Of Gods & Valkyries: Book Three

Damn The Valkyries

– J O H N – 

The table was a stained piece of horses' ass. Such likening to the rest of this city.

Kaden burped across from me and I drummed my fingers. Working on designs and explosive pouches had long ago taken the touch off the tips but they still had other uses...

"It has been two spans." Kaden grumbled into his mug, eyeing a nearby patron that roared something out in the Kanton tongue.

"I am aware, man. It has happened before." I grunted, kicking the table leg and scanning the room under my hood.

The city guard were restless and hunting for us. Big black furred morons without a brain between them to track the Three Lions–or the Two Lions. I sighed in frustration and tipped the rest of my drink back before wiping my shaved chin with my sleeve. I still had a cut from the dagger that took my beard away.

"Should we wait for them–"

I snorted and glared at those big grey eyes the tree had. His own efforts on the chin were far worse.

"Waiting never got us far when she disappeared off once before. It does us no good in this city. We're here until I can get us enough supplies to travel to the coast. Then... Uccella."

Kaden grumbled like a put out child again and pressed his leather gauntlets on the table in a huff. But we had seen this before. Gods knew how long it would take those immortals to find themselves back with us–if they were even on the mortal realm.

"She could at least give a man warning when she magics herself away."

I smirked despite it and levelled him with a look.

"Tayah? Telling us of her plans. That girl can scarcely decide her own fate let alone plan it."

"She should be done with it all." He decided, gulping another mouthful of ale–or whatever this piss was. "–tell that Odin bastard to shove his immortality up that shinin' arse of his."

"Here, here." I murmured, mocking him with a salute. "If it wasn't for the power we could be living our lives as they should–in Vayleron with a wench on my hip and a slap on your face."

Kaden grinned and stabbed a fork on the table that was already a disaster.

"I got a redhead that needs attention back in Uccella and a slab of vension that calls my name more than her hindquarters."

I shook my head with a laugh and cast my eyes above. When they landed it wasn't Kaden that caught my attention anymore. It was a small boy in the doorway. A lad that was too skinny. A lad that should have been safely at a certain warlord's side.

"Good fuck of all gods."

"What?" Kaden demanded, "–is she heavy breasted?" His words died the moment he caught sight of the boy that slipped inside and clung to the walls scanning the loud tavern.

"Yanu." Kaden whispered, before lunging heavily to his feet.

I quickly grabbed his collar and yanked him back down into his chair.

"Don't even dare. Kaden." I hissed, pulling my hood lower and avoiding a few wandering eyes nearby.

"But it's the lad–John it is him." He hissed, over the candle making those grey eyes brighter.

"I know you overgrown fruit pie. We cannot allow the locals to know as much. The boy is a hotter target than our presence at the moment. Do not. Reveal us." I finished in a low growl.