His fingers stroked his neck as he mulled over my question. “His fingernail scratched my throat, but I can’t remember if he drew blood or not.”
“It might have been a dart or tiny needle. Did you find anything like that?”
“No, but it’s not like we searched. It happened so quickly and, once he was dead, we thought the danger was gone.”
“How much of this is pure speculation?” Loren asked.
“Most of it,” I admitted. “Yuri and Ryne could have avoided being exposed to the original plague. Except...” I met Ryne’s gaze.
“My sister was one of the first to sicken and I stayed with her until the bitter end.” Ryne frowned, remembering.
“And don’t forget Avry’s speculations have saved our asses a few times,” Quain said.
“If Avry’s right, this new plague is more accurate,” Ryne said. “Instead of wiping out thousands of people, it’ll just kill those infected. Looking at it from a military perspective, it’s better because it won’t kill your own soldiers as long as you’re careful.”
His comment reminded me of Tohon’s claim of using biological warfare during one of my nightmares. Not that I could rely on a dream, but it triggered another revelation.
“Ryne survived the original plague,” I blurted.
“Old news, Avry,” Quain teased.
“And so did Kerrick, Belen, Cellina, Stanslov, and Jael. Don’t you think it’s a heck of a coincidence that they all survived?”
Kerrick leaned forward. “And I’ve met a few others from our class who lived through it while searching for Avry.”
“Tohon never stopped wanting to be king,” I said. “But it would be a hollow victory if his old classmates weren’t alive to pledge loyalty to him.” And it explained his rage over Jael’s escape.
“Are you saying he protected us somehow?” Ryne asked.
“Perhaps.”
“But that means he had to know about the plague before...” Ryne gasped. “He caused the plague.”
“Not without help,” I added. “The Healer’s Guild was experimenting with dangerous material and are also to blame. He could have predicted the inevitable and done nothing to stop it.”
“Just as bad,” Quain muttered.
“Or, knowing Tohon, he helped it along.” Kerrick jabbed the fire with a stick. “How did he protect us? After school, we all went our separate ways.”
That I couldn’t answer.
“The reunion,” Ryne said. “Remember a year after we graduated, we all returned for the crowning of the next year’s king. Tohon was there.”
“But why kill Stanslov after he protected him?” I asked, poking holes into my own theory.
“Putting a knife through someone’s heart is more personal than them dying far away unseen,” Ryne said. “He hated Stanslov.”
“And infecting you later?”
“I turned into a real threat once I crossed the Nine Mountains with my elite squads.”
“Even if you’re right, how does this help us now?” Quain asked.
Ryne answered. “We know Cellina has tapped into Tohon’s research and isn’t afraid to use it.”
“Still not helping.”
“It aids me in understanding her, but how about the fact our enemy now has another weapon at their disposal? This new plague. Don’t get cut during battle and you should be fine. How’s that? Better.”
Quain flopped back onto the ground. “No.”
I agreed.
“What about the Skeleton King’s poison?” Loren asked. “Is that another weapon?”
“Of course. And we know he won’t hesitate to use torture.”
The rest of us stared at the fire. All probably contemplating a grim future.
“Do you have any good news?” Flea asked, speaking up for the first time. He sat on the opposite side of the fire.
“We haven’t encountered any dead squads in a few weeks. Either we’ve neutralized the bulk of them, or Cellina has pulled them back into Vyg Realm.” Ryne tapped a finger on his lips. “It’s a nice reprieve. As for Cellina and the Skeleton King, we’ll just have to outsmart them.”
“Good thing we now have Estrid and her army,” I added, hoping to brighten the mood further.
Ryne and the monkeys exchanged a significant glance.
Uh-oh. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Ryne ran a hand over his face and suddenly he looked twenty years older. He hunched over as if all his responsibilities pressed down on his shoulders. They probably did, considering he was twenty-seven and the fate of our world rested with him.
“Come on, Ryne. Fess up,” I prodded.
“Estrid decided to gather all her forces and acolytes and return home to Ozero Realm.”
KERRICK
The news about the Skeleton King had been bad enough, but now Kerrick felt as though the ground had just dropped out from under him. Without Estrid’s forces... No, he wouldn’t go there. It was too horrible to contemplate.
Avry’s face lost all color. “You’re joking, right?”
“I wish,” Ryne said. “Estrid’s terrified and plans to seal her borders tight, not letting anyone in or out.”
“That strategy won’t work if Cellina’s army reaches Ozero Realm,” Kerrick said.
Ryne shook his head. “I tried every conceivable argument and used every ounce of reason and logic I possess to convince her to stay and fight.”
“Does anyone else think she’s an ungrateful bitch?” Quain asked.
Loren raised his hand. “Me.”
“I wasted a perfectly good dinner for her,” Flea said only half joking.
“What about her army?” Kerrick asked Ryne, hoping for a bit of good news.
“She sent orders out to her soldiers to return to Ozero immediately and I’ve sent word out that all are welcome to stay.”
“Did you say pretty please? I’m not above begging,” Quain said.
“Any takers?” Kerrick regretted the question as Ryne’s expression darkened.
“No.”
“Not even the odd squad?” Avry’s voice broke.
Kerrick glanced at her. Odd had been the grunt who’d charged from the infirmary all concerned and protective when they’d arrived. A twinge of jealousy touched his heart. Did she care for him? Were they more than friends? Her pale face revealed a hurt betrayal.
“It’s tough for Odd right now,” Ryne said. “Estrid’s still here and he’d pledged to fight for her, as did all of her forces. However, I’m thinking once she leaves, we’ll have a few...defectors.”
“Wait. Estrid’s still here?” Avry asked.
“Yes, she’s organizing her retreat.”
“In my infirmary?” Color returned to her cheeks in an instant.
Kerrick exchanged a look with the monkeys. All were glad Avry’s ire wasn’t aimed at them for once.
“Just settle down.” Ryne put his hands out as if placating a skittish horse.
Wrong move. Kerrick suppressed a grin.
Avry shot to her feet.
Ryne stood, as well. “We have to be diplomatic about this. Estrid might have a change of heart and return. She is the High Priestess. We don’t want to ruin our relationship with her.”
“Burning bridges and all that, eh, Ryne?” Loren asked.
“Exactly.”
“Isn’t Estrid burning a bridge by leaving?” Flea asked.
“Oh, yeah, a huge conflagration,” Quain quipped. “But she has all the bridge builders on her side, while we’re left with a burned mess.”
“Exactly,” Loren said.
Avry’s entire body stiffened with that stubborn determination Kerrick knew so well. He’d feel sorry for Ryne, but the man had brought this on himself.
And truthfully, if Ryne was going to meekly let Estrid walk away, he deserved it.
“I’m going to talk to her,” Avry declared. “The High Priestess owes me one.” She glanced at Kerrick.
“I’ll be here. Go burn some bridges.”
She nodded and strode toward the cave. Ryne shot Kerrick a sour look before hurrying after her. Wide grins spread on the monkeys’ faces.
“This is too good to miss,” Quain said, following Ryne.
“I’d better make sure Quain behaves.” Loren jogged to catch up.
Kerrick glanced at Flea. “You can go, too. I don’t mind.”
“Nah. Who wants to listen to a bunch of people arguing? Avry isn’t going to change the High Priestess’s mind. I’ve seen that look before.”
He studied Flea. The young man had pulled his knees to his chest. Flea drew in the dirt with a finger.
“What look?”
“The death stare.”
Not what Kerrick had been expecting. He delayed his response by adding another log to the fire. “I’m not familiar with that term.”
“She’s seen her death. Looked it right in the face. Had that moment of knowing she’ll die.”
“But she was frozen in the stasis. Sepp calls it a fake death.”
Flea shrugged. “A person’s life doesn’t need to be in danger. It’s the realization of not if you’ll die, but when and how. The inevitability of it. It leaves a nasty taste in your mouth.”
“That’s true for everyone.”
“Yeah, but we ignore it. For her, it’s right there, staring at her.”
Kerrick wasn’t sure if Flea was right or not. But there was no denying Estrid was terrified. “You said you’ve seen the death stare before. Where?”
“Every time I gaze in a mirror.”
Oh, no. “Flea, you’re—”
“Don’t. You can’t see it. You’re not a death magician.”
He resisted the urge to argue with Flea. Avry had said to be subtle so he tried another approach. “Do I have it?”
Surprised, Flea glanced up and met his gaze for a moment before returning to his earthy sketches. “No.”
“Why not? I’ve been on the edge of death a couple times. I’ve had a taste of the darkness. My connection to this world is as thin as a blade of grass.”
“Even though it’s true, you don’t believe it deep down. You have too many reasons to live.”
True. Avry topped his list. “And you don’t?”
Flea shrugged. He used the heel of his boot to smooth the dirt, erasing his doodles.
“I can name a few.”
“Yeah, well... Everything’s different now,” Flea said.
“Because of the magic?”
“Yeah. It ruined everything.” Flea pounded his fist on the ground. Puffs of dirt floated up on either side.
Kerrick considered his words with care. “Yeah, it’s a real bummer that Quain’s still around to annoy us, and—”
“Don’t lecture me, Kerrick! Bad enough Avry stares at me with...pity and disappointment.” Flea scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it into the fire.
“She doesn’t—”
“Come on. We both know she does. She is all about sacrificing herself for others. My behavior’s been... Well, not even to the lowest of her standards. Sure, I rescued Quain and Estrid, but now I can’t... Death is all around me. I can’t turn it off.”
Flea’s confession alarmed him, but he kept his face neutral. “Are you saying that when you look at me you see my death?”
“No, but if I touch you then I might.”
Might. Interesting word choice. “How about when you evaluate Avry’s patients?”
“Yeah, I see it. I didn’t tell her, ’cause I was hoping I’d learn how to control it. To keep from going that...deep. But each time, it comes quicker. And now it’s a flash. I get everything from current situation until death in one rush.”
That explained his refusal to use his magic. “Then why did you say you might see my death?”
“I can’t see Avry’s, so I’m guessing her magic blocks mine.”
And Kerrick wasn’t about to suggest he try with him. Kerrick had no desire to frighten Flea or to learn about his ultimate end. Instead, he said, “I don’t remember Sepp ever saying he could foresee a healthy person’s death. But Sepp managed to fool me over his loyalty, so he could have been keeping other secrets as well.”
“You think Sepp wants an apprentice?” Flea asked darkly.
“I don’t think he’d be a good mentor. Avry might be able—”
“No.”
Kerrick studied Flea. Something had happened between them. He remembered Avry saying Flea had been avoiding her since she’d reanimated Yuri. Which might explain why he hadn’t told her about the flash.
“Avry didn’t intend for Yuri—”
“I know. But it happened. Just like the plague. Healers mucking about with things they shouldn’t be, giving Tohon the means to kill millions. Yes, magic saved you and Avry and Quain and me, but it’s done far more damage.”
It was hard to argue with the logic. Plus Flea’s tight fists meant he wouldn’t be receptive to any opposing views at the moment.
“Okay,” Kerrick said.
Flea peered at him in suspicion. “Okay, what?”
“I understand and support your decision not to use magic.”
Openmouthed, Flea gaped at him. Kerrick fought to keep a smile from his face.
Recovering, Flea asked, “What’s the catch?”
Ah, he’d been hanging out with the monkeys too long. “Ryne has this book about magicians. I’d like you to read about death magicians.” He held up a hand, stopping Flea’s protest. “Just read, not practice or try anything. Just read. That’s all. Can you do that for me?”
Flea grumbled, but agreed.
Kerrick changed the subject, asking about Flea’s training. “Has Loren shown you the Gahagan attack yet? It’s one of my favorites.”
They discussed sword fighting. Kerrick noted how Flea had relaxed, acting a little bit more like his old self. But he had a long way to go.
Loud voices interrupted their conversation. Avry and Ryne arguing. Kerrick and Flea exchanged a look.
“I don’t know why Ryne bothers,” Kerrick said. “She won’t listen to him.”
The argument stopped when Avry strode into the clearing. Flushed and pissed off, she struggled to regain her composure. Ryne followed, appearing equally riled.
Not wanting to add to the tension, Kerrick waited.
Flea had no such qualms and said, “Estrid’s still leaving.”
No one corrected him. Flea had been right.
“And so are we,” Avry said.
CHAPTER 11
“You are not,” Ryne said.
“Unless you plan to hold us against our will, we’re leaving tonight,” I said.
Ryne’s red face turned crimson, which I didn’t think was possible.
But before the prince exploded, Kerrick stood and stepped between us. “What’s going on?”
“Estrid refused to stay, so we need to beat her back to Ozero,” I said.
“Why?”
“Once she seals the borders, we won’t get another chance to rescue Melina. I promised Mom I’d make sure she was safe.”
Kerrick turned to face me. “Melina’s in Ozero?”
I told him about her run-in with Estrid’s purity priestess. “They sent her to the monastery in Chinska Mare. And Estrid won’t release her.”
“Ah.”
“You can’t go,” Ryne said. “We have far greater problems to deal with. The Skeleton King, Cellina’s invading army, dead soldiers, and diminishing resources all outweigh the rescue of one girl.”
“And how am I going to make a difference with all that?” I demanded.
He stared at me as if I’d just lost my mind. “Aside from healing my soldiers, you harvest the Death Lily toxin.”
“Except I’ve gotten all the sacks around here, and you said the dead patrols hadn’t crossed the border with Vyg.” Plus I wasn’t going to consign Melina to living the rest of her life in a monastery. “All I need are a couple horses and we’ll be back in two weeks. And I can harvest more toxin sacks for you.”
“How do you plan to rescue her?” Ryne asked.
“I’ll figure it out on the way.”
“I’ve been there. The place is a fortress. You’ll never get in.”
I kept my cool...barely. “Tohon’s castle is a fortress, yet we managed to rescue you.”
“Avry, think about it.” Ryne reined in his temper. “That was a different situation. You were invited inside his castle. You had help. Kerrick can’t even leave the forest and Chinska Mare is a big city. You’ll need two weeks just to map the layout.”
“Then it might take us a little longer. It doesn’t matter, Ryne. We’re going regardless.”
“You keep saying ‘we,’ yet you haven’t consulted with anyone about this suicide mission.”
Good point.
“She doesn’t need to,” Kerrick said.
“I’m in,” Flea added.
“We’re packed,” Loren said. He entered the clearing with Quain. Both had their knapsacks over their shoulders.
Warmth and gratitude spread through my heart.
Ryne studied us. “If you leave, it will be considered a desertion. If you survive, don’t bother coming back or I’ll have you arrested on sight.” The cold, hard tone of his voice indicated he meant it. Without another word, he left.
Uh-oh. I glanced at my guys. Would they stay?
“Is that considered burning a bridge?” Flea asked into the silence.
“Oh, yes,” Loren said.
“I’d like to see him try to arrest me,” Quain said.
“You don’t—” I tried.
“Nonsense,” Kerrick interrupted. “Let’s get packed before Ryne can order everyone not to help us. Flea, gather your things. Loren, grab some travel rations. Quain, fresh water. Avry, medical supplies and your pack. Meet back here in ten minutes.”
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