these new men Gareth had brought in, the tension had never run so high. It felt as if King’s Court was on the verge of a civil war, and that all that was needed was a spark. And as Thor charged back towards the place with Gwendolyn, in defiance of Gareth’s orders, he could not help but feel as if maybe he carried that spark.
Thor braced himself. He was too weary for another battle now. But that might be just what he was walking into.
Thor knew that Gwendolyn and the others had to either find a way to depose Gareth, or that they all had to flee King’s Court for good and find a new home, setup a new court elsewhere. It was not safe here anymore.
As they neared King’s Court, Thor knew that the first place they had to go was the Hall of Arms, to meet up with the Legion and see whichever soldiers were currently here. He knew that many of them, like Kendrick, were still stationed in the field, rebuilding and refortifying the Ring. But several fine warriors, including Kolk and Brom, were still stationed here—and Godfrey was here, too, their best hope at finding the proof they needed to indict Gareth.
As Thor and his men trotted through the open plaza of King’s Court, crowds of onlookers gathered, watching the ragtag group in wonder, and Thor could feel the stares, feel word already beginning to spread. He knew it was only a matter of time until word of their arrival reached Gareth and his men, and he turned sharply towards the hall and doubled his pace. He needed to rendezvous with them before anything happened.
Thor and the others entered the plaza before the Hall of Arms, and several members of the Legion and The Silver were milling around outside of it and looked up at them in surprise as the group rode in on their horses, covered in blood, wounded from the battle. One of the Legion members called out, and soon many more came rushing over, as Thor and the others dismounted.
Thor heard a whining, and his heart leapt as he looked down and saw Krohn, being led towards him by Steffen. He knelt down, elated to see him well, and hugged Krohn as he leapt into his arms, limping, looking weak, but very much alive. Gwen knelt down and hugged Krohn, too.
“Illepra took good care of him,” Steffen said, smiling.
Krohn licked Thor and Gwen all over, and they kissed him back.
The doors flew open and several members of The Silver came pouring outside, milling excitedly around Thor, Gwen and the others; they were swept up in the crowd and ushered inside the hall, the doors closed quickly behind them.
As Thor entered the Hall he could feel hundreds of eyes on him. The Hall was packed, overflowing with Silver and Legion members, all of whom came hurrying over to the group. At their head was Kolk and Brom, along with Atme and several other famed warriors whom Thor recognized.
Kolk, then Brom, embraced Thor, then the others, and Thor could see the relief in their faces.
“You have returned,” Kolk said. “We heard, too late, of Gwen’s capture, of your expedition. You should have come to us first. We would have joined you.”
“There hadn’t been time,” Thor said.
“Gwendolyn!” came a voice.
Godfrey rushed over and embraced her, relief on his face.
“You’re alive,” he said, shocked.
All the soldiers looked at Thor and the surviving Legion members with a new respect, with a look of awe. Thor felt proud. Surrounded by these men, he felt as if he could finally take a deep breath and let down his guard.
“Not all of us made it back,” Thor said, his voice growing deeper, more authoritative. “Three of our Legion members died, I’m sorry to say. There were nine of us.”
“Against a hundred Nevaruns,” Reece added.
“And where are these hundred warriors now?” Brom asked, stepping forward, putting a hand on his sword’s hilt. “Are they pursuing you?”
Thor shook his head gravely.
“They are all dead, my lord,” he said gravely.
Brom’s eyes opened wide with a new look of respect, looking them all up and down.
“Are you saying that the six of you killed a hundred of the Ring’s fiercest warriors?” Brom asked.
“There had been nine of us, my lord,” Thor corrected. “Three have died. But yes.”
Kolk stepped forward and laid an approving hand on Thor’s shoulder.