Daryk Warrior by Denise A. Agnew Page B

a woman brutalized in
any way, even if I don’t respect her.”
    Boltga’s bushy eyebrows went up. “I may be the biggest
asshole you’ve ever met but I don’t harm women. When I’m done having my fun, I
just leave.”
    Eryk nodded. “Then we see eye to eye.” Eryk didn’t relax.
People still rushed around as if frightened and certain an attack would come
soon. “Annalica aside, I need to know about the threat to Felican Castle. Have
you told Bellrus Familia?”
    Boltga nodded. “As soon as I arrived here two hours ago.”
    Eryk leaned against the wall behind him. The solid surface
gave him security. “I won’t accept Dragonian unity if it means innocents are
thrown to dragons because they don’t believe the way Drakus Fina does. They’re
stealing Magonian women to be sex slaves. That, and a plan to invade Magonia
are not acceptable to me. If you’re on that side we’re enemies.”
    Boltga shook his head. “Draconus, no.”
    “Then why the fuck were you once a part of Drakus’ rank and
file?”
    “I was planted there years ago to spy on him but he found me
out and I barely escaped with my skin.”
    Eryk pondered the information for a moment. “I’ll take you
at your word right now.”
    “Now?”
    “Give me any reason to suspect you’re lying and I’ll make
sure your ass is thrown in the dungeon. Now tell me about this attack.”
    A shout came from a guard in the tower closest to the
tavern. “Rogues are coming!”
    * * * * *
    Mia twisted the knob that shut off the water cascading into
the tub. She sank into the cold water with a gasp. Magon, this water was the
coldest she’d encountered for a bath. She wished she’d used the cascading water
device across the small room to bathe. On Magonia they had similar devices that
worked the same way, though these seemed more complex and well-made. In Scribe
school life had proved austere and she’d never expected much in the way of
luxury. The huge tub in the bathing area of the room surprised Mia because so
few homes in Magonia had both tub and sprinkling device. She quickly washed,
her whole body shivering by the time she finished. It felt wonderful though, to
wash her hair clean of grime.
    She’d hoped Eryk wouldn’t return soon. She could finish her
bathing routine and think on what she should do next. Mia jumped out of the
water, grabbed one of the thick material wraps hanging on a bar near the tub
and dried vigorously. Donning her new clothes felt wonderful. The light blue
tunic and pants, made of a fluid material, were far nicer than the stained,
dirt-encrusted clothes lying on the floor. She’d throw away those old clothes
because she doubted she had time to clean them before they’d leave the castle
and press onward. The backpack purchased at the clothing shop was filled with
her other new clothes. After dressing, she hurried to dry her hair. The thick
mass tended to curl a bit here and there and the comb removed knots with ease.
She returned to the main room and sat on the bed to finish combing her hair.
She smiled. Another example of the lies Magonians told their people. Some
things might be primitive and awful here but Magonia had its own problems. She
thought of her friends on Magonia, even though she only had two she’d consider
good friends. Dania and Litia, twin sisters who’d gone through Scribe school
with her from the beginning. Tears filled her eyes. They’d sacrificed so much
for her. Guilt stung hard and deep as she swallowed her tears with a sob.
    She recalled Dania’s last words to her before she was
dragged away. You have to go on, Mia. You are stronger and younger than we
are. You need to spread the truth. To make sure others know what a travesty
we’ve created here. The lies must be exposed.
    Mia sobbed again, the sound tight and high and filled with
misery. She sucked in a breath and struggled for control. Tears were weakness.
Not allowed. Strength before anything. Stoic even in the face of death. She
shivered and rubbed