Daughter of War

Chapter 27 - The Crown

Eleven months later.

Thora gains new scars and new stories as the months pass, she protects the people of Lordorthil and defeats any rebels that she faces, she is beloved by her people and respected by her army. More importantly, no one else has been killed by the red-eyed man.

Two years have passed since Alden and Blain were murdered, she leaves the keep to spend the day alone.

She rides out to an empty field and sits in the silence, she watches her wolves play and run, happy to be away from the crowd.

"I believe you owe me a swim," a man says from behind Thora.

Thora turns and looks up to Kaden.

"Go away," Thora grumbles as she stands to her feet, "I am not in the mood for company."

Her wolves sense Thora's mood and they growl at Kaden.

"Why not?" he asks looking at the wolves, "I can be great company."

"Do you want to be shredded by keta wolves?" Thora laughs, putting her hand on Kara's back.

"Preferably not," he laughs, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Well, go away," Thora sighs, turning away from Kaden, her wolves follow her as she walks through the meadow towards her horse.

"Wait," Kaden calls, running to catch up to her, "What's wrong?"

"Today is not a good day," Thora says, ignoring him.

"Today's the day they died, isn't it?" he asks, Thora stops mid-step and sighs. She looks back to Kaden and nods her head, "Do you want to talk about it?" he asks.

"If I wanted to talk about it, do you think I would be out here, alone?" Thora asks, laughing.

"Do you want to talk to me, about it?" he asks, Thora frowns and something inside of her whispers yes.

Thora looks into Kaden's eyes and finds that they have changed. They are still mostly brown, but there seems to be cracks and underneath a bright, sapphire blue colour shines through.

"Where is Ranen?" Thora asks, looking around.

"I have the day off," he smiles, Thora's heart beats faster and blood rushes to her cheek.

"Why do you care?" Thora asks, turning around to face him.

"Because you intrigue me," He smiles, there is a softness behind his smile and his eyes sparkle, "You always have."

Thora raises an eyebrow and asks, "Have you been stalking me?"

"No," He laughs, "But it's hard to not know about you. I remember meeting you when I was ten years old."

"I don't remember meeting you," Thora says, putting a hand on Azul's back in caution, Azul's hackles rise in response and he lowers his head, ready to attack on Thora's command.

"I was born in the town near Ilannda." He says, sitting down on the grass, "I remember that they rang the bells for hours after you were born, my father brought me to the castle to pay tribute to you."

Thora frowns and then let's go of Azul, he raises his head and looks back to Thora.

"My son would be four years old," Thora sighs, sitting down, her wolves move and then sit next to her, keeping an eye on Kaden, "I would be teaching him to fight."

"You miss them," he smiles, "I didn't think you would."

"Why would I not?" Thora asks, "I was in love with my husband and our child was the light of my life."