Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) by Toby Neighbors Page B

“You’re a good friend.”
    She stopped stirring for a moment and gazed up at Lorik. Her expression softened but she didn’t reply. They had a long history and she had always been stubborn, doing what she thought was best despite what anyone else thought. She had refused to marry Lorik, even though he offered multiple times, because she knew he didn’t love her. She had loved him like a brother and had leaned on him during the hardest times in her life. When she’d left their village in Hassell Point with Liam, things had not turned out the way she imagined. When Lorik came back into their lives, she was angry and afraid, but she had always known that he cared for her. She would always have someone as long as Lorik was around, which was why she hated the thought of him going into harm’s way.
    Lorik turned and left. Vera watched him go, feeling a sadness welling up inside her. The tent flaps behind her moved and Liam crawled out of the tent.
    “Was that Lorik?” he asked.
    “Yes,” Vera replied.
    “What did he need?”
    “He wants help convincing Queen Issalyn to go to King Ricard in Baskla to seek his aid.”
    “Oh, he didn’t need me for anything?”
    “He wants you to rest today. Then he wants you to lead the queen’s guard.”
    “What? Why would I do that?”
    “Because Lorik is going south to slow the enemy.”
    “Damn, you said he would,” Stone said. “I still can’t believe it. He really said that was his plan.”
    “Yes.”
    “We can’t let him do it alone.”
    “I know,” Vera said. “I told him as much.”
    “Did he argue?”
    “No, he knows better than that.”
    “Smart man,” Stone said with a smile as he settled down beside Vera.
    He leaned over and she kissed him, but her lips were salty with tears.
    “What’s wrong?” Stone asked.
    “I’m going to lose you both,” she whispered.
    “No,” Stone said compassionately. “Of course you aren’t. You can’t get rid of me, you know that. I love you too much.”
    “This is different,” Vera said. “This isn’t a band of outlaws or even an army of Norsik raiders. This is an army created by an evil witch. Don’t pretend it’s not a big deal, Liam. None of us have ever faced anything like this.”
    “No, not in our lifetime,” Stone said, his voice rising with conviction. “But it isn’t the first time that darkness has tried to cast its shadow across the Five Kingdoms. I may not have believed the legends and myths before, but I’ve seen dragons, and elves, and monsters. I’ve seen the impossible come to life before my very eyes. Hell, just look at Lorik. He’s like a hero from a bedtime story. The men will follow him into the jaws of death if that’s what he tells them to do. Maybe we are facing terrible odds, but my money is on Lorik. And if he’s going south, then I’m going with him.”
    “And I’m going with you.”
    “No,” Stone said. “Not this time.”
    “Don’t argue with me,” Vera said softly as she spooned the porridge into a bowl. “I’m going with you whether you escort Queen Issalyn or go with Lorik to fight the witch’s army. I won’t leave you, not after all we’ve been through.”
    “Fine,” Stone said. “The truth is, I’ll be glad to have you along. Besides, maybe it isn’t as bad as the wizard said. Maybe the army won’t even come to Ortis.”
    Vera smiled, she loved Liam’s optimism. She leaned against his shoulder for a minute while he ate, then stood up.
    “I have work to do,” she said.
    “I’ll help you,” he said, covering his mouth with his hand.
    “No,” Vera said. “I can do this. You stay here, rest. There will be plenty for you to do tomorrow.”
    “I’m fine, I don’t need to rest.”
    “Everyone needs rest, Liam,” Vera said. “Please, do this for me.”
    “Alright, but if you need anything I’ll be right here.”
    She smiled and hurried away before he could see the tears in her eyes again. She couldn’t help but fear that she would need him,