The Cities

by K. A Knight

  Most of all, life is short. Don’t waste it keeping people away. I shouldn’t have questioned your judgement about these men, I can see how much you care for them and how much they care for you. I just want you to be happy. You deserve it, kid, you deserve to be loved.

  So let them. It doesn’t make you weak or any less of a fighter to rely on them. Love them hard and love them fully, and don’t ever let them go. This world can suck that from you in a moment, and life is so fragile, Tazanna. Don’t have regrets like I do.

  Oh, and that mad bastard Seeker, he’s alright. I had a little talk with him when you left and we are on the same page now.

  He loves you, just like I do. He might be rough around the edges and…well, bat shit crazy, but he really loves you. I’m glad, because it means as I’m writing this, planning for when I’m not here, I know you aren’t alone.

  I drop the letter, tears spilling down my cheeks as my heart rips open again. Hands shaking, I pour myself a drink before hesitating with the bottle in the air, then I pour him one as well. Fuck, I knew this would be hard, but I wasn’t ready for all this. Taking a deep breath, I pick up the letter again, forcing myself to read on.

  Back to The Ring, my men are yours as is everything here. They will follow you, they will fight with you. Keep them close.

  By now I’m betting you are working your way through that bottle, save some for me, won’t you?

  I snort then, that bastard, how did he know?

  I’m so proud of you, kid, I need you to know that. I watched a terrified girl grow into a warrior, and no one in this world will ever be worthy of your loyalty, least of all me, but I couldn’t turn it away. I’m calling on that loyalty now, because I have one last thing I need you to do for me. I have no right to ask, but I have to.

  In the bottom drawer is a key, and behind my copy of War and Peace is a safe. Inside is a picture of my little girl, Cara, and her necklace. I want you to have the necklace, I was waiting for the right moment to give it to you, but it never came.

  Did you know butterflies are strong? They have beauty and are covered in marks from life, but they still keep flying.

  Anyway, the picture. Bury it with me, let me keep her close for all time along with the drawing you find in there. I want both of my daughters with me in the end. The one I lost and the one I gained.

  I have nothing else really to say, except goodbye.

  This is my final goodbye. I hope I get to say all this to your face, but if not I had to ensure you knew everything I knew. I trust you, Tazanna, and only you. I knew from the moment I saw you what you would become. You are so strong and this world has a purpose for you. That I firmly believe, I don’t know what that will be, kid, but I hope it brings you happiness.

  Don’t be sad for me, don’t cry, even though you will and say you never did. I finally get to see her again, my little girl, the only regret I leave is not being by your side as you face the future and I’m sorry for that. Forgive me?

  I love you, Tazanna Worth. Thank you for giving me back my life and purpose. Never stop fighting, Champion.

  Major.

  It’s obvious he wrote this letter after the last time I left for The Summit. Did he know his death was coming? Wiping the tears pouring down my face, I gently fold the letter, and trace his words one last time before I grab the drink and throw it back. I leave his on the desk for him as I reach down and grab the golden key hidden in the bottom of the drawer. Sliding off the chair, I hunt through the books until I find the one I want, then I slide it out and gently place it on the desk, before spotting the black safe waiting for me.

  Sneaky bastard, I never even knew this was here. I wonder what else he kept in here? Obviously valuables he was worried about losing. Using the key, I open the old-fashioned safe and reach inside. I’m careful as I pull it all out and lay it on the desk. I expected money, maybe weapons, maybe even information, but what I find…it breaks my heart.

  He loved me, truly loved me.

  Inside is a beautiful necklace on a long chain with a butterfly on the end. It’s delicate looking, but when I feel, it I realise it’s made of solid metal and won’t break easily. I slip it over my head, playing with the charm before tucking it into my shirt next to my tree necklace. Next, I find an old photograph. It’s tattered around the edges and I’m pretty sure it has a bloody thumbprint on one corner, but I can still make out the little girl in it.

  She is pretty, with Major’s eyes and lips. Hell, she even stands the way he used to. That same intelligence shines in her eyes, as does an inner strength so fierce I can’t help but smile. I get what he means now. I smooth out the photograph and place it to the side. I will have to ask where he was buried, but I will do as he asked. There’s a folded piece of parchment next, and when I unfold it, a gasp falls from my lips.

  It’s a drawing…of me.

  I am half turned away with a smile curling my lips as I face someone. My hair is short and ragged, my brand crude on my skin, but I look so…fierce. My head is back, my spine straight, and I spot a knife in my hand. The drawing itself is beautiful. It is rendered in charcoal and looks exactly like me. Whoever drew it was very talented. I look at the corners, hoping for a signature, but don’t spot one, so I flip it over to see the writing on the back.

  “Tazanna ‘Champion’ Worth,” is scrawled across it, and then in the bottom corner is “Major.”

  Major drew this? When? Why didn’t he ever show or tell me he knew how to draw?

  I find the chair behind me and slump back, staring at the drawing. I can feel the love coming from the page, and knowing he saw me this way, so fierce even when I was broken, kills me. When I can finally drag my eyes away from the drawing, I place it on top of the picture of Cara. Silent tears fall down my face as I realise what he meant in his letter now. He meant he wanted the picture and the drawing of me—both of his daughters, as he called us—buried with him.

  What’s left are scraps of paper, some drawings—obviously from Major—and some are my handwritten notes. They look like the stories I used to write when I got bored here, or the doodles I did when I was pretending to listen to him as he blabbered on about things. He kept them all. Not just kept them, but locked them away in his safe to keep them forever.

  Major, you fucking asshole, not even here so I can hug you.

  I grab the bottle and take a long swig, swiping across my face with the back of my arm as I try to steady my breathing. I flick through the drawings, some are of The Ring, some are of people, but it’s the symbol that catches my eye. It’s a thick circle on the outside, and on the inside is a smaller circle with an olive branch in it. It astounds me, because it instantly makes me think of The Ring, since I know he chose to focus on the fact this place is one of peace rather than pain.

  For all his talk of being a bad man, of seeking the dark and never the light, he chose to design the symbol that showed the good in such a place of pain. I fold that up and press it into my pocket, not sure what I want to do with it yet, but I want to keep it with me forever—keep a piece of Major forever.

  Grabbing my glass, I pour another drink. “Goodbye, Dad,” I whisper, as I toast his glass and throw back the shot.

  I wipe my face, build myself up, and throw open the office doors. I have Cara’s picture and the drawing in my back pocket, which I’ll need to bury with him tonight, so I head outside in search of someone who will know. I find Dray leaning against the doors, not letting anyone in the building, and in front of him is a glaring Nan. They look like they are having some kind of stand off, so I step up next to them, cross my arms, and wait.

  “Whatcha doing?” I tease.

  “Girlie, tell this fuckin’ crazy killer ta get out ma way!” Nan shouts, poking Dray in the chest. He freezes, looks down at her finger, and then lifts his eyes to hers. They are ice-cold and deadly, his face blank like when he kills.

  “Step back, crone, before I rip out your spine and wear it like a belt,” he warns, his voice deadly as he watches her. Anyone else
would be wetting themselves and running away, and I’m used to him, but even I can see how serious he is right now and he looks scary as hell.

  “Fuckin’ try it, ya tall ass cock sucker,” she yells, poking him again. I can see he is about to snap, so I squeeze between them, and press my back to his chest to keep him pinned to the doorway.

  “Nan, first of all, I can attest he does not suck cock. Second, why are you trying to get him to attack you?” I grin.

  She huffs, hunching over like she is some weak old lady, and glares at Dray behind me who rumbles in warning like an animal. “A just wanted ta talk ta ya, girlie,” she croaks.

  “Uh-uh, cut the shit, what’s up?” I ask, pressing farther back into Dray. He wraps his arms around me and drops his chin on my shoulder, probably still glaring at Nan.

  She shuffles then, looking everywhere but me. “Nan,” I snap and she huffs again.

  “Okay, okay, keep ya panties on. A just wanted te say sorry,” she mumbles, looking into my eyes.

  “Sorry?” I repeat.

  “Aye, for yer old man, Major. It’s a damn shame what happened te him, he was a good man, did ya right. Am sorry it wasn’t me that rat bastard shot,” she finishes and I sigh.

  “Neither option would have been good, I love you both,” I admit, cringing when she starts to smile. “Don’t let it go to your head, you old bitch. Ivar was never going to let a man like Major live, not after everything Major did to help me get away from him. It’s not your fault, but if you feel bad, could you show me where he is buried?”

  She nods. “Aye, a can do that, girlie. Follow me, bring yer pet if ye want.” She spits at Dray’s feet before spinning and marching away, not even pretending to shuffle. That old biddy, I shake my head with a smile and grin over my shoulder at Dray.

  “You heard her, come on pet,” I tease, but before I can move away he slams me back into the door, his hand wrapping around my throat as he leans in, still looking deadly as hell.

  “Call me that once more, soulmate,” he purrs.

  “Pet,” I gasp with the little air I can suck in, but I’m not afraid, no, my body relaxes into his, my pussy instantly getting wet, and my nipples hardening. He smirks, reaching down and flicking one through my shirt.

  “Dirty little, soulmate,” he murmurs, his voice deadly as he leans in and whispers against my mouth. “You will pay for that later,” he threatens and I shiver.

  “Fuck, I hope so,” I reply, as he lets go of my throat and steps back. He winks at me, turns, and starts prowling after Nan, so I quickly jump into action and follow him to make sure he doesn’t rip her apart for the pet comment and the whole poking thing.

  I catch up with his big strides and he slows to match my pace as we follow Nan, who is weaving her way through scavs and roadies. Every eye turns to us when they realise who is walking in their midst, but I ignore them for now. Tonight is about Major and the last promise I will keep to him. They can have my attention later.

  We move around the back of the main building, losing the crowd. I spot a couple of scavs fucking against the wall, but I leave them to their privacy as Nan keeps walking. Fuck, she walks fast for an old woman. I have to fast walk to keep up. She leads us to the very edge of The Ring, away from the noise and pit, to a private, quiet spot at the back near the fence.

  There is a trunk of a tree there, the branches blackened slightly, and it looks half dead, but it’s still standing. Under it, I spot disturbed earth. “Here?” I ask.

  She nods, looking around. “This is his land, but I didnee wanna bury him near the fighters and slaves, ya know? This seemed right, they all helped me. I knew he meant a lot to ya, girlie.” Then she turns and marches away, leaving Dray and me with Major’s grave.

  Crouching down, I move the top layer of earth so that the picture and drawing will be protected. I rip the bottom of my shirt and wrap them in that before placing them in the soil. “Goodbye, Major, thank you for loving me,” I whisper, and then cover the pictures with the soil and sand until they are entombed with him in his grave. I get up and dust off my hands, my eyes goes back to the trunk, and suddenly I know what I want to do.

  To keep his memory alive, to keep him with me forever.

  Pulling a knife from my side, I step up to the tree, and then pull the parchment from my pocket. I trace the design with my eyes and start to carve it into the bark, leaving Major’s symbol for all to see. Here was a man chased by his demons, craving peace, may it find him in his next life. Once I’m done, I step back and eye my handiwork, the first part of the plan finished. Now, I need to find someone for the second part.

  “I have something I need to do, can I meet you later?” I address Dray.

  He nods, looking from the symbol to me, and then smirks. “Me too. Be good, soulmate, don’t kill too many people.” He kisses me hard then strides away, leaving me to my thoughts.

  “Goodbye,” I whisper one last time, and then turn away, leaving Major’s ghost with his grave and drawings. The tree offers him a new hope. While its canopy is damaged, its roots will carry on growing, spreading across this land like his memory, keeping him alive for all that knew him and those who never got the chance to. Just a man who fought for what he believed in.

  Now, I will do the same.

  One Whole Soul

  I find the person I need after asking around. I shouldn’t be surprised The Ring has one. After all, I got my Berserker slave brand here. I explain what I want and we head to The Summit room where he sets up and I sit backwards on a chair, resting my head on the wood and losing myself in the comforting pain and buzz of the needle in my skin. With each stroke, I relax further, the feeling of rightness settling in my chest, and I know this was the correct decision. It takes at least two hours, and by the time we are done my back is sore, feeling heavy with ink, but I am smiling.

  I thank the man who introduced himself as Hill and leave him to clean his equipment. My shirt sits heavy on the new tattoos, but I don’t mind as I head out in search of Dray. I find my men have already set up camp, and they are working through the booze and girls here at The Ring. I nod at them as I pass, letting them know it’s okay to relax tonight. There is no point riding out until the morning anyway. I catch a Seeker as he is strolling past, buckling his pants as he goes.

  “Have you seen Dray?” I ask.

  He looks over, his mouth flapping open and closed as he looks at me, and I arch my eyebrow at him, waiting. “Have you?” I ask again.

  “Eer, yeah—I saw him going into the training pit about ten minutes ago. He was with that Nan chick before then.” He nods.

  “Thanks,” I call and rush away as I head over to the pit, wanting to show him what I had done.

  Ignoring the slave entrance to the training sands, I hop over the fence and land on the packed earth below.

  Stepping onto the sand, I see him sprawled out on his back with his arms under his head, staring at the stars. I get hit with déjà vu for a moment, remembering when we were like this last time, but we fought then, pushing at each other as I ignored what was right in front of me—him.

  Not this time. I head straight for him, and instead of lying next to him like last time, I kneel over him, pressing my knees to the sand on either side. I sit on his lap and look down at his grinning face.

  He grabs my hips, keeping me there, pressed to the hard bulge growing in his pants as his eyes pull from the sky and settle on me. “Miss me, soulmate?” he teases.

  “Maybe, what trouble did you get up to?” I grin down at him, rocking slightly just to tantalise him. His eyes flash as his hands tighten on my hips, stilling the movement.

  He sits up suddenly, quickly kissing me before whispering against my lips, “I’ll show you.”

  I slide off his lap and kneel in the sand facing him. He gets to both knees in front of me, his face blank and his eyes almost laughing. That alone makes mine narrow, knowing whatever he has done it’s probably crazy. He pulls something from his pocket, keeping it locked in the palm of his
hand as he smirks at me.

  “Hold out your hand, soulmate,” he orders.

  I do as I am told, palm up, but he reaches out and turns it the other way so my palm is facing the sand. He holds his hand over mine, as he slowly curls open his palm to show me something glittering. I don’t look away as he picks it up and shows it to me, my mouth drops open.

  “Where did you find that?” I inquire softly, staring at the ring held between his fingers, dwarfing it.

  It’s not too big, consisting of a black band with a skull in the middle, and then what looks like diamonds and rubies on either side. I love it and I can’t seem to look away.

  “I’ve had it for a while, found it just before I found you. It’s yours, has been for a long time. Here.” He holds it out and I show him my hand. I expect him to slip it on my finger so I don’t pay attention until I feel him staring as I admire it sparkling on my hand. I look up to see him smiling at me smugly.

  “What?” I ask, confused.

  “Looks good on you, wife.”

  I blink, staring at him with my mouth open as my eyes slowly drop to the ring—which is on my ring finger. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I snap, going to pull it off and put it on another finger, but he covers my hand, stilling the movement.

  “Taking it off won’t make a difference, soulmate,” he declares.

  “What the fuck are you talking about, Dray? Tell me!” I snarl, as a bad feeling starts building in my stomach.

  “Shh, behave, wife,” he teases, and I glare at him as he laughs. “I married us.” He shrugs.

  I stare at him for a moment, my mind stuck on that. “How the fuck did you marry us?” I yell and throw my hands in the air. “Don’t I have to be there for something like that?”