The Assassin's Saint, page 24
Chapter 26
Under the Mask
John stirred in his cot, rolling to face me. I could feel his eyes picking me apart as I abandoned my clothes on the floor. Glancing over my shoulder, I could see the tension leave him. This time I had no cuts, no blood, just the simple red and purple fist-shaped bruises typical of an absolutely normal fight. I climbed into bed with my mind still spiraling. John cleared his throat, and I rolled to face him. He glanced at the table, sort of, in the darkness, and I noticed a satchel sitting on the surface. I pulled myself back out of bed, every muscle burning, and grunted as I stretched. Picking it up, I was surprised to find a good amount of gold inside. Shit, is it another mission from the Guild? Checking under and around, I saw nothing, but then I remembered I still had the message in my coat pocket. Am I really ready to do this again? Abandoning the gold, I searched the coat until I found it. Rubbing my thumb across the wax seal, I contemplated my options. Do I even have the choice to refuse?
“Henry said you’d know what to do with that,” John croaked, still half asleep. “Did you win tonight?”
“Barely.” I popped the seal on the note, thankful John had shit nightvision.
Half-pint,
Bounty hunters have an informant from Liefseid. Camp last spotted west of Salvation Road’s trinity fork. Return this asset alive. These mercenaries work exclusively for Fallen Arbor. Leave no one breathing.
Madame Plaskett
“Shit.” I covered my mouth, my mind racing. Who could it be? From Liefseid no less?
“What’s wrong?” John propped up on an elbow.
“As they say, no rest for the wicked.” Shoving the note back into my coat, I grabbed the gold. “Looks like Henry has an emergency.” My heart drummed so loudly I feared he would hear it and know I lied. “Sorry, love. Looks like we’ll have to celebrate tonight’s win when I get back.”
“How long are you going to be gone this time?” John gave me a skeptical look, though the aim was off.
“I’m buying a horse,” I assured him. “Give me a good three, maybe four days from where the location is.” Half-truths. That’s my best bet, like Ashton implied.
Now John sat up with a look of alarm. “You’re headed into the battlefield.”
Wincing, I confessed, “Well, to the west of it. Meeting a correspondent there that’s in need of medical supplies. Just helping where I can. I owe it to Henry, considering all he’s done,” I lied some more, a knot building in my chest. “Has done for us,” I added as if that would ease my discomfort or the horrid expression of disbelief on his face.
“R-right.” John stood and kissed me, lips parting just enough for him to whisper, “Just come back in one piece, will you?” He gripped my shoulders and shook me. “And stop sugarcoating things. I’m no child. That’s clearly the Guild’s seal on the apothecary sign and the only sealed letters you would lie about would be from them. I am an educated man, Dante. The sound of a wax seal breaking is apparent, and it’s not like The House or Tower to send you gold out of the blue.”
I kissed him back. “You remind me every day of your uncanny ability to read me like an open book. Is that something only a saint can do?”
John laughed. “Perhaps. What are you really doing?”
“Taking out some mercenaries that took someone from Liefseid,” I confessed, and the knot in my chest let loose. “That’s all I have.” I pulled the paper out and handed it to him in defeat, lighting the lantern. No more secrets. Wasn’t that the promise we made in the library? He’s not a child, but we both know if he thinks I may be in trouble, he’ll follow me into the depths of the underworld like a puppy.
“Ah, so that is all you have to go on.” Scratching his jaw, John hummed as he read it. “Liefseid? Who did they take?”
“No idea, but if the Guild sees value in them, they must be important. Clearly, they have something that Fallen Arbor’s wants. I’d say it’s worthwhile rescuing them, no?”
“Agreed.” John heaved a heavy sigh. “I’ll pack my—”
“You can’t go.” My voice cut him short. “Let me do this one alone.”
“I can’t go,” he echoed, disheartened. “I shouldn’t go. You’re right. I imagine it being Guild business is reason enough, but,” his hand subconsciously touched his healed wound, “I’m in no rush to endure an injury like that again any time soon. It nearly killed us both, Dante. Are you going to be okay alone?”
“I imagine they would only assign me things I can handle.” I started to change into fresh clothes. “It’s not in the Guild’s interest to kill the last remaining blood prince of The House anyhow.”
“That’s one way to think of this.” John placed the paper on the desk. “Just come back to me in one piece and not so ravenous as your last visit to the battlefields.” It was a weak attempt to make light of what we were both afraid of. “Remember to dodge.”
I paused, glad that my face had been hidden under the shirt I was pulling on. “R-right.” I tugged it down and kept moving, tossing items on my bed alongside my satchel. “Just be careful, John.” Clearing my throat, I shot him a stern look. “There have been several Fallen Arbor operatives and Fractured Ones spotted. Don’t do anything until I get back.”
“I know. They’ve been in the tavern a few times.” John sat down on his bed and rubbed his neck in a poor attempt to calm his nerves. “They seem unaware who I am. Granted, no one looks for a priest in a tavern playing bartender in a small port town.”
Nodding, I focused on the task at hand. Hopefully he doesn’t know about Marquis being in town, or he might go on the hunt for him personally. If it weren’t for this mission, I would be doing that myself. “I’ll be back in time for the final fight. I need that title to get us places, gain access where we might be denied. The more allies and wider our network, the better chances we have against Fallen Arbor and Landon.”
“Ah, so you’re thinking we leave by ship?” John crossed his arms and nodded. “That does seem the safest route. Hard to run into surprises with a set crew. But which way would we go? Thirsty Crossing seems to put us in Fallen Arbor’s lap and makes us sitting ducks. By sea would be the Hidden Swells, but is the old dock at the cathedral really safe?”
“I’m wondering if there’s any who will take us along the west coast through the Frigid Waters to at least the small port not far from Liefseid or even to the small river that leads to the Willow Waters and a step closer to Taverns Way so we can avoid the battlefield completely.” Shoving the gold into my satchel, I checked for my mask before strapping on my dagger, hatchet, and a hiding knife in my boot. “I thought about catching a ride through the Thirsty Crossing and into the Sullen Lake to Glensdale, but Ferran may not be safe for us either. Rumor has it Fallen Arbor is rooted there, and they have bounties with our faces posted everywhere.”
“That’s disheartening…” John scowled at the news.
“The Cathedral of the Fates has one dock remaining,” I remarked, pulling my manica from under my bed. “And the Guild has a mountain pass through the Blood Hills between Glensdale and the coast, but I’m not sure when it was last used.”
“Oh, that’s an interesting recommendation.” John shot a glance over to the claymore. “Last I heard, a small ship had to do an emergency dock on its way to Captiva City after the bilge water surged and spoiled the freshwater barrels. The clergymen said it was a sight to behold and that the dock looked as strong as it did before the cathedral was charred black with fires and smoke during its many downfalls.”
“But that’s all hearsay we’ve both gathered.” I shook my head. “It’s too risky, and what are the chances Fallen Arbor is taking refuge there or actively using it, considering what we know of their camp locations?”
Ashton seemed ruffled by my speculations.
Again, with the gods being alive… “They would and could very well be using that dock,” I hissed at Ashton as John jumped up to help buckle the manica on. “Because they didn’t camp there when you walked this earth over five or so decades ago doesn’t mean they aren’t now.”
“Arguing with our sword, are we? This may impede your ability to use him in battle, you know.” John chuckled as he yanked on a buckle and blushed, the woman’s words in Liefseid rising to the surface for us both: Grab hold and jerk him good, a few times. “But we do know many in the Church were allied with Fallen Arbor. Who’s to say the story was a fabrication to justify delivering goods to Fallen Arbor there?”
Ashton grumbled to himself, and I sighed.
“Oof!” My last buckle was drawn tight with a hard jerk.
“That should keep for the trip,” announced John, patting my chest, his brow rose high.
“If I can breathe,” I rebutted before flinching as I met his gaze.
Those blue gemstones bright and sad stole my very heart and soul as he spoke, “Please come back in good order, my heart.”
“No more dying for you either, my saint.” I pulled his hand to my lips and kissed his palm. “Be safe. Henry and Brett should be able to take care of anything in my absence.”
“You make me sound like a helpless lamb.” John pushed me off. “Now, you and your sword can have a proper conversation. Settle your lover’s quarrel on the ride into battle.”
I laughed as I lugged Ashton over my shoulder. Pushing out the door, I wasted no time to leave as Henry was walking up the main stretch. He waved and I returned the gesture, passing him without a word to see if the stables had anything at all. Upon my arrival, the farrier was stoking the furnace for horseshoes and repairs. In the stalls, a few horses munched on freshly hung feed bags. He’s an early riser, unlike Nick at Duke Chapman’s stables. The horses here were all worn out old mares for the most part, as if Terahime was where the horses came to retire. I’ll break their backs with how heavy I am with all my gear.
“Give me a moment, sir. Just need to heat the bellows.” The farrier rushed between a pile of coals, shoveling two sweeps in before rushing back to pull the chain above him. “Just gotta get the damn fire burning on its own this morning. Wet spring coming in is hell on this old forge,” he grumbled, sweat covering his face.
Again, he rushed to the coal, the furnace still lacking what I usually saw Nick have in his own bellows. “Here, let me assist.” I grabbed the bellow chain and began to take over for him.
He paused with a shovel full, shocked. “S-sir, I couldn’t possibly ask…” Shaking his head, he noticed the ease and steady pace. “I see. You’re no stranger to this work.” He laughed it off and began shoveling. “I’ve been without coals for some time, so today I’m looking forward to catching up on shoe orders.” He leaned on his shovel, wiping sweat from his black smudged face. “I imagine you need a horse, sir.”
“I do.” The color of the coal grew brighter with each pump of the bellows. “But all I saw were a few old mares, and I’m a little too heavy for a horse that old.”
“You are.” Squinting, he peered into the furnace, the amount catching the glow and flames licking out with each rush of air. “Keep going until they all catch fire and glow. I’ll be right back with a horse or two more suited for your size.”
“No worries. I’ve worked in horse stables for many years.” With that, he rushed off.
“Of course. Everyone knows me as Falcon and has seen me do menial tasks like this without even a complaint.” I couldn’t help but smirk as a wave of nostalgia swelled in me as I recalled my return to Glensdale. “Don’t tell me you had a hard time having anyone trust you back when you were alive, Ashton. I mean, how could that be when you slept your way around, started tavern brawls for fun, and most certainly showed no mercy to your enemies?” I teased.
Ashton groaned.
“I’m a believer of showing good faith and earning trust without question. Granted, it doesn’t come without its own risks, no different from your methods.” I paused, the coals all glowing and ready for the farrier to use. “Seems we have accomplished the intended goal.”
A horse whinnying drew my attention, and I saw the farrier approaching with two large horses, a red Percheron and a white Shire by the looks of them. So, he had more horses elsewhere? The Percheron curled its lips and flared its nostrils, pulling on the reins. That one reminds me of Basque. I don’t think I can handle another high-headed horse in my life, even if they’ve proven braver and stronger and can kill a man for mints. Looking at the Shire, I saw it was nibbling on the farrier’s sleeve as he called out to me. Perhaps a more docile being will be a nice change of pace.
“Sir Falcon,” I smiled at the name as he announced, “these are the more experienced warhorses from my stables. I recommend the Percheron here.” My face mottled. “He’s said to be of legendary stud Feran who was said to be the horse of the legendary Supreme Champion himself.”
Looking at the Percheron, I waved my hands in refusal. “No—”
“Oh.” The farrier looked worried. “He’s only full of energy and young.”
“I’ve had a bad experience with a horse as high-headed and with similar temperament as he’s displaying,” I confessed as Basque’s escapades flashed across my mind with the faces of terrorized city guards. “Not that I can’t handle it, but the task I’m about to endure would be best suited for a more docile creature.” The farrier handed me reins to the Shire who released his sleeve and turned to nibble on my hood. “I’ll take this one. How much?”
The farrier leaned to see the glow in his furnace and announced, “Are you leasing or buying?”
“I didn’t know anyone did leasing so close to the battlefields these days.” I scratched the well-mannered Shire’s chin, and she stretched to give me full range. “I’m hoping no more than four days. It’s a simple errand job, after all.”
“In that case, there will be no charge for today. Normally I charge 50 gold a day, but for you, I’ll do it at half price since I have good faith the horse will come back in proper condition. Considering you know your way around a furnace and the town speaks highly for you, 75 gold now. If you go over a day or so, it’ll be 50 gold per day you’re late.” I handed him over 100 gold. “I said 75.”
“I’m paying for today too.” I tugged on the saddle, the strap too loose and the stirrups too high, and began adjusting them. “Good luck with shoes today. I know the job isn’t without its dangers.”
“I won’t argue with more money. Careful though. She’ll eat the pants right off of you if you let her.” He pocketed the coin and led the Percheron to an empty stall. “Danger is putting it lightly. I knew a man who was kicked square in the chest, and his heart stopped.”
Nodding, I pulled myself onto the saddle with practiced ease. “Yes, well, I knew a horse bigger than that Percheron who kicked a man’s head in just for the peppermints.”
“You’re joking,” he guffawed, hanging a feed bag. “Trained warhorse?”
“Not at all,” I chortled before coaxing the Shire into trotting off.
***
“How do you suppose I’m going to find them on the battlefield, Ashton?” I asked once we had ridden out of town. “Any pointers?”
Ashton mused.
“Not for people,” I drawled. “Animals are creatures of habit and predictable.”
Swallowing, I felt a lump form in my chest.
And now I realize more than ever how numb Ashton is to the darker side of surviving a world in constant war. Will I eventually be the same way? Become a hunter of people for sport rather than simply surviving off what the land provides. Could I live with myself if I did? No, could John ever love someone like that?
Chapter 27
The Smallest Fire
I took Salvation Road north until I reached the fork where I had originally faced the Berserk Brigade over a year ago. Besides the occasional Faceless tending to burn piles, taking down the few Madness still lingering, or tending to those who were awakening, it was completely quiet. The road remained desolate and void of any green, permanently gray from ash.
