Page 19 of Storms & Sacrifice
Thog doesn’t move, but his face darkens, and it feels like we’re walking a tightrope here.
“Probably even more so after his death, right?” Ragnar starts getting louder. “He was only a year away from release, wasn’t he? I bet thatreallypissedyou off.”
Thog looks like he’s currently trying to murder Ragnar with his eyes but still remains silent.
“Is that it? Revenge? Were you mad your daddy died in prison, so you decided to get back at the people who put him there?” Ragnar suddenly stands, leaning over the table. “Why did you do it, andwho the hell are you working with?!”
“Deputy,” Khazak does his best to reel Ragnar in without Thog noticing he’s gone rogue.
“I told you,” Thog grits out, “I do not know anything about this robbery or your stolen brimstone.”
“Iknowyou’re lying!” Ragnar shouts.
“That isenough, Deputy Rockfang.” Khazak stands, crowding Ragnar’s space. With a final glare to Thog, Ragnar exits the room. Khazak turns to Thog. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Grimrock. An officer will be in to return you to your cell. I believe your advocate will be visiting tomorrow to discuss your upcominghearing.”
Ignoring Thog’s rolling eyes, Khazak gives me a look to follow as he turns and exits the room. Ragnar is waiting for us right outside, and as a group, we move down the hall and away from the cells into Khazak’s office. Khazak moves behind his desk while Ragnar drops in one of the chairs in front dramatically, and I take a seat onthe couch.
“I’m sorry. I know I let myself get too heated in there.” Ragnar crosses his arms, looking at his lap.
“Yes, that could have gone better.” Khazak shakes his head. “I would have liked to keep the information about what was stolen a secret while the thief is still at large, but in the end, I do not think he actually knowsanything.”
“He’s lying! He has to be.” Ragnar turns in his seat to face me. “David?”
“I dunno.” I scratch the back of my head. “He seemed genuinely surprised when you brought up his dad’s factory. I think he might be telling the truth.”
Ragnar makes a frustrated grumble. “I really thought I had something.”
“We will solve this, Deputy,” Khazak consoles his friend. “Try to cheer up. In two days, that man will no longer be sitting in one of our cells, and then you will have the entire festival this weekend to focus on other things.”
That goes for me, too. Things like eating, drinking, and whatever other surprises Sir has in store for me.
Chapter 4
Thog’s trial takes place two days after the robbery, and it’s a fairly boring affair. He has the same “advocate” (their word for lawyer) that I did, Naruk Redwish. I still don’t trust the guy after he lied to me and Khazak, manipulating us into fighting each other, but I have to admit, he’s good at what he does. There was a lot more talking than at my friend’s trial, not that I could understand a word of it.
Even though we know he was working with someone else, we can’t prove anything, and since Thog confessed to everything, there’s not really anything to argue against. He’s sentenced to five years in the city’s prison (which is different than where my friends are) for stealing from the city’s militia. I can tell Khazak and Ragnar aren’t exactly happy about it, but Ragnar seems more upset.
The rest of the week drags on, and the knowledge that something fun awaits us after work on Aquaday only makes it feel longer, especially the last couple of days when I can see the booths and stages being set up. By the end of the week, there’s this weird energy in the air, and I can barely concentrate on anything. I’m practically bouncing in my chair waiting for Khazak to tell us we can go home. I want to find out what’s gonna happen already!
“Should we eat before we go out?” I ask as we pass the kitchen.
“Definitely not.’’ Khazak shakes his head as he marches confidently toward the bedroom. “There will be more than enough foodtonight.”
“Yay, I love food.” I sit on the bed while he rummages through chests.
“Really? I had not noticed,” he snarks, and I throw a pillow at his bent over form. “That is ten,” he tells me as he stands back up, some clothes in hand, moving to the other chest.
“Worth it, Sir.” We’re both referring to the new system we have regarding my “behavior” and correcting it. I now earn demerits. Spanking demerits—to be doled out at the end of the day before bed. I’ve actually been pretty good lately; I made it the entire week in the woods without earning a single one. Being around the other rangers helped I think, but once we got back to the city, well... Ragnar and Nylan are bad influences.
“I wonder if you will feel that way by the end of the night,” he threatens ominously, arms full and headed to the bed.
The first thing I notice is the black leather harness, something his friend Brull crafted for me weeks ago. I haven’t worn it since I tried it on. Next to that is a pair of black pants, pants that frankly have gotten a little tight since I’ve put some weight back on. On top of the pants is a green jockstrap, which seems to be a favorite of his...andthat’s it.
“No shirt?” I look overto verify.
“You will not need one,” he tells me with confidence, still gathering his own outfit.
I almost have to squeeze myself into my pants when we get changed. Gonna be time for new clothes soon, I think. Though judging from the way Khazak is looking at my ass, it might be worth hanging onto these a little longer. I need help getting the harness on. I’m not even sure which way is up, but Khazak gets it over my head, adjusting my collar to lay on top.
