Jorma had been pacing around the fort ever since they had left him there.
His mind struggled to comprehend what Luke could possibly be planning, or whether the young man would even return alive. Every outcome he considered seemed to end in bloodshed, and none of them favored Luke.
The woman, the Queen, was known to be immensely proud. Countless men had desired her, and countless men had met their demise pursuing her. Her beauty had drawn suitors from far and wide over the years, but the fate awaiting those who mistook her allure for vulnerability had always been the same.
The moment Luke had made his wish, Jorma had assumed their negotiation was over, along with whatever relationship he had managed to establish with Agatha.
Yet, as surprising as the day had already been, the Queen had actually allowed the battle to take place. Perhaps she had been certain Luke would lose. Truthfully, Jorma had believed the same.
