Page 97 of Silver & Smoke
‘I didn’t know that,’ Wilder murmured beside Torj.
‘Why would you?’ Vernich replied gruffly. ‘Anyway, I was told I wouldn’t be able to master the precise sword techniques needed to become one of Thezmarr’s best. Thought my life as a warrior was over...’ He grinned, the sight somewhat unhinged. ‘And then Esyllt gave me a mace. Said I might not have the wrist dexterity any more, but I could end just as many lives by crushing rather than slicing.’
Kipp snorted. ‘Sounds about right.’
But Torj didn’t take his eyes off the Bloodletter, his stomach roiling with unease. ‘Why are you telling me this?’
‘Because I adapted,’ Vernich replied. ‘And that’s what you need to do now.’
Torj shook his head. ‘The day I can’t lift this hammer is the day I’ll no longer be a Warsword.’
‘What a load of shit,’ Thea declared from where she was sharpening her own blade. ‘A Warsword’s strength isn’t limited to the swing of their arm.’
‘No?’ Torj laughed darkly. ‘Would you want a Warsword who couldn’t wield a weapon guarding your flank?’
But Thea’s gaze was angry, and unyielding. ‘If you think my sister is going to let you die, you’ve got another thing coming, Bear Slayer.’
There was a murmur of agreement around him.
‘How’s the potion Dessa and Zavier made?’ Wilder asked.
‘It helps,’ Torj replied. ‘But I don’t want to become dependent on it. It’s similar to the alchemy Silas used during the first attack on Drevenor, and who knows what darkness fed that? We don’t know its lasting effects yet.’
‘Maybe it’s time you considered a lighter weapon? If the Bloodletter can adapt, so can you...’ Cal said tentatively, as though waiting for Torj to bite his head off.
Was that who he was becoming? Someone people didn’t want to share their true thoughts with for fear of being rebuked?
‘Our oath is to protect,’ Wilder said gently. ‘Nothing says we have to do it alone.’
Torj sighed. ‘Can we talk about something else?’
‘Like the fact that Vernich Warner the Bloodletter has adaughter?’ Kipp offered up quickly.
‘AWarsworddaughter, no less,’ Thea agreed.
‘TheWarsword, according to Audra,’ Kipp added. ‘Ashlyn Graves is a legend among the newer cohort.’
Vernich glared at them both, and Torj fought back a smile. The older man had been horrible to the pair of them during their shieldbearer training, so despite the fact that Vernich was a better man now, it still brought Torj joy to see him riled up.
‘We should definitely talk about that. How’d it happen, anyway?’ Wilder asked.
Vernich’s nostrils flared. ‘I’d have thought you’d be familiar with the act, Hawthorne. You’re a married man now, after all.’
Wilder rolled his eyes. ‘You know what I mean.’
‘Of course he does,’ Thea interjected. ‘Where’s her mother, Vernich?Who’sher mother?’
‘None of your fucking business,’ the Bloodletter snapped. But his brusque attitude didn’t have the fear-inducing effect it once had, and seeing their expectant expressions, Vernich threw up his hands in surrender. ‘Fine. Her mother was a woman I met on the road a longtime ago. We spent some time together and parted ways. I didn’t know Graves existed until she came to find me. She was explaining who she was when we were attacked and captured. That’s the story.’
‘So youdocall her Graves!’ Kipp exclaimed with glee. ‘I’m sure you left out some details along the way, but it’s a start. Who knew that a lump like you could have a daughter as beautiful as her—’
‘You.’ Vernich was on his feet in an instant, a thick finger pointed inches from Kipp’s face. ‘You stay the fuck away from her.’
Kipp had the audacity to wink at him.
‘Furies save us,’ Torj muttered, standing up. ‘Try not to kill each other before the war.’
CHAPTER 50
