While Kyra grabbed the two large desert fruits, Bazur removed the rabbit skewers from the fire. He grabbed his only two clay eating bowls and filled them with the pieces of rabbit. When Kyra handed him the bapas, Bazur pried the fruit open and squeezed the juice onto the rabbit pieces. With a practiced hand, he peeled the prickly fruit and added the chunks of fruit flesh to the bowls. Done with the preparation, he handed Kyra her bowl.
Kyra eyed the offering with a questioning look. “I’ve never seen rabbit prepared that way before.”
Bazur shrugged. “The badlands provide ample food for one who knows what to look for. However, it is often a strange assortment. I’ve been trying different combinations of dishes since I entered the badlands. Some regrettable, others quite edible.”
Kyra put a chunk of the rabbit in her mouth. At first, her lips puckered at the sour bapa juices, but the sweet and spicy seasoned rabbit quickly overwhelmed her taste buds. She looked at Bazur in surprise. “That is probably the best tasting rabbit I’ve ever had. I’m sorry for doubting your culinary skills, Bazur.”
Bazur grinned. It had taken many disastrous attempts to perfect that recipe. He’d had many of nights where he couldn’t stand his own cooking. However, moments like this, where he could share his passion for creating unique and flavorful dishes, was worth all the effort.
When they finished the meal, Bazur took Kyra’s bowl and gave them both a good cleaning.
While Bazur cleaned, Kyra took out Prince Valentine’s notes and started to study them.
Bazur watched Kyra reading the journals. He could almost see her brain working. Each nod of her head, or quizzical tilt, was like a map of her understanding of the problem. From the number of times her head tilted, it was obvious that she was finding more questions than answers. When she was really focused on an idea, Kyra would bite her bottom lip. Bazur thought back to the first time he’d met her. He’d been delivering documents when they were attacked by a band of bandits attempting to steal the documents for themselves. The bandits had not been prepared to face a warrior like Bazur, and the fight didn’t go well for them. During the entire fight, the young woman he’d been sent to deliver the documents to just stood there watching. She didn’t try to run away or fight. When a bandit got too close, she deftly sidestepped so Bazur was between her and the bandits. When the battle was over, Bazur asked the young woman why she didn’t run away. Her answer was that she’d watched the first attack of the bandits and decided that the bandits were not a match for him. She also had gambling debts and needed the income she would get from the documents Bazur was carrying. Bazur had been impressed by the young woman barely out of her teens. She had a calculating mind and showed no fear. That she was very attractive had not gone unnoticed either. For a human woman, she was average height, perhaps a bit smaller, but she had that wiry athletic look of someone who was deceptively strong. She certainly hadn’t been what Bazur had expected from a document forger. The years since then had been kind to Kyra. She still had that athletic body but her womanly curves had developed. She still had the bright eyes that sparkled in the right light, but now there was more wisdom behind them, making her even more intriguing.
“Are you going to stare at me all night, or are you going to help me figure this out?” asked Kyra.
Bazur had been so caught up in his reminiscing about the beautiful thief that he hadn’t noticed she’d stopped reading and was watching him as he watched her. “How can I help? You are much smarter than I.” Bazur decided it was safest to just pretend he hadn’t been caught staring at her and keep the conversation focused on the work.
“Don’t give me that false modesty ‘I’m a big dumb orc’ crap. I know you can read, and I know you know the badlands better than I. Many of the attacks have happened in the badlands or nearby. Maybe you can see the pattern.”
It was true that Bazur could read. All the orc children in Lagvon Stronghold had been trained to read, and Bazur’s mother had spent extra time with him. She insisted that he needed balance between his warrior training and the rest of his studies. Bazur hated it, but he had always respected his mother’s decisions and had done the studies. Her comment about pretending to be a big dumb orc was humorous but true. For whatever reason, humans tended to think of orcs as more beast than man. When the reality was that most orcs were as intelligent as humans and in most cases better educated. Instead of fighting the stereotypes, Bazur used them to his advantage. That Kyra saw through his charade was amusing and not unexpected. She was too sharp to be fooled by anyone, even him. “Where did the attacks happen?” asked Bazur.
Kayla took out a map Prince Valentine had with his notes. She pointed out all the attacks. Most of the attacks in the badlands had been against caravans. Draisha gained much of its wealth from trading with other kingdoms, and caravans were frequently used when crossing the badlands to reach Azmarin and the orc province of Irri. Bazur studied the map and the pattern of the attacks. “Your notes are missing an attack. There was another attack last week. Here.” Bazur pointed to a spot on the map that was very close to where two of the other attacks had happened. “I was there for the attack. The bandits were extremely well prepared and organized. They fought well, but their fighting skills weren’t elite enough to make them so successful. I suspect their previous successes had more to do with the quality of planning than the warriors used.”
“Did the caravan survive the attack?”
“Yes. The bandits weren’t expecting another warrior outside of the royal guards to be involved. It tilted the battle in our favor. The royal guards suffered heavy losses on the initial attack, but the caravan and all its good were unmolested.”
“How fortunate for the caravan and for us that you were there. So you believe that the bandits were common, but their leadership was extraordinary?”
Bazur thought about it. That was exactly what he thought. “Yes. The tactics were precise. Someone with combat experience planned out the attacks. It was only when the time for adjustments came that the bandits failed.”
“I don’t suppose you killed them all.”
“No, many escaped, and I doubt whoever organized them was among them. If he was, he was watching from a distance and not actively organizing their attack.”
“Damn, it would’ve been nice if you’d solved this issue without even knowing it. Well, if you did do serious damage to the bandit’s numbers, I doubt they will be staging any more large-scale attacks anytime soon. We should focus our efforts on Draisha for now. Someone in Draisha knows something.”
Bazur noted how she continued to use the term ‘we’ instead of ‘I.’ She was assuming he would agree to join her, or she was intentionally speaking like that to make him feel like he was already part of her investigation. Regardless of why she said it, Bazur had not yet decided. He liked Kyra, she was the most interesting woman he’d ever met and she didn’t treat him as a freak as many human women did, but going to Draisha was not something he wanted to do. He was accustomed to being alone with occasional visits to Pera. Draisha was a seas of people compared to Pera. A sea that he might drown in.
With the light in the cave starting to fade as the evening sun slid away, Kyra put the notes and map away. “That is enough thinking for one night. It is time for sleep, we have a long journey tomorrow. Where can I sleep?”
“Just a minute.” Bazur got up and went to the back of his cave and grabbed a large bear skin. He placed it on the opposite side of the cave from his sleeping spot. “If that is not comfortable enough, there are more skins in the back. Help yourself.”
“I’ve slept in far worse places. The bear skin will be fine.”
Bazur went to his own bed and undressed. Normally, Bazur had no problems getting to sleep. However, he normally didn’t have a beautiful woman sleeping on the opposite side of the cave. It had been a long time since Bazur had shared his bed with a woman and the thought of Kyra being so close was making him restless. Bazur shook his head to remove his more wicked thoughts and forced himse
lf to try sleep.
…
Bazur woke when he felt a body in front of him. Kyra had snuck under his fur and was curled up in front of him. Groggy, still more sleep than awake, Bazur mumbled, “Wha…?”
“Shhh, go back to sleep. I was cold, you can keep me warm.” Kyra wiggled herself in closer against Bazur.
As Kyra wiggled her way into the little spoon position, Bazur briefly thought about the pile of furs he’d shown Kyra and how warm they were, but it did feel good to have her against him so instead of arguing with her questionable logic, he rested his arm on her hip and went back to sleep.
When dawn broke and the first rays on the early morning sun started seeping into the cave, Bazur felt Kyra against him. She was now pressed even closer against him and the intimate contact was causing a stirring in him. Her shapely buttocks were pressed against his groin creating a tantalizing discomfort. Bazur shifted his hips back to create space between their bodies.
Realizing he was awake, Kyra untangled herself from him and stood up.
Bazur admired her body as she stretched. The soft morning light showed the outline of her body, from her pert breasts and taut stomach down to her slender yet firm legs.
Kyra padded her way across the cave and retrieved her clothes. As she did she looked back to see Bazur’s gaze watching her. “Morning.”
“Morning,” replied Bazur. “How is it that you ended up in my bed last night?”
“I was cold and you are very warm. I slept much better in your bed.”
“There were plenty more furs on the pile.” It would be better to at least pretend he hadn’t enjoyed her company. If Kyra though he could be led by his cock so easy, it would only make a hardship, that much more difficult. It was going to be a struggle because he couldn't deny he wanted her. No sense giving her a weapon she could use against him later.
“It’s not the same. Besides, I’m pretty sure you have nothing to complain about. You didn’t put up much resistance last night, and I could feel you this morning. Your body certainly responded well to my presence.”
Bazur knew she was correct. He could’ve pushed her away during the night, and he most definitely had a physical response to her. He wasn’t sure why she’d chosen to sleep next to him, the cave certainly wasn’t that cold. There had always been a degree of flirtation between them, but it had never developed into anything beyond playful banter. Was Kyra wanting more or was she punishing him for making her wait for his answer? Or was there no simple answer at all? Female orcs were so much easier to deal with, they told you exactly wanted they wanted without using tricks.
“Are you going to get up? We need to get traveling. I’d like to get moving before it gets too hot out.”
“We haven’t even discussed a fee.” Bazur shook his head, so much for maintaining a clear mind. He was already mentally preparing for Draisha.
Kyra threw Bazur a small purse. “Two gold coins a day, one hundred gold coins more when we finish the job.”
Bazur opened the purse. Inside were a dozen gold coins. The fee was fair, actually it was more than fair. He’d taken much more dangerous jobs for substantially less coin. The coin, combined with the opportunity to spend time with Kyra, was too much for Bazur to turn down. As much as he was wary of her seductive ways, he couldn’t help but want more. Perhaps he’d been alone too long, or it was simply special about Kyra. He couldn’t find a way to say no to her. “Okay. I’m in. Where are we heading? Draisha?”
“Yes, but first we stop in Pera. There is a pair of loud mouth oafs there that were boasting that you were afraid to fight them. I bet them twenty silver apiece I’d have you there within three days. I bet another hundred silver that you’d beat them both at the same time.”
Bazur laughed as he got dressed. “You and your gambling. It’s going to get you into trouble one of these days.” Bazur didn’t mind the fact that there was a fight waiting for him in Pera. He enjoyed the exercise. Normally, he’d go on his own damn schedule so that no one knew when to expect him. When he went too often it drew large crowds. Bazur didn’t fight for the crowds, he fought for his own pleasure.
“It already has. I need to stop, but I don’t really consider this gambling. The odds of you losing are very low, and since I’m a silly woman, the men didn’t make me take odds on the fight. It was a shrewd business decision.”
Very low odds of beating two men? Bazur had a feeling that Kyra might have greatly overestimated his skills. Most of the men that hung around Pera looking to fight him were experienced warriors or at the very least tough brawls. Fighting two at once was never easy, especially if they were skilled at working together against a single opponent. For Kyra, it might have seemed a logical bet, but Bazur knew when it came to gambling the spirited woman was more inclined to follow gut instincts instead of logic. Kyra was not a good gambler.
Once he filled a water sack, Bazur grabbed his weapons and followed Kyra out of the cave. It was time to go to Pera. Outside the cave, Bazur stopped and put his gear on the ground.
“What are you doing?” asked Kyra. “A few branches on the ground isn’t going to hide your caves entrance.”
Bazur put his shoulder against the large chunk of rock that stood beside the entrance to his cave. As he pushed, the chunk of rock turned, and when it stopped moving it had completely blocked the entrance to the cave. If someone knew his cave was there, they could move the rock with considerable effort, otherwise, the cave was now invisible. Next, he grabbed a couple of dead bramble bushes that he kept nearby and placed them in front of the cave entrance, further hiding it. Bazur then carefully swept in front of the cave entrance, making sure no footprints or scuff marks hinted at the hidden entrance. Satisfied his home was somewhat protected, Bazur picked up his gear and started towards Pera.
Kyra shook her head and followed “I stand corrected. A few branches and a damn big rock does make your cave invisible.”
7
PERA
“YOU owe me ten silver coins. One bad land savage delivered within three days.” Kyra grinned as she put out her hand and waited for the two warriors to pay her.
Bazur ignored Kyra and the two warriors who wanted their opportunity to collect Hoggard’s bounty. He took a stool at the bar and accepted the mug of honey mead from the bartender. When he first arrived in Pera from the orc province of Irri, the bartenders had refused to serve him. That had caused his first fight, and the second. After that, the bar owner sent out a bouncer from Draisha, a big tough man known for brutal fights. After the bouncer was sent back to Draisha bruised, battered, and thoroughly defeated, Bazur became a bit of a local legend. Now instead of refusing him drinks, they gave him free drinks. The bar made more money off of would-be fighters waiting for a chance to defeat Bazur than they did off the locals who called the badlands home. Pera itself was a small trading post built near an oasis. Three of the major trade routes through the badlands went through Pera, as it was a year round supply of fresh water. Bazur sipped his mead and waited for the two would-be warriors to make their move. Many of the combatants who challenged Bazur sought advantage from sneak attacks. A foolish proposition, a doomed tactic that always failed. Sandur, a pretty little brunette always placed wagers on Bazur winning. To make sure he wasn’t caught off-guard, she would stand at the corner of the bar and watch Bazur’s back for him. At the first sign of attack, she would scratch her nose. Most of the time, Bazur didn’t need the notice. Half of the men who challenged him came charging in like bulls, and others failed to notice that Bazur always took the same seat at the bar. The seat with a creaky board under it. You couldn’t get closer than three steps without the board making noise.
This time the two warriors were in no hurry. They were confident, boasting to all around that they were going to collect the bounty and take Kyra’s money. Bazur shook his head. They never learned.
“Are you ready?” asked Kyra as she took the stool next to Bazur.
Bazur glanced over at her. She had a sparkle in her eye. She was
excited. Bazur wasn’t sure if her excitement came from the anticipation of violence or her significant wager. Knowing Kyra, he suspected the latter, but he wouldn’t put it past her to like a good fight. Or more likely to get him in one as she shouted out encouragement. Yes, the latter was more likely. Damn woman. “Not until I finish my mead.”
Bazur turned on his stool and took a look at his two opponents. At first glance, they looked like fighters. At second glance, they really looked like fighters. These two men were tough. From their nearly identical faces, Bazur could tell the two were brothers, possibly twins. Both men were big, nearly as big as Bazur himself. The one on the left was slightly taller and the other brother looked like he was carrying around another ten pounds, mostly muscle, on his shoulders and arms. Bazur noted the big strong looking hands with multiple calluses and scars on their knuckles. Both men used their fists, often.
As Bazur studied the men, he noted that they were no longer boasting and working the crowd. They were silently returning his stares. Bazur gave them a small grin. These were not the normal braggarts, men with loud barks and little bites, who liked to talk. These men did it for show, to work the crowd. Now that the fight was near they were all business. If he was going to make sure Kyra won her money, he was going to earn it. These two would be no pushovers. Finishing his mead with a large swig, Bazur stood.
Short twin and tall twin, as Bazur had started to think of them, started to circle towards him. Short twin came straight towards him, while tall twin circled to Bazur’s left.
Bazur walked forward. He could hear the bar patrons scrambling to get out of the way, but he paid them no attention. His focus was squarely on the two twins. Often in these sort of fights, where one man faced multiple opponents, the normal thing to do was stay on your feet. Try to keep your distance and land strikes, hoping to knock one out while keeping the other at bay. Bazur was not a normal fighter. As short twin came within striking range, Bazur feigned a high kick. When short twin stepped back to avoid the possible kick, Bazur spun and lunged at tall twin, spearing him in the midsection with a shoulder. Bazur drove the tall twin back into the bar. From experience, Bazur knew the thick oak bar was heavy spiked into the floor and almost impossible to budge. Tall twin gasped as the air was forcefully expelled from his lunges. Bazur then landed two quick and hard jabs to the tall twin’s chin.
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