CHAPTER 42
ALLIES IN NAME
Command is earned. Once given, it is absolute.
– Thorne Code of Honour, Tenet IX
They were woken early the next morning by a messenger at the edge of Fatàn’s shield.
Lord Thorne requests your presence in the Thorne encampment this morning.
Sebastian was walking before he’d finished reading, pulling Kara along with him. “Come on, my father’s called for me.”
Kaelen followed them quickly.
“Don’t shield me,” he ordered.
“Sebastian–” Kara began.
“No,” he said firmly. “I won’t walk back to my men hiding from what I’ve done.”
I can’t. I have to face them.
Kaelen nodded reluctantly and cast a shield just for Kara instead as they walked through the waking camp.
The air was crisp and cold, his breath misting in front of him, but people were already moving – checking weapons, stoking fires, preparing for another day of waiting.
Waiting for Draknor. Among them Sebastian spotted a familiar figure with long dark hair pulled back in a dark leather tie.
She was bent low over a forge, a steel blade in her hand, soot streaking her face.
“Rowan?” he called.
She glanced up at the sound of his voice, her eyes glinting in the firelight, that old burn scar visible on her cheek, a reminder of their childhood. She strode over to them and caught Sebastian’s arm in the same warrior’s grip his father had.
“Took you long enough,” Rowan said.
“I’m here now,” Sebastian replied dryly.
“I’m glad you’re alive, brother,” she said gruffly. Her gaze lingered on him, as though reassuring herself he actually stood in front of her. “You look thinner. Harder edges. Stronger I think, than when you left.” She smiled. “You wear it well.”
Sebastian gave a short, wry laugh, warmth spreading through him at the comfort and familiarity his sister gave him.
At least someone’s glad to see me.
Rowan’s smile faded. “Still... I wish it hadn’t been at the cost of so many of our men.”
Sebastian’s hand tensed against Kara’s back, but he didn’t flinch.
Me too.
“As do I,” he said shortly. “But they tried to kill Kara. Stop us doing what the Arcanth had called me for.” He took a breath. “I’ll carry it though, Ro. Always.”
Rowan studied him in silence for a long moment. “Let’s make their deaths mean something,” she said simply. “Let’s win.”
Sebastian nodded. “I plan on it.”
Rowan glanced at Kara. “So, this is her. The healer.”
Kara straightened. “Yes.”
“This is Rowan,” Sebastian said, smiling ruefully. “My sister.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Kara said, shaking Rowan’s hand.
“You’ve both made a storm of things,” Rowan said, matter-of-fact. “Half the camp thinks you’re dangerous, not to be trusted. The other half thinks you’re going to save us all.” She gave a faint nod. “But you’re here, and alive. That’s enough for me.”
Rowan looked Kara up and down, clearly assessing. “I have to say, you don’t look as soft as I was expecting.”
Oh for fuck’s sake, Ro.
“Ro,” Sebastian groaned.
But Kara allowed crimson to spark along her hands – his magic, answering her call. Not threatening. Just... demonstrating.
That’s my girl.
“I can hold a blade,” Kara said evenly.
“Oh,” Rowan said, clearly intrigued. “You are interesting.”
She’s more than interesting, trust me.
“If we survive this,” Rowan said lightly, “you can spar with me. I’d like to see if that crimson burns as sharp as it looks.”
Kara grinned. “Deal.”
“Wonderful, just what I need, you two conspiring,” Sebastian interjected. His gaze scanned over the camp beyond them, searching. “Is Saffra here?” he asked hopefully.
He didn’t particularly want his baby sister in a warzone, but Gods, it would be good to see her.
Rowan’s lips curved. “No. Father kept her in Thorne.”
He frowned, both disappointment and relief filling him. “She’s of age. She should be here.”
Rowan shrugged. “Father won’t risk her, not with Draknor at our shores. You know how he is.”
Sebastian let out a long breath.
I do. She’s the one child that reminds him of Mother.
“She must be furious.”
Rowan smiled wryly. “Oh, she is. But she’s safe.” She looked towards the Thorne encampment. “So. Our Lord Father, bringing the prodigal son back into the fold?” Her tone was light, but her eyes were knowing. “Good luck, brother.”
Yes, I know this won’t be easy.
“I’m not asking for forgiveness, Ro.”
Rowan sheathed her blade. “You’ll do fine,” she said, nodding curtly. “Don’t keep Father waiting.”
Sebastian turned to Kara. “Come on,” he said, pulling her gently along with him.
Towards his father’s encampment, their crimson and black House banners growing larger with each step.
When they arrived he saw that Tobias had gathered the Thorne soldiers ready for him, a sea of crimson cloaks and steel helms assembled before the Thorne command tent.
Captains, lieutenants, seasoned fighters who had bled in his father’s service – and who had, until recently, raised blades against him.
Sebastian took a breath.
Then moved to join his father at his side. He kept Kara behind him, safe with Kaelen. He couldn’t look at her now.
I have to do this.
Tobias’s voice was like a war drum, carrying over the battalions.
“Soldiers of Thorne,” he barked. “You know me. You know what I’ve asked of you before.
And you know my heir.” His hand clamped down hard on Sebastian’s shoulder.
“Sebastian Thorne, Second Commander of our forces. You will, as you have done in many battles before, show him the same respect you show me. From this moment on, you forget the events of the last few weeks. His word is mine.”
The ripple moved through the ranks. Whispers. Murmurs. Not all friendly.
“He killed our men,” someone hissed.
“Our brothers,” one agreed.
A rougher voice answered, “He paid what the Arcanth demanded.”
A captain near the front spoke, his voice carrying. “He left more of us alive than dead. He could have killed me on that mountaintop – but he didn’t.”
Another muttered, “The Arcanth didn’t have to bury the Thorne dead. We did.”
Tobias’s eyes darted across the crowd. “You will obey him from now on,” he said. His tone was commanding, final. It left no room for dissent.
Sebastian stepped forward. “I know what I have done.” The words rang out across the men, rougher than he intended, his emotions bleeding through despite himself.
“Some of you lost brothers in Vallenna City, at the Fire Temple. Friends. Men who fought beside you.” He gazed across the soldiers, forcing himself to meet their eyes – the angry ones, the grieving ones.
Even the ones who looked right through him.
“I won’t ask you to forgive that. And I won’t dishonour them by asking you to forget.
But I’m asking you to fight beside me anyway.
I have led you before, bled beside you. I ask you to let me lead you one more time.
Because when Draknor lands, we either stand together, or fall alone. Decide now.”
Silence fell. Unbearable, crushing silence.
Faces stared back at him – some hard, some uncertain. A few looked away. One man spat at the ground. Sebastian’s chest tightened. His father had been wrong to ask this of them. Tenet five was sacred – and he’d broken it – killed his own. Maybe they wouldn’t–
A voice called out from the back. Steady and familiar. “Thorne steel stands with you, Commander!”
Sebastian’s head whipped towards the sound.
Edward. He’d been a friend before all this, trained alongside him in Thorne’s Keep.
And there he was, standing straight and stoic as always.
And speaking for him. Beside him, Cass – nodding with the same certainty.
Another voice joined, then another. Not whispers, but cheers.
Familiar voices, men who’d served in the Isles with him, faces he hadn’t seen since he’d left Thorne for the Arcalon, who remembered who he’d been before the Arcanth called.
The sound spread, disjointed at first, reluctant.
But then it grew louder, rolling across the gathered soldiers until it filled the air.
Sebastian let it wash over him, but he didn’t smile. How could he?
Not all of them cheered. Some stood silent, arms crossed, their expressions hard, unforgiving. Accepting his command because Tobias demanded it, but offering nothing more.
That would have to be enough.
So he drew himself up to his full height, called the captains to him, and began issuing orders – sharp, direct, unhesitant.
Rations, rotations, fortifications. Language soldiers understood.
The sort that made them forget, even if only for now, the stain of his betrayal.
And it was frighteningly easy. Like slipping into armour he’d never truly taken off.
Voices shouted back affirmations, lieutenants moved to relay his commands, and for a moment, he forgot everything else too.
Forgot the Council. The stares. Forgot even Kara’s presence at his side.
When he finally looked back at her, she was already watching him.
And there was nothing in her expression but pride.
Pure, unwavering pride. Her voice sounded in his mind.
Well done.