CHAPTER 35 Torj
Torj
‘The archives of every kingdom tell the same story: war ends only long enough for the banners to change, and for its people to forget the scars of their forefathers’
– The Midrealms Chronicles
WAR WAITED FOR no one, which meant as dawn broke over Thezmarr, their company was saddled and ready to depart.
The morning air was brisk, the dew-kissed grass surrounding the corral sparkled beneath the early morning sun and, for a moment, Torj was reminded of a far simpler time.
A time when he woke at the same hour every day, when he trained until his shirt was drenched in sweat, when he tended to horses in that same corral and ran through drills with shieldbearers over and over.
There had been a rhythm to life back then, one that he missed in the face of all this unknown.
Talemir grasped his hand in a firm shake, his wings spread behind him, ready to take flight. ‘I’ll see you in Delmira, Bear Slayer. I’m sorry I can’t offer more support.’
‘You’re doing everything you can, Tal. You’ve given so much already. We’re lucky to have you at all,’ Torj replied. ‘Fly safe.’
The Shadow Prince nodded. ‘Send me your position as soon as you have it.’
‘Will do.’
A second later, a powerful gust of wind blasted through their ranks as Talemir took to the skies, his large wings casting shadows along the cliffs.
Audra brought her horse up alongside Torj’s stallion. ‘You’re in command,’ she told him, with no room for compromise in her tone. ‘I want you to set up garrisons along the way, establish patrol routes—’
‘We don’t have the numbers to do that,’ Torj replied. ‘If we leave behind units to oversee the crossroads and create defence perimeters, we won’t have enough in our core force.’
Audra folded her arms over her chest. ‘We’re yet to be joined by Aveum, Harenth and Tver’s armies.’
Torj shook his head. ‘Something tells me the aid we receive from King Leiko will be underwhelming. From what I understand, he’s not pleased with the recent turn of events . . .’ He glanced at Wren and Darian, who were mounting their own horses.
‘His Majesty forgets he owes his life and crown to Elwren. And before her, to the Warswords and Guardians of Thezmarr coming to his defence during the attack on his castle. I’ll make sure he remembers,’ Audra said. ‘I’ll rejoin you in Delmira. Send word to Harenth when you establish a stronghold.’
Torj nodded stiffly. ‘We intend to gather at Wren’s old cottage and wait for the rest of the Devereux connections and rulers’ armies to answer our call there. It’s where the supply of silvertide roses is, and Wren knows the lie of the land well there.’
‘What then?’ Audra asked.
‘Once all our forces are joined and we have accurate reports on Silas’s movements, we’ll march on the capital.’
Audra studied him for a moment before she said quietly, ‘I don’t need to remind you that you’re the unofficial queen’s guard, do I?’
‘Queen or not, I’ll always protect her,’ he told the Guild Master.
‘Good. Then you know what to do.’ With that, Audra turned her horse to address the company that had gathered in their wake.
‘Warsword Torj Elderbrock will be leading this campaign,’ she called out, her voice echoing down the ranks.
‘He has the full weight of Thezmarr behind him as we attack to unseat the usurper, Silas the Kingsbane, and return the Delmirian throne to its rightful heir, Elwren Embervale. Our loyalty is to the midrealms, always. We will not see another tyrant drag us into darkness. Ride well, Thezmarrians. Do our guild proud.’
A cheer erupted from the throng as Audra pressed three fingers to her shoulder and dipped her head to Torj.
‘See you in Delmira, Elderbrock,’ she said, before urging her horse towards the Mourner’s Trail.
Wilder and Thea approached him on horseback, matching silver bands adorning their fourth fingers.
‘Not exactly what I’d call a honeymoon,’ Torj said as they started down the trail.
Thea laughed. ‘It’s exactly what I’d call a honeymoon. Adventure. Sleeping beneath the stars. Killing a tyrant or two . . .’
‘That’s my wife,’ Wilder murmured with a smile.
Torj rolled his eyes. ‘So in marriage you’ll be even more insufferable?’
‘We’re a fucking delight, Bear Slayer,’ Wilder retorted. ‘But no, I came bearing shortcuts. There’s a narrow mountain tunnel to the north that leads to Delmira. You don’t have to take the Wesford Road.’
Torj’s brows shot up. ‘Since when?’
‘Since always,’ Wilder replied. ‘I just never told anyone but Thea about it. We used it when she was still my apprentice. Silas won’t know of it, and he’ll be expecting us to travel across the main route.’
Torj turned to their company behind him. Seven hundred shieldbearers and Lucian’s three hundred bannermen . . . ‘Can it take us?’
‘We’ll have to go in single file for some parts, but yes,’ Thea answered. ‘It shouldn’t be a problem unless Wren loses control of her magic between the mountains.’
‘You know that from experience?’ Torj asked.
Thea shrugged. ‘A certain Warsword was being particularly frustrating during my last journey through there, but no mountains were brought down. Luckily.’
Torj glanced over his shoulder, back to where Wren sat astride her mare.
Dessa rode beside her and the two women were talking animatedly.
He liked seeing her like that. There had been a time where he’d worried for her – so intent on isolating herself from the rest of the world, her heartbreak over Ida and Sam preventing her from developing new friendships .
. . She had Dessa and Zavier now, as well as Thea, Wilder, Cal and Kipp.
No matter what happened to him, she’d always have them.
‘It’s going to be alright, Bear Slayer,’ Thea said quietly beside him.
‘I didn’t say it wouldn’t be,’ he grunted.
‘You didn’t have to. Your face is like an open book,’ she replied.
‘I don’t believe that for a second,’ he argued. ‘I’m a seasoned Warsword, I can mask my—’
A snort sounded on his other side as Darian appeared on his thoroughbred stallion, likely worth Torj’s weight in gold. ‘You mask nothing, brother,’ the nobleman said with an infuriating grin. ‘You wear your big heart on your sleeve. You always have.’
‘Have not,’ Torj muttered.
‘I think the posh git is right,’ Thea declared.
Darian shot her a look of annoyance. ‘Glad to hear that’s catching on.’
‘Not as glad as I am,’ Torj quipped. ‘Now, can we pick up the pace? I want to reach Delmira before the next century.’
Thea laughed. ‘After you, Bear Slayer. We’ll tell you when to turn off the trail.’
And so Torj led them north, to war.