Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87731 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Bria ignored it. “Aye, I am well aware of that. But why does Kaelan hunt you?”
The hall grew noticeably quieter and Ogga’s smile made it obvious she was enjoying the exchange.
Braden laughed softly. “A fair question, since Thornek never hunt their own.” His gaze shifted to Kaelan. “I will leave the telling to you.”
Kaelan didn’t hesitate. “He betrayed the tribe.”
Braden’s expression hardened. “I offered my people an opportunity.”
“Call it what it is, Braden—betrayal.”
The accusation landed like a sharp blow, and Bria felt tension coil tightly through the room.
Braden did not back down, he took a step forward. “Tharne, Warlord of Drogath, offered our tribe land.”
“Tharne, a man known for his lies, offered you land,” Kaelan corrected.
“At least, he promised the Thornek a place in the future.”
Kaelan’s voice turned dangerously calm. “Tharne’s promises are worth less than the mud beneath my boots.”
Silence followed.
Bria understood then. This was not merely a disagreement. This was a division that had torn through the Thornek themselves.
“You wasted your time coming after me, Kaelan. I won’t go back with you. I want more. More than what the tribe offers me.”
“No Thornek is forced to remain with the tribe, but all who left have returned,” Kaelan said.
Braden turned a smug grin on him. “That won’t be me.”
“A pity. But you also know that betrayal tears at the hearts of the Thornek and that it cannot go unpunished.”
Braden’s smug smile remained. “I counted on it.”
Before anyone could speak further, the great doors opened and a cold draft swept in bringing with it a man.
Ogga smiled.
Bria’s stomach tightened instantly. She recognized the man who entered. Not from meeting him, but from a vision.
Chapter Twenty-Two
A Mission for the Witch
Where Paths Begin to Divide
The man strode into the hall without hesitation, his dark cloak damp from recent travel. His expression was hard and impatient, as though every moment spent inside the fortress irritated him.
Bria recalled where she saw him. From the vision that had struck her while holding Tibby. Two men arguing in the forest. This man warning the other about the healer who could snatch the dying away from death.
A chill slipped through her despite the warmth of the hall.
The man stopped before Ogga. “I grow weary of waiting.”
His voice carried the same sharp edge Bria remembered from the vision.
Ogga remained perfectly composed, a slight tilt to her head as if what he felt mattered little to her.
“Then perhaps you should cultivate patience, Dreth.”
His jaw tightened. “Tread lightly, Ogga. Patience is not something Tharne possesses and either is fear of witches.” He took another step forward. “You promised results. So far you have proved worthless to me.”
The hall fell silent.
Bria felt Kaelan’s attention sharpen beside her, his hand moving to rest on her wrist, a casual gesture between a husband and wife, but she knew differently. His hand rested there, ready to grab her and run if necessary.
Ogga folded her arms across her chest. “Tharne may not fear witches, but he isn’t here at the moment. So, I would be very careful what you say to me, or I may just have to rid you of your voice.”
“That would not set well with Tharne.” He shook his head. “You really have no idea of the lengths Tharne has gone to in order to win the impending war. Your spells, curses, or whatever it is you witches work on others, are useless on me. Tharne sent me here well protected. Now, can you deliver the healer capable of pulling the dying back from death itself or not?”
The words settled heavily through the hall.
Bria felt Kaelan tighten his hand on her wrist.
Ogga’s expression revealed nothing, but her eyes did not hide her anger. “You will have your healer and Tharne better keep the promise made to me.”
Dreth’s expression darkened. “You will have your reward as promised, provided you deliver the healer.”
Bria’s heart went out to the mysterious healer. It seemed as if everyone searched for her. Surely, she could not remain hidden from them for long. She was bound to be found, then what? Would she forever be held captive to do their bidding?
“I have no time to waste,” Dreth said. “See it done, Ogga, or someone else will rule Driochmor. I go and continue recruiting for Tharne.”
That caught Kaelan’s attention immediately.
“Recruiting whom?” Ogga asked.
Dreth smiled coldly. “Anyone wise enough to recognize which side will win or anyone who hungers for power. Drogath does not prepare for war. It stands ready for war and once this healer is found… Scotara will fall.”
His gaze settled briefly on Braden. “And Tharne will reward those as promised.”
Braden’s smile answered the look.
The meaning was clear enough… Braden would fight for Drogath.
Kaelan leaned his head down to whisper to Bria, “We need to get to the council to warn them and then to the king, if it is not already too late.”