Uncovered

Chapter Twenty Four - Finneas

Finn knew he wasn't far away from reaching death's door when he finally managed to stumble home through the game park behind the large Manor he'd called home for most of his life. His memory of escaping was blurry from the blood loss and pain that was coursing through his body. Brax had ensured as many guards as possible would have been pre-occupied so he only had to deal with two on his way out. He was weapon-less but he wasn't defenceless. Even in his fragmented state of mind he was able to easily shut down his opponents. Ivan's guards were just a bunch of untrained men who felt entitled when they held swords and were content with a minimum wage and the satisfaction of being surrounded by whores. Finn's guards were the most skilled men in all of Pryden.

Mavric wouldn't tolerate anything less.

Loky was the last thing he saw before his body collapsed. The relief that washed over him in that moment was so intense he was ashamed it had happened and would never admit it out loud. It gave him just the last little bit of strength he needed to get the healing vial out from his pant pocket to hand to the boy, hoping and praying he would know what it was and how to use it while his breathing became slow and heavy and his eyelids began closing forever.

The boy was smart. Finn knew it. And had no choice but to trust him with his life, and that wasn't a scary thought to him anymore. It had been a decade since he felt that kind of connection and respect for somebody. Back when he was younger, he'd looked up to an older red-headed boy who was an excellent fighter. Until he became a failure and was banished forever. And as the tingling sensation began coursing through his broken body, putting all the broken and fractured pieces back together, he realised he would need to use Loky to help him figure out what to do about the girl, Nyrie.

He had only promised Brax one thing in exchange for his freedom: He would stop his Uncle from looking for her.

That would be easy. Finn knew that Brax was aware that once Mavric found out about him being alive and working for Ivan, Mavric would forget all about the girl and the bounty would be on his own head. The fool had traded his life. Girl forgotten; promise fulfilled.

Brax was a dead man walking now. Deciding to bargain his own whereabouts to save the young girl was either very brave or very stupid, Finn couldn't decide. He obviously cared a great deal for her. His Uncle and everyone else had assumed Brax to be long gone, as far out of town as possible after how spectacularly he was kicked out of the Manor for failing in his duty. Little did he know he had been working for his enemy all these years right under their noses. A great place to hide, actually.

How Mavric never figured it out was a testament to his skill level.

His Uncle would lose sleep over this.

Finn had never crossed paths with Brax that he knew of. How someone that tall and recognisable went unnoticed for a decade even shocked himself. There aren't many fierce looking freckly, red-haired men in Town. And then the stupid bastard just threw it all away for a pretty girl. What a waste. Women are not worth losing your life over. Mothers, however, that is a different story.

Walking back to the Manor under the dim grey light from the moon, Loky still hadn't spoken a word since Finn practically ordered the boy to help him on his new quest without giving him any options.

While Finn was in his adrenaline state, he could have sworn he saw something when he stumbled upon Loky in the Game Park. Speaking of which, he wanted to know what he was doing out there at that hour, all alone.

"You know I have to ask." Finn said, his deep voice spoken quietly however the stillness of the night seemed to echo it off all the trees.

Loky didn't hesitate in his answer.