Breaker of Rings

Chapter 17

The morning had started out with Bex being tired and the fatigue had only increased throughout the day, so she supposed it was fitting that it ended with near exhaustion. Asuka had joined the group in the mead hall as well as Sheamus, and the assembled leaders spent hours discussing strategy. With such strong personalities at play, it was more arguing than discussing at times, but the power and the passionate opinions meant that they didn't waste much time worrying about diplomacy. The Skull King certainly wouldn't be, and while they didn't want to sink to his level, even the most kind-hearted among them had to admit that they needed to be ready—and more importantly, willing—to be ruthless.

The other Horsewomen had staggered off to their beds and Bex was almost on her way. She only had to enchant the fire in the mead hall so it burned through the night without straying. When she sensed a familiar presence behind her, however, she knew she wasn't going to see her bed for a while. "The bonfires back home aren't the same without you," Finn said, walking up beside her. "We all got spoiled by their beauty."

Bex laughed. "Save the sweet words for your Veronica." After blowing a kiss into the flames, she stepped back and hugged him. "To what do we owe the honour, Your Majesty? You should be at home on your throne, at the very least, or headed south to confirm your alliances with Veronica." Her eyebrows lifted as she said alliances and though it was hard to tell by firelight, she was sure she saw a slight blush settle under Finn's cheekbones.

"I trust Finlay. He's a good representative and Vero's already met him." Finn pursed his lips for a moment. "I sent along a letter. She'll understand why I didn't go to her. There's too much at stake right now, and if anything would happen to you while I was indulging myself. . . ."

Giving Finn's cheek a gentle slap, Bex nudged him towards the mead hall door. Most of Finn's warriors and Drew's knights would be sleeping in there, and she didn't want to delay them any longer, not when there was no much training and preparation to be done. "I can take care of myself. And I have three fierce sisters at my side."

Finn shook his head. "Bravado and magic aren't going to be enough to defeat him, Bex. The Skull King is too focussed. Sheamus fought him years ago and barely left with his life, and that was over a trifle. If this is about some sort of redemption quest and resurrecting his best friend, the Skull King will be at his most dangerous." He nodded at his warriors as they filed into the mead hall, looking tired but satisfied. They meshed well with Drew's knights and Paige's, and had been pleasantly surprised by the hardiness of the villagers. "We're going for a walk along the coast," he told one of his most trusted warriors as he and Bex stepped out. "We won't be long, but if you need us, look to the west."

The warrior gave a curt nod before turning to his fellow fighters and starting to give instructions. Bex watched them all for a moment, Scottish and Irish and English alike, united by a common enemy. "We're walking, are we?" she asked teasingly, bumping Finn with her shoulder.

"I'm still your king," Finn grinned. "Don't forget that." Then he sobered somewhat, gently steering Bex through the village down to the shore. For safety, they had small torches blazing through the night, marking the periphery of the village in case any children wandered into the dark. "I should have summoned you home. You could have been my captain and had your pick of warriors for your—"

"I'm not built for that and you know it. I would have left as soon as I could, and I never would have come back," Bex chided gently, "not even for this. I needed to find my own way, Finn. This might not be a kingdom, but it's mine. I earned it and I keep it through my strength—with my sisters' strength. Maybe when I'm older, I could help train the next generation of warriors—if I'm still welcome, that is."

Finn pulled her close and kissed her forehead. "You'll always be welcome, Becca. Always." They both fell quiet as they stepped between two safety torches and headed towards the rocky shore. For a moment, it looked like the Irish king wanted to walk to the end of one of the docks and stare out at the night-dark sea, but he turned west as promised. It would have been impossible to see Ireland from there even if the sun had been at its zenith, but Bex understood its pull. "Are you okay?"