Read Online Lorik The Defender (The Lorik Trilogy) by Toby Neighbors - Free Book Online Page A

call for the entire army of Ortis to march to Osla.  Your husband did that!" Emry said bitterly.
    "This is a waste of time and energy," Lorik said.  "Trinad is in charge of the camp.  If you want to help, Lord Emry, you can join Queen Issalyn's mission to Baskla or you can find a way to help here, but you will not mistreat the people who have worked so hard to ensure the safety of this camp."
    "How dare you?" Emry sneered.  "You are nothing more than a commoner, a peasant from the Marshlands.  And now you think you can give me orders?  By what authority?"
    "By my own authority," Lorik said, drawing his sword.  "I am not your enemy, but if you are spoiling for a fight, I'll give you one."
    "Barbarian," Emry said, but his voice was hoarse with fear.
    "Now, what has happened in my absence," Lorik asked Trinad.
    "The camp is growing.  We have nearly four times as many people here now that the group from Ort City arrived."
    "More men?"
    "Yes, most are older men, but many have volunteered to help."
    "Good," Lorik said.  "We are going to need more men."
    "May I have a word with you, Lord Lorik?" the queen asked.
    "Of course, my lady," Lorik said, then turned to Emry.  "If you choose to stay, I suggest you set up suitable arrangements for you and your men.  None of you will be staying here.  This tent will be used for her ladyship, the queen."
    "That seems hardly fair," Emry said.
    "I don't care what you consider fair," Lorik growled.  "Make yourself useful, then I will give weight to your opinions."
    Emry glared at Lorik.  It was obvious that he didn't like the way he was being treated, but Lorik didn't care.  He knew he was making an enemy, but he didn't respect the new Lord Emry enough to worry about it.
    Everyone left the big tent, including the queen's shieldmaidens.  Vera patted Lorik's arm and gave him a reassuring smile before leaving the tent.
    "You seem unhappy," the queen said.  "Why is that?  Surely it isn't because of Gunther."
    "No, my queen," Lorik replied.
    She stepped close to Lorik and put one hand on his shoulder.  "Please, call me Issalyn."
    "That wouldn't be proper," Lorik said.
    "I don't care about propriety.  I'm scared, Lorik.  I have no idea what is going to happen; to Ortis, to the people here, to me.  I'm afraid for my life.  I'm afraid that I will be sent away when a new king comes to power.  Most of all, I'm afraid I'll never see you again."
    "We must all face our fears eventually, my lady," Lorik said. “Nothing I do can change that.”
    "Are you saying we won't survive?  You honestly don't think we have a chance of living through this... this... war or whatever it is?"
    "It doesn't matter what I believe," Lorik said.
    "It matters what you believe most of all," she said, wrapping both arms around him now.
    Lorik stood stiff.  He wasn't a stranger to a woman's affection, but his feelings for Queen Issalyn were growing stronger each day and he feared that her status might make a relationship impossible.
    "You are the one everyone here is looking to," she went on.  "Our hope rises and falls on you, Lorik."
    "No, not anymore," he said.  "They will look to you now.  You must be more assertive."
    "I will, if you ask me to.  I will even go to King Ricard, but not because I want to.  I'll go because you want me to."
    "I am just a man, your highness."
    "You may be many things, but you are anything but just a man."
    She raised her hands to his shoulders and pulled him to her.  He could feel the heat of her body and then they kissed.  He had to fight the urge to take her in his arms and carry her away.  He suddenly wanted to take her into the forest and show her the wonders he had discovered there.  He could imagine the two of them living together in the King Tree.  It was a wonderful fantasy, and one that he'd never really experienced before.  He had done all he could for Vera, even offering to marry her before Stone had entered their lives so she wouldn’t be alone, but it