[This post is from Thordin’s point of view.]
“Hell,” Rory said, shaking his head. “We can’t go two damn weeks without someone new gunning for us, can we? Turning into one of those damn monster of the week shows.”
“This is a little less monster-of-the-week and a little more someone called in backup, if I’m reading this right,” Phelan said, his expression grim. He stepped around Marin and Hecate to reach for Thordin’s shoulder. “How much time do we have?”
“He’s leading the storm front,” Thordin said. His stomach twisted in on itself and he tasted bile at the back of his throat. “I couldn’t see what else he was bringing with it.”
“If Menhit’s with him, the camazotzi,” Marin said grimly. She glanced back toward Tala and Neve. “You two better get under cover with the twins.”
Tala nodded slightly, reaching down with one hand to help Neve to her feet, her son nestled in one arm as Neve cradled little Gwen. “Do you know where Angie is?”
“Probably already on her way there,” Marin said. She crouched to take Lin from Hecate.
“Are you coming with us?” Neve asked.
“They’ll need me on the wall,” Marin said.
J.T. cleared his throat. “Mar—”
“Don’t,” she said. Thordin’s stomach dropped. He’d heard that tone before and the look on Phelan’s face—and J.T.’s, for that matter—told them that all three of them knew she wasn’t going to budge on this. “I know where I’m needed.”
“What about Lin?” Hecate asked as she slowly climbed to her feet, swaying slightly. Thordin’s lips thinned. The witch-goddess was pale. Under ordinary circumstances, while he might not entirely trust her, her magic could have been useful up on the wall.
Except she’s not going to be up to slinging magic anytime soon. I didn’t realize how much that fight took from her until now.
Marin took a step forward and hugged Hecate gently, mindful of the newborn cradled in one arm. “You and I talked about you taking care of him when I can’t. This is one of those moments. Go with Tala and Neve. I’ll bring Lin. I know that I can trust the three of you to take good care of him until we’ve dealt with the threat that’s coming to knock on our gates.”
“I—are you—”
“I’m sure,” Marin said.
Thordin’s throat tightened and he stood mute as Marin gently turned Hecate and started to lead her after Neve and Tala. “That’s a thing I never thought I’d ever live to see,” he murmured to Phelan and J.T., shaking his head slightly.
Phelan snorted. “Well, that describes a lot of things these days. Let’s get back to the wall. I’m sure Thom, Matt, and the rest will be joining us shortly.”
“I’ll go round them up,” J.T. said. His gaze was also on Marin and Hecate’s retreating backs, his voice caught somewhere between thoughtful and concerned. Phelan reached over to squeeze his shoulder.
“They’ll be fine,” he said, his voice firm.
Thordin glanced toward his friend, frowning. He wasn’t sure where Phelan got his certainty, but sometimes he wished that he’d share.
“Let’s go,” Rory said, already walking away from the fire.
Thordin exhaled, squeezing his hands into fists, then turned to follow, Phelan falling in a step behind.
