The Men Of Anderas: Talon, The Assassin Part 18

"Name's Josef, Mister Talon. Jus' where is this island?"

"It's off the coast of a town called Karphor, Josef. Please call me Talon."

"I'm Kent an' my brother is Kord. Ya said that island supported three hundred people? Sounds good ta me. We'd be grateful fer the chance to go wid' ya. Sign us up."

"There were three hundred families, Kent. I was only twelve so I don't know the exact number but it would have to be over a thousand."

"Shadow and I won't be going with you. We're going after Draagon. Sam has all the information and I've given him the few specific instructions that must be followed. You will be starting a new village for yourselves."

Talon finally started to relax. When the idea first came to him, he didn't know if anyone but Sam and his family would be willing to move so far away. If Kent and Kord spread their enthusiasm this venture just might work.

"That bein' the case, what if we know'd of others in the same fix as us? I'm called Bud and I wuz a blacksmith."

"Bud, there's a working forge there; I used it less than a month ago." Talon sobered and looked out over the hopeful faces. "If you know where any survivors of Draagon's cruelty are struggling to survive, ask them to join us. I have only one requirement, and I will not budge on it. Under no circ.u.mstances, will any criminal or drug addict or abuser be allowed to join this group."

The round of cheers and clapping could be heard a block away. "Sam and Emmie will gather the information from each family wanting to move. Any questions you have, Sam can answer or bring them to me. Gather what belongings you have and meet at the transport station at sunset tomorrow night. Departure will be as soon as everyone is loaded. Now, who can tell me where Draagon was last seen?"

Chapter Thirty-Six.

Shadow continued to be amazed by the change in Talon's att.i.tude since entering that bounty station six weeks ago. All he did was ask to borrow that fancy transport and they said yes. Didn't ask why or where he was going-just said yes.

They stopped at every bounty station, now. Talon shared the details of his blindness if asked, but few men questioned him about anything other than what they could do to help him. News of an unusually large gold robbery had them headed for a small mining town in the mountains two hundred miles north of the last bounty station in the territory. A trip that took ten days in the summer took twice as long in the snow. The road was a trail cut through the thick forest to keep the snow from blocking the only access to the mines. A thick canopy of evergreens slowed the build-up of snow on the ground-unless a branch broke under a load that was too heavy. The frequency of those 'dumps' occurred with increasing frequency the higher they climbed.

Thanks to the generosity of the bounty hunters, they were equipped with the latest in winter survival gear. Even the horses had heat-reflecting blankets. They travelled about five miles or so before the horses started showing signs of fatigue. Since the sun dropped below the mountain ridge so early it gave them time to set up camp and care for the animals before it got dark. If her math was correct, they should reach the town tomorrow or the day after.

She would enjoy the trip more if there was some way of taking a shower. A quick wash of the smelly parts with cold water left her feeling less than fresh. A bath and a razor were at the top of her list when they arrived.

"This looks like a good place to stop for the night." Talon pointed to a flat spot beneath a jumble of fallen trees. "The wind is blocked on three sides and we can hang a blanket across a tree to cover the opening."

Shadow didn't question his decision, even though they still had a couple of miles before they reached their five-mile-mark for the day. It didn't take long to set up camp and get a fire pot going. The small, circular pots were filled with a gelatin product that would burn for about four hours. Long enough to prepare a meal and heat water for tea and maybe a quick wash. If given a choice she'd give up a second cup of tea for the warm water.

Talon took care of the horses and because she had her set-up routine down to a fine science, she was able to spend a little time doing what she loved best, watching Talon.

When he tripped over a clump of dried gra.s.s, she forgot about dinner.

When he kicked over the bucket of grain that he just put in front of her horse, she got nervous.

When he had to swing his arm back and forth until he caught the bridle, fear grabbed her. He can't see from his good eye and it's too cold to clearly see heat images.

She waited until they were retired for the night, snuggled together in the blizzard bag, before confronting him. He spooned against her back but made no move to take the embrace to something more intimate. That hadn't happened since the night they met Sam and Emmie. "How long have you been blind?"

Talon tensed behind her and tried to pull away. She gripped his hand, refusing to let him shut her out. She was beginning to think he wouldn't answer when he huffed and responded. "Two years."

"Wrong answer, smarta.s.s. Wanna try for the current truth this time?" She could feel the mental barriers going up between them but she wouldn't back down. This was too important.

"It's because of the snow and cold, Shadow. It will clear up when we get to town. Can we get some sleep, now?"

"Not until you talk to me. What miracle do you think will happen in town? It will still be cold and the snow will be deeper in the open. That will make it worse." She nuzzled her cheek against his hand. "Please don't hide from me."

Talon pushed his body closer to hers. He gave up his plan to keep her at an emotional distance. Need trumped self-preservation when it came to Shadow. Every time he touched her-held her-kissed her-he wanted to sink so deep into her that they became one ent.i.ty. When he thought about his life before compared with what he had now, he couldn't believe the changes. They were both different people than the two who met in a dark alley. He couldn't-wouldn't-revert back to that man.

She'd seen him at his worst and still stood by him. Would knowing all this was for nothing send her running? Only one way to find out.

"I don't know why the second implant isn't working like it did. My vision started changing with the colder temperatures so it makes sense that it will reverse when I'm in a warm room, hugged up to a roaring fire pit. I have to believe that, Blue. Besides, I can still see you turn all blue when I p.i.s.s you off."

"Considering how often that happens, it's no wonder you call me blue. You need to tell me about any changes. Promise me, Talon."

"I promise," he whispered against her neck. "Shall we seal that promise with a kiss...or something."

"Sounds good to me, bounty hunter."

It took two days for Shadow to lead them into town. His snow blindness, as he referred to his lack of vision, was almost complete. He could see a faint heat image from his horse while they were moving, but nothing after they stopped for the night. His only anchor was Blue. She kept her emotions blocked while they made their way along the trail. That trademark aura was the only thing keeping him sane.

"There's a tavern advertising rooms to rent. Do you want to check it out or see if there's something better further into town?"

"Does it look as bad as it smells, Blue?" Talon tried breathing through his mouth but the stench of unwashed bodies, animal droppings, wet fur, and rancid grease tasted worse than it smelled.

"As mining towns go, it's about average. There are a few wooden buildings, including the tavern, but tents make up the majority of the town. This street is a good six inches deep in mud but we're on the downhill side of town. May be better farther up the mountain. I don't see much evidence of mining so that must be uphill as well."

"This is where the disillusioned come to drown their misery. A murdering despot trying to rebuild his empire would fit right in. Might as well try this tavern." He followed Shadow, confident that she could handle any situation that came along. She dismounted and came around to where he stood.

"Come on, lover." She slid her arm around his waist and snuggled in close. "We're just three little steps away from a nice, soft bed."

He grinned at her solution to the problem of how to get him safely into the building. "Let's get this party started!"

"Are you up for another all-nighter?"

He heard the emphasis on 'up' and found the first step without a stumble. His Blue was good. "I won't be the one walking funny come sunrise."

"Brag, brag, brag."

She led him into the building, ignoring the laughter and crude suggestions from the men loitering outside.

"I suppose you're gonna make me pay for this, aren't you?"

"That's strictly up to you. Just remember, Sweetness, if you don't, I'm sure there are one or two lonely miner's wives who will." They never discussed a strategy for blending into the population but Shadow jumped right into this one. People would remember them but only as a h.o.r.n.y woman and her gigolo.

"You even look at another woman, Sweetness, I'll feed your d.i.c.k to the dogs."

Her voice dripped with syrupy menace. He laughed and pulled her tight against his torso and did a little b.u.mp-and-grind. "You wouldn't be that mean to your favorite piece of meat, would you, darlin'?

"You folks are the best entertainment I've had here since I took it over, but the truth of the matter is, these rooms rent by the day. Mostly to miners what don' mind doublin' up a bit. I got one room that has three-no, make that four-others in it. They wouldn't complain none-as long as ya shared yur woman."

"I don't share." Talon was angry enough to go for the man's throat-if he could see him. "Is there another hotel in town?"

"Mister," the manager said when he could stop laughing, "this ain't one of them big, fancy towns down across the wilderness. Ya got three choices. Ya can take what I got here; ya can pay out the a.s.s up at the Golden Ghost; or ya can sleep in the street, but it gets mighty cold here at night."

"We'll take our chances, elsewhere." Shadow informed the obnoxious man. "Lead on, fancy man." She pulled out of his embrace and slipped her arm around his waist again.

"h.e.l.l, darlin' you've been leading me around by my short leg for weeks. I see no reason to change what works. You can lead me anywhere you're willin' to pay for the privilege."

Talon waited until they were mounted and on their way up the mountain before moving in closer to Shadow. "Another word for ghost is phantom. Could it be that simple?"

"You know him better than I do. Is he stupid enough to think no one will put it together?"

"He's not stupid but he is arrogant enough to think his little play on words wouldn't be taken serious. Just so you know, I was able to see heat images in there. They were faint, but it supports what I said on the trail about this being temporary."

"I hope you're right."

They rode in silence until Shadow pulled them to a stop and whistled.

"Son of a...you won't believe this place. The Golden Ghost is three stories tall with wrap-around balconies on each level. If I didn't see this with my own eyes, I'd never believe it."

"What are you talking about, Blue? It sounds nice."

"Oh, I wouldn't describe it as nice, exactly. Talon, it's painted metallic gold!"

"You're kidding. Does it reflect the sun?"

"If you look straight at it you're blinded. I'm serious; this building is polished to a mirror-like shine."

"You have to love a criminal who doesn't understand the concept of keeping a low profile. Let's get inside so my eyes can adjust. This is too easy."

They entered the Golden Ghost arm-in-arm but Shadow didn't go into the urgent lover character. She asked for a corner room on the third floor, and could it please have a view of the mountains.

You missed your true calling, Blue. I know exactly where you came from but I would swear you were educated in the best private academies on the planet.

"Sweetheart," she purred in his ear, "do we want to pay in advance and receive a discount rate or settle the bill when we check out at a substantially higher rate?"

"We'll pay when we leave." He managed to coat his words with just a hint of disdain. After three weeks on the trail they certainly didn't look like they could afford this place, but the desk clerk was too well trained to say anything.

They were escorted to the room Shadow requested. After their young escort deposited their travel bags on the floor, Shadow asked him to close the curtains so she could nap after her bath. The woman was stripping out of her clothes as soon as the door closed behind the kid. He had instructions not to disturb her for at least a week-or until time for dinner.

Talon fumbled his way to a chair and sat down. The room was warm and the closed curtains blocked the glare of the snow and the building itself, if what Shadow said was true. This was the closest he'd come to Draagon even though he'd crossed paths with dozens of his Phantom Riders over the years. They came here following nothing more than a hunch-a gut instinct. That same instinct told him that evil b.a.s.t.a.r.d was here. All he had to do was regain his sight.

Chapter Thirty-Seven.

Shadow stayed in the tub until her fingers and toes wrinkled up and the water turned cold. She was shaved, trimmed, and plucked in the appropriate places and ready to get this a.s.signment completed. The face staring back at her from the mirror wasn't as familiar to her as it was before she met Dak and Kierin.

Things were so clear back then. Find Talon and do whatever she had to do to bring him back into the world of the living. Dak figured it would take her six months. She didn't have anything scheduled so she had the time and the pay was astounding. She got half of the coins up front and the rest would be waiting for her when she delivered her final report. After that, all she had to do was decide which group of mercs to join and she'd be set. The kicker to that plan was she didn't want to go back to that 'soldier-of-fortune' life.

You know what you did. You used the 'p' word. Never, ever use the word plan. It messes up everything. Her inner voice whispered from the image.

"I am so screwed and it's all your fault." She softly accused the woman in the mirror. "You had to go and fall in love with the target. That's a newbie mistake, b.i.t.c.h. Sorry, you quit cussin'." She listened for any sound of movement from beyond the door but it was eerily quiet. "What am I going to do if he can't see?"

One thing was certain. She couldn't stay in the bathroom all night. She had to know, one way or the other. She slipped into the rest of her clothes, drew in a deep, fortifying breath, and went to confront Talon.

He turned and watched her walk across the s.p.a.cious room. He had the biggest smile on his face and it warmed her to her soul. He pulled her onto his lap and she snuggled against his chest for a minute before sitting up so she could see his face.

"What's the verdict?" She was proud of her ability to sound calm and only mildly curious.

"I can see all the fireworks exploding around you, Blue." He winked before pushing her back against his chest.

"Do I hear a but in there?" She asked quietly, her heart beating wildly against her ribs.

"Yes and no." He finally answered. "I'm not totally blind in the eye with the working implant. I can make out shadowy shapes if I focus on them. The good news is that the other eye is working fine. The pulses of color are clear even when I looked out the window earlier."

Another wave of guilt threatened to suffocate her. It all went back to the accident with the cart. If she hadn't been so pushy....

"Blue, we've had this discussion."

She didn't realize she spoke out loud.

"IT. WAS. NOT. YOUR. FAULT. It was an accident. Please, baby, don't do this to yourself."

"But if I...."

"I don't know about you, but I'm starving." Talon wouldn't allow her to continue.

"There's a room service bell beside the bed. I'll order dinner while you take advantage of that tub. It's huge." Tonight she would be whatever he needed her to be.

"Are you complaining about my manly essence?" He asked, sniffing his armpit and making gagging noises.

"I like manly essence. You're gamey." She laughed at his antics. "Take a bath, fool."

Hours later-after a delicious meal-after the hottest s.e.x she'd ever had-after Talon made sweet, seductive, love to her-she slipped from the bed. Every brush of cloth against skin sounded loud enough to wake the dead. She didn't know how he could sleep through her thundering heartbeat. When he fell asleep in the tub, it gave her time to gather and pack her things and write the note she would leave with the clerk to deliver to him with the morning meal they pre-ordered last night.

Her heart was breaking but there was no other way. The bounty hunter academy was waiting for him. He needed to confront Draagon before he could move on with his life. She could give him that.