. There is also a hint of chutba peppers. Not enough for heat, but they complement the cinnamon.”

“Oh god. The two of you talking food. Someone kill me now,” said Kyra. “How did I end up surrounded by men with a passion for cooking?”

“Shut it, woman. You never complain when you get fed,” barked Hoggard. A wiry grin crossed his face. “Some people just don’t appreciate the nuances of quality food. Kyra here is one of them.”

“That is not true. I appreciate your cakes. They are the finest in Draisha without doubt, and Bazur here is another marvel. His roast jackrabbit was by far the best I’ve ever had. Not to mention the sciane.”

Hoggard raised an eyebrow. “Sciane is wonderful, but any fool can make that taste good. What do you do with your roast rabbit?”

“Bapa juice,” said Bazur between bites of cake.

“That is bold. Have you ever added garlic to the mix?”

“I’ve tried it. But it almost muddles the flavor. I find sweet and savory flavors are best. Sweet berries and salt is best.”

“Interesting,” said Hoggard.

“Before you two start sharing recipes, can we discuss the prince? Has there been any attacks while we were gone?”

“None that I know of,” said Hoggard.

“Good, that means Vargas is probably overseeing the attacks himself. I doubt he brings many of the bandits he uses in the badlands into Draisha,” said Kyra. “He hasn’t done large scale attacks within the city.”

“He doesn’t need bandits here. There are plenty of ex-soldiers in Draisha. Many that were loyal to him were released from service after he was removed. He likely still has many friends within the royal guard as well,” said Hoggard.

“It is something to be careful of. The prince will have a better idea of who can be trusted.

While Bazur and Hoggard discussed cooking techniques, Kyra closed her eyes and tried to ignore their conversation, instead she tried to remember everything she’d seen on the battlefield during the ambush. She tried to think of any detail that popped out as strange or out of place. There was something in the back of her brain saying there was a detail she was overlooking but she couldn’t picture it.

…

Prince Valentine Astor walked into the shop with two of his royal guards, six more waited outside. He looked at the bandage around Kyra’s shoulder and her bandaged and braced leg, and then the one around Bazur’s leg. “Well, I suppose the fact you both are alive means progress. You are the first investigators to survive a fight. I don’t suppose you have any information for me?”

“Yes, Prince Astor, but could you get your guards to step outside for a moment,” said Kyra.

“I trust these men with my life,” said the prince.

“I understand that,” said Kyra. “It will make sense in a moment.”

The prince gave the two guards a nod and they exited the shop. “Now, if you will please tell me why I needed to have my guards leave.”

“Your Highness, General Vargas is the one organizing the attacks. We saw him organize the attack on Mauri Planche.”

“General Vargas? That jackal! Why would he go to all this?”

“We don’t think that he is the one trying to hurt you. We believe he was hired to do it.”

“Ah,” said the prince. “That I can understand. General Jasper Vargas was one of my father’s most trusted allies. It was he who organized any mercenary warriors we hired during the wars with the Oclesh. A brutal man with no fear. His tactics were horrifying. He thought raping and pillaging enemy villages was being too soft on them. When my father put me in charge of the military, removing General Vargas was one of my first priorities. I will wager it didn’t take much to convince him to wage these attacks against me.”

“It might not have cost much for Vargas, although I suspect he is taking a pretty penny, but the number of mercenaries and bandits he has been using surely has cost someone a great deal of money.”

“Yes, it seems you still have much work to do, Kyra. But how will you do it in your current state? And if you’ve seen Vargas, he will certainly prioritize you as a target now. Kyra, you simply must come with me. My healers can get you back on your feet quicker than anyone. And I will put a detail of men to protecting you. Men that I know can’t be influenced by the likes of Vargas.”

“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense. Without you I wouldn’t know about Vargas. This is the first tangible fact that any of my investigators has dug up. I cannot afford to lose you now.” The prince turned to Bazur. “You will accompany Kyra to the palace. You could afford to see the healer as well.”

Bazur nodded. It was pointless to argue with the prince. Especially when he was offering to protect Kyra. Bazur pulled Kyra up. “Let’s get you to the palace.”

…

“YOU have some skill with wounds,” said the healer. “Both your wound and Kyra’s have been well taken care of. I see no signs of infection.” After tending to Kyra, the healer had turned his attention to Bazur.

Fighting and war had been a part of Bazur’s life from the time he was big enough to hold a wooden sword. He’d taken, and given, more than his share of wounds. Learning how to care for wounds was something he had always thought logical. While other warriors had laughed at him, Bazur had spent many hours as a young man studying with the orc healers, learning how to care for wounds, learning what herbs to crush into a poultice and what to do to speed the healing of an injury. He hadn’t found many herbs to help with the healing of Kyra’s wound, but he’d made sure to keep the wound clean and bandaged. “I did the best I could.”

“Here, apply this to your leg. It will help with the healing. I would tell you to keep off your feet, but you don’t look like the sort that actually would take that advice, so keep changing your bandage daily and apply more salve,” instructed the healer.

The man was right. Bazur had no intention of staying off his feet. He had a job to do. He needed to find General Vargas and figure out who was paying him. But with Kyra laid up, he wasn’t sure how to accomplish that goal. She was the brains, and he was supposed to be the muscle. Now they would be relying on him to figure out the puzzle?
The gods must be enjoying the irony of this
, thought Bazur. “Thank you for the salve and bandages. Take good care of Kyra.”

“The prince gave me that same speech. I’m not sure which of you I am more worried about disappointing. Kyra will be fine, I promise.”

Leaving the healer to tend to Kyra, Bazur headed to his room at the Yawning Bear Inn. It had been days since he had gotten more than a few hours sleep, and if he was going to figure anything out, he needed to be sharp.

The Inn proprietor was at his desk when Bazur walked in. “I was wondering if we’d see you again. Before you left, Kyra informed me that your bed wasn’t sufficient for someone your size. I had the bed removed and a new one put in. If that isn’t to your liking, I will try to find something else.”

“I’m sure it will be fine, thank you,” said a surprised Bazur. How had Kyra known that he dared not sleep on the flimsy bed. When he entered his room, Bazur inspected the bed. Heavy planks covered with animal furs. He tested his weight on the bed. The bed was well put together, a craftsmen had assembled this, not some lackey slapping together a few boards for a cheap inn bed. Kyra’s work, he surmised. Grateful for her thoughtfulness, Bazur barred the bedroom door and stretched out on the new bed. Not only was it sturdy enough for his heavy body, but it was also long enough for him to comfortably stretch his body out. In no time at all he fell asleep.

When Bazur woke, he was surprised. He’d gone to bed in the middle of the day, yet the sun was already shining through the bedroom window. He’d slept for at least eighteen hours straight. Feeling refreshed from the rejuvenating slumber, Bazur set his mind to the task at hand. He needed information about the general. Information that the prince wouldn’t have been able to produce. It was time to see Hoggard again.

DRAISHA

WHERE am I?
she thought as she woke. The room was unfamiliar and her head felt hazy.

“Good afternoon, I see you are finally awake.” A chubby bald-headed man walked over to her.

Kyra vaguely recognized his face but she did know his yellow robes. He was a healer. “Why is my head so fuzzy?”

“The herbs we gave you yesterday. They numb the pain and put you to sleep. The side effect is waking up groggy. You will likely feel a thunderous headache soon. Another unfortunate side effect. Here drink this, it will help with the headache.”

She accepted the drink from the healer. “Why did you have to give me the herbs? I thought I was healing well.”

“Your shoulder was healing well. Your leg, was a different story. Your friend did a good job, but the bone wasn’t healing properly. We had to re-break your leg and set it properly. You’ll need to stay off the leg for a few days, but we have some salves that speed the process immensely.

Magic, thought Kyra. They had magic salves, likely from Balta or another of the far eastern lands where magic was commonplace. Magic was rare in Draisha, mostly frowned upon. Mages and witches were incredibly rare and were hunted. The religious leaders of Draisha didn’t want anyone but their priests offering up god-like skills. She’d heard a rumor that Prince Astor was pressuring the priests to end the practice, but up until now she hadn’t really thought about it. However, if the royal healers had magic salves, it was likely true that the prince was a fan of magic. “Magic salves?” she asked the healer, unable to contain her curiosity.

The healer smiled. “Let’s just say the salves are special. There are still many within the castle walls who would frown upon the idea of magic use, even by the royal healers.”

“Understood.” Kyra knew outside of the royal family, the most powerful group in Draisha were the religious factions. They didn’t have an army like the king, but they had a large number of zealot-like followers who would do anything a priest asked. Kyra believed in the gods, but she found the priests terrifying.

“You get some sleep. It will help you heal faster.”

Kyra felt a warm wave of contentment flow from her head to her toes.
He must’ve put more herbs in that drink,
she thought as she closed her eyes. She needed to think, to figure out who was behind the attacks, but perhaps a nap wasn’t such a bad idea. Kyra dosed off.

…

When she woke again, Kyra was surprised to find the prince sitting in a chair next to her bed. “Your Highness! What are you doing here?”

“Checking on my investigator. I wanted to make sure things were going well. Marcus doesn’t tell me anything.”

“Marcus?”

“The healer, Marcus. He’s been almost like a father to me for as long as I can remember. I was a sickly child and spent far too much time down here, but I learned a lot from Marcus, and I still do. He’s still my most important advisor.”

“And what does Marcus say about the attacks and your hiring a woman to be a royal investigator?” asked Kyra.

“Actually, it was sort of his idea. After the third investigator was found dead, I came to Marcus for his council. Everyone else was full of helpful solutions that were utterly useless the first time we tried them, yet there they stood suggesting to try them again. It was Markus who said, ‘Quit throwing chickens in with the wolves. Throw a wolf in.’ So I went Hoggard and told him I needed the smartest criminal he knew.”

“Why did it have to be a criminal? Why not just the smartest person?” Kyra was curious as to why he specifically wanted a criminal for the job.

“I wanted someone who traveled in circles that my people can’t travel in, that think in ways other investigators couldn’t even imagine. I needed a fresh set of eyes with a different perspective. I needed someone ambitious and willing to take such a great risk, but it couldn’t be just anyone. Criminal or not, I didn’t want to be sending someone to their death. They had to have the wits to figure this out.”

“And what did you say when Hoggard suggested a woman?”

“The job required brains not a cock. I don’t care if you’re a man, woman, orc, elf, or even a halfling. I care about results. Everything I’ve worked to accomplish, everything I intend to do when I am king, is all in jeopardy.”

Kyra smiled. Listening to Prince Valentine speak of equality was beautiful and scary. The idea of true equality was a myth. Every culture had biases against someone. But that a future king would care about such things, care about all of his citizens, was a lovely thought. “I’m honored that you put your trust in me. I hope that I won’t let you down.”

“You’ve already accomplished so much more than any other investigator has. I have little doubt that you will figure out the riddle, and your friend is… well, he’s damn scary. The two of you make an excellent team. What made you choose him anyways? When you brought him to the city, my royal guards were distraught. They have a nickname for him: The Savage. They thought giving him a royal brooch was the worst idea ever.”

Kyra smiled, it was an appropriate nickname, but he was her savage and that is what mattered. “Thank you, Your Highness, that is kind of you to say. Bazur is savage, but he is not a savage. He can be brutal, powerful, and incredibly dangerous to those who oppose him, but he is also smart, loyal, and has a fierce code. He can’t be broken and would never betray me. Bazur is the only man alive I trust completely.”

“You’ve known him a long time then?”

“A few years, but other than a few small jobs, we haven’t spent much time together. I’ve spent more time with him in the last few weeks than all the time before combined.” In fact, she’d spent more time with Bazur than with any man. She never let anyone get as close to her as Bazur had, he was now something special to her.

“That is amazing. Yet, you trust him so completely, and not just as a bodyguard. Might I be so bold as to ask if he is your lover? Perhaps that would explain your comfort level with him.”

It wasn’t amazing. It was the ability to read men. There were men more honest than Bazur, if only because he wasn’t always honest with himself, and there were men more loyal. But there was just something about the lonely half-orc that Kyra understood. Trying to explain however, it was impossible. Kyra shrugged. “He is not my lover. That is part of why I trust him. He desires me as much as any man ever has, yet he doesn’t force himself upon me. He waits for me, but that isn’t why I picked him. There are many men that are both tough and loyal who would jump at the opportunity to be my partner.”

“So what makes him special?”

“You spoke of not throwing a chicken in with the wolves. Well, let’s change the analogy a little. You took out the chicken and put a fox in its place. I might be cagey and smart enough to figure this mess out, but I am not dangerous or able to defend myself against wolves. So I brought the biggest, baddest bear around.”

“You are a dangerous woman, Kyra. A very attractive and intelligent woman, but dangerous. Perhaps when this is over, we can continue our relationship?”

Kyra cocked her eyebrow and gave the prince an appraising look. “And what kind of relationship do you have in mind?”

Prince Valentine shook his head. “I’m no fool. I may believe in a world of equality, but I do understand you and I come from different worlds, and me being the richest most powerful man in the kingdom isn’t the aphrodisiac for you like it is others. I can also see that the Savage owns your heart. The only question is, does he know it? No, I am proposing that you remain on as official royal investigator. Having someone outside the normal chain of command that can troubleshoot is very valuable. When I am king, there will be more troubles I am sure. Many will not like the changes I intend to bring, and I’m sure they will find creative ways to attempt to thwart my attempts at change. It would be useful to have a pair of investigators to deal with those situations.”

Did Bazur own her heart
? pondered Kyra. She definitely had a strong physical attraction to the half-orc, and she trusted him like she trusted no other man, but her heart? Maybe the prince was right. Maybe it was true. “Perhaps you are right about my heart. I don’t know. You said a pair of investigators. You want Bazur as well? You don’t worry about having a savage representing you?”

Prince Valentine laughed. “Yes, I want the both of you to stay working as my investigators. The truth is, I kind of like having the savage around. It makes my guards nervous, keeps them on their toes. Besides, as you say, who better than the bear to protect the fox? Do you think he would consider staying here or will he bolt back to the badlands once he feels the job is done and you are safe?”

“I don’t know. I’m not sure if Bazur trusts me the way I trust him. He is scared of me; he’s scared that I am only using him.”

“That makes him a smart man.”

“That wasn’t a very princely thing to say.” Kyra was slightly offended by the comment.

“Perhaps not, but it is true. When my guards told me that you were bringing Bazur in as your partner and they told me how frightful and dangerous he was and how it was a terrible idea to have him as an investigator, I did a little research of my own. The orc community along the border is a relatively small one, and finding someone who knew all about your partner wasn’t too difficult. I can understand why a man with a history like Bazur’s would be frightened by you. He’s been alone a long time.”

So have I,
thought Kyra. “I will discuss the possibility of staying on as your investigators with Bazur when the time is right. However, first we have to focus our attentions on the immediate problem of General Vargas and whoever is paying him to ruin you.”

“Of course. And forgive my intrusions on your personal life. You are a captivating woman and I am overly curious. I also find speaking freely with someone who doesn’t filter their thoughts because of my position extremely refreshing. Only Marcus offers me that kind of counsel, and he is older than the gods themselves. Nor is he a pretty face to talk to.”

“Are you always such a shameless flirt?”

“Yes. But I prefer harmless flirt. My flirting style is more quantity than quality I’m afraid. It comes with the position. A charming reformer gets more accomplished than a morose one.

“So you flirt with and flatter every lady you see, how do you charm the men?”

“Men are more difficult, that is for sure. Finding the right balance between seeming friendly and presenting strength is a tough balancing act. My father, like most kings, always reverts to showing strength when in doubt. I intend to take a more balanced approach. At times, I fail miserably, I must admit.”

“I think you are doing rather well. As for your intrusions on my personal life, I don’t find your questions to be an annoyance… It’s good to have someone to talk to about such things. Hearing an opinion other than your own can be good for people other than a prince. You think he’s scared of me?”

“I think he cares deeply for you, far deeper than he would ever admit. I could see it when he brought you to Hoggard’s shop. He was half dehydrated, hadn’t eaten in days from the look of it, yet all he cared about was making sure you were taken care of. Yet, anyone who’s survived the type of tragedy that Bazur has, losing his family and being banished from his community all on the same day, will have deep wounds. Bazur put himself into seclusion, distanced himself from people and emotions. Loving you is exactly the type of emotion that he doesn’t want. Because whatever you love, you can lose. That you’ve built the relationship you have now with him is impressive.”

Bazur was just as broken as she was, thought Kyra. She’d always known it, but to hear the prince say it was tough. It made her think of her own demons. Could two people with trust issues really work together? Could they learn to love together? Or was this just a disaster waiting to happen? “What do you think? What is the council of the future ruler of Draisha?”

“As your prince, I would tell you that I value my investigators immensely and cannot afford to lose them over personal squabbles. As your friend, I would tell you that I think love is never a lost cause and to let nature run its course. Don’t let your own fears dictate your actions.”

“Thank you, Your Highness, your council has been most helpful,” said Kyra as she stifled back a yawn

“Get some sleep. Marcus’s herbs are amazing for healing, but they do make one drowsy. Tomorrow I will come back and we can discuss General Vargas.”