The Exile's Redemption (The Heart of a Tyrant Book 1)

by Reece Dinn

  'You need to rest,' slurred the doctor, easing him back down on the bed.

  'Gods, your breath,' moaned Awon's father.

  'Never mind that.'

  His father brushed the doctor's hands off him. 'What plan, Awon?'

  'Yer'll see,' Awon replied with a wink.

  His father groaned. 'This better not involve that boy. It's done. Leave it be.'

  'Leave it? Look what he did to you. It was 'im, wasn't it? Tombu, the blonde lad, big jaw?'

  'You killed his father,' his father snapped.

  Awon paused, unsure if he'd heard him right.

  His father huffed. 'You didn't know?'

  'I think I'll step outside,' said the doctor, easing the door open with one hand while cradling the whisky bottle and glass in the other. He left, quietly closing the door behind him.

  Awon cracked a knuckle. 'I killed him?'

  'He was drunk and asleep in the bakery when you burned it to the ground. He didn't get out.'

  'Oh.'

  'Exactly, you stupid, evil little shit. Your mother was right about you.'

  Awon leaned back in the chair, folding his arms, his face showing no emotion.

  'Guess he came looking for revenge,' said his father.

  'How'd he know it was me?'

  'It's not hard to put two and two together, is it?'

  Awon shrugged. 'He's no proof. Jus' guessin'. Good.'

  'He didn't need proof. He knew. Near killed me.'

  'But he didn't, did he?' Awon smiled.

  'Get that smile off your fucking face or I'll...'

  'Do what, fat man? Do what?'

  His father paused, his teeth bared, fists clenched.

  'Listen,' said Awon. 'That Tombu 'as no proof. Which means he can't go ter the Drowners an' get 'em involved. Which means Big Red won't be mad. There'll be no war.'

  'They burned down my shop.'

  'Our shop,' Awon corrected.

  'My shop. No, Big Red's shop. You think he'll take it being burned down lightly?'

  Awon smirked. 'No. But we have proof they burnt down our shop, don't we?'

  His father frowned. 'What are you going to do?'

  'I'm gonna kill Tombu. Whatever else happens happens.'

  'You're gonna get us killed, boy,' his father snarled.

  'It'll be fine. Don't worry. Yer need ter rest.'

  His father slapped his own forehead, then cried out from the pain it caused him. 'Rest? Gods, how can I rest? Look. Enough damage has been done. Just leave it be, please. I'm alive. He got his revenge. Leave it be.'

  'I haven't 'ad my revenge.'

  'Gods, Awon.'

  'The score needs settlin'.' Awon cracked another knuckle.

  His father's eyes watered and he wiped them away with the back of his hand.

  They sat in silence for a moment, then Awon said, 'I grabbed the stones, but the firemen took the undamaged meat that was in the cellar. Took two of 'em to heave one carcass up out of there. Made me laugh. “Fire damaged” they'd said.' He slapped his thigh, laughing.

  'I don't care about the meat,' his father said, quietly.

  'Norox's mum said I could stay with 'em until yer better.'

  'That's nice of her.'

  Awon placed his hands behind his head, leaning back. 'Yeah. Don't know what I'm gonna do with the shop gone. Guess I'll see if Big Red needs any help.'

  'Awon, don't.'

  'Might not have a choice.'

  'Stop it. Stay away from him.' His father pushed himself up, groaning from the effort. 'Listen. I want you to go stay with your grandfather. Just until this all blows over. He lives in a village a few dons to the east. It's a small farming village. You'll be safe there. Please.'

  Awon snorted in derision. 'Farmin'?'

  'You can plough the fields. Tend the herds. He might even let you kill a couple. You'd like that. Make the meat.'

  'I ain't goin' anywhere, fat man.'

  'Awon, please listen..'

  Raised voices outside stopped him.

  'They're inside,' they heard the doctor slur.

  The door opened and two Konar stepped inside. Awon recognised one of them. It was Fenon, the Konar-chase of the area. He didn't know the other guy.

  'Hope I'm not interrupting,' said Fenon, closing the door behind them. The other Konar moved to the far corner of the room and rested his armoured back, and his rifle, against the wooden wall. Awon suddenly had the urge to bound over and grab it. He'd always wanted a rifle.

  'No, Konar. Thank you for coming,' said Awon's father.

  'I came as soon as I heard. Couldn't not really. You can still see the smoke. It's hanging over the area like a beacon.' He removed his bronze helm and ruffled his sweaty brown hair. The Konar-chase had a very pointed chin, which lengthened with his helm off. 'What happened?' he asked, glancing at Awon. 'Causing trouble again?'

  'Wasn't me,' said Awon, doing his best to look innocent. Even he knew he wasn't convincing anyone.

  'Didn't say it was. Why would you burn down your own shop?' asked Fenon.

  'Shits and giggles.'

  'Shits and giggles?' Fenon shook his head. 'No. But I don't think it's a coincidence that you're witnessed near the scene of a crime, then your own shop is involved in an almost identical crime a few days later.'

  'I didn't see who attacked me, Konar. They were wearing masks,' said Awon's father.

  Fenon glanced to his companion. His companion shook his head. 'We've witnesses who say they saw some boys running away from the direction of your shop. They weren't wearing masks,' said Fenon.

  'Wasn't them then, was it?' said Awon. 'Or they took 'em off.'

  'I'm not a simpleton, boy,' shouted Fenon, taking a step towards him. 'I know exactly who it was. Tombu and his friends are being questioned right now. We're not gonna let another war start. Not on my watch. And not because of a fight between two kids.'

  Awon went to say something but Fenon cut him off.

  'You think I don't know about your little spat,' said Fenon. 'I know everything that happens in my jurisdiction. If someone trips over in the street, I hear about it. If a stranger passes through here, I hear of it. If someone takes a shit in the wrong fucking place, I hear of it. So when a butcher's boy starts a fight with a baker's son, what do you think happens?'

  Awon shrugged.

  'I hear of it,' barked Fenon.

  'I didn't start it. He did,' said Awon.

  'I don't care who started it.'

  'It wasn't Tombu. I'm sure of it,' said Awon's father. 'It was more likely Big Red. He keeps pressuring me for money. I can't pay. He said he'd do it. Thought it was just a threat.'

  Fenon frowned. 'Big Red? He's not the type to go burning down his own properties.'

  'I made 'im mad,' said Awon.

  'The boy has that effect,' his father agreed.

  'What do you think?' Fenon asked of his companion.

  'Think they're lying,' said the other Konar. 'Not sure why.'

  'I agree. Why would they lie? Shits and giggles?'

  Awon laughed.

  Fenon frowned. 'This isn't funny, lad. That fire could have burnt down the whole street.'

  'But it didn't,' said Awon.

  'Whoever did it. I think it's over now,' said his father. 'They took some of my money. I think they got what they wanted. Should have took my oku stones. They'd have gotten more money from them. Guess they weren't expecting me to try and fight back.'

  'You? Fight?' scoffed Fenon.

  'Not saying I fight well. But someone tries to rob me I will.'

  'So that's the story you're going with? A robbery? Big Red robbed you because you didn't pay him?'

  'Well I'm not sure it was Big Red. Might have been. Could have just been some kids looking for...'

  Fenon held up his hand. 'Enough. You want to handle this on your own, that's your business. But if another building gets burned down. Or I hear of another fight, you'll all be thrown in jail. Understand?'

  'The food good there?' asked Awon.


  'What?' spat Fenon.

  'The food in jail. We lost all ours. Might be worth goin' if there's good food.'

  Fenon grabbed him by his shirt and heaved him up from the chair. 'Any more trouble involving you and I'll throw you from the top of the godsdamn city, you hear me?'

  'Sure.'

  Fenon shoved him back into the chair. 'Rest well, Tenemu. And sort your boy out, before I do.' He motioned to his companion that they were leaving. The Konar-chase shot Awon a dark look before he left, then other Konar slammed the door behind him.

  'Fuckin' Konar,' Awon muttered under his breath.

  'You need to watch it, son,' said his father. 'This is all getting out of hand fast. He wasn't joking. If he gets proof of what you did you're..'

  Awon clapped his hands. 'He won't.'

  'You killed someone, Awon. Don't you feel anything? I can barely look at you.'

  Awon leaned back in the chair. 'It was an accident,' he said, calmly. 'Wasn't meant ter kill anyone.'

  'But you did.'

  He shrugged. 'Shit happens.'

  'It wasn't an accident.'

  'Killing 'im was.' Awon shrugged again. 'Ah well, he was only a Drowner.'

  His father stared at him a moment, his battered face unreadable, then he sank back onto the bed and rolled over, facing away from his son.

  Banging on the surgery door woke both Awon and his father.

  'What now?' his father grumbled.

  Awon lifted himself out of the chair and opened the door. Ten and his girl, Helma, stood there, scared looks on their faces, Norox behind them.

  'What you three doin' 'ere?' Awon asked.

  Before they could answer Big Red stepped out from the side of the door, looming over them all. 'We need ter talk, boy. Pray to the gods I don't smash yer fuckin' teeth in.'

  Chapter Twelve

  Red shoved Ten and Helma into the surgery, sending the pair tumbling to their knees. Norox dropped down onto all fours and hurried over to the far side of the room. Red came in last, slamming the door behind him so hard that it bounced back open. Two of his guys lingered outside. Awon could barely see the floor for all the people suddenly crammed into the small surgery with him. His father had the best seat in the house, his bed taking up a significant portion of the surgery.

  Awon folded his arms, returning to his seat, keeping his eyes locked with Red's. It was hard to read the huge guy's face, his large, scarred features were always enraged, probably due to the fact that every time Awon saw him he'd done something to anger him. Norox, Ten, and Helma had their heads bowed like they were being lectured by their parents.

  Red sat on the edge of Awon's father's bed. 'Sorry about yer shop, Tenemu,' he said to him. 'Or rather, my shop.'

  Awon's father coughed and propped himself up with his pillow, groaning as he did. 'I'll find another way to pay..'

  Red held up his hand. 'Already thought of a way. Him.' He pointed a large finger at Awon.

  Awon smirked.

  'Yer fuckwit son will work fer me full time until he's paid off yer debt,' said Red.

  Awon's father grabbed the sleeve of Red's black coat. 'No, he can't. He's just..'

  'A boy?' snarled Red. 'This boy 'as caused me far too much trouble. Now 'is actions 'ave cost me fuckin' money. No.' He turned to face Awon. 'You work solely fer me now.'

  'Fine,' said Awon.

  'Please,' croaked his father, a tear running down his battered face. 'There has to be another way.'

  'There isn't,' said Red with a dismissive wave.

  'I have oku stones I could sell.'

  Red punched the bed. 'It's done. Shut up.'

  'What yer want me ter do first, boss?' said Awon.

  Norox snorted, his pale face creased in concern. He was staring at Awon with sad eyes, making that whining noise he was want to make.

  'There's sumthin' yer want ter say, eh?' said Red, rising from the bed and approaching Norox.

  'No,' said Norox, keeping his eyes on the ground.

  'Didn't think so.' Red clicked his fingers at Awon. 'Boy. You and yer little friends are comin' with me ter the meet tonight.'

  'Meet? With who?' asked Awon.

  'Who the fuck you think? We're endin' this little dispute. Won't 'ave you fuckin' up any more of my shit, yer hear? This ends now.'

  'Why do we have to go?' murmured Ten. His face flushed as soon as the words left his mouth, regretting having spoken.

  Red prodded him hard in the head. 'Cos I said so.'

  'Don't you touch him,' snapped Helma, the little woman placing herself between him and Ten.

  Red laughed hard. 'I like a woman with spirit.' He slapped her hard across the face. She screeched as she hit the floor.

  'Honey,' cried Ten, dropping to the floor and cradling her. She sobbed in his arms. He kissed her face, rocking her from side to side.

  'So we killin' 'em then?' asked Awon.

  Red grunted. 'There'll be no more killin'.'

  'We're just gonna let 'em get away with burnin' down my shop?'

  'Yer killed Paten in that fire yer didn't start. Lucky a war hasn't started already. No, we're makin' peace.'

  'Peace?' spat Awon. 'Yer a fuckin' cowardly jenni.'

  Red roared, face turning bright red as he lunged at Awon. Awon gulped as the guy's huge hand engulfed his face, fingers pressing hard into his head. He was lifted out of his seat as Red slammed his head into the wall again and again, the wood splintering from the impacts.

  Norox cried out as he threw himself into the massive gang leader, forcing him to release Awon as he was knocked back.

  'Fuckin' cunt,' bellowed Red. He grabbed Norox by the throat, headbutted him hard, then flung him against the far wall.

  Norox bleated, covering his bleeding nose with his hands.

  Awon's head pounded, eyes moist, but he sprang to his feet and pulled his cleaver out from under his shirt, ready to carve up his new boss. The cleaver was blackened from the fire, but still just as sharp.

  Red sneered at him. 'Always the knives with you. What yer plan ter do after killin' me, eh? Kill my men? All the Cutters? The whole city?' The huge guy stood up straight and folded his arms. 'Yer don't think, lad. That's yer fuckin' problem. Yer could be very useful if yer learnt that.' He cleared his nose, a large glob of green mucus splattering onto the floor.

  'I'll kill any one who comes fer my friends,' said Awon, looking Red straight in the eyes.

  'And yer don't care who get hurts. Yer a little mad man.' His face had returned to its normal colour.

  Awon lowered his cleaver, but didn't break eye contact.

  'War with the Drowners is bad fer all of us,' said Red 'Yer remember all the killin's and burnin buildin's from the last one? We're still recoverin'. Can't 'appen again.' Red sat down on the bed again, taking a deep breath.

  Norox grunted. He pulled his hand away from his nose, the back of it speckled with blood. He kept his eyes on Red, but said nothing. Ten sat still cradling his girl, head down, trying not to be noticed again.

  'Yer burned down 'is bakery,' said Red. 'He burned down my butchery. Things are even, far as I'm concerned. We make peace. Call it quits. We're not jennis, not cowards. It's self preser-fuckin'-vation. Understand?'

  Awon spat to the side. 'Whatever yer say, boss. We'll make peace.'

  'Better fuckin' had. Swear to all the gods I'll rip out yer throat if yer cause me any more trouble. I've half a mind ter jus' hand yer over to 'em and be done with it.' Red rose from the bed. He gestured at Ten and Norox. 'Meet me at the warehouse on the twenty seventh hour tomorrow night. You and yer little friends. Yer hear?'

  'Yes, boss.' said Awon, tucking his cleaver back under his shirt.

  Norox grunted in acknowledgement.

  'Yes,' said Ten, softly, not looking up at him.

  'Good.' Red patted Awon's father on the leg. 'Get better. Yer'll be back on yer feet soon enough.'

  Awon's father groaned, wiping his eyes. Awon hadn't noticed before but his father looked like he'd
been crying the whole time.

  Red opened the door and glanced back at Awon. 'Don't be late.' He slammed the door behind him.

  Ten let out a big sigh of relief.

  'You got what you wanted,' said Norox, pulling himself up straight. 'You're now officially a Cutter.'

  'Seems so,' said Awon, pulling splinters from the back of his head.

  'What you wanted?' his father muttered.

  'Doesn't matter, fat man. Yer debt is taken care of now.'

  His father whimpered. 'What have you done?'

  'What I needed too.' Awon turned to Norox. 'You okay?'

  'I'll live,' said Norox.

  Helma pushed herself out of Ten's arms, shoving him away. She rubbed her face. 'Big bastard,' she muttered. She grabbed the collar of Ten's shirt. 'Why didn't you hit him?'

  'What? Hit him?' whined Ten.

  She frowned. 'He hit me. You should have slit his throat.'

  'Me?' He reached out to touch her face but she slapped the hand away.

  'Jenni,' Helma said, turning her back to him.

  'I didn't see you pick up the cleaver when we were rummaging around for those oku stones,' Norox said to Awon.

  'Pocketed it while no one was lookin'. First thing I went fer,' said Awon.

  Norox snorted. 'Figures.'

  'What does he mean “you got what you wanted”?' Awon's father demanded, then coughed hard, which caused him so much pain that he was forced to lay back down.

  'Yer free from yer debt,' said Awon. 'Can open another butchery, free from 'im.'

  'You did all this so you could clear my debt?'

  Awon sniggered.

  'What you gonna do?' asked Helma.

  'None of yer fuckin' business,' said Awon.

  'You're not making peace, are you?' said Norox.

  'I'll do as am told. You heard 'im.'

  'Why does he want us to go?' asked Ten, risking putting his arm around Helma. She didn't shrug him off.

  'Cos he said so,' said Awon.

  'He wants everyone involved to be there,' Norox said to Ten. 'That includes you and me.'

  'Oh.' Ten suddenly looked worried.

  'You are the one that started this whole thing,' said Norox. 'You and her.'

  'You did, didn't you?' said Helma, twisting around in the curve of Ten's arm. 'You saved me from Tombu.' She kissed him on the forehead.

  'I love you,' said Ten.