123. Rorax
Jia leaned against the railing looking Rorax’s filth-covered body up and down with a raised eyebrow. “You look good for a woman who just took on an undead army all by herself.”
Rorax snorted, looking down at her gore-encrusted fighting leathers. It was dusk and Rorax and the Guard had just gotten back from the ruins around the Old Volcano after a two-day journey. Their company had stopped at an inn last night on the way back to the Northern Castle. Rorax and Ayres shared a room, but they didn’t discuss anything more all night. He had just rubbed out her muscles and kissed her sweetly until she fell asleep in his arms. She had been too exhausted to even take a bath.
They had just arrived back at the Northern Castle when Rorax spotted Jia standing on the balcony watching the Contestar Training session and came up to join her.
“I always look good, Frostguard.” Rorax gave her a sardonic tilt of her lips and moved past her to stand at the railing overlooking the Contestars” Courtyard. Isgra and Enna were down there, training with Lamonte. They were having a competition to see who could grow a vine faster than the other up the side of the castle wall, through an obstacle course that Lamonte had drawn in chalk on the wall.
Rorax watched Enna focus on the foliage in front of her, Lamonte by her side, yelling instructions.
You are the Guardian the Realms need, Rorax, Ayres had said to her. I have already forgiven you.
Isgra’s vine crossed the finish line before Enna’s, and she thrust her arms into the air in victory. The motion was so familiar, so Volla, it made Rorax’s heart crack. In the ache, a moment of clarity rushed through her fast enough it nearly took her breath away.
If Volla Torvik, the Torch of Valitlinn, knew what was at stake she would have already kicked Rorax’s ass to Lunalia by now.
“Jia, go get Kiniera. Tell her I have something we need to discuss.”
Rorax waited for the sharpshooter to tell her to fuck off, but she must have sensed something was happening because she slipped away into the tower without a word.
Rorax stared down at Isgra, her gaze locked on the face that was identical to her best friend who she had not fought hard enough to save. She would not willingly lose anyone else. She would fight tooth and nail, she would lie and cheat, fight dirty and scrappy. She would give everything the gods had given to her.
The large wooden door to the north tower opened and Kiniera’s steps sounded behind her, but Rorax couldn’t tear her eyes away from Enna and Isgra on the ground. Every second she spent staring at Isgra her resolve grew and steeled itself until it was an unyielding demand in her heart.
What’s your name?
Rorax Greywood.
What does that mean?
It means that I will fight with everything I am to protect those that I love.
“Rorax?” Kiniera asked.
Rorax raised her chin and straightened her shoulders. “I need you to send a Blood Hawk to the King.”
“Oh?” Kiniera smiled, something in her voice sounding vaguely triumphant. “And pray tell, Rorax, what should I tell him?”
Rorax slowly turned to face the spy master. “Tell the King that I demand a Heilstorm unit go searching for my brother. I will find him. I cannot leave Darras to a future of more captivity and torment.”
Kiniera raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile on her pale lips. “Anything else?”
“Tell him that if he will provide me that, then in one month’s time I will be by his side, as the Northern Guardian of the Realms.”