Forty-three – 03

[This post is from Thordin’s point of view.]

“Where’s Thom?”

Thordin turned toward the sound of Jacqueline’s voice, blinking. “Why aren’t you—”

“Save it,” the healer said. “Where is he?”

“Out there, talking to them,” Sif said, gesturing beyond the wall. “Doing his job.”

Jacqueline’s gaze scythed across those assembled. Her eyes narrowed. “Who went with him?”

Dead silence lingered for what felt like too long before Thordin cleared his throat, knowing he was about to regret being the one to speak up. “He went alone, Jac.”

The curse that dropped from Jac’s lips was blistering and Thordin winced, surprised that she knew explicatives of that particular caliber. “What is wrong with you people?”

“Thom is perfectly capable of negotiat—”

“It’s Olympium.”

Seamus went silent, staring at her. He blinked once, twice, then asked, “How do you know?”

“Cariocecus picked now to wake up. He was trying to warn us they were coming.” Jacqueline’s jaw tightened. “Thesan is with them.”

Now Seamus swore, looking at Leinth, then looking toward the gates. “I should—”

“No,” Thordin said. “No, let me. She’s probably just waiting for the likely opportunity to get her claws into you.”

Sif gave him a stricken look and Thordin took a deep breath, his heart starting to beat a little faster as he stared up at her, hoping she could read what he was thinking in that look.

I don’t want to do it, Sif, but someone has to and it can’t be Seamus—one of us has to do it.

Her chin dropped in a slow, slight nod.

Thordin gave her a weak smile and took a deep breath, turning toward Seamus. “Open the gate and give the order to open fire if something looks like it’s going sideways.”

“We’ll make sure it’s closed behind you,” Sif said softly as some of the others went to open the gate so Thordin could head out to join Thom in the field.

“If we tuck tail and run, get it opened up fast.”

“We will,” she said softly, giving him a long look.

Be careful, it said.

He gave her a slight nod.

I will.

He walked out into the killing fields beyond the wall, toward the parley a few dozen yards away.

Liked it? Take a second to support Erin on Patreon!
Become a patron at Patreon!
This entry was posted in Book 5, Chapter 43, Story and tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , . Bookmark the permalink.

Got thoughts?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.