Page 25 of Thorns & Fire
Torj gave a hollow laugh.‘Then stay safe.’
‘And you, Bear Slayer.Keephersafe.’
Torj started back towards the camp and Wren scrambled to hide her presence, but not before she heard his parting words to her sister...
‘I’d die before I let anything happen to her.’
CHAPTER 9
Torj
‘During any conflict between ruling powers, it’s always the common folk who suffer the most and pay the dearest price’
– A History of Thezmarr
AS THEY RODEnorth the next day with Wren and Dessa in the lead, Torj tried to focus on the bird calls through the trees and the earthy aroma of the decaying leaves around him, but his gaze tracked Wren constantly—
‘Subtle,’ Kipp commented from beside him.
Torj looked away.‘Shut up.’
To his dismay, Kipp did no such thing.‘No one knows what happened between you,’ the strategist said quietly.‘She won’t even say your name.’
‘Do you ever mind your own business, Kipp?’
‘Not if I can help it,’ he replied.‘But for the record, Wrenismy business.She’s my friend.We’ve been through a lot together, and I hate to see her hurting.’
Torj sighed, brushing the hair from his brow.‘I never wanted that.’
‘And yet, youpromisedit wouldn’t happen.Remember?You told me and Cal you’d never—’
‘You think this is necessary, Kipp?You think I don’t hate myself enough already?’Torj drew a sharp breath.‘If she wants to tell you, that’s up to her.’
‘And you?Who have you confided in?You’re my friend too, Bear Slayer.’
‘I gave up that right.She deserves you more.It was me who...’Torj trailed off before giving a sad laugh.‘Sometimes it feels like yesterday that you and Cal came to me as scrawny shieldbearers.You could barely lift a sword.And you called mesir.’
‘Those days are long behind us,’ Kipp told him.
‘I’ll say.Now you’re just a regular pain in my arse.’
‘You wound me.’
‘A likely tale.’
Kipp stared at him long and hard.‘When you’re ready to talk, Bear Slayer, we’re here for you too.’
Torj shook his head.‘Just look after her, alright?’
‘You never have to ask me that,’ Kipp replied.
Torj admired how easily Wren navigated the sprawling lands and kept them off the main routes.But then, shehadspent five years after the war tracking down nobles all over the midrealms and delivering the Poisoner’s justice – that was more than enough reason to know her way around, to know the roads less travelled.
Still within the kingdom of Harenth, they followed a wide, rushing river north, passing by several smaller towns but not entering them.Torj ensured that his hood covered his silver hair and that his hammer was wrapped in canvas, but they saw no one on the road.
Torj was keenly aware of the others’ presence the further they rode and the less they talked.He stole glances at Wren, wanting nothing more than to get her alone again.But for what?To say sorry?Sorry for tearing apart that sacred thing between them?Sorry wasn’t enough – not nearly enough...
A horrified gasp escaped Dessa, drawing Torj out of his spiralling thoughts.
