Chapter Ten

brEAC

I stood before Torgan, my hands still bound, feeling the weight of a dozen hostile gazes upon me. The rebel leader's eyes bored into mine, searching for truth. He sat on a large boulder, most of his orcs arrayed around him, except for two on either side of me to ensure I didn't escape or attack the rightful heir to the throne.

"Tell me, Breac," Torgan said, his voice low and dangerous. "Where do your loyalties truly lie? Are you Gnarlug's willing servant, or a reluctant pawn?"

I had known Torgan as a young orcling. We were both of the same age and spent time together when my father went to the capital as part of his duties as a nobleman. We trained together, studied together, spent time together, though I can't say we were friends. Since I went once or twice a year for a few weeks at a time, it wasn't a great deal of time that we spent together, though we knew each other. The events of the coup tore us apart, as it divided the realm. I liked the young orc that I knew, but I didn't know this male at all, nor did I know what he had done in the decade past. He had to earn my trust. I had too much on the line.

I was acutely aware of the precarious position I was in, so I tread carefully. "I've done terrible things," I admitted, shame burning in my gut, yet I held my head high. "But not by choice. Never by choice."

Torgan lifted one eyebrow, not impressed by my words. "Why should I believe you? Even Grokk was in a similar position, yet I don't think anyone could say he didn't enjoy his actions."

I spat on the ground. "Don't mention that son of a numbat to me. He lacked all honor. He was cruel and vicious. I did my best to help others unless I could not avoid it."

Brokil, one of Torgan's most trusted advisors, spat on the ground. "Lies! We've all heard tales of your exploits, Breac the Butcher. You expect us to believe you were forced?"

"He's right. I was there after you destroyed the town of Newcairn. Women and children. Massacred." Raguk, another of Torgan's followers, growled. "We should execute him now for his crimes. He can't be trusted."

Evie flinched at their words, her face a mask of confusion and hurt. The sight of her pain twisted something inside me and I sensed her drift further away from me. I should have been grateful for that. She was safe with Torgan. He had honor and would help her get home. I could only bring her death and shame.

Torgan turned back to me, his expression impassive. "My followers don't seem to agree with you. Convince me or die here."

I fisted my hands at my side and the two orcs on either side put their hands on their swords. "I don't know how to convince you that I had no choice!" I roared, my frustration finally boiling over. "But it doesn't matter. I won't betray my mother and brother. If I join you, they die."

Torgan's expression hardened. "If you don't join us, you and Evie die. Who do you choose?"

Join him? I wasn't aware that was an option. But was it really a choice? The impossible question hung in the air, suffocating me. How could I choose between the family I'd fought so hard to protect and the woman I'd come to love?

"It's not fair," Evie's voice cut through the tension. All eyes turned to her as she stepped forward. "You can't make him choose like this."

Her gaze met mine, a mixture of sadness and resolve in her eyes. "I'm leaving," she said softly. "He must choose his family."

Her words hit me like a physical blow, and I bowed my head. I'd known this moment would come, had even planned for it, but the reality of losing her was unbearable. Something inside of me broke, and I feared it would never heal.

"Evie, please," I whispered, but she turned away, unable to meet my eyes.

To my surprise, Torgan's expression softened. "What if we could help you with your family?" he asked.

I shook my head, bitter laughter escaping me. "Trust me, I've tried to help them escape. I almost succeeded once. I have the scars to show my failure." I looked at Raguk. "And Newcairn paid the price for my failure."

Raguk flinched as my words registered. "He made you destroy a town to prove your loyalty?"

The orcs murmured among themselves, angry words, but I sensed they were not directed at me. "Gnarlug cares little for people's lives. I had to choose between them and my brother. I chose my brother. May Reher forgive me."

Raguk inclined his head in a gesture of respect but said nothing more.

Torgan looked to the side and nodded almost imperceptibly. An orc slipped away into the shadows of the camp. Confusion replaced my despair. What was happening? Moments later, the orc returned, stepping aside to reveal another figure. My heart stopped.

There, looking older and leaner than I remembered, but unmistakably, stood my brother Kagan.

"Breac?" he said, his voice cracking with emotion.

I staggered forward, barely able to believe my eyes. "Kagan?"

T he camp quieted as Kagan and I found a secluded spot to talk. My brother's face, once round with youth, had sharpened into that of a young man. It pained me to see how much I'd missed.

"Tell me everything," I said, my voice hoarse with emotion.

Kagan took a deep breath. "It was Mother's plan," he began. "She knew I was nearing my majority, and she overheard the king's intentions. He was going to send me to the front lines in the war with the shadow realm. An accident was to be arranged there."

My fists clenched at the casual cruelty of it. It was the king's favorite form of execution, especially when he didn't have just cause. Send an unprepared male to the front lines and arrange for an accident or let the enemy do his dirty work. He would have tried that with me, but it amused him to force me to perform other tasks for him, knowing how much I'd hate it. He tried to break me. He almost succeeded.

Kagan continued, his eyes distant with memory. "Mother... she was incredible, Breac. She conspired with the queen, Torgan's mother, to help me escape. They planned it for months, waiting for the perfect moment, to get us to Torgan's group in the north."

Hope surged in my chest. If Mother had escaped too, then all my reasons for serving the king were gone. We could be free.

"And Mother?" I asked, leaning forward eagerly. "Where is she now?"

Kagan's face fell, and my heart plummeted with it. "She didn't make it, Breac. There was a complication during the escape. She stayed behind to distract the guards. She sacrificed herself so I could get away."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. I felt myself swaying, and suddenly Evie was there, her small hand on my arm, steadying me.

"No," I whispered, the word a broken sound. "No, it can't be."

Grief crashed over me in waves. All this time, all the terrible things I'd done, and for what? My mother was gone. I'd failed her. My father would be so disappointed in me.

Evie's arms encircled me, and I clung to her, burying my face in her hair as sobs wracked my body. She murmured soothing words, her presence an anchor in the storm of my emotions.

After what felt like an eternity, I managed to compose myself enough to ask, "When? When did this happen?"

It was Torgan who answered, his voice grave. "Over a year ago, Breac."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I staggered back, breaking free from Evie's embrace. "A year?" I repeated, my voice rising. "A year?!"

The implications crashed down on me. For over a year, the king had been lying to me, giving me letters from my family. Using me. My grief transmuted into a fury so intense it threatened to consume me. With a roar of rage, I lashed out at the nearest tree, my fists pounding against the bark until they were bloody. I tore at bushes, hurled rocks, my vision blurred by tears of anger and loss.

The others watched in wary silence as I raged, giving me space to expel my fury. When at last I stood panting, surrounded by the destruction I'd wrought, a cold clarity settled over me.

I turned to Torgan, meeting his steady gaze. "I will help you defeat the king," I growled, each word a solemn vow. "Whatever it takes, whatever you need. Gnarlug will pay for what he's done."

Torgan nodded solemnly, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes and the value I bring to his rebellion. "We welcome your aid, Breac. Together, we will bring justice to our people."

As the others discussed plans, I felt Evie's hand slip into mine. I looked down at her, seeing a mixture of sympathy and determination in her eyes.

But would it be worth it if I didn't have Evie?