Along the rest of the way back to her castle, Ayla had learned that all of Dorian’s group had been lost along with 3 knights and 1 royal official besides Ada. Thorin tried to reassure her that the loss could have been much worse, but she couldn’t help but feel she was at fault for their deaths.
She refused to burn her blood covered dress as suggested, but instead, she wanted to keep it as a reminder along with the arrow that had taken her Ada away from her.
Rounding into the courtyard, she flinched when she noticed her father already waiting along with Commander Hammon and Kolvar.
Her father took long strides to Tama’s side and practically dragged her off the mount to hug her, pulling the breath from her lungs, “Father…”
“When I received word that you had been attacked, I almost rode o
