Talked. Shouted. Whatever it had been, I thought I’d made my sentiments clear.
Dax could either stay in Solkar’s Reach or leave to whatever island or safe haven he thought best, but he was not coming to war.
From the rolls upon rolls of parchments tucked inside his backpack and the borrowed daggers adorning his also-borrowed baldric, he disagreed.
Things had been tense between us since I’d revealed the crown, but they were starting to feel normal again. He’d gotten past his shock–or pretended to–and I’d swallowed my shame.
But I hadn’t forgotten the desperate way he’d pleaded for me not to abandon the Protectorate. It now haunted my dreams along with Ryker, yanking me from fantasies straight into pressing nightmares.
“Until we finish Uncle Alaric’s last wish, wherever you go, I trudge along and complain about it,” he said, leaving no room for argument.
And I was fresh out of energy to argue. If he wanted to risk his life, all I could do was watch his back. It wasn’t like I could command him to stay safe, I wasn’t the Protectorate leader, no matter how much I knew Dax still saw me as one.
“If you die, I will kill you,” I said.
“I’m honestly offended you’d think I’d stay here while you were off defending us all,” he said, but I heard no venom in his voice. “Now let’s hurry, we’ve missed most of the ceremony.”
We rushed toward the deafening town square, now overtaken with roars so powerful, they scraped against my instincts of survival. A warning that nobody should dare face these warriors and hope to survive.
Just as we neared the city center, the harsh grunts and drums vanished, replaced with a solemn stillness.
We escaped the labyrinth of back alleys in time to see the older warriors standing in front of the younger ones. The more inexperienced would remain here, to guard and pray they wouldn’t be needed on the front.
They wore the same leather and fur armor as their elders, but still had that green, confident glimmer in their eyes. I knew the feeling too well. Thinking you could face anything and triumph despite all odds.
Some of them even seemed upset they wouldn’t be sword fodder.
The experienced warriors–who had the scars to prove they’d already seen too much and held onto their weapons like they knew how to swing them in real battle–had an air of solemn acceptance. Their eyes drifted to equally solemn mothers and fathers holding giggling babies, old, proud parents, and younger brothers and sisters.
They knew who they were fighting for.
Yet my gaze settled on the same shoulders it always did.
Ryker stepped from their ranks, tall and commanding, making my heart flip just by walking.
We were still doing a brilliant job of avoiding each other, pretending neither could hear the other moving around in their own bedroom.
His eyes found me instantly as well, like my shaky breaths had alerted him to my presence. His gaze sparked, as if he’d hoped until the last moment I would change my mind and remain in the safety of the crater, just like I’d hoped with Dax.
I understood.
I still lifted my chin up and held his stare.
I was coming to war and we would face the Serpents on the same battlefield.
He stopped in front of Vylkor and exchanged one simple nod that radiated ritual, before he unsheathed a massive sword from his side. Its blade was still sharp enough to hiss in the wind, but bore small fractures which had been reforged.
“Until I return, either on my own two feet or on top of a shield, you will guard Solkar’s Reach.” Ryker’s voice boomed through the town square, quieting everyone, including the gargling babies.
Even Dax stood up straighter.
“May you never have to use this sword. But if you do, swing it wisely. Swing it true.” He handed Vylkor the weapon, who grasped it with the certainty of a man who knew what responsibility he was accepting.
“Until the war is over–” Ryker turned to the crowd, who hung on his every word. “–nobody goes in or out of Solkar’s Reach without my permission. The crater gives us everything we need to survive and thrive. The rim scouts have been instructed to sound the alarm in case of danger.”
A wave of quiet determination rolled over the crowd. They were ready.
“The gods and our ancestors have shielded us from harm so far. They will do it again. This war will not end us.” He turned his face to the sky. “The hand of Solkar will guide us through battle to triumph. Solkar’s Reach will endure!”
