Chapter 9

Cade arrived in Amstel early the next morning. While the urge to charge into the hasma was palpable, Cade bided his time. He slept the day away in the hayloft of an old barn just inside the city.

There was reconnaissance to be done before the confrontation with Rotta. He needed to know who she worked with, and if she still had his emerald and pelt. He also needed to find out how she captured Razar. There were many questions he would have from her before he delivered justice.

That night when the sun set, Cade and Razar walked to an old run down shed just a few blocks south of the hasma. Cade did not knock but shoved the door back and boldly entered the only room.

Two men sat at a crate turned table. One was obviously a street pick pocket. His long brown coat with many pockets and constantly shifting eyes gave him away. He jumped and almost hit his head on the low roof when Cade opened the door. The thief took one look at the huge man and his equally large hound and quickly gathered up the fabric holding the jewelry. He headed out a back door behind the second man without looking back.

The second man held Cade’s attention. Simon LeRoe was the oldest and most famous thief in Amstel, and many other towns as well.

Cade was a Wardex. He knew Simon professionally.

“Simon,” Cade said.

“Wardex,” Simon said and lifted a gray eyebrow. “I heard tell you were dead.”

Cade grimaced. “I heard tell you retired, but from the looks of things retirement didn’t suit?”

Simon studied the large man and his hound. He gave a curt nod and pulled two tin cups from beneath the crate and poured clear liquid into them.

“Have a drink?” The man asked.

Cade’s eyes narrowed.

“Ah yes,” Simon said sipping his drink. “I heard the last time you drank in Amstel you ended up dead. But now here you stand. Interesting.”

“I did not come here to be social Simon LeRoe,” Cade said. “I need information and you are the man to provide it.”
Simon’s dark eyebrow rose. “And what makes you think I want to play informant to the very man who precipitated my,” He cleared his throat. “forced retirement?”

Cade shut the door and moved into the room, Razar beside him.

Simon studied Razar and cocked his head to the side. “It seems my information isn’t as good as it should be.”

Cade ignored the comment. “You will help me Simon or you will find yourself in the hopper for dealing with stolen goods. I saw it and would be well within my jurisdiction to have you flogged publically and incarcerated.”

Simon waived his hand in the air. “Threats are unnecessary. I am willing to share information with you for a price.”

Cade shook his head. “No price. Your freedom is reward enough.”

Simon sighed.

Cade continued. “Has a woman named Rotta come to you with an emerald this size?” Cade held up his fist.

Simon couldn’t hide his surprise. He shook his head. “I did not know it was Rotta who robbed you. I heard you met an early death here at the hands of thieves but did not know it was Rotta.”

Cade shrugged. “No matter, I will met out justice in short order.”

Simon smiled. “Rotta will not be so easy to kill. And if she decides to keep your emerald you will most likely never see it again.”

Cade stared stonily at the thief.

Simon sighed. “You always were so talkative.”


“So she has not come to you?” Cade asked.

Simon glanced again at Razar who sat watching him intently. “She has not.”

Cade studied the man’s face. He was not lying.

“If she comes to you before I find her,” Cade said in practically a growl. “Take the emerald from her. I will reward you well.”
Simon shook his head. “Rotta isn’t someone I can cross and still maintain a presence here in Amstel. And no one takes anything from that woman and lives.”

Cade leaned forward. “I am not someone you can cross and live anywhere.” He turned to leave when Simon’s next statement caught him off guard.

“Beware Wardex, she has magic about her,” he said softly.

Cade rolled his eyes and snorted before taking his leave, Razar right on his heels.


Chapter 10

Rotta walked down the stairs of the hasma with Max following close behind. The place was full tonight, as every night of the festival. She surveyed the crowd and found her next pigeon, a small man as wide as he was tall, a balding pallet and crimson face. She wasn’t concerned with his physical features however, but more with the many gold rings he wore upon his fingers, and the expensive cut of his vest.

She ran a slim hand down her lithe figure and began crossing the crowded room. All eyes watched the beautiful dark haired woman’s progress. More than one man hoping he was her destination. Knowing smiles crossed many faces when she walked over to the rich man’s table.

She bent low so the tips of her breasts brushed the table. Her gold silk gown clung to every curve of her body and her breasts barely remained in the bodice so tight was the fit. She took a deep breath and peered at the man from beneath her eyelashes. “I hope all is to your satisfaction my lord.”

The man’s eyes did not leave the bounty of flesh so thoughtfully exposed for his perusal. He unconsciously licked his lips. “There is one thing I would correct,” the man said in a suddenly dry throat.

Rotta looked directly into the man’s bulging eyes and whispered, “Anything my lord wishes, he has only to ask and it shall be done.”
He watched her lips painted to perfection. He could smell perfume though he did not recognize the scent. The longer she stood before him the more determined he was to have her. A lust he hadn’t felt in years thickened his blood.

He reached across the table and ran a finger over the flesh of her breast. “Anything?” he asked. His eyes widened at the softness he found there. His desire ignited when he saw the woman shiver.

Rotta was not shivering from desire as she knew the man believed but from revulsion. The potent perfume she always wore was taking its effect on the man. He was so disgustingly covetous of her body she could almost guess his next words.

Oh how she hated these little fat faced pigs. She made eye contact with Max who was sitting at the bar watching the man fondle Rotta. He lifted his mug in salute to another pigeon plucked.

A genuine smile covered her face at the thought.

“What is it you wish?” She asked standing and walking around the table toward the man. She perched on the bench beside him giving him full view of her breasts.

He leaned over and whispered in her ear. She tried not to show her revulsion as the man slid his hand up her leg to rest atop the junction of her thighs.

He was so preoccupied with his advance he did not see Rotta lean forward and flip open the opal on the only ring she wore. A small amount of powder went into his chalice. Rotta picked it up and smiled at the man.

“Before we adjourn upstairs,” she smiled and watched the effect of those words on the fat little man. “A toast to longevity, in life and in more amorous pursuits.” She pretended to take a sip and then turned the chalice around so his lips would touch the same spot and lifted it to his lips.

The chalice was knocked from his fat fingers unceremoniously spilling red wine all over Rotta and the table.
Rotta thinking it a drunkard turned with an angry retort that died on her lips.

Before her stood the very man who haunted her dreams. His large frame was menacingly close and his eyes burned fire.
The fat man looked at Cade and back at Rotta. “What is this? Look what you’ve done.”

Cade did not spare the man a glance. “I just saved your life man. That wine was poison. Better if you find yourself another establishment to frequent, this one is going out of business. Tonight.”

Cade flipped the table in one quick motion. The entire hasma went still and Max started making his way over toward the scene.
The fat man scurried away without looking back mumbling to himself about treacherous women.

Rotta smiled and stroked her long hair. “Why Cade,” she smiled sweetly. “Are you jealous? I did not think to see you again or surely I would have waited for you.”

Cade scowled. “We are not familiar woman. You address me as Wardex.”

Rotta blanched.

Razar’s growl alerted Cade of Max’s progress. Rotta’s eyes went to the hound and then toward Max. There in the depths of her eyes she promised Max a horrible retribution.

Max stopped short when Razar bared his teeth and let out a low throaty growl.

“Where is the emerald?” Cade demanded.

Rotta thought about denying it. But she could tell the Wardex was in a fury and any lie might just set him off. She gestured with her head. “Upstairs,” she said sweetly. “You left in such a hurry the other night you forgot it. I kept it safe just in case you ever returned.”

“Fetch it,” Cade said.

Rotta’s eyes narrowed at the command. “As you will,” she said and stood. She walked slowly through the parting crowd toward the stairs. Cade was no more than a step behind her.

Max was pinned in place by Razar. At least Max told himself he was trapped and didn’t want to take on the hound. The truth was, he didn’t want to face Rotta’s wrath. Better to let the large Wardex take the brunt of it.

Cade followed the woman to the top of the stairs and into a room on the left.

Rotta retrieved the emerald from her dresser. She held it up for a quick perusal and then tossed it to Cade.

He caught it in one hand and quickly tucked it into his shirt. The authenticity of the stone was confirmed when Magus started to vibrate.

Is there anything else you desire Wardex?” Rotta asked in her most persuasive voice.

Cade saw his fur lying on the bed. He bent and retrieved it tying it back around his neck.

Rotta smiled. If the arrogant Wardex knew what she and Max had done on that fur. Her smile faded. Max was a dead man.

“You and I could do very well together,” Rotta said slinking closer to Cade so he could get a nice whiff of her perfume. “I will need a strong hand around here after tonight. And the compensation is well,” she ran a fingernail down Cade’s brawny chest. “Priceless.”

Cade’s bronzed hand encircled Rotta’s throat. He lifted her into the air. “You are a murderess and have no future beyond this night.”

Rotta kicked. She pulled against his hand, all to no avail. She tried to call to her familiar but couldn’t get past the thought she was unable to breathe.

Her eyes bulged and the room narrowed. Blackness started eating away the edges of her vision.

The door to the room flew open and several large men entered, Max leading them. One of them had a bag over Razar’s head and was pulling him with a rope.

“Seems your mut needs a little discipline,” Max said. “Nearly took off my arm when Harlin here bagged him. He did get a few others though and they’ll be wanting their piece of his hide.”

Max held up a large club. “There is only one way you’re leaving here tonight mister. And this time I am gonna make sure you are dead myself.”

Cade dropped Rotta to the ground. He heard her gasp and gag for air. He drew his long sword.

Max didn’t blink at the weapon. He silently berated himself for not throwing it away before giving this man’s body to the witch.

Max was a street fighter and worked better with club and chains than with a blade. Wardexes were the finest swordsman on the planet, or so heard tell. He shook the thought away and raised the club.

Cade leaped toward Max.

Max anticipated the move and parried the thrust well with the club. He used Cade’s momentum to propel him toward the group of men. Cade however was lighter on his feet than most men his size. He stopped mid stride and struck backwards with his sword. He didn’t look back to see the shock registered on Max’s face as the steel blade sheathed itself in his intestines. Cade gave a vicious turn and yanked the sword clear, all in one seemingly effortless movement.

The other men watched Max fall and fled. Razar barked and shook the bag loose. Cade turned in time to see what he suspected all along. Rotta was gone. Obviously, out a squirrel hole made for just such an occasion.

Cade stepped over Max’s body and wiped the blade on the rumpled sheets of the bed. He looked down at the man desperately trying to hold his entrails in and moaning softly.

“A life for a life,” Cade said. “I will leave you as you left me, with every expectation of death.”

Cade left the room and did not look back.