Savage (25 page)

“THAT is a rather nasty wound. You are most fortunate to have survived,” said Marcus as he inspected Bazur.

“I thought I wouldn’t, but I remembered you giving me some of the magical salve, so I had it stuffed into the wound. I hoped that it might slow the internal bleeding.”

“Not exactly the way the salves were intended to be used, but the results speak for themselves. How do you feel?”

“Good. When I first woke from my fever, I felt really weak and disoriented, but once I was fed and got some fluids in me I could feel my strength returning. I feel strong.”

“Well, don’t let the lack of pain fool you. There was still plenty of damage done to your body. I would move very deliberately for the next while. You sliced up some muscle and possibly punctured your liver.”

Bazur nodded. He knew full well how close he’d come to greeting the gods. “Is Kyra still in the palace? I’d better go see her soon. She’ll be anxious to know what happened.”

“No. She returned to the Yawning Bear Inn. Like yourself, she has had a rapid recovery and I cleared her to leave. As for informing her of your exploits, I fear that she already knows. She received a mysterious messenger and was called away. Since then, I’ve heard rumors myself of the great battle between the Badland Savage and the Great General Vargas. Your pit fight is going to be mercenary legend. They do love their epic battles. Although, she might not know that you live, all the rumors I heard made it sound rather questionable.”

“It was rather questionable. I’ve never met such a skilled warrior in battle before. It is rare to meet a man who matches up with the legends, but Vargas truly was a gifted killer.”

“He certainly was a thorn in the side of Prince Astor. The prince was most pleased to hear of his demise. Your cuts were well cleaned and cared for. I’ve applied a small bit of salve to help them heal faster, but there is nothing more I can do for you. You just need to take it slow for a few days and let your body heal. The salves speed the process but they don’t cure stupid. So nothing foolish.”

Bazur chuckled. “Got it. No pit fighting and no falling off mountains.”

“At least you and Kyra have the decency to live. The previous investigators weren’t so considerate. You know how hard it is to get a good conversation out of a dead investigator? An old healer gets bored and enjoys chatting with his best customers. Do try stay alive.”

“I suppose necromancy is a bit extreme for a simple conversation. I will do my best to stay alive so you have someone to talk to. I’ll even be sure to get wounded once in a while so I have an excuse to visit.”

“Necromancy? By the gods, no. I can barely get citizens of Draisha to accept simple healing salves that are magic infused. They would hang me by my toes if I started learning the dark arts.”

Bazur laughed, it was true. Most human cultures frowned on the practice, even orcs were leery of it, but there were always mages willing to explore the dark side of magic. Necromancy filled a sort of gray area of magic that wasn’t quite good and not quite evil. It mostly depended on the application of the magic. “I’ll see you later, Marcus. I’m going to the Inn. I need a bath and some sleep.”

When Bazur entered the Yawning Bear Inn, the proprietor, Abal was at his desk.

“Good evening, Bazur. I was wondering when you’d return. Here is your new room key. Ms. Kyra informed me that you’d be staying with us longer and had your things moved to the larger room adjacent to hers. I had the larger bed moved in as well,” said Abal. “Oh, and your adjustments to my pumpkin pan bread… perfect. I’ve had several compliments on them. I can’t wait to have you adjust some of my other recipes.”

Bazur took the notification of Kyra notifying Abal of his room change in stride. He was glad to hear Abal wanted him to help with other recipes. The Inn was starting to feel like a home. “Thank you, Abal. Would you have some hot water sent up to the room. I’m in need of a hot bath.”

“Certainly. I actually had a custom bath barrel made just for you. You are simply too large to fit the old one. I’ll have it brought up right away.”

…

Bazur had his eyes closed and was enjoying the hot bath when a voice interrupted him.

“I think Abal overestimated your size. That tub is huge,” said Kyra

With a grin, Bazur opened his eyes. “I haven’t seen a tub this big since I left Lagvon. It’s perfect.”

“I’m joining you,” said Kyra as she started to undress.

Bazur said nothing as he watched as she shed her clothes. That she was joining him in the bath was a bit of a surprise, but a welcome one nonetheless. However, as she started to undress, he could sense something was amiss. Her clothing was clean but she had splatters of blood on her face. And the tension in her face was not a look of desire but rather one of someone who’d just finished an unpleasant bit of business. It was a look he often seen in the battlefield after the contest was over.

Kyra slipped into the hot soapy water and sat across from Bazur. She lowered herself into the water until her head fully disappear. She held her breath and sat under the water for a minute, and then slowly surfaced and exhaled a deep breath. She then leaned her head back against the rim of the tub and closed her eyes.

Bazur took Kyra’s feet and started to give them a massage. Something was bothering her, but he’d let her tell him on her own time. He ran his thumbs over the soles of her feet, squeezing away the tension.

“I was worried. We received word of the fight and your injuries, but you disappeared on the road,” said Kyra.

Bazur moved his hands until he was rubbing her calves. “I was sick. The men who I hired to return me to Draisha stopped at a farmhouse until I was well enough to move. I was unconscious and with fever for several days. But I used some of Marcus’s magical salves and it saved me.”

“I’m glad you’re back,” said Kyra. “I missed you.”

“I missed you as well,” said Bazur. It was good to hear her say she missed him. The feeling had definitely been mutual. “Did you make any progress figuring out who hired Vargas? I tried to convince Vargas to reveal his employer, but he felt that was unsporting. He took the information to his grave.”

Kyra nodded. “Yes. I figured it out. Your comment about greed got me thinking, and I cross-referenced the shipping companies’ records for the caravans to see if there were any strange things that had happened. I found some anomalies and was able to piece together the details. It was Lord Owen Pickett who was behind the attacks on Prince Astor and his associates.”

“Owen Pickett? I recognized the name from your lists but I wouldn’t know the man to see him. Will I be dealing with him or does the prince want a public trial and beheading to send a message?”

“He’s a cousin to Prince Astor. He was an ambitious bastard and you won’t have to deal with him. It’s already been done.”

Bazur leaned over and cleaned away the last smudge of dried blood from her face. “Your first time?”

“No. Not the first time I’ve killed a man, but it was the first time torturing one, and killing in cold blood. It is rather different than killing someone who is trying to kill you.”

Torture. It was a fitting end for the man who’d created pain and suffering for so many with his desire for power. Bazur felt no sympathy for the man, only concern for how it would affect Kyra. “Yes, it is. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just feel drained emotionally. I didn’t have an issue with killing him. It was the torture. I had a hard time with that. He deserved far worse, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.”

“You did what was necessary.” Bazur understood the emotions she was feeling. It wasn’t easy to kill, even when it was someone as ruthless and deserving as Pickett or Vargas. It would be something that stayed with her the rest of her life. But at least she could sleep knowing that she’d done her job well. The prince and his reforms which would better the lives of all the common folk of Draisha and were safe from Owen Pickett. “Do not dwell on these thoughts. You will always remember what happened, and you should never forget the awful feeling you have in the pit of your belly. Killing should never be too easy, nor should you forget why you killed him. Remember the lives you saved when you think of his death.”

Kyra nodded but said nothing.

Bazur kept massaging.

“Rub higher,” commanded Kyra as Bazur tended to her calves.

Bazur enjoyed the feel of her soft skin. The soapy water had her glistening and smooth as a baby’s bottom. He continued to massage her legs, now moving past her calves, running his hands up her thighs and then back all the way to her toes. The massage was having the intended effect. Kyra was starting to relax and the tension was leaving her body. He watched her face as she slid his hands further up her legs. Kyra bit her bottom lip as his hands reached her hips. Again, he slowly rubbed his way down her legs releasing the tension in her muscles. This time he pressed his thumbs against the inside of her thighs and slowly slid them higher until his hands were almost to her hips. He repeated the slow massaging of her legs, and each time he let his hands slide higher until finally Kyra put her hands on top of his. Her eyes still closed, Kyra pulled Bazur’s hands higher until they were resting against her mound. Feeling her consent, Bazur continued his massage, but now only one thumb was sliding into her while the other rubbed gentle circles around her clit, occasionally swirling inwards to press against the nub before circling away. Kyra moaned her approval, pushed her hips forward, spreading her legs to give him easier access. Her chest heaved as her breathing quickened. Bazur applied more pressure as he felt her coming closer to climax. Her back arched and she gasped, almost a small whimper, as the pleasure washed over her body.

Kyra opened her eyes and stared into Bazur’s. “Thank you. I needed that.” Kyra rose and exited the tub. “Come to the bed,” she commanded as she stole Bazur’s towel and walked away from the tub.

Silently, Bazur stood and waited, letting the water drip from his body back into the tub. When Kyra was done with the towel, she threw it to him and he dried himself off. He then moved to the bed where Kyra was waiting for him. He positioned himself above her on the bed and lowered his head until their noses touched, her mouth came up and captured his own. Her lips tasted as sweet as strawberries, their tongues clashed and danced. Kyra’s hands roamed from his broad shoulder’s down to his ass. She grabbed him and guided him home. She was hot and slick with her own juices, but still she needed a moment for her body to adjust to his girth. Bazur took his time, slowly lowering his body, sliding further into her until they were fully connected. With one hand Bazur balanced his body over her, while his other explored her breasts, pinching and caressing her pink little nipples while he kissed and nibbled her neck. Kyra ran her hand through his hair and raised her hips. Bazur kept his pace slow and methodical. He had waited for this moment so long, he wanted it to last forever, but as he felt his own release coming, he sped up. Kyra was on the brink of a second climax and he wanted to join her. When Kyra let out a gasp and shook as her orgasm crashed through her, Bazur thrust hard, letting his pent up passion explode into her. He then collapsed down onto the bed beside her, gently kissing her shoulder as they lay together.

After a few minutes, Kyra turned so that she was looking him in the eyes. “That was amazing.”

Bazur lifted his hand to brush her hair behind her ear. “Very amazing,” he said softly. Amazing didn’t begin to describe how he felt right now. The sex had been glorious, but it wasn’t just that. He felt like some missing part of his life had finally been found. Like his human side had finally found satisfaction, and surprisingly that made the orc half of him happy too. That maybe she was he needed to end the conflict between the two warring natures.

“Will it happen again, or was this your way of saying goodbye?” asked Kyra.

The thought of leaving was far from his mind. He didn’t want to keep running away from his feelings. But finding the words to explain himself was still a challenge. “It wasn’t goodbye. I thought about Draisha a lot in the last week. I like it here. Royal investigator seems to suit me. Before, I used my fists and blade to battle. But now I have found a new weapon in my wits. This job could satisfy both.”

“And what about us?” asked Kyra. “What are your thoughts on that subject?”

Bazur took a deep breath. It was obvious Kyra wasn’t going to let him off without admitting his feelings. “As much as I thought about Draisha, I thought about you more. I’ve been alone a long time and I don’t know how good I am going to be around people all the time, and I’m more than a little scared of you. You frighten me more than a three headed dragon, but I cannot leave you. I fear what you will do with my heart, but it is yours and only yours. I love you, Kyra.”

“I love you too, and I don’t ever want you to leave.” Kyra smiled. “A three-headed dragon? That sounds ferocious and terrifying. You must truly love me to be that afraid of me.”

Bazur nodded and kissed her on the forehead. “It is truly terrifying, all that fire and teeth and the scary eyes. Only a dragon could compare.”

A knock at the door interrupted them.

“Yes,” yelled Bazur.

“Apologies, sir,” said Abal. “But there is a messenger here from Prince Astor. It seems that some sort of strange monster attacked a northern caravan, and the prince’s cousin, Lady Gertrude, was kidnapped. The prince would like you two to investigate?”