FOREVER KNIGHTS: #6 Malevolent Attentions
Toiling in the Smithery

“I suppose I am unsurprised you will not explain.” Radix gave Chavias his back. “You are a fool, knight. I will kill him one day.” He paused. “However, I have more pressing things tonight.” A joyful note entered his words. “Tonight, you raze Watercourse Hamlet.”

Watercourse? It was in the Dread Hideout.

There’s very little stores there. But Chavias suspected Radix’s excitement was due to the likelihood that Savage Jaxson kept his stolen goods there. It’s related to the boy somehow.

It’d explain Radix’s satisfaction at the pronouncement.

Radix gave Chavias specific directions to empty every bit from the storehouse and dismissed him.

If it’s Savage’s store. Me raiding it may be the equivalent of declaring war on him. It will null the work he’s done. The thought of breaking their strange bond was deeply saddening.

If I have to choose between dying or killing him, I’ll let him kill me. He’ll be far harder for Radix to get his claws into then I was. Savage Jaxson wasn’t attached to anyone.

But me…

“Oh, and Chavias.” Radix’s voice halted his step near the chamber entrance.

He turned back to assess the demon. “When I send you back for Acharius you will kill him. Or I will…And I assure you I will enjoy it far more. And I will do it slowly.”

Chavias’ chest constricted. Acharius will litter them with arrows but it won’t be enough. Radix is clever enough to send sufficient Targue and Sarabis to overwhelm him.

Okine met Chavias in the corridor. Gleefully holding open the neck shackle to snap it around Chavias’ throat. Securing the other end to his belt. The ogerish man had wide shoulders and a powerfully built chest.

Chavias was sure he’d be matched in strength, as weak as they kept him in these caves. But I could overpower him with any weapon down here. He knew.

Okine was ugly as sin with a personality to match and blindly obedient to Radix.

Dangerous for his unshaking loyalty to the demon.

Okine took special glee in his power over Chavias, knowing Chavias was more dangerous then he, but brought to his knees because of Okine’s authority over him. Okine particularly enjoyed yanking the chain and applying a riding crop to Chavias’ back to force him do chores around the caves. Rearranging the storehouse, sharpening hooks on the chains he’d be hung on later, tugging at rusted blades in Okine’s torture room to ensure all were well-seated, but cleaning the sewage pit was the worst. A section of cave usually knee-deep in Cimmerii waste. Typically, with a few dead Nonis floating across the surface.

Chavias shuddered as he’d entered with the bucket. Toiling to empty the room beyond the cave entrance. It was rare for Chavias to be permitted rest. Only when he slept or was tortured could his mind unwind. When tortured, he’d fall into his meditative state and cast out his spirit to keep from thinking anything Radix could use against the knights.

All I can do from here to keep them safe. He worked to foil Radix’s plans in whatever little ways he was able.

Subtle but necessary defiance. All Chavias could muster without giving himself away.

A plan began forming as he stoked fires for the smithery. Okine would have him forging swords and armor for Radix and the Firoque under his careful eye this evening. Slaving over the flames. A slow smile eased over his face.

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