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‘Tell the king and send word to Thezmarr that Warswords Hawthorne and Elderbrock ride ahead. We’ll send reports to the travelling forces when we can, understand?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘We’ll have units of Guardians from all over the midrealms joining at Notos,’ he told the bewildered-looking man. ‘Tell the king we’ll need as much support as possible. Tver’s army is small and isolated. Do you have a sea unit stationed at Settlers’ Port?’

‘Yes, sir. Though they won’t be ready to set sail until nightfall with cavalry, supplies and weapons to —’

‘We could buy passage on a trade ship and go ahead of the official forces?’ Kipp cut in. ‘If we can do part of the journey by sea and catch the wind, we’ll get there sooner.’

‘Exactly.’ Wilder was already moving, urging his stallion south, Torj at his side.

‘You want to tell me what the fuck all that was about back on the hill?’ his fellow Warsword said as they pressed into a canter.

‘Depends on what you saw,’ Wilder replied, the wind picking up around them.

‘I saw two women in the eye of a storm. I saw it answer them… Wilder, what the fuck was that?’

Wilder glanced over his shoulder, where Thea, Wren, Cal and Kipp rode a few feet behind, none of them speaking. He turned back to Torj. ‘You know what it was.’

Torj’s eyes widened in understanding. ‘The heirs of Delmira… They’re alive.’

Wilder gave him a nod.

‘And they’ve been in Thezmarr this whole time?’

‘Yes.’

‘Gods, Hawthorne. How long have you known? How long have you been hiding this from Osiris? It’s fuckingtreason.’

‘I know,’ Wilder said slowly.

‘That’s all the explanation I get? You’re roping me into this now. I’ve actively participated in…’ Torj looked around warily. ‘In removing one of the fucking Delmirian heirs from Thezmarr. Away from the Guild Master, who explicitly told us to bring them to him. What the fuck, Hawthorne?’

‘I didn’t mean for you to get involved…’

‘Well, I am now. At least tell me I’m on the right side of this.’

Wilder braced himself. ‘I don’t know yet. All I know is that I’m trying to keep Thea safe, trying to get her ready for the Great Rite. We need her.’

Torj shook his head in disbelief. ‘You’re mad. Raving fucking mad.’

‘Very possibly.’ He met his fellow Warsword’s gaze. ‘You won’t send word back to Osiris?’

Torj glanced across at the two sisters, his expression softening for a moment. ‘No,’ he murmured. ‘But I’ll deny the shit out of everything if it comes to light.’

‘Fair,’ Wilder allowed.

‘And you owe me a much better explanation than this. Once we’ve figured out getting to Tver, I expect the truth,’ the Bear Slayer warned.

Guilt festered in Wilder’s gut. ‘You’ll have it.’

Torj’s nostrils flared, as though he could scent the lie on him. ‘I assume you trust Cal and Kipp with the information?’

The two male Guardians in tow hadn’t said a word about it, yet. Judging from their colour-drained faces, the lads were both in shock.

‘Thea trusts them, therefore I trust them,’ Wilder replied. ‘Was it true there was a threat to Wren at Thezmarr?’ he asked.

Torj gave a grim nod. ‘Obviously I didn’t know what Audra was on about at the time, but it sure seems like that was the case now. She could have bloody told me.’