"Sherra wants us to go with her to Cole's village, to train on the new method one or two days a week."
"You could have said that to begin with; I was worried we'd have to do stuff we didn't like."
I bit back a laugh. "I wanted to go together, but that's not possible—one of us has to be here," I said. "I suggest I go with Misten, while Caral stays here with you and vice-versa, so somebody can send mindspeak if the camp explodes while we're gone."
"Good plan," Levi nodded. "I suppose we'll get to practice with Cole's bunch?"
"That's what I hear."
"Good."
"I'm looking forward to this," I went on. "I really want to take down Ny-nes."
"We have to convince Thorn, first."
"I know."
Ny-nes
Kyri
I washed dishes in the massive palace kitchen, next to a woman with three teeth missing. "Soobi," she introduced herself as she lifted a pan to dry it. "I'm—new."
"I'm new, too," I told her.
"Healer reason I'm here."
I frowned at her words—at times I had difficulty sorting meaning from those on the outside.
"He make better—then they chain me," she shrugged.
"Someone made you better? How?" I hadn't heard of a healer when I'd been among those outside Kaakos' palace. Besides, trained medical skills weren't found on the outside, either. Kaakos didn't care whether the people died or not; only that they continued to have babies they could barely feed—if at all.
"I pulled teeth," she grinned, showing me the gaps near the front. "But went bad in mouth. Tasted bad. Sick after that. Healer made better."
I blinked at her for a moment. In the past, there'd been a few healers with power, but I hadn't seen one born in a while. I had some talent in that area, and what I had I'd used to help Sherra. Kaakos would be watching for someone like that—because it was an indication of power.
"When?" I thought to ask as thoughts raced through my mind.
"Don't know. Days."
"I'm glad you're better."
"Me, too." She lifted another pan to dry.
Garkus, did you hear anything about a power healer out in the city? I sent mindspeak. He was working at another station in the kitchen, chopping vegetables for the evening meal.
No, he replied. Have you heard something?
Maybe. I'll keep listening for more. If that's the case, Kaakos will start looking for him—he can't stand for anyone to be left alive who has power in Ny-nes.
You're not making me feel better about my future, he pointed out.
Keep your shield up, then, I told him.
You think I wouldn't? This place is giving me a rash.
I almost laughed at his statement. Instead, I ducked my head so Soobi wouldn't see and kept washing dishes.
North
My hands dangled in front of me while I sat on a large stone near the main roadway. Power was trickling in—I could feel it.
Had anyone guessed for centuries that the rock I sat upon had once been part of a massive structure?
"You there."
They'd found me, as I hoped they would.
"You look sound enough. Lower your hood so we can see your face." A bell clanked as the warrior-priest made his way toward me.
Rising to my feet, I let the hood fall. I grinned at the warrior-priest who approached while he studied me. I did look quite sound to him, and would be an ideal addition for Kaakos' stable of servants.
Except I only came here to announce my existence to him.
The warrior-priest held out a hand, so an underling could give him a chain for my wrist. "Not today, bastards," I grinned and disappeared right in front of them.
Kerok
"This is the messenger," Hunter brought the man into my study.
"I remember you," I said. I did—I'd recognize that gap-toothed grin anywhere. "Claude, how are you?"
"I'm fine," Claude kept grinning. "Never thought to see the Commander in the King's chair."
"That makes two of us," I agreed. "Have a seat. Hunter, will you have tea brought?" Hunter left the study to order tea, while I considered what to ask Claude.
"You want to know about the report, don't you?"
"I do. What do you think about it?"
"I'd say the one who told me sounded worried," Claude shifted on his chair. "Didn't say anything else about his neighbor, either—not like it might be if he had a grudge against the man."
"Has he witnessed this behavior before? In the past?"
"I asked him about it. He says he's usually in bed before then, but his wife is sick, now. He's gone outside to think a few times after she's in bed. That's when he noticed."
"So it could be someone out for a stroll."
"I don't think so," Claude shook his head. "It's safer there to stay within bounds of the village—plenty of hungry predators are outside at night. He'd be asking for trouble—unless somebody waited outside who could make sure there wouldn't be any."
"How dangerous is it to walk away from the village at night?"
"Most wouldn't do it more than once or twice, and not by choice, if you understand my meaning."
"What predators?"
"It's hilly around there—wildcats, coyotes, that sort of thing."
"Here's my next question," I said. "Being that remote, what would this man have to offer to the enemy?"
"Well, some of his relatives live in a village about twenty miles away. It's not as dangerous to go outside the town there. There's flat land around them, and fewer predators, you see. Relatives have been to visit a couple of times in the past month, and that's more often than usual."
"So, the relatives are in a valley of sorts, while the one who takes night walks lives in a hillier area. I have no idea what that means, if anything."
"I was only thinking from an attack position, Commander. That's all."
Claude's observation shook me. The old army sergeant he'd been hadn't left him. An attack position—could it be possible?
"I'll look into it," I said, as Hunter returned with a servant right behind him. "We'll have tea, now."
Get the coordinates from him before he leaves—we need to pay a visit to two villages, I told Hunter.
I'll see to it, he replied.
"Claude," I said, "You used to be a mindspeaker. Is that no longer true?"
"Oh, it's still true, but there's not many to talk to that way, and as for talking to you or anyone else in the palace, that just seems—presumptuous."
"Understood," I chuckled.
Sherra
"I know you're upset," I told Pottles. She'd ignored me for several seconds inside the camp commander's office, shuffling papers about. I stood before her desk, feeling as if I were eight years old again, after I'd done something Pottles didn't like.
"I needed her here."
She meant Anari—we both understood that. I wanted to point out that she'd used Anari to tattle on fellow students, and it made Anari uncomfortable. I would have felt the same, as my instruction hadn't been that long ago.
"I know that's what you wanted." I sighed. "But what Anari wanted—needed—was something else."
"You didn't discuss it with me, first."
"I know. I apologize. I just felt it was important to get the boys away from that—man who calls himself a training commander. I think Kerok may have him removed from the boys' training camp, because of his attitude. Not only was he scaring those boys to death, but he was rude to me. Probably to every other woman he's met, too."
"Hmmph."
"What do you want me to do?" I flung out my hands in a helpless gesture. "Clean floors? Make beds? Cook your dinner?"
"Settle down—I just want to be miffed for a while, all right?"
"You want to be miffed? I never knew that about you," I countered.
"I assume you asked Cole to keep a close eye on the boys?"
"I did. They'll all be looking for signs, now."
"Good. I worried about them whe
re they were, and you're right to get them away from the others."
"Well, then. I think I'd like tea," I said, taking a seat.
Pottles' eyes unfocused as she sent mindspeak. "Someone will be here soon with a tray for the Queen." She followed her words with a reluctant grin.
Ny-nes
Kaakos
Aspe had returned. This time, the news wasn't to my liking. "You say he disappeared in front of you? What, exactly, did he say before that happened?"
"I told him he was being conscripted for work in the palace. He told me, 'Not today, bastards.' Then he vanished."
"Anything else?"
"His smile—was evil, my Lord."
"Can you expect anything else from the enemy?" I lifted an eyebrow at Aspe.
"What do you wish us to do, my Lord?" Aspe was terrified I'd send him after the devil power wielder he'd reported. I had other plans.
"Come back tomorrow," I said. "I'll have someone selected by then to send after this menace. You'll describe the enemy carefully to my servant, who will then find and destroy this evil."
"Thank you, my Lord." Aspe's head dropped in reverence and gratitude.
"It is the Prophet's will," I waved a hand, dismissing the warrior-priest from my audience chamber. Let Aspe think that one of the enemy had invaded Ny-nes. I knew that was impossible; Ny-nes had spawned this evil and we'd missed it until now. Nevertheless, I had plans to make and Merrin to control, to do the Prophet's will in this. The healer would be dead soon enough, and the threat eliminated.
Smiling at my own thoughts, I watched Aspe scuttle backward, until he was past the guards at the door. Then he turned and walked as quickly as he could out of my sight. I love how people fear the Prophet.
Through me.
North
Soon enough, Kaakos would send out his hounds. Time to step up my game. I stopped walking along a narrow, filthy path between hovels when a hand tugged on my cloak.
"Yes?" I turned to ask of the one who'd come.
"Baby come," the man whimpered. "Except—stuck."
"Lead the way," I said, turning to follow the man, who took off at a near-run.
King's Palace
Hunter
"I'm working on the rewrite on one of the laws," I told Thorn. "It's good—what they've done. It makes sense, and only needs clarification in a few places. I think you'll approve," I added.
"This is the one about limiting trainees' power if they have too many infractions?"
"That's it," I agreed, setting the pile of papers down on the garden table where Thorn sat, having afternoon tea. "Where's Sherra?"
"Having tea with Doret, and trying to placate her for taking Anari away, I imagine," Thorn grumbled. "Tonight, Armon, Caral and I are going to visit the village with Claude. I'll take Sherra, too, if she returns in time."
"Perhaps you should stay here, my King," I pointed out as diplomatically as I could. "The ah, presence of the King himself may be—somewhat intimidating to a common citizen."
"And staying here is safer, too, no doubt, for the King," Thorn replied dryly.
"I was getting around to that one," I said. He bit back a laugh.
"I know you want to go," I sighed. "I would, too, if I were in your place. It's hard to place those limits upon yourself. Your father found it difficult, too, at times."
"Then would you allow Sherra to go?"
"I think so. I'd also ask Adahi to go."
"You know, this is like that old game of strategy—I can't recall its name," Thorn blew out a breath. "The one where the Queen has almost unlimited power to move about on the board, while the King is very limited in his movements."
"I never learned that game."
"I barely recall it—from an early lesson in strategy."
"Was the King unimportant in this game?" I asked.
"No—the King is the most important piece. If he is successfully attacked, then the game is over and the King falls."
"Then he's the most powerful piece."
"No, actually, the Queen is given the most power in that game."
"Strange game, then."
"At the time, I considered that it wasn't reflective of real life, or real battle."
"Now has your opinion changed?"
"You see that I'm allowing my Queen to visit a village, while I'd prefer to go myself, don't you?"
"I do see your point," I agreed.
"I want her protected, too," Thorn grumbled. "That's why I want Adahi to go as well."
"Because he's already accepted a role as a guardian of sorts? In the past?"
"Yes. For both of us."
"He and Sherra were able to stand against Ruarke," I recalled. "It's a sound request."
"Glad to have your approval, Hunt."
"Glad to be of service, Thorn."
"Did you speak to my father like that?"
"As often as possible."
This time, Thorn didn't hold the laughter back.
"So, tell me what you came to talk to me about," Thorn said after the laughter died down.
"The census," he said. "We have forms printed and ready to send out. I only need to give the word to have them delivered. Secondary Camp's should be back in our hands in two days."
"Then I'll ask Levi and Misten to coordinate troops to go to villages afterward. Tell them to send people to their home villages if possible, so there won't be so much mistrust. I'm hoping that will relieve villagers' fears in most cases—if they recognize at least one of the warriors or escorts we're sending."
"Good idea. I'll send mindspeak to Caral, so she can inform Levi and Misten."
"How long do you think this will take?" Thorn asked. "Have you arranged for enough diviners to go through the papers afterward?"
"Barth and I have been working on that. He's sending out commands now, under the King's seal."
"It's so nice to delegate," Thorn grinned. "Even when I don't know I'm delegating."
"That's the way this thing works," I said. "You say handle it, so we do. Barth will collect the ones that draw the others' attention, for another confirming divination," I went on. "Before bringing the final information to you."
"Sounds good. I assume you'll be collecting the information to give numbers to the King?"
"Of course. It will also be recorded in the archives—for the official records. It's about damn time, too."
"Do you have someone engaged to hand out census papers in the King's City?"
"I ah," I sputtered. It hadn't occurred to me until then that we'd need one, too. "I'll put that together this afternoon."
"Good."
Kerok
Armon, I sent mindspeak as Hunter hurried away from the garden table.
Thorn?
I have a special project in mind for you, Caral and Sherra tonight, I responded. You'll be traveling to a small village to investigate a report of unusual activity.
We can handle that. Will you be available for a briefing?
Come for dinner; I'll tell you what I know.
We'll be there.
My love? I sent to Sherra.
Kerok?
I have a mission for you tonight, with Armon, Caral and Adahi, I sent. There's a report from a village that needs confirmation.
I can do that.
I know you can. I need discretion in this, my rose.
I'll be as discreet as possible.
They're coming for dinner. I'll give you details then. Don't be late, my love.
I won't. I'm almost done here with Pottles.
Adahi? I sent next.
Thorn?
Will you come for dinner tonight? I have a mission for you, Sherra, Armon and Caral, I said.
Of course I will come. You don't have to bother with a plate or drink, he added.
I know. Have you heard anything from Kyri, lately?
Nothing, other than she and Garkus are working in Kaakos' kitchen.
I assume you'll inform me if there is anything worthy to report?
I promis
e to do my best.
Thank you.
Ny-nes
Merrin
The moment the lock clicked and Kaakos walked in, I understood my mind wouldn't be under my control for much longer.
There was an unholy glee shining in his eyes, and that didn't bode well for Merrin, former Captain and warrior from Az-ca.
Chapter 8
Ny-nes
Kyri
Rumors ran quietly through Kaakos' palace, just as they did in any other. Soobi's head leaned to the side, her forehead wrinkled in concentration as she strained to capture every word whispered to her by another, newer kitchen helper.
"The healer helps all," the man breathed in her ear. "Any who ask."
Rumors came from others, also, that the healer had been discovered by Kaakos' warrior-priests, although there were differing opinions on how he'd avoided capture.
Wouldn't be hard to get away if he could step, Garkus expressed his opinion in mindspeak.
I hope Kaakos gets distracted by this new development, I lifted a bowl to wash. Enough that we'll have an easier path to killing him when the time comes.
Keep dreaming, Garkus' mental voice growled. You saw those bloody rugs, same as I did.
No wonder the warrior-priests were continuing their search for new servants—Kaakos was killing them off at an alarming rate. At least he'd focused mostly on guards and upstairs servants so far. He seldom wandered into the kitchens, I think.
As for the bloody rugs, I wanted to shudder; we'd watched as that dripping mess was carried past the kitchens and out the back door.
Bodies of two hapless guards were enclosed by the thick fabric, and still the blood had dripped. Other servants followed close behind, cleaning up blood as if a cyclone were behind them.
Kaakos hated mess. He didn't mind creating it; he merely disliked it afterward. Why did servants or slaves exist, other than to swiftly serve his whims?
I curse your name and the dirt beneath your bones, mother of Kaakos, I swore mentally. She was long dead and immune to my curse, no matter how much feeling or power I put behind it.
As for cursing the father of Kaakos, well, that one had cursed himself, so there was no need for me to add to it. And, since he was also dead, it didn't matter anyway.
Black Rose Queen: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 3 Page 10