Unbroken (Unarmed Trilogy #2) (37 page)

Will turned behind him and saw Tamzin standing in the entranceway, her eyes wide and their son wailing.

Will Thurston was now
the
King.

To Be Continued...

Will Thurston has experienced many things in his life, but not once has he comforted an enemy combatant on the field as he died. It was also the first time he helped murder a fourteen year old boy on the field.

Will cursed his father as he sliced through the boy as he tried, in vain, to stab Will in the neck. His Northmen had taken part in another landslide victory against the ill-trained Johansson men, but it was no victory. More often than not, Gregory Thurston had sent boys and even children to fight the revered Northmen and each time, Will sent children back to their mothers on carts for the dead.

More than once, Will attempted to stop the boys from attacking him and the Northmen, but it had been drilled in their minds that it was better to die than to live a good life where you didn't stand up to the usurper Will Thurston.

"It won't hurt any longer," Will whispered to the whimpering boy and Will felt his eyes water with fresh tears. His skin was covered in grime and mud, along with the blood of his enemy. The Northmen and the Roth Archers walked amongst the dead and pulled off what supplies they needed. Some took new swords, fresh boots, or impressive armor. Gregory Thurston sent boys to fight, but he gave them the best gear for the job.

"You're nothing but an usurper and you will burn in hell," the boy said as he spat in Will's face. Undeterred, Will continued to hold onto the boy's hand as he died, when the final drop of blood dripped out of the wound in the corner of his neck. Will released his hand and stood and wiped the boy's spit off his face. It was not the first or last time this would happen.

"I don't know why you bother?" Will heard Garrett say behind him. Will turned to see his friend...brother, and sighed. It had been two years since the last major battle with their father, and no one had seen or heard from Gregory in those years. There were the minor battles, like today, to defend the outskirts of Will's collective territory, but nothing to end the war, or even make a dent in the standings.

"I cannot imagine what it is like to die, but I know that I wouldn't want to be alone when it happens," Will said as he adjusted the sword at his hip. Death was not a conversation Will and Garrett discussed often, especially after what had happened. Garrett understood death more than most people...

With more questions needing to be answered and the final showdown looming, look for Unconditionally, the final installment of the Unarmed Trilogy in the early months of 2015!