The Reaper's Wicked Obsession

Chapter 19: Thornfoot The Dirtbag

Chapter 19: Thornfoot The Dirtbag

It was a relief to be back on normal land and not the suffocating Abyss that almost ravaged them, but the lingering effects remained.

It felt as if a scar had been carved into their skin, a reminder of the chaos. Each of them was strained psychologically in a way they never expected. Only the strongest of minds could overcome its effects.

Isadora remained mentally in the Abyss, reliving every haunting moment, almost drowning to death, the foul memories of her past, a mysterious voice saving her life, and Kraven's sudden passion to end her life.

Traveling with two outlaws was not something Isadora predicted either, on foot and barely taking a rest or even a shut-eye. She was yet to discover where they headed and Rav didn't tell her a thing no matter how many times she asked.

He only replied "When we get there"

They reached the ports of Brookcrest, where the ships set sail and others voyaged. The last time Isadora set her eyes on this place was the day she was brought in at the age of six. It was dark and the rain poured like the skies wept for her fate.

The ports in the daytime were more upbeat than she expected, a line of wooden stores selling a medley you could only find here, the boarding vessels, passengers, and ones who carried goods into them, the population was small but hailed busy activities.

It is a lively place to be after spending a week on foot in an isolated area.

The sun against her skin was welcomed, the warmth she had only dreamed of and never thought she would walk under it again.

As Kraven led the way through the bazaar, and Rav matched his speed, Isadora tried to keep up as best as she could, a scarf covering her head to keep roaming eyes away.

Kraven and Rav had their cloak hood on and navigated the road effortlessly and strangely blended with the environment. Isadora thought they might be using some tricks but it only seemed like they had done this several times and made it as easy as throwing rocks.

These men may be outlaws from the Raven Court but they seem to be far more than that.

A few days with them was enough to persuade Isadora there were things peculiar about them, frightening and foolishly intriguing for her. She hated thinking as such but it was hard to miss it.

"Hungry?" Rav asked with a cheerful expression, they barely ate anything on their way here and he knew she would be famished by now.

With a nod of approval from her, he grabbed an apple from one of the stores and flicked a coin to the owner who caught it in a haste.

"Thanks," Isadora said and took the apple. The bite was so satisfying for her, it was very juicy.

They diverted toward an alley and Kraven along with Rav covered their faces with their black skull mask, the appearance of a skull mouth covering just half their faces caused Isadora to gulp, the memories of that night as fresh as ever.

"No mask for you, love," Kraven said, taking a step closer to her but she took a step backward, her heart slamming loudly in her chest.

However, he only reached for the scarf wrapped around her neck and pulled it up to cover her nose and mouth before he winked.

With no more words, he was the first to step out of the alley and Isadora took a breath of relief.

The bloodlust wasn't there as much as it was back at the Abyss but it was hard not to miss it, he seemed to be choosing his options, and the look he gave her at that bridge was unmistakable.

She should thank the gods Rav was with her... who knew what Kraven would have done. A logical reason for Isadora is to find a way to run away before it's too late.

Sparing a look at Rav it was a clear message he couldn't protect her, she could only protect herself, and the only way for her was to get away from these men as further as possible.

Rav and Isadora made their way out of the alley and into a much dissimilar location that was a complete contrast to the more colorful market area giving it an ominous vibe, sad and despairing.

Beggars at every corner, pulling on Isadora's skirt, and other men catcalling for her, even though her face was hidden it was hard to ignore her porcelain skin, it was luminous under the sunlight.

The occupants would have made a move to claim such an attraction but the two men with signature masks were not a risk to take, they parted away like the sea and went back into the shadows.

In the eyes of another, it would be a simple move to be wary of such unknown visitors, however, those who knew were fleeing away from trouble from these known outlaws from the Raven Court... Ravenites.

The name strikes fear in their hearts.

Regardless there was a man who stood and did not hide in the shadows.

"What can I help you with?" he asked sniffling before spitting beside himself.

His clothes were rowdy, drained of color, and blended with the dirt that could be found in the entire alley. Messy hair that looked like he had not combed for winters.

Rav stepped forward and said. "You know what, Thornfoot"

Thornfoot giggled and snorted like they were all in whatever amused him together, his black teeth on full display.

Suddenly he curtsied, a foot to the back and hands spread wide like an eagle's wings and his head in a deep bow.

"Forgive me, kind gentlemen, I forgot myself there" Abruptly he straightened his position and a tobacco roll came out of nowhere between his lips. "A little help?"

With an eye roll, Rav heeded his wishes, a flame on his fingertip burning the tip of the roll into an angry red.

"Last I remember you guys were two not three" Thornfoot said, took a drag and released the smoke into the air.

His favorite customers were here—who paid handsomely for a discreet voyage—but when they came into Brookcrest there were two, the third he did not know, and judging from her attire and how out of place she looked it seemed like they had picked up a stray.

"It'll be wise not to question us," Rav replied.

Thornfoot giggled once again before his obsidian eyes glanced at Isadora who tensed at his heated gaze. Her stomach turned at his outlook but withheld the nausea building up.

"Such pretty eyes you have" he licked his lips, his eyes roaming the rest of her. So rare to find such a fine thing, perhaps they intend to use her as payment?

"Such a pretty neck you've, it'd look exquisite at the edge of my blade" Kraven replied amusedly but the coldness of his voice gave the notion he was not making a joke.