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

still human. She’s a beautiful woman. You’re a man. It’s not a difficult connection to make.”
    “She’s the queen, Stone,” Lorik snarled. “Who am I to fall in love with a queen? I could be executed just for talking like this.”
    “No you couldn’t,” Stone said, trying unsuccessfully to hide his amusement. “You and I both know her husband is dead. Besides, I’ve heard her talking to you. It sounds like King Oveer was a pig. She deserves to be loved and respected.”
    “She does,” Lorik said. “But not by me. I can’t let my feelings for her keep me from doing what I must.”
    “Now we’re getting somewhere,” Stone said. “What is it you think you have to do?”
    “I have to stop the witch’s army, no matter what the cost.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “It means I won’t survive, you fool. Hell, I doubt any of us will. That’s why you need to take Vera and go north with Queen Issalyn.”
    Stone took a deep breath. “Do you know something I don’t know?” he asked.
    “I know we are facing an army of mutated people. They may have been farmers or shopkeepers, but now they’ll be monsters.”
    “How do you know this?” Stone asked.
    “The Drery Dru told me. It’s not the first time this kind of magic was unleashed. The last thing I need to be worried about is some woman.”
    “Queen Issalyn isn’t just some woman,” Stone said.
    “No,” Lorik agreed, “she isn’t. But I can’t be around her. She’s like a whirlpool sucking me down. I have to leave now, while I still can or I won’t be able to.”
    “Maybe you’re not supposed to,” Stone said calmly.
    “Don’t joke,” Lorik warned his friend.
    “I’m not,” Stone said. “Listen, in my experience, when people have strong feelings about something or someone, there’s usually a reason. Perhaps you should go north with Queen Issalyn.”
    “I can’t leave the kingdom undefended.”
    “Why not, it isn’t your kingdom.”
    “It is my home and besides, I could never turn my back on a threat.”
    “I know you have strong principles,” Stone said. “But sometimes in life we have to trust our instincts.”
    “It isn’t my instincts that I’m trying to deny,” Lorik said.
    “No, it’s your heart.”
    “Bah!” Lorik said waving his hand. “I want the woman, I’ll not deny it. She’s beautiful and I would love nothing more than to make her mine, but that isn’t coming from my heart.”
    “That doesn’t make you any different than any other man I’ve ever know,” Stone said. “There isn’t much difference between love and lust for most men.”
    “I have to go south,” Lorik insisted.
    “Alright, but not before you’re ready. Let me help you. What do you need?”
    “I’ll need volunteers, horses, weapons, rations, everything.”
    “Fine, I’ll get started on that.”
    “Good,” Lorik said. “I have to make sure that the queen goes north. Vera is supposed to help me with that.”
    “She will,” Stone assured Lorik.
    “And I want to see that Lord Emry,” he said the man’s name and title with disdain, “is given a swift end to his treachery.”
    “See to it,” Stone said. “Everything will be ready for your departure as soon as you are.”
    “Thank you,” Lorik said, feeling his tension ease a little. “I wish I didn’t have to see her again.”
    “I think you would regret that,” Stone said. “Tell the truth, it will free your heart and mind for what you have to do in the days ahead.”
    “You’re right,” Lorik nodded. “You’re a good friend.”
    “Of course I am,” Stone said with a huge grin. “I’m amazing.”
    Lorik turned and started walking back toward the large tent in the center of the sprawling camp. He felt nervous. Seeing Queen Issalyn with a knife at her throat was difficult. He’d never experienced such fear and anger in the same instant before. He thought that he would rather face a thousand monsters from the deepest pits of the underworld than to see