Day 6

Siddy

It was no longer an interrogation. Black Jon turned the torture into execution, a slow one. The extent of Black Jon’s cruelty didn’t end there. He’d brought the entire band in front of Siddy so they could watch him die in agony. He begged for mercy but his words were met with cheers from the bandits.

Black Jon raised a glass container with insects inside. Siddy began shaking uncontrollably. The little things inside had a nasty sting that hurt worse than a knife stab. Only twice Siddy had seen Black Jon use them on people. It’d made him smile back then, now there was pure horror.

“One jar costs a silver coin, but you’re worth it,” Black Jon said. “They're alchemically enhanced to increase pain, keep you fully awake and ensure that your body can last for at least a day.”

The weight of Black Jon’s words was crushing. Bandits cheered, drinking ale and smoking. He no longer had the strength to fight the ropes that tied him or beg. As the shock settled in his stomach, he only managed to say, “I hope Pantheras will make a quick work of you.”

This got Black Jon’s attention. The severe man sneered but put the jar away. It elicited a wave of disappointment, which the Butcher’s officer ignored. He moved closer to Siddy and asked, “What did you say?”

“Healer works with Pantheras.”

Siddy felt like laughing although, his heart was pounding in his chest when Black Jon ordered to cut him down and bring him before Butcher. A moment later, he sat in the same dark room where he’d met Butcher. His ribs were cracked, a parting gift from Bulman who had been frustrated with the change of plans. Black Jon hadn’t minded when his boys had decided to leave a mark on Siddy, as long as Siddy was in shape to speak.

This time, Butcher hadn’t appeared right away and Black Jon played with the jar ominously. The bastard hadn’t spoken a word until Butcher walked through the door. His apron was soaked with fresh blood, the cleaver was dark red. The leader of the band smeared the blood on his face, then looked at Black Jon expectantly.

A kick sent Siddy to Butcher’s feet. Close enough to be struck with the cleaver. It was the better death than becoming prey to the content of the damned jar.

“Speak, worm.”

“Healer works with Pantheras.” Every word came rugged and painfully.

“And how do you know of it?” Buchter asked towering above Siddy.

“He told it to a bounty hunter in the Silent Fall.”

“A bounty hunter?” Black Jon’s hand grasped Siddy hair and pulled his head up. “Why didn’t you tell us earlier?”

“I forgot.”

Black Jon allowed Siddy’s head to fall to the floor. The younger bandit didn’t have the strength to keep it up.

“Who’s the bounty hunter after?” Butcher asked, his tone changed.

“Pantheras.”

Siddy wished to say that the bounty hunter had been after his boss, but he lacked courage. Taken away from the place of his execution, he started to harbor hope again.

“Tell me everything.”

Siddy told them everything since the departure from Soto over a month ago. Speaking hurt but the alternative was beating, which was worse. When the last word left Siddy’s mouth Butcher placed the cleaver on the table and seemed to forget about Siddy.

His hopes were elevated further.

“If the little rat speaks the truth, we’ll soon have a fight on our hands.”

Butcher did some stretching as he stared at the wall. His mood was harder to catch. But some eagerness appeared in the way he moved.

“I’ll double boys in the perimeter and…”

Butcher’s raised hand made his officer fall silent.

“Pantheras aren’t like other gangs. There’s madness to them. I’ve met their leader, Bleakface years ago. We exchanged a punch or two. That brat was crazy back then, running around the south, challenging his betters. He even somehow survived the encounter with Wing.”

“With the Wing?”

“The same.”

Siddy zoned out, losing the gist of the conversation between Butcher and Black Jon. His thoughts were stuck on the revelation. If Pantheras’ leader really had survived Wing then Butcher’s days were truly numbered. Wing was one of the strongest bandits in the south. Siddy and boys had exchanged hundreds of stories about Wing and his gang exploits. Wing belonged to the few who openly had fought the empire and lived.

“It may be the time we move on,” Butcher said. His words pierced through Siddy’s muddled mind. Move on? Like what? Like leaving Soto?

“Boss,” Black Jon said with respect but keeping his voice strong. “We’re ruling everything in the fifty-mile radius. Our position here’s well established, even the Imperial Army doesn’t bother us. If we move on, we’ll have to fight every other gang for territory. I advise you to stay and face Pantheras on our ground.”

“Contact Bud and tell him to return.”

“Without him…”

“I don’t care,” Butcher said simply. “I’ve fulfilled my end of the deal. I’m tired of this forsaken city.”

For the first time, Black Jon looked truly lost. Siddy had no idea what they were talking about but it seemed like his chances of walking out of this alive were larger. Only when Butcher picked up the cleaver Siddy’s doubts returned.

“Keep people in the dark until Bud returns.”

With that, Butcher left the dark room. Black Jon was about to walk out when he stopped and glanced down at Siddy.

“I almost forgot about you, little shit. Get up we have an unfinished business to attend.”

Siddy whimpered and didn’t even get a chance to stand up. Black Jon dragged him by his hair to his death.

Butcher

Butcher closed the door to his private butchery. Killing animals was what he liked, being a bandit had been forced upon him over a hundred years ago, when it’d come to light that he’d been a bastard Royalblood. People like him had no choices ahead of them. A deal he’d made thirty years ago had meant to see him gain the privilege of a Royal House, the right to live. He’d done what had been asked of him, now he was going to get what was his.

The butchery smelled of fresh death. Animals weren’t much different from people. But killing lowly commoners didn’t offer the same ecstasy that slaughtering animals gave him. He filled his lungs with a powerful aroma and dwelled on the words of the young bandit. Pantheras were after him and the bounty hunter was after Pantheras. Who had sent them? Why now? Was another scheme of the Royal Houses afoot or did Pantheras move on their own? Not knowing left him vulnerable. And the question is, how did they get to Perkins? The healer had been anything but social. He… It suddenly occurred to Butcher. The conman...