Page 97 of Ashborne Forged

“But, sir,” Gil started.

Donavyn snapped his head to look at Gil. “Until he proves that, he’s to be left entirely to his own devices. If anyone asks, he is not a Furyknight. If he reappears at the Keep, or anywhere close to it, you report directly to me—and only me. Do you understand?”

Gil nodded sadly.

But a tiny thread of hope had coiled in my chest. …left entirely to his own devices… until he proves he can put the needs of others before himself… Not a Furyknight…

Donavyn took a deep breath, then looked at me with less fire. “Be safe,” he said sadly. “Protect what God gave you. And return to us as an honorable man that I can name brother once more.”

There was the slightest question in that last statement, and my heart flipped. I nodded. “I will,” I croaked.

Donavyn nodded once, then turned on his heel without another word, and jogged up the stairs.

I stood there, stunned, watching my General’s back, his tense shoulders, as he marched upward.

Gil was furious. “What the hell? We can’t make any mistakes now? This new freedom means we’re cut loose the moment we—”

“No,” I said, shaking my head. “No, that’s not what just happened.”

“What?” Gil turned on me. “Didn’t you hear him?” But then he saw my slight smile, and frowned hard. “Oh, now you don’t get angry?”

Just as the stairs curved out of sight, Donavyn paused and turned his head to catch eyes with me.

And he winked. Then he disappeared.

I shook my head and my smile grew wider.

Gil’s eyes widened as understanding dawned on his face. “Did he just—”

I shushed him. “He’s made me free so I can go get Grace. He couldn’t send a Furyknight into Fyrehold,” I said, swallowing, because that part of me that desperately needed to belong here still shrieked that I might not be returned. “He’s removing me from the records, and removing my status. Even if I’m discovered, he—or the queen—can’t be blamed. And they also can’t be expected to inform on me. It’s genius.” I turned to Gil and my smile was earnest now. “It lets me go after her while leaving them able to deny any culpability.”

Gil’s eyes widened. He started to smile, then frowned. “I want to come!”

I shook my head. “I need you here, brother. He’s told me to come to you when I need help, and told you to report directly to him. Not Ronen. Did you catch that? Because he knows you’ll do it, even if you aren’t supposed to. Ronen would have a conscience to report to the Captains. He couldn’t lie about it. I might need you. Please…”

Gil’s lips thinned, but he nodded, and walked back to the bench to get the keys to the cell as he spoke. “If you come back, have Kham talk to Runar while you’re still in flight, you don’t walk into the Keep without notice.”

“Right.”

But as he let me out of the cell, he shook his head and cursed.

“What is it?” I asked, a swell of gratitude making me emotional.

Gil looked at me sideways and scowled. “You always get the best assignments. Fucking favorite.”

I actually laughed.

32. Just Come Back

~ VOSKI ~

I was grateful that everyone had been sent out on patrol so weren’t there to witness Gil escorting me to the barracks to retrieve my things. I felt like a criminal being ushered to my execution. Especially when we reached the bunkroom, with my brothers’ things scattered around, and my neatly made bed that I hardly slept in. I would have given anything to go back a few days and do this differently. To have Grace here in the Keep, and sleep alongside my brothers as a family…

My hands shook, but I made short work of throwing my things in a bag. Then Gil and I stared at each other. But there was no point belaboring the moment. I had to leave.

He escorted me to the stables where we slipped into Grace’s loft and I gathered a small bag for her as well. Then I harnessed Kham in his stall to avoid notice. Gil stood in the doorway, leaning on the frame, watching. While I harnessed, I briefed him on everything I could think of. I even told him the truth about Grace killing Breckon’s man outside the Tavern. He took that with his usual shrug.

We moved on.