Sigvid tears through the soldier’s chest, gripping his spine, lifting him to his level, and ripping his throat out with his teeth.
“Avina!” He rushes into the torrential downpour and gale winds slamming into Blackwood.
The carriage is nowhere to be seen, and the tracks swiftly wash away in the storm.
He spins in circles, screaming for his wife, the mother of his children.
I would have been standing beside her if we had not been fighting.
This is Mali’s torture in the Toftlund Jail all over again. Helplessly watching as Avina is murdered or worse.
Realizing she is lost, he collapses to his knees and pounds the ground until his own blood mixes with the mud.
In the muck, his fist connects with something small and metal. He removes a familiar sapphire ring — the one he imbued with darkseidrthat he had gifted to Avina when she once still thought he borenothing but hate for her. A tracking ability forever connects him to the ring she has never removed in twenty winters.
I will find you, my little Queen. I will tear apart Skalor until I take back my fucking family.
Lightning cracks across the sky as the storm continues its onslaught on the land.
Bjorn bolts outside, covered in as much carnage as his father. “We will find Mum, but we need to get inside.” His son clutches his shoulders. “We will not catch up to them in this storm.”
Sigvid stands glowering down the road north. “As soon as this passes, you will assume my position in Treland while I take the might of the Drengr Army to Skalor.”
I am coming for you, Calder Avardsson.
38
AURA
October 20th, Year 21, 10th Era
Inner Sanctum - Forest of Fear, Skalor
“What should we expect in Sannhet Burg? You seem sure that Jarl Clementia will agree to ally with us.” Aura piles their bags before another standing stone in the Inner Sanctum. Caretakers of the Sanctum step through the archway, leading to the ship she lent them for the remainder of their journey.
“Clem took me in when no one else would.” He explains. “I have faith she will support our cause.” He opens a food pack upon a wooden slab, allowing their party to enjoy a final meal before disembarking.
“I don’t think she will say no, Ice Prick. Not with your bond. And she owes you for that time at the thing.” Argnier interjects through a mouthful.
“She has been the closest person I’ve had to a mother, even if that bar is abysmally low.”
“What was your relationship like with Avard?” Aura adjusts the belt around her waist. “You hardly speak of him.”
“He was not the warmest individual, but he kept Lavinia at bay.Father sacrificed everything to ensure I was safe from her clutches. By the time we had a decent enough life in Salt, he had grown ill and never recovered.” Calder's eyes glaze as he stares unblinking at the half-eaten orange in his hand. “He refused to return to Toftlund or speak with King Thord, whom he blamed for Lavinia.”
As if it were possible to hate Lavinia more.
Aura caresses his back. “Your situation is unimaginable.”
“And then you ran back to Skalor despite everything.” Argnier spouts through his laughter.
Edmund’s sweet tobacco smoke swirls around them as he leans against a tree nearby.
“Hold on there, Far Eddie.” Argnier gestures with a heel of bread clutched in his hand. “How in the Abyss did you come about?”
“Do you not know how children are made, old man?” Edmund slips his hands into his pockets, not bothering to remove the stem of his pipe while he speaks. “Usually, a man sticks his…”
“I know how the fuck they are made!” Argnier grumbles.
