by Morgan Rice
Thor felt a foot nudging him in his ribs and slowly peeled opened his eyes. He lay face down on a mound of straw, and for a moment had no idea where he was. His head felt like it weighed a million pounds, his throat was drier than it had ever been, and his eyes and head were killing him. He felt as if he’d fallen off a horse.
He was nudged again, and as he sat up, the room spun violently. He leaned over and threw up, gagging again and again.
A chorus of laughter erupted all around him, and he looked up to see Reece, O’Connor, Elden, and the twins hovering close by, looking down.
“Finally, sleeping beauty wakes!” Reece called out, smiling.
“We didn’t think you’d ever rise,” O’Connor said.
“Are you okay?” Elden asked.
Thor sat up, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, trying to process it all. As he did, Krohn, lying a few feet away, whimpered and ran over to him, jumping into his arms and burying his head in his shirt. Thor was relieved to see him, and happy to have him at his side. He tried to remember.
“Where am I?” Thor asked. “What happened last night?”
The three of them laughed.
“I’m afraid you had one drink too many, my friend. Someone can’t hold his ale. Don’t you remember? The alehouse?”
Thor closed his eyes, rubbed his temples, and tried to bring it all back. It came in flashes. He remembered the hunt…entering the alehouse…the drinks. He remembered being led upstairs…the brothel. After that, it was all black.
His heart quickened as he thought of Gwendolyn. Had he done anything stupid with that girl? Had he ruined his chances with Gwen?
“What happened?” he pressed Reece, serious, as he clasped his wrist. “Please, tell me. Tell me I didn’t do anything with that woman.”
The others laughed, but Reece stared back at his friend earnestly, realizing how upset he was.
“Don’t worry, friend,” he answered. “You did nothing at all. Except for throw up and collapse on her floor!”
The others laughed again.
“So much for your first time,” Elden said.
But Thor felt deeply relieved. He had not alienated Gwen.
“Last time I buy you a woman!” said Conval.
“Perfectly good waste of money,” said Conven. “She wouldn’t even return it!”
The boys laughed again. Thor was humiliated, but relieved he had not ruined anything.
He took Reece’s arm and pulled him aside.
“Your sister,” he whispered, urgently. “She doesn’t know about any of this, does she?”
Reece broke into a slow smile as he put an arm around Thor’s shoulder.
“Your secret is safe with me, even though you didn’t do anything. She doesn’t know. And I can see how deeply you care for her, and I appreciate that,” he said, his face morphing into a serious expression. “I can see now that you really do care for her. If you had gone whoring, that would not be the kind of brother-in-law I would want. In fact, I have been asked to deliver you this message.”
Reece shoved a small scroll into Thor’s palm, and Thor looked down, confused. He saw the royal stamp on it, the pink paper, and he knew. His heart quickened.
“From my sister,” Reece added.
“Whoa!” came a chorus of voices.
“Someone’s got a love letter!” O’Connor said.
“Read it to us!” Elden yelled.
The others chimed in with laughter.
But Thor, wanting privacy, hurried off to the side of the barracks, away from the others. His head was splitting, and the room still spun—but he didn’t care anymore. He unrolled the delicate parchment and read the note with trembling hands.
“Meet me at Forest Ridge at midday. Don’t be late. And don’t call attention to yourself.”
Thor stuffed the note into his pocket.
“What does it say, lover boy?” Conven called out.
Thor hurried over to Reece, knowing he could trust him.
“The Legion has no exercises today, right?” Thor asked.
Reece shook his head. “Of course not. It’s a holiday.”
“Where is Forest Ridge?” Thor asked.
Reece smiled. “Ah, Gwen’s favorite place,” he said. “Take the eastern road out of the court and stay right. Climb the hill, and it begins after the second knoll.”
Thor looked at Reece.
“Please, I don’t want anyone to know.”
Reece smiled.
“I’m sure she does not either. If my mother found out, she would kill you both. She would lock my sister in her room, and exile you to the southern end of the kingdom.”
Thor gulped at the thought of it.
“Really?” he asked
Reece nodded back.
“She doesn’t like you. I don’t know why, but her mind is set. Go quickly, and don’t tell a soul. And don’t worry,” he said, clasping his hand. “I won’t either.”
