Thora's heart hardens as she thinks of the empty crypt she leaves behind, fires burn in her heart and crackle in her eyes, she'll burn all the kingdoms to the ground until she finds the red-eyed man.
"Thora," Amilia says, taking Thora's hand as they ride together, "We'll find him..."
"I know," Thora says, her voice hard as she looks back to the army that follows her.
"Don't close yourself up," Amelia says with a soft voice as her dark hair whips in the wind, "Don't become something you'll hate later."
Thora lets go of a breath and squeeze her friend's hand as a soft smile plays in the corner of her mouth.
"I'm so glad that I met you," Thora says her eyes taking in the woman beside her.
The party arrive at rebel town and find it almost completely empty, the wind howls through the town and through the empty houses.
Thora dismounts her horse and looks around, holding up a hand that orders her army to halt.
"What are your orders?" Fredrick asks, stopping his horse behind Thora.
"Find me someone, bring them to me," Thora gives the command and Fredrick dismounts and takes several men to search the town.
A scuffle sounds from one of the broken houses and then Fredrick and his men are dragging a man out of the house. The man is kicking and screaming, cursing and fighting against being taken.
The ketas close in towards Thora, their hackles rise and their lips curl in a silent growl as the man is thrown down at Thora's feet.
The rebel's eyes widen in horror as he comes face to face with Azul and his gleaming teeth.
"Where is the rest of them?" Thora asks, looking to the man as she unsheathes her father's sword.
"Fuck you," the man spits.
Azul barks in response, clearly seeing the threat. The keta takes a step forward and Thora places her hands on his back as he lowers his head.
"Have you ever seen a keta wolf tear a man limb from limb?" Thora asks, her eyes flaring, the man shakes his head as fear floods through his body, "Neither have I," Thora smiles, "Tell me where they are and I promise to kill you quickly."
The man looks to the wolves for a moment, then he looks back to Thora.
"No," he says defiantly, "Never."
"THORA!" a voice calls before Thora can give the order, "Let him go!"
Thora looks up and finds Arkeshna stepping out of the shadows of her jungle.
"Let him go," she says again.
Thora looks to the man and then shrugs her shoulders.
"Okay," she says nonchalantly.
Thora lets go of Azul's back and the wolf surges forward, he wraps his jaws around the man's throat and his siblings join in once they smell blood.
Thora steps around the onslaught, ignoring the man's screams as she points her father's sword at Akeshna.
"You killed my father," she says her voice like thunder, "You helped the red-eyed man; after everything that I did for you. I was willing to vouch for you in front of my king. I was going to help you. You betrayed my trust, you betrayed me."
"Your father was coming to attack us," Arkeshna says, her eyes flaring.
"My Father was riding towards Carmanf," Thora snarls, her wolves look up to her, finished with the man, "He was going to see my sister."
YOU ARE READING
Daughter of War
FantasyOne would think that Thora would be happy with her position; she is highborn with a powerful family name, and yet, Thora Illian's deepest wish is to be a warrior. Thora has a taste for adventure, for action, but her father would never let her wishes...
