Talon the Black
Page 59
* * *
“I do not jest. The task is not as easy as it may sound. Far from it.”
* * *
Were it not for the woman’s recent exposure to the public, were it not for the rumors that spread within days to every stretch of the kingdom, his plans would have remained unchanged. Now there was enough evidence to demonstrate her value. The difficulty would lie in her capture.
* * *
“Who is she?” Eagle asked.
* * *
“Her name is Lady Claire, and she is well protected.” And indeed she would be now that she was the king’s ward. “That is why I selected you.”
* * *
“Fair enough. How do I find this lady?”
* * *
“Go to Kastali Dun. From there your search will be easy.”
* * *
“Kastali Dun!” Eagle’s face darkened. “That ain’t part o’ my territory. Who do you think I am?”
* * *
“I know exactly who you are, and I know you are perfectly capable.” He clenched his flagon. “But if you are not up for it, I will gladly retract my gold and peddle my business elsewhere.” Eagle stayed quiet. He considered the offer. “Can you do it or not?” His patience was wearing thin.
* * *
“Course I can do it,” Eagle boasted. “It is a matter of whether or not I want to. You are good for the gold?”
* * *
“I am good for it. Deliver the woman and I will pay you three times what you have there. You have my word.”
* * *
“All right then. I will do it. You have my word.” Eagle held out his hand to seal the bargain. The word of an assassin. He wasn’t sure how much it counted for. Reluctantly, he stuck his pale hand forward and grasped the Eagle’s, shaking it briefly. Humans disgusted him. Touching this one was not favorable.
* * *
“And how will I get her to ya?” Eagle glanced about the room again.
* * *
“Bring her here. I will know when you arrive.” With that, he left. He’d greatly underestimated this woman named Claire. Not anymore. Her time would come, same as the rest of them…
About the Author
Melissa Mitchell is a physics Ph.D. by day, and fantasy writer by night. She is a California transplant, who moved to Georgia with her husband and three dogs to chase her engineering career in illumination design. Aside from her love of tea, wine, desserts, and writing, she loves reading, playing piano, baking, and bullet journaling (in no particular order).
Visit her online at authormelissamitchell.com