AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My heart almost stops at its mention. The name I never thought I would hear of again. It’s too much of a coincidence, did I even hear it right? I need to make sure.
“Hanna, what did you say your mentor’s name was?” I ask urgently.
“Zathex. Why? Do you know him?”
The blood boils beneath my skin, threatening to manifest into a fiery rage.
“Know him?” I growl. “That piece of shit is no better than the scum beneath my feet. He wronged me like no one else has.”
“What happened?” she asks, her tone sharing the mutual disgust we share for the xaphan in question.
I’m never open with strangers, but perhaps it is the common hate we bear for Zathex that makes it feel right for me to tell all to Hanna.
“Years ago, he cheated me and took every last nodal I had under my name. I was left to rot in financial despair while he basked in the profits that were meant for me. Ever since, I’ve been waiting for the chance to destroy that bastard.”
My grip on the reins tightens, the veins becoming thicker under my skin.
“Fucking xaphans. They’re nothing but self-righteous fools who claim to be the heroes society should look up to. They’ll just as soon rob you of everything like the next low-life thug on the streets.”
Hanna sighs softly, wringing her hands together. I look at her, finding understanding and resonance in her emerald-green eyes.
“Then we have a common enemy,” she says.
The hatred in her gaze for the xaphan compels me towards a mutual goal. A chance at vengeance.
“Have you ever heard the saying, ‘the enemy of my enemy is my friend?’” I feel your pain, Hanna, and for that, I’d be willing to help you.”
“Help me?” she asks as if to ensure she heard my words right. “How so?”
“Zathex has robbed us both for the sake of his own gain. He needs to learn what real justice means, and that no one is safe from the consequences of their actions. Not even the xaphans.”
“You’re serious,” Hanna whispers, a hint of a smile showing on her slender face. “You’ll really help me?”
“For bringing that bastard down, I’d do anything,” I snarl.
“Me, too,” she replies, nodding firmly. “But how do you propose we go about this?”
“I need to think about that. It won’t be a walk in the park.”
Coming up ahead is my final stop in New Solas before my departure to Ikoth from the docks.
“I must halt here. I just need to hand off some goods to a barter. It should only take a moment, so don’t leave the cart. Otherwise, I can’t guarantee your protection.”
“Will do.”
I hitch the cart and dismount, walking to the back to acquire the box of goods for my client.
As I wait for the stallkeeper to gather his payment, I watch the roads, reflecting on the inevitable challenge that’ll come with taking down a xaphan.
A long journey lies ahead for me and Hanna. As I mull over ideas on how to get to Zathex, a convoy of xaphans rides past my cart. The sight of the bastards ignites the urge within me to chase them down and behead them in the name of revenge.
Perhaps I would’ve, if not for their armor and heavy weaponry. Getting to Zathex will be tough, and it doesn’t help that xaphans like to poke their noses into everyone’s business.
“How can I keep Hanna around me?” I mutter.
Walking around with a human by my side would be easier in Ikoth, but I would still need a cover. Something that would keep our public outings safe.
After all, demons don’t take too kindly to humans if they show up by themselves in the city.
