Defender of Hearts

Chapter 1

Astin felt the air shift before he heard the creak of the bow. His head snapped to the right, and every muscle in his body contracted beneath his uniform. He studied the shadows at the end of the corridor, where the flickering orange light cast by a torch faded into black. 

Someone was hunting him.

One hand reached for his knife, the other for the hilt of his sword. His ears strained for any thread of noise to grab on to. 

He was trained to hear it.

The air shifted again, and he drew his sword, spinning it once, twice. It was the only shield he had, and it did its job, knocking the arrow off course. He threw his knife in the direction of his attacker, and it disappeared into the shadows. A howl of pain rang out. Astin was moving then, his long legs stretching and his boots pounding the stone. A weapon flashed up ahead, and he threw himself to the ground, sliding as a knife passed overhead. He suspected it was his own knife but did not dare look back to confirm it. Into the darkness he went, sword swinging. Relief swelled in him when it connected with flesh and bone. Another wail of pain, and a bow dropped to the ground.

The familiar whine of the king’s door opening drew Astin’s attention. And there was King Borin peering around the edge of the door frame, fringe tilting, despite having been told numerous times to close his door if there was no guard waiting for him on the other side.

‘Inside!’ Astin called as he thrust his sword up between his attacker’s legs.

A pained scream collided with the sound of the door slamming shut. The man collapsed, and Astin shoved him away so he could free his sword. The ground beneath him was slippery with blood as he rose, running his weapon across the man’s throat.

Footsteps came at a run, and Astin reached for the bow on the ground before snatching up one of the scattered arrows. He loaded the weapon and took aim. His hands slackened around the bow when a defender stepped into the light, looking from Astin to the dead man on the floor.

‘Check on the king,’ Astin said, looking back at the corpse. His eyes travelled from the unkempt hair to the simple clothes, all the way down to the worn soles of the boots. This was no soldier, no sea warrior. This was a merchant man.

The door opened once more, and this time King Borin strode out. He was all bravado now that the intruder was dead. The other defender followed at his heel, scanning the corridor.

‘You should stay in your bedchamber until the castle is secure, Your Majesty,’ Astin said, positioning himself in front of the corpse. 

Borin stepped around him and peered down at the man. ‘Who is he?’

The answer was another merchant who wished his king dead. Another merchant prepared to sacrifice himself for a greater cause.

‘I don’t know,’ Astin replied. ‘And I don’t know if he’s alone, so I need you inside.’

The young king did not move. ‘Look at his clothes, his hair. He is a merchant, is he not?’ He knew his bodyguard was obligated to answer honestly.

Astin swallowed. ‘Appears that way.’

‘First my father, now they come for me. It seems they will not stop until my entire family is wiped out. And what does my mother say? Forget about justice. Let us all move forwards.’

It was revenge that the queen mother steered her son from, the kind that consumed a man whole and turned him into something unrecognisable. Borin had been possessed by revenge once before, and no one wanted to see a repeat of that.

‘Your family is quite safe’ was all Astin said.

Borin’s face twisted, his stubby nose turning red. ‘Brand him and hang him in the merchant borough. I want everyone to see what becomes of traitors. He can greet the merchants as they rise from their beds in the morning.’ The king looked back at the corpse. ‘And find out how in Belenus’s name he got into my home. It seems we have defenders falling asleep at their posts.’

Astin gave a small nod. ‘Yes, Your Majesty.’

The young king turned and padded back to his quarters, slamming the door closed behind him. The noise echoed along the corridor. 

The second defender stepped up beside Astin. ‘Your orders, sir?’

‘You heard the king,’ Astin said quietly. ‘Brand him, then hang him on the wall.’