Page 21 of Thorns & Fire (The Ashes of Thezmarr #2)

Torj

‘A Warsword will be for ever married to the midrealms, and his duty to protect them’

– The Warsword’s Way

A S THEY RODE south, Torj wasn’t sure the alchemists understood just how much danger the new Delmira posed to them. He had been around long enough to spot a prize that could spark a conflict easily enough, and Wren’s fallen kingdom was one of them.

While he trusted Wren and her friends to keep their word, who knew who else might have made the discovery already?

His mind went to Silas the Kingsbane and how he’d left Queen Reyna to the Warswords so unexpectedly.

Did the enemy already know? Torj would not risk a raven or messenger.

The news would have to wait until they returned to Drevenor, and in the meantime, hopefully he’d learn more about whoever was leaking information from the academy.

Thankfully, the journey seemed quicker than their initial trek, but when they reached the fork in the road, Kipp veered his horse left, onto the route that led directly to the Laughing Fox in Harenth’s capital.

‘Snowden, I’ll not have you jeopardize this trip, put Embervale in danger, for a fucking pint,’ Torj snapped. ‘I’ll buy you one myself back at the Mortar and Pestle.’

‘Easy, Bear Slayer. We need somewhere to wash and ready ourselves for the event, don’t we? And you’ll need to stay hidden until I can find appropriate disguises...’ The strategist was failing to hide his glee, which only frustrated Torj further.

‘Have you learned nothing in the past few weeks?’ he demanded. ‘The attack on Drevenor? The man following you from Settler’s Port? The corpses hanging from trees? The fucking riot in Elmridge? The midrealms are not as they once were.’

‘Which is why we need allies close,’ Kipp said evenly, all traces of humour gone. ‘The Fox is, and always will be, safe for us.’

‘He’s right.’ Wren steered her horse after Kipp.

Gods, Torj missed dealing with shieldbearers at Thezmarr, where his orders were followed . ‘I’m your guard. Your protector . I’ll carry you to a damn safehouse if I have to.’

Fury blazed in Wren’s gaze as it snapped to his. ‘You lay a hand on me and see what happens, Bear Slayer. If I recall, you deemed my lightning a curse before. I have no qualms about cursing you all over again. I’ll make the first time look like child’s play.’

He stared at her. ‘You threatening me now, Embervale?’

‘Yes.’ She lifted her chin in defiance. ‘The midrealms were never safe, and I’ll be damned if I live my life in fear.

You’re the one whose orders are delaying our return to Drevenor.

You don’t have to like the idea of getting ready at the Fox.

You just have to come along – or don’t.’ She urged her horse forwards. ‘See if I care.’

They rode through the night and into much of the next day, until Torj found himself staring at a familiar sign swaying in the wind. A laughing fox, its bushy tail curled around its body with a flourish.

Dessa, who was looking worriedly from strategist to Warsword, said, ‘If we need somewhere to wait, I heard there’s a lovely wine garden closer to the palace. It’s a little... fancier... than this place. Perhaps we should take advantage now we’re in a proper city?’

Despite his rage at the whole situation, Torj couldn’t help but watch shock wash the mischievous grin from Kipp’s face as he turned to Dessa and blinked slowly. ‘Fancier?’

Dessa nodded enthusiastically. ‘Yes, it’s got beautiful outdoor day beds and—’

Kipp shook his head in disbelief, gaping at her as though she were a stranger. ‘I think we should see other people,’ he said flatly.

Behind him, Wren burst out laughing, the sound like notes of music to Torj’s ears. How long had it been since he’d heard her laugh so freely? The fact that he couldn’t remember hurt deeply. The fact that he wasn’t the one to prompt it himself hurt more.

Kipp’s expression remained deadpan, even as Dessa broke out in a fit of giggles. Torj doubted the strategist saw it as a laughing matter, and Torj himself was still too furious to enjoy the merriment at Kipp’s expense. But Kipp simply pushed the door open and stepped inside.

The roar of enthusiasm that greeted the strategist was overwhelming, with patrons and staff alike welcoming him back into the fold like a long-lost hero. That was when Torj lost his patience entirely. He went in after Kipp, grabbing the younger man by the arm and hauling him to the side.

‘What are you playing at?’ he hissed. ‘You’re not twenty years old messing around as a shieldbearer any more, Kipp. You’re putting people’s lives at risk. You’re putting Wren’s life at risk.’

To his surprise, Kipp faced him, mirroring his anger. ‘You don’t know me well enough by now to know I would never do that?’ he said. ‘That I wouldn’t bring us here if there wasn’t an actual purpose?’

Torj narrowed his eyes. ‘I know that you have a tendency to prioritize your own amusement over—’

‘You are not the only one who cares for the midrealms. Or for Wren. You think because I don’t wield a sword or a hammer that I can’t contribute?’

‘I didn’t say that,’ Torj replied, taken aback.

‘People before you made the same error, Bear Slayer, and they didn’t fare so well.’

The tips of Torj’s ears burned with shame.

He knew that before the war, Kipp had garnered a reputation for being a ‘useless’ shieldbearer at the fortress – someone who was often picked on by those on the brawnier side.

But he’d more than proved himself during the final conflict, and his loyalty and devotion as a friend to those around him had never wavered.

‘I’m sorry,’ Torj said, hanging his head. ‘I... I have a tendency to underestimate those around me, the people I want to protect.’

‘Aww...’ Kipp grinned. ‘You want to protect me, Bear Slayer? How sweet.’

‘Shut up.’ Torj shifted on his feet. ‘I said I’m sorry, alright?’

Kipp grasped his shoulder. ‘Apology accepted. Now, let’s find the rooms I’ve secured.’

‘You’ve been in here all of two seconds, how have you—’

‘The Son of the Fox has his ways, Bear Slayer,’ Kipp replied slyly, before motioning to Wren and Dessa to join them.

To Torj’s surprise, Wren pushed a foaming tankard into the strategist’s hand.

‘Wren!’ Kipp beamed. ‘Have I told you lately how much I love you?’

Torj wasn’t expecting the impact of those words to hit him so hard – words he had once said to the poisoner himself.

Wren huffed a laugh. ‘I don’t believe you have—’

Kipp slung an arm over her shoulder. ‘I love you. So much.’

Torj looked away. So this was to be his punishment for thinking he could ever have Wren Embervale as his, and for severing their soul bond without her knowledge.

He would have to stand idly by and watch other men declare their love for her.

Gods, he was jealous of Kipp Snowden , for fuck’s sake.

What was wrong with him? They were just friends, weren’t they?

Even though he knew the answer, even though Dessa was standing happily beside the pair with an amused smile across her face, he hated it. He didn’t like Kipp touching her, didn’t like that she smiled for him. And he sure as fuck didn’t like the words spewing from the strategist’s mouth.

Torj cleared his throat. ‘Thought you were taking us to some rooms, Snowden?’

‘Right.’ Kipp downed his drink. ‘This way.’

He took them up the familiar stairs to the accommodations above the tavern and ushered them into a room with a roaring hearth.

‘Am I right in thinking the event we need to infiltrate is the ball at Lord Hullet’s manor?’ Kipp asked Torj.

‘How did you know that?’ Torj asked.

Kipp grinned. ‘There’s only one significant gathering among the elite tonight, and I make it my business to know such things. It’s vital if I’m to know what part we all need to play.’

‘This isn’t your task,’ Torj objected.

‘No, but I am the strategist of the group. Therefore, before I send for ballgowns and disguises, we need to get our roles settled.’

‘And what part will the heir of Delmira be playing in your plot tonight?’ Torj said, folding his arms over his chest.

He should have known it would be something outlandish by the glint in Kipp’s eye, and the way he grinned before he said, ‘Wren will be your wife.’