Dark Rider Page 4

  “I can’t reveal that.”

  “You don’t have to. I was stabbed not long ago, you know. No one has been arrested, but my uncle assumes it was Laurltrant for revenge.”

  “Who do you think it was?”

  Hark shook his head and sighed. “I don’t know. But sometimes I wish that blade had done its job.”

  With those words he turned and began walking again, leaving Cax behind to stare at him, wondering what made a Vermundir warrior wish for an dishonorable death.

  Chapter Five

  "You hired a Mercenary?"

  "I hired protection."

  “If someone wants me dead, uncle, they will achieve it with or without the Mercenary to protect me.”

  "Actually, I did save your life today,” Cax reminded him.

  “Shut up,” Hark muttered.

  Elric frowned. “What is he talking about?”

  “Nothing—”

  “Actually,” Cax said again, interrupting him. “A Krellian assassin lies dead in a building on tier ten or eleven. You probably will want someone to go clean up the mess.”

  Elric’s eyes widened. “A Krellian? In Eyvindar? The marauders have never come into the city before.”

  “That’s exactly what Laurltrant said,” Cax replied.

  “You … you…”

  “Yes. Me. And him. Paid a visit to Laurltrant after the assassination attempt, to question the prime suspect.”

  “And?”

  Cax spread his arms wide and shrugged.

  “Then I was prudent in my decision to hire the Mercenary,” Elric said, glaring at Hark. “Obviously, the threat is real.”

  “I can defend myself! How can the public trust me to maintain order if I don’t even have your faith?” Hark's jaw flexed in silent anger. He raked a hand through his hair. "I need a drink," he muttered under his breath. He looked over to the man who’d saved his life. "I don’t even know your name.”

  “Cax.”

  “Cax the Mercenary. There’s a certain ring to that.”

  Cax narrowed his eyes, and, for a moment, everyone else in the room disappeared. The hostility in Hark’s eyes wavered as awareness flared between them.

  Elric cleared his throat, and Hark shook his head a little to clear it before stepping away from him. Hark turned toward his uncle.

  “Tell me, uncle, did you also hire the Krellian?”

  “You’re being ridiculous...”

  “Ridiculous!” he interrupted with a low growl. “From my point of view, I’m now a weakling surrounded by your paranoid factions!”

  “The Mercenary is only here to help you.”

  “I don’t need his help! I’m Captain of the Guard.”

  “Is that before or after your next drink?” Cax asked him in a bland tone.

  Hark grabbed his collar, yanking him close. “Consider your contract void.”

  Cax shook his head. “You have no say when to release my contract. My agreement is with him,” he said with a nod toward Elric. He reached up and extracted his tunic from the tight grip.

  Hark rounded on his uncle. “Release him!”

  “Enough!” the Governor growled. “He stays.” He eyed his nephew until Hark angrily turned away. Then he turned to address Cax. “I will have the Krellian’s body searched—”

  “I’m betting you won’t find anything,” Cax interrupted. “Just like you wouldn’t find any tell of you in my possession.”

  “There’s got to be someone I could pay to get information.”

  “Whoever hired him was probably smart enough to not reveal any plans to anyone because if he had, then right now he’s making sure loose tongues won’t talk.”

  “Is that would you do?” Hark asked.

  “Yes. I work in secrets, and I understand what has to be done to maintain those secrets. Sometimes it’s kill or be killed.”

  “That sounds ... despondent,” Hark muttered.

  Cax shrugged. “That’s the life I embraced as a Mercenary, for however long that life may be. I’ve always known one day there’ll be no return from a mission.”

  There was a momentary silence, though Cax stood unbowed by the admission that seemed to stun the Governor and his nephew.

  “If you want to find out who brought that Krellian into Eyvindar you’ll have to think of another way,” Cax told them.

  “Perhaps,” Elric finally managed, “it would be best for you to stay at the castle.”

  Though Hark said not a word, Cax noticed a tightening through the man’s shoulders. He allowed a small, half smile to twist one corner of his lips. “My residence at Poro’s will do fine, Governor. Since your nephew has his bottle of forgetfulness I doubt he needs to traverse the streets further this evening.”

  The barb hit home. He watched with satisfaction as Hark simply didn’t know how to react, how to release the rage boiling through him, and walked out of the meeting with fists clenched and resentment in his eyes.

  Then he turned back to the Governor. “Perhaps I’ll take advantage of your hospitality in a different way…”

  ****

  It wasn’t often that he had the luxury of special privileges, though when the opportunities were offered he was as human as the next person. Cax found himself alone in the bathing chamber, immersed in hot, scented water that tugged the aches out of his muscles. Marble columns rose from the blue tiled pool to disappear in the steam hovering above. He stood absolutely still in the deep end of the pool, his head bent close enough so his nose touched the water, his breath the only movement upon the surface.

  The quiet of the chamber eased his thoughts, clarified them. He had found his own niche in the world, a corner where he fit and where he was needed. It had taken him long years to find it and hard work to earn it, and he thought he’d be content. But now he found himself with his feelings for someone plus his growing attraction to a drunken fool. In his opinion, warriors who drank excessively were weak cowards, but he would never classify Hark as such and the contradiction confused him.

  He didn’t like to think of destiny, that his fate had been determined before he was born and thus out of his control. His world was about control even if some aspects of it seemed to be sliding on an icy surface. After tomorrow his contract with Elric would be settled. He would take Ali, and they would return to the Guild together. Perhaps he would request a leave of absence in order to train Ali in the ways of being a Mercenary. He was, technically, a servant so he wouldn’t be expected to learn all the usual ways, but perhaps his willowy frame would be suited for another type of skill.

  The room was so quiet that the small shuffle he heard echoed throughout the room. He raised his head and saw Alisander standing by the door, towel in hand, staring at him with hungry eyes. Cax felt his cock fill with blood as desire made his blood turn molten hot.

  Cax swam to the edge of the pool. “Is Hark on his way down?”

  Alisander shook his head. “No.”

  “Has he drunk himself into a stupor?”

  “He’s close.”

  “Every night?”

  “Yes. It’s not his fault, you know,” Alisander said. “The drink, I mean. It’s just a way for him to cope.”

  Cax shook his head. “Weakness has no justification.”

  “Everyone has a weakness,” Alisander argued back. “Surely even you.”

  Cax was silent for a moment, pondering his answer, wondering why he even felt the need for an answer. “Yes,” he finally admitted, “but I’ve done my best to cut those weaknesses from my life. And my duties have benefited from it.”

  “Is that the way of the Mercenary path?”

  “It’s a wise path for a Mercenary,” Cax corrected, with a ghost of a smile. “Did you come to use the bath?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then disrobe and join me.”

  Ali laid down the towel and slowly began to take off his clothes. First were his shoes and then his tunic, baring his streamlined body. Cax couldn’t take his eyes off him as Alisander untied his
pants and let them fall. The billowy material pooled at his feet. Cax saw that Alisander’s cock was stiff and pointed straight up. He held up his hand, and Ali took it, easing down into the hot water next to him.

  They stood face to face, and Alisander ran a finger lightly across his broad chest. Cax couldn’t hold back the moan of sweet pleasure.

  “Did it hurt?”

  “Did what hurt?” Cax asked, unable to focus on anything but the fingers touching him.

  “Your tattoo. It’s quite elaborate.”

  “Mm,” was all he replied.

  “So what were your weaknesses?”

  Cax’s heart gave a painful lurch, and for a moment he thought about lying. He even opened his mouth expecting to lie, but somehow the truth came out. “I used to be afraid of being alone.”

  “Cax—”

  “Sh. I don’t want to talk. I want to fuck.”

  Just as Cax reached for Alisander’s cock, so did Alisander reach for his. He knew he had to be leaking just as much fluid as Ali was even though the hot water brushed the essence away. At least the water made it easier for their hands to pump one another.

  “Holy gods,” he groaned. “That feels so good, Alisander.”

  “I’ve thought about your hard cock all day,” Alisander murmured. “I’ve thought about how you filled me up, stretched me tight. I’ve never felt so connected to someone.”

  Cax moaned at the words, and his hips bucked a little more.

  Up and down they pumped each other, watching each other. It was erotic and hot, and Cax wasn’t sure how long he was going to last.

  As if sensing how close he was, Alisander began to jerk faster. Cax wanted desperately to slow down, but the cauldron was bubbling fast. Alisander had his eyes closed, his own body beginning to jerk out of control with his rising desire. A second later, Cax felt Alisander’s shaft swell as he came, and he couldn’t hold back his own. Cax’s eyes rolled back into his head right before he came, his hips pumping hard into Kit’s hand.

  “Unbelievable,” he managed to gasp in between pants of breath. His body shuddered in the aftermath, and Alisander shuddered right along with him. “In my whole life I’ve never experienced anything like this. To a Mercenary, when you choose an apprentice, you become bonded in a way that is unbreakable. Life companions is what we usually call it. Where you go I will go, and where I go you shall follow.”

  “Oh. Are we companions now?”

  “Yes. Although, technically, you have to be sworn into the Guild and then we say our vows.”

  “And you would you want to say the vows with me?”

  “Yes, Ali. We will become companions.”

  Chapter Six

  Laurltrant stood in office and paced, wondering how the Krellian he’d hired could have possibly failed. He’d stood in the shadows, ready to watch his vengeance finally be done, only to have Elric’s heir escape unscathed. Again. It made him furious that the Mercenary had been there to protect Hark.

  For years he’d watched Elric’s position go untouched, secure as the King’s Governor, while he’d been stripped of everything that mattered. And that included his precious son, killed by one misplaced thrust. Even the healers hadn’t been able to save him.

  Revenge had born in his heart that day, and for years he’d struggled with how to carry it out. He’d thought Elric would take a wife, sire a child, but that had never come to pass. At least, not until the day Elric had declared Hark his heir. And then Laurltrant had dreamed of the best, most humiliating way to dispose of the warrior, because stripping honor was the ultimate revenge.

  They would be on guard now, wary of another attack. He’d lost his opportunity of surprise. He’d have to find some other way, some underhanded way. He paused at his desk and reached for the wine decanter, pouring himself a glass, and as he took a deep drink he realized he had the perfect plan in his hand.

  He sat the glass down in his hand and hurried out the door. His draymen were on either side, alert and vigilant, and he snapped his fingers for them to follow. He made his way out of the merchant quarters, all the way down to the stables.

  “I need a broolhorse,” he told the stable master.

  “I have a swift one, ready to go. How long will you be needing the mount?”

  “Not long.”

  The stable master looked behind him to the two draymen. “I only have one at the moment.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll go by myself.” He turned back to his men as the broolhorse was prepared. “I’ll be back tomorrow, but I want you to keep an eye on the castle.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “Through the pass. There’s an apothecary that carries a certain type of venom I need. Report anything Lord Hark does.”

  The two men nodded, turned and left.

  Once was saddled he kicked the animal’s flanks and off they went flying to the mountain pass.

  ****

  Two days later, under a thick cloak with the hood pulled low, Laurltrant stepped into Poro’s and made his way silently to a booth. The patrons ignored him as he swept his eyes around the room, breathing in the weariness and depression he felt emanating from the mangy crowd.

  The last time he’d been here he’d tried the direct path of dispatching Hark. There’d been a certain degree of poetic justice in killing Hark the way his son had been killed, but Hark has survived. Laurltrant made his way over to a booth and sat down, pulling the private curtains closed to create a barrier of privacy.

  “What’ll you have, love?” the barmaid asked him in a bored, unenthusiastic voice.

  Without saying a word, he laid a gold coin on the table between them and watched her eyes light up. Her hand darted out as if to grab it, but at the last second she pulled back, common sense cutting into her greed. She raised an eyebrow at him.

  He withdrew a dark bottle from beneath his cloak.

  “What’s that?” she asked warily.

  “Prince Hark’s next bottle.”

  She jerked back. “I can’t commit treason.”

  Laurltrant tisked and tapped the coin.

  Her eyes danced between his long finger dancing across the golden surface and his hidden face, and though caution stayed her hand once, it quickly disappeared as the light caught the gold hue and sparkled. She reached out and grabbed the coin and the bottle in one fluid stroke.

  As she turned around and flounced away, Laurltrant swept from his booth and made his way out the door.

  Chapter Seven

  When Cax walked into Poro’s, the bartender stopped him short with wave of his hand.

  “Alisander came and took your belongings with him. Said you were moving into the castle.”

  “I am?” he questioned wryly.

  Poro raised his eyebrows, but that wasn’t what caught Cax’s attention. There was a memory stirring, a lingering emotion of deceit ... retribution. Hatred. Images came into his head, and he reached out to snap the barmaid’s arm, bringing her face to face. In her eyes he saw his answers.

  “What was in the bottle?” Cax demanded. But the girl only shook her head in a scared manner.

  “I-I don’t know!”

  He shook her, hard. “You’re trying to poison Lord Hark. That’s treason and death in this province.”

  “No! No! Some man, last night, he threatened me! He told me to give Alisander this bottle, but I swear I didn’t know what was in it!”

  “How long ago did Alisander leave with the bottle?”

  “O-only a-about ten minutes ago.”

  Cax threw her back. “Enough time for him to have made it to the palace.” He looked at Poro. “As of now, Lord Hark is no longer drinking your doctored wine.”

  “Listen now, I had no idea what that woman did!”

  Cax didn’t care what Poro had to say. He turned and ran out, knowing he had no time to waste. He ran to the alley, the same one where he had met with Elric, and opened a portal. He was taking a risk, exiting inside the palace foyer, but he had no choice. A female servant sc
reamed at his sudden appearance, falling back to land on her rear in a pile of towels. Cax halted and looked down at her.

  “Has Alisander made it back?”

  The girl blinked up at him, unsure who or what he was.

  “Listen, I’m not going to hurt you, but I need to know if Alisander is back yet.”

  She nodded and then pointed a shaky finger up the stairway that led to the private chambers. Without another word he turned and raced up the stairs, using his senses to figure out which one the boy was in.

  He burst into the room, startling Ali, who had the bottle gripped in one hand. “Toss that,” he ordered.

  “What?”

  Cax marched over, and Alisander took a few hasty steps back, obviously unsure of this side of the Mercenary. He reached out and ripped the bottle from Alisander’s fingers.

  “It’s poisoned.”

  Alisander looked at the bottle in surprise. “How do you know that? And how did you get inside the palace?”

  Cax sighed. “I have … abilities.”

  Alisander didn’t say anything. Cax knew he was waiting for more information.

  “Is Hark here?”

  “He’s out on the training grounds.”

  “I have to talk to him.”

  “What are these abilities you have?”

  “Soon, Ali. I’ll tell you everything soon.”

  Cax kissed him on his mouth before he turned around to head back through the long corridor that curved around to the training pits. When he stepped outside and looked down, his gaze zeroed in on Hark. Among all the half naked men fighting and sweating, he couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from the man’s amazing physique. He was tall, even for a Vermundir warrior, with muscles so hard and bulging that Cax wondered what it would feel like to have them wrapped around him. He had always enjoyed a variety of lovers, curious to experience everything, and the thought of being possessed by Lord Hark made his heart pound and his staff harden. Shaking his head at the explicit fantasy, he continued on down to the pits.

  He was halfway down the stone steps when someone pointed him out to Hark. He watched as Hark’s eyebrows shot up and even felt the glancing caresses over his body.