Taste of Darkness

by Maria V. Snyder

  Even more motive to commit suicide, but I clamped my mouth shut for the remainder of the trip to the Healer’s Guild.

  When we arrived, Tohon shook his head. “Such a waste. The buildings were magnificent. Perhaps I’ll have them rebuilt. Would you like that, my dear?”

  Actually, I would. Very much. “Yes.”

  “Don’t sound so surprised. I do care about the Fifteen Realms. So much so that I want to unite us all so we can prosper and grow.”

  Again, I refrained from commenting. While his goal was admirable, his methods were not. No amount of arguing would change his mind. He’d convinced himself that his actions had been with the purest intentions. That murdering six million people wasn’t a crime when you called it biological warfare. That reanimating the dead was making the most of your limited resources and not morally repugnant.

  Instead, I asked, “How did you protect your...er...friends from the first plague virus?”

  “Ah. I wondered when you’d ask me that. Although, I think you’ve already figured it out.”

  I had? “You had the cure and managed to give it to Ryne and the others during your school reunion before spreading the plague.”

  “Correct. And you already know what the cure is.”

  I mulled it over. My blood cured the new plague, so following the logic... “Your blood!”

  “Correct. I discovered my life magic infused my blood with curative properties while doing my research at the Healer’s Guild. Along with the fact that about a third of the people didn’t contract that plague either by avoiding exposure or just a natural resistance—a happy side effect as a king needs subjects. Besides, it would have been incredibly stupid to release the plague without a cure.”

  “Do you have a cure for the new plague? The one Wynn stole?”

  “Of course. However, I developed that one to be more difficult to spread—to use more for assassination than mass exterminations. Your death magician was kinder to that traitor than I would have been. I’d planned for Wynn to experience a great deal of agony before she died.”

  My thoughts spun. He’d gone to such lengths to be a king—the more I learned, the sicker I felt. At that moment, I gave up trying to figure out this horrible business of war. Spies, double crosses, ambushes, and strategic military positioning; how did anyone keep it all straight?

  Then I realized it wasn’t my job to keep track. It was Ryne’s and maybe I should have just trusted him to do his job and I should have focused on my job—healing patients. Interfering with Ryne’s strategy had only landed me here with Tohon.

  Tohon guided me inside his tent. The fabric hung low on its frame and water dripped from the edges. They had soaked the material to keep it from burning. Lovely.

  He pushed me into a chair then ignored me as he sent for his officers. No one, except the guards at the entrance, paid me any attention. Even if I slipped past them, I doubted I’d get far.

  “Any signs of Prince Kerrick’s team?” Tohon asked one of his lieutenants.

  “No, sire.”

  “Keep vigilant, they could strike at any time. And spread the word, all patrols are on duty. No one sleeps tonight.”

  “Yes, sire!”

  Tohon noticed my interest. “You don’t really think I believed all your information? I was pretty confident about you, but once you told Kerrick about our dreams, I’d be a fool to trust anything he said.”

  Yet he had soaked the fabric of his tent. I listened as Tohon positioned his troops and dealt with the various problems and questions from his men. Fear simmered in my chest, but a numb sense of inevitability settled over me. Events had been set into motion; I would either get an opportunity to act or not. Ideally, I’d kill Tohon. Worst case... I shied away from that line of thought. As Ryne had once said, positive thoughts led to positive results.

  After three nights with little sleep, I dozed in the chair.

  “Am I boring you, my dear?” Tohon asked, waking me.

  “Has anything happened?” I asked.

  “Not yet, which is why we need to leave. But first you need to change.” Tohon grabbed my arm and helped me stand. He gestured to two women waiting nearby. “Don’t touch her skin.”

  The ladies towed me behind a screen.

  “What’s going on?” I asked.

  They ignored me as they removed my cloak and uniform. With a quick no-nonsense efficiency that would have made Mom proud, they dressed me like one of the dead soldiers, complete with metal collar. Instead of my hands clamped behind my back, they secured a wide leather belt around my waist and cuffed my arms to my sides. They wound my hair into a bun and covered it with a knit cap.

  When we returned to the main area, Tohon had also changed from his silk tunic and black pants. He, too, resembled one of the dead.

  “Ah, there’re our doppelgangers,” Tohon said.

  I turned. A woman with long auburn hair pulled into a single braid and green eyes arrived along with a handsome dark-haired man. The woman tied my cloak around her and the guards manacled her hands behind her back. The man stepped behind the screen and returned wearing Tohon’s clothes.

  “Nice.” Tohon beamed. “Do you remember the plan?”

  Both nodded.

  “Very good.” Tohon gestured to the flaps. “Shall we, my dear?”

  Not like I had a choice. We ducked outside. The sun hung low in the sky. It was about two hours before dusk. As we strode through the camp, I scanned the soldiers. No one appeared to be settling down for the night. No “catching them with their pants down.” Another group of guards followed us, as did the dead ufas, of course.

  “You’re rather quiet. What are you thinking?” Tohon asked.

  “The doppelgangers are a smart move.” Unfortunately.

  “A compliment? You must be feeling ill, my dear.”

  The thought of being bonded to him went way beyond ill into the domain of nauseating, foul, repulsive, and vile. A sarcastic comment died in my throat. No sense upsetting Tohon unduly, and if he believed I was resigned to my fate, then all the better.

  We left the guild’s compound and entered the forest. After an hour, I recognized the area. I slowed.

  “Something wrong?” Tohon smirked.

  “Is that—”

  “Yes. Ryne’s first headquarters. Do you have fond memories of that cave?”

  “I don’t like caves,” I said.

  “Really? Yet you spend so much time in them.”

  “They provide protection for my patients.”

  “Yes, they’re handy for protection.” Tohon led me straight to the entrance.

  I hesitated. Once inside, the chances of my rescue or escape bottomed out at zero. The soldiers behind us moved closer.

  “Go on, my dear. Make a break for it. It might make you feel better. Frankly, this docile act is rather boring.”

  I’d get two steps before being tackled. No thanks. I walked toward the cave. Right before I entered, an icy chill brushed my skin, raising goose bumps on my arms. An omen? Or something else? A memory stirred and then slipped out of reach.

  Instead of a damp, cold cavern, warmth pulsed. A fire had been started and comfortable chairs set around it. In fact, the place had all the trappings of Tohon’s lavish tent. Most of the men followed us inside, but the ufas remained outside.

  “Impressed?” Tohon asked.

  “Yes. I’d like caves a lot more if they were all like this.”

  He laughed. “Stick with me, my dear, and you’ll never have to sleep on the ground again.”

  “If you’re giving me the choice, then I’ll take the ground.”

  “And there’s the sarcasm. Good, I was getting worried.” Tohon yanked off his metal collar and tossed it aside.

  When he approached me, I recognized the gleam in his eyes
. I backed away until I bumped into the wall. He unhooked my collar and dropped it, and then removed the knit cap. Untying my bun, Tohon let my hair down. He placed his hands on either side of my head and leaned in as if to kiss me.

  I ducked.

  With a growl, he hauled me to my feet. “Cute.” He put his hand over my mouth and shoved my head back. Hard.

  Pain exploded as my skull connected with the stone. He let go and I slid down. My vision blurred and the cave spun, but I held on to consciousness. I remained on the ground as Tohon settled in a chair and directed his men.

  Soldiers arrived from time to time with news. Eventually the sharp pain dulled into a throb. I struggled into a sitting position.

  One man ran into the cave and announced they were under attack.

  Tohon huffed in amusement. “Under attack? With such a small force, it’s more like a nuisance than an attack.”

  “But, sire. There are hundreds of them! Coming from all directions.”

  Tohon hopped to his feet. “Details, now!”

  The man explained, his words tumbling out with a rush. “They don’t look like Prince Ryne’s troops. They have strange curved blades and colorful sashes.”

  Noak and his men! I suppressed a shout of joy.

  “We have plenty of troops. Send them where they need to be,” Tohon ordered.

  “Yes, sire.” The man bolted.

  Tohon stormed over to me. “Did you know about this?”

  “No.”

  “They’re the tribesmen from the north. They’re supposed to be guarding the Milligreen Pass. My men confirmed it.”

  I kept quiet.

  He pulled me upright. “This changes nothing. I’ve over a thousand troops.”

  “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” The words slipped out without thought. Big mistake.

  Fury blazed in his eyes. I braced for pain. Tohon didn’t disappoint. He wrapped his hands around my throat and his power slammed into me like a lightning bolt. I cried out as every inch of my body burned. Even my bones pulsed with an unrelenting pain.

  Through the haze of torment, I struggled to counter his magic. To zap him back. I sensed the bond between us and used that to channel his onslaught into him.

  He yelped and let go. “You dare attack me!”

  “Vice versa, Tohon. You’re only hurting yourself.”

  “The bond’s not complete yet. I can kill you without consequence.”

  “Go ahead, test your theory.” Because of my little stunt, I’d strengthened the bond and I believed I’d take him with me.

  But he was too smart to fall for the taunt. Tohon drew back to punch me. Howls pierced the air, stopping him. His ufa pack had sounded a warning. He hustled to his guards, barking orders. They raced outside.

  I sank down. No sense getting my hopes up. Noak and Kerrick would target Tohon’s tent and find fake Avry. Would they even think to look beyond the camp’s boundaries? And then I caught that elusive bit of memory triggered by the chill before I’d entered the cave. Had Noak spotted me? The brush of cold matched when he’d used his magic on me at the infirmary. Or was I indulging in more wishful thinking?

  More howls and a yelp echoed off the cavern’s walls. Then a ruckus sounded and a knot of guards wrestled with a struggling man. They threw him to the ground.

  Kerrick! Oh, no. I hopped to my feet. Blood and gore stained his torn clothes. Was that an ufa bite on his arm? His ashen face was lined with strain as he sucked in gulps of air. It must have been an immense effort for him to be here.

  Once he met my gaze, he relaxed and remained on the floor of the cave. The guards handed Tohon his dadao. Black ichor coated the blade.

  Tohon held up the weapon in triumph. “Perfect. Did he attack the tent?” Tohon asked one of his guards.

  “No, sire, he came after the ufas.”

  Tohon turned a contemplative gaze on me. “How did he know?”

  “We share a bond, as well,” I said.

  “It’s too weak. You’ve been too busy splitting up and playing heroes. Besides, I imprinted on you before him, my dear.”

  Kerrick pushed up on an elbow. “Imprinted?”

  Tohon’s eyes gleamed. “Oh, yes. When Avry and I first met. While you were still being Mr. Stony Silence.” He hefted the dadao and approached Kerrick.

  “No,” I shouted and flew between them. “You can’t kill him or we’ll all die.”

  “Nonsense,” Tohon said.

  “Kerrick and I imprinted before I met you. He saved my life when I healed Belen. Kept me from dying.”

  An ufa howled. Then growls and yelps filled the air. Tohon gestured to his men to investigate before shoving me aside. He knelt next to Kerrick and grabbed his throat.

  “You lied again, my dear. He’s bonded to the forest and not you. And now I’ll pluck—

  I yelled and plowed into Tohon, knocking him over. We rolled, but he ended up on top, pinning me to the ground.

  “Sire?” A guard cleared his throat.

  Tohon’s anger transferred to the interrupter. But then he smiled. He stood and smoothed his shirt. I glanced up. Noak and Flea stood amid a clump of guards. A pack of dead ufas slinked inside, surrounding them all.

  It appeared Noak and Flea had been captured. I doubted they would be prisoners for long. I slid over to Kerrick. He gave me a weak grin and unlocked my bindings. I wiggled free.

  “Report,” Tohon said.

  “We caught these two trying to sneak in here.”

  “I do not sneak,” Noak said, sounding affronted.

  The guard blanched even though he held Noak’s huge dadao.

  “Ah, the ice giant and a boy,” Tohon said. Then his good humor disappeared. “You’re Flea.”

  “Yes. And I’m tired of being called a boy.” Flea touched the guard closest to him and froze him in a magical stasis.

  “Trap his hands,” Tohon shouted.

  But it was too late. Noak moved, knocking guards flat before they could reach Flea.

  “Attack,” Tohon ordered the dead ufas.

  They didn’t move.

  “Protect,” Flea said, and the pack turned to join the fight.

  Way to go, Flea! He must have touched them all and transferred their loyalty to him. Too bad we hadn’t figured that out sooner.

  Desperate, Tohon darted in and reached for Noak’s bare arm.

  “Noak, watch out,” I yelled, scrambling to my feet. I ran.

  Tohon clamped onto Noak’s forearm just as I grabbed Tohon’s wrist. Magic exploded around us. Ice, pain, and fire mixed.

  “Back off,” Tohon said. His voice cracked with strain.

  “You first,” I said.

  “Let go, or I’ll kill him,” Tohon puffed.

  “No.”

  Tohon tugged at Noak’s life. Not if I could help it! I held his life force in place with all my strength. We struggled without sound.

  Kerrick hovered at the edges.

  “Do it,” Noak ordered.

  “Will it kill her?” Kerrick asked.

  I met Noak’s gaze. Pained uncertainty.

  But not for me. I knew what needed to be done. “No. Do it now, I’m fading fast.”

  A swoosh and a flash of light off a wide curved blade. The sharp edge of the dadao sliced right through Tohon’s neck, decapitating him.

  A wall of energy slammed into me, shattering all thought.

  Destroying all sensation.

  Erasing all life.

  KERRICK

  He kept a vigil by the Peace Lily, refusing to budge. He stayed there day after day after day. Flea and Noak gave him the strength to physically survive the winter, fighting off the desire to go dormant. The monkeys and Belen provided company. They took turns while
they chased down the rest of Tohon’s dead troops. The living soldiers quickly surrendered after Tohon’s death, relieved to be finished with the fighting. Noak and his warriors returned to their positions near the Milligreen Pass, planning to surprise Cellina and her troops when they crossed into Pomyt Realm in the spring. With Estrid locked behind her borders, the war would truly be over.

  Emotions twisted inside him. Fury that Avry had lied to him. Utter grief that Tohon had taken her with him. If the Lily didn’t save her, he planned to join her. Of course, he wouldn’t share that desire with anyone or they’d never leave him alone.

  Instead, he chatted and learned what else had happened the night of the attack. Quain and Loren’s story provided the most entertainment.

  “We retreated into the tunnels, leading the dead on a merry chase,” Quain said.

  “Beau showed us a shaft that looped around and half of us got in behind them,” Loren said.

  “Yeah, then it was just a matter of time.” Quain snapped his fingers.

  “What about the guards waiting outside the shaft?” Kerrick asked.

  “Child’s play.”

  “Uh-huh. I heard one of Noak’s teams had to rescue you,” Kerrick said.

  “We were fine, they assisted.”

  “And we did our job. Well, sort of.” Loren added another log to the fire. “I did put an arrow through Tohon’s heart. Wrong Tohon, but for a moment it felt very fine.”

  “How did you know they weren’t in the tent?” Quain asked Kerrick.

  “Noak spotted Avry going into the cave. The rescue went as planned, except...”

  They all glanced at the Peace Lily.

  Except.

  When Belen joined Kerrick one evening a couple weeks after the attack, Belen shooed the monkeys away. Something was up.

  “Prince Ryne is here and he wishes to speak to you,” Belen said.

  Kerrick just stared at Belen.

  “Don’t be like that. He didn’t know what would happen to Avry.”