CHAPTER 10 Torj
CHAPTER 10
Torj
‘Time does not, in fact, heal all wounds’
– Bear Slayer, Warsword of Thezmarr
‘E LDERbrOCK. ’ A UDRA ’ S VOICE rang out across the war council chamber. ‘A word.’
All around them, Warswords were filing out of the crammed space, squeezing around the same mahogany table that had always been there and shooting Torj pitying looks.
‘What’s that about?’ Wilder muttered at his side, pulling back Thea’s chair for her.
Over the past hour, Audra had confirmed what Wilder had told him on the road: that the King of Tver had been attacked in his own castle. An attempt had been made on his life, with a substance that had thoroughly unnerved their Guild Master. And Audra was not easily unnerved. In fact, Torj hadn’t seen her so uneasy since the war.
The laws of the midrealms stated that an attack on any royal was an attack on all royals. Audra had given her orders: additional protection for the rulers of the midrealms, an increase in Guardians stationed throughout the kingdoms...But it didn’t explain why she might need to talk to him in private.
‘When I know, I’ll tell you,’ Torj replied in a low voice, eyeing the decanter on the nearby shelf with longing. It already felt like a fire extract kind of night.
When the last person left the chamber and the door clicked closed, Audra motioned to an empty chair. ‘Sit.’
Tension bunched the muscles between his shoulders, but Torj did as the Guild Master bid.
‘I have a special assignment for you, Elderbrock,’ Audra told him, taking the seat opposite his, her expression as hardened as ever. ‘One that might see you granted that post abroad you’ve wanted for so long.’
He didn’t dare to hope, not after having his hopes dashed so many times before. ‘I’m yours to command, Guild Master.’
Audra reached for the decanter and a pair of glasses, pouring a generous dram of amber liquid in each before sliding one across the table to Torj. ‘I’m glad to hear it.’
Torj put the glass to his lips and relished the burn of the liquor down his throat. ‘What is it this time? Trouble across the Veil border again?’
‘It’s a little more local than that,’ Audra said slowly, taking a sip of her own drink.
Torj shifted in his chair, suspicion unfurling within. ‘You’re not usually one to drag things out...’
‘True,’ she agreed. ‘I need you to take on one of the royal protection roles.’
‘Where?’
‘In Naarva.’ Audra downed the rest of her fire extract. ‘We’ll be sending one of the royals there shortly and I will not leave them undefended.’
‘Do you expect more attacks like the one on King Leiko?’
‘An attack on one ruler is an attack on all rulers, so say the laws of the midrealms. It’s just a precaution, but a necessary measure.’ She hesitated before she spoke again. ‘I need you to guard Elwren Embervale.’
Torj’s glass froze midway to his mouth. ‘Absolutely fucking not.’
Audra stared him down. ‘What did you say?’
‘I said, absolutely fucking not , Audra.’ He put his drink back on the table, the taste suddenly bitter on his tongue.
‘Were you not listening to the debrief just now?’ Audra snapped. ‘The rulers need to be protected.’
‘She’s not a ruler.’
‘She’s an heir ,’ Audra countered.
Torj raked his fingers through his hair. ‘Trust me, Wren Embervale needs no protection. She’s more likely to cause the trouble than be in danger herself. You know that better than anyone.’
‘You will protect her, Elderbrock. It’s an order.’
‘Order someone else,’ he said coldly. ‘She hates me, and I’m not overly fond of her either. She’s the one who lost me that post abroad in the first place, remember?’
Audra simply waited.
‘Why not Thea?’ Torj demanded, the Guild Master’s silence only fuelling his frustration.
Audra shook her head. ‘If the threat extends to royal bloodlines then to place the sisters together would make them the ultimate target. Thea has royal blood too – she will need to watch her own back.’
‘Someone else, then. Cal. One of your new Warswords.’
‘No.’ Audra’s voice matched her iron will. ‘You know her. It was you who knew at the turn of the war that she was a threat. It was you who guessed what she had planned for the former Guild Master. You seem to be able to anticipate her...unpredictable nature.’
‘Clearly not well enough. As you pointed out yourself after the disaster with Edmund Riverton.’
‘Let’s hope you learned your lesson then.’
‘You can’t be serious, Audra,’ he implored.
‘Have you ever known me to joke, Elderbrock? Your dislike of her only solidifies you as the best candidate. A bodyguard fraternizing with their ward is strictly forbidden, but with your hostile history, you’ll no doubt be able to keep yourself in check. Or do you disagree?’
Torj was ready to hit something. ‘I assure you, the last thing I’d ever do would be to get involved with Elwren Embervale.’
‘Good,’ Audra said. ‘That makes this simple. She is going to Drevenor Academy, and you will protect her. There will be no need to interfere with her training and studies; your duty to is address outside threats only. Guard Elwren and the post abroad is yours.’
Torj had heard enough. He shoved his chair back and made for the door. Audra may have been the Guild Master of Thezmarr, and though it was his duty to obey her orders, there was one thing firmly in her way, one thing saving him from this Furies-forsaken nightmare of an idea.
‘She’ll never agree to this,’ he told her.
Audra, however, didn’t falter. ‘Leave that to me, Elderbrock. The only thing I need to know now is: will you?’