CHAPTER 42 #2
He let it fill him, glowed with it, then turned back to his men.
The rest of the morning was taken by planning.
Thorne captains moved in with maps, questions, reports from Simone’s admirals; the command tent became a storm of strategy, orders inked and re-inked, positions shifted and reconsidered.
The Navyrian ships would be their first line of defence, shielded by Fatàn, buying them time – they’d thin the enemy’s numbers before the Drakens hit the shores.
When the naval line fell – and it would fall, Sebastian was under no illusion – the Navyrians would abandon ship and swim to shore.
Fatàn would shield the retreat. They’d be extracted by his men, folded into the land defences alongside Thorne on the sand.
His father had already drilled them. The eventuality planned for.
Sorrel and Lyra would hold the mountain ridges to the north and south where the sight lines were best. Durent anchored the barricades of timber and stone that they’d built – a crescent shaped wall set back from the waterline, separating the sand and the field.
Caldris would be split both behind the barricades and up on the ridges, keeping minds clear and communications open.
The weak point was the shore itself – half a mile of open beach where Drakens would hit hardest and fastest. That was where Sebastian would be, mounted with his men.
Kara too. But he tried not to think about that.
Sebastian barely stopped to breathe. It was the afternoon when he began walking the lines with two of his captains.
The stares and whispers hardly registered now as he moved through camp.
As they passed through he saw Sorrel men and women handing out rations.
Salted meat, hard bread, things that wouldn’t spoil quickly.
One Sorrel woman murmured, “From our hands, the harvest,” as she handed a wrapped parcel to the archers before they took their positions in the mountains.
The archer clasped her arm, holding the provisions tightly. “From soil, the strength.”
Sebastian carried on, oddly reassured. He inspected the barricades, confirmed numbers, tested the timber bracing with his own hands. It was on the last one on the southern flank that a shadow fell over him.
“I built that one, Thorne.”
Sebastian looked up to see Gregor standing next to him, arms crossed, expression part affronted, part amused.
“You won’t find any weak spots there,” Gregor grunted.
Sebastian straightened. “No, I didn’t. It’s good work.”
Gregor studied him, then reached out and clasped Sebastian’s hand. Brief, but firm. “Glad you’re alive.”
Sebastian smiled wryly. “Me too.”
Gregor’s gaze moved to Kara at his side. Gave her a single nod. “Hale. Good to see you.”
And with that, Gregor turned and walked away. Sebastian watched him go. It may have only been three words, but they were the first kind ones spoken to him outside of his family, or men doing their duty. They meant something.
I’m definitely getting soft.
With that, Sebastian continued his inspection.
Galen had been right – throughout the day, several hundred reinforcements from across Vallenna came pouring into the camp.
Almost every family under every banner had answered the call.
Against his better judgment, Sebastian felt a glimmer of hope.
Maybe they would survive this. Kara stayed with him, listening, watching, Kaelen a step behind the whole time.
Twice she offered quiet suggestions. One about the positioning of Healer tents, the other about the flow of supplies.
She had good instincts. Both times, his captains had paused, considering, and then nodded at her, adjusting accordingly.
Sebastian caught the faintest look of satisfaction on her face.
She could wear Thorne crimson as easily as her healer’s green.
He noticed Kara stiffen slightly when they walked past the Hale encampment, but she didn’t say anything.
Didn’t even look in their direction. He knew she didn’t want to see her own people reject her.
Sebastian saw it though, the looks, the judgment.
And he hated them for it. It was shortly afterwards, whilst they weaved between the Lyran tents towards the outer defences, that a familiar voice carried across the path.
“Well, if it isn’t my favourite traitors.”
“Sienna!” Kara cried happily.
Sebastian felt the bond flare with Kara’s sudden warmth as Sienna launched herself into her arms, clinging tightly. Kara laughed, breathless, hugging her just as fiercely.
“You’re here, you’re safe. Both of you. Kara – at your trial, I thought...” Sienna’s voice caught, and she shook her head. “I could feel it. Your conviction. I believed you.”
Kara’s eyes filled with tears. “I know. I saw you.”
Sienna peered over her shoulder. “It wasn’t just me.”
A figure came into view, a green cloak pulled tight around her. Alys Hale, Sebastian realised, surprise jolting through the bond. She looked uncertain, but her gaze was fixed on Kara.
“Alys,” Kara breathed.
“I had to see you,” Alys said, her voice breaking. She glanced nervously behind her, checking she hadn’t been followed. “I couldn’t bear–”
Kara crossed the space and pulled her cousin into her arms. Alys folded into her, tears falling freely now.
“I thought I’d lost you,” Alys cried against Kara’s shoulder.
“You didn’t,” Kara replied, holding her tighter. “I’m here. I’m okay.”
“You risk much, Lady Hale,” Sebastian said. “Coming to us.”
Alys pulled back, wiping her cheeks but keeping hold of Kara’s hand. “I had to. And I needed to thank you, Lord Thorne. For saving her. Getting her out of that cell. I’ll be forever in your debt.”
Sebastian stared, caught off guard.
Gratitude from a Hale. That’s new.
“I’m not Uncle Alaric,” Alys said fiercely. “I’m with you, Kara. Always.”
All three women were hugging then. Sebastian’s captains hung back, exchanging glances, not knowing what to make of the interruption.
He didn’t blame them. Even he felt like he was intruding on something private.
Comfort, tears, open forgiveness – things he’d never experienced until Kara.
His world had been orders, detached discipline, not this.
When they drew apart, Kara asked tentatively, “How are things with my father?”
Alys’s expression darkened. “Not good,” she admitted. “He’s bitter. Angrier than I’ve ever seen him, especially when he heard of your Soulbond. I try to stay out of his way, but everyone feels it.”
A hard look passed over Kara’s features. It surprised Sebastian. He’d expected sadness at the words.
“I heard he almost didn’t come here,” Sienna said.
Alys’s mouth thinned to a hard line. “Yes. Thankfully Auntie Eliyana made him see sense.”
“How is mother?” Kara asked tentatively.
“Misses you terribly,” Alys assured her. “We speak of you often, away from your father’s ears.”
Sebastian looked away, the guilt festering. Kara had given up so much for him. Her family. Her home. He knew she missed it, though she pushed it down, tried to accept it. He felt her reassurance hum in his chest in response.
“Will you tell mother I miss her too? And hope to see her, after all this,” Kara asked Alys.
“Of course,” Alys promised, giving a watery smile. “I can’t stay long. If someone sees me here–” She squeezed Kara’s hand. “But I swear, if you fall tomorrow, I’ll get to you.”
Their bond flooded with emotion, so strong it took his breath away.
You won’t fall, Kara. Not whilst I still breathe.
“Thank you, Alys,” Kara whispered and they hugged once more before Alys disappeared towards Hale’s encampment.
Sienna watched her go, then turned back and grinned at Sebastian. “Your turn.”
To his shock and mild horror, Sienna threw her arms around him. He stiffened, unsure whether to pull away or just endure it. He settled for awkwardly patting her on the back once. Kara giggled at him.
“I’m so glad you’re okay, Sebastian,” Sienna said as she let him go. “It’s really good to see you.”
Sebastian cleared his throat, scowling more at himself than her. “Ah – yeah. You too.”
“I told you, didn’t I?” Sienna said conspiratorially to Kara. “I told you that you wouldn’t bring him back.”
Kara’s cheeks flushed. “You may have had a point.”
“I was completely right, you mean.”
“Not about all of it – you told me not to go!”
“And I’m so glad you ignored me,” Sienna smiled. “Look at you both now.”
Sebastian frowned, he was clearly missing something.