Page 104 of Thorns & Fire
‘Often among circles of those in close protection roles, there is a misconception that if a guard is skilled enough, there is no need for their charge to carry a weapon.However, it is a guard’s duty to equip their principle with every possible asset for protection’
– The Guardian’s Handbook: Principles and Practises of Personal Protection
WREN LOOKED SHAKENas she returned from her brief meeting with Audra.The latter looked subtly pleased – a fair sign that schemes were afoot and playing out exactly how she wanted.But Wren held her head high as she strode down the corridor.Elwren Embervale had always been a force to be reckoned with, but hearing her stand up for herself in a room full of small-minded pricks was something else entirely.
It wasn’t until they turned a corner towards the dining hall that Torj noticed the new addition to her belt of potions.
Hisdagger.
If he had felt pride before, he didn’t know this new sensation blooming in his chest – it was something far more smug, far more primal.He wasn’t about to let her know that, though.
‘Do you even know how to use that?’he asked with a nod to the blade in question.‘Properly?’
Wren looked down, as though she’d forgotten it was there.‘It seems simple enough.’
‘You realize that’s like me telling you that alchemy is simple?’
Wren shrugged.‘I felt like wearing something a little more...commandingtoday.’
Torj nodded.‘It suits you.’
‘You think?’
‘So long as you’re wearing it and not wielding it for the moment,’ Torj quipped.‘I’ll teach you.’
‘I’ll be giving it back, so that’s hardly necessary.’
But Torj shook his head.He didn’t want it back.He liked that she was wearing something of his for the world to see.
Later, in the dining hall, Wren sat down opposite Torj, next to Kipp.Immediately the pair huddled with their heads close together, talking inaudibly as the rest of the hall dug into their dinners.Torj knew plotting when he saw it, and those two were up to no good.
He leaned in a little closer, busying himself with pouring a tankard of mead.
‘Are you going to do anything with the information I gave you?’Kipp was saying, stuffing his face with roast potatoes.
‘I’m looking into it,’ Wren said stiffly, clearly avoiding Torj’s eye across the table.
Kipp shrugged and loaded his plate with more food.‘So long as you remember—’
‘A deal’s a deal, I know.’
Torj couldn’t help himself then.He waited until Wren’s eyes met his.‘What’s that about?’
‘Nothing that concerns you, Bear Slayer,’ she said lightly, taking a sip from her goblet.
‘If you’re getting into debts with the Son of the Fox, I feel like your bodyguard should know about it,’ he ventured, glancing at Kipp, who was now deep in conversation with Dessa.
‘My bodyguard knows what he needs to know,’ Wren replied.
‘Ihighlydoubt that, Embers—’
‘A word, if you don’t mind, Elwren?’came a smooth voice that made Torj’s skin crawl.
Devereux appeared by their table, and it was all Torj could do not to block her completely from his view.The fat lip the nobleman wore brought him some measure of satisfaction, though.
‘In private,’ Devereux added with a sly look at Torj.
Torj knew he had to keep himself in check.This was no deserted corridor.This was the busy dining hall of Drevenor Academy.If he threw a nobleman around again, people would notice.
