"You wanted revenge?" Kyal asked.
"Yes, young one, for many, many things. I learned to set it aside and tend to my duties. Afterward, you can determine whether revenge was taken, and never during the moment. Does that make sense?"
"Yes, I suppose."
"Good. Now, finish your food, clean your teeth and we'll go to the King's City."
Sherra
Armon, Levi, Caral and Misten came to help with training. Only a few clouds trailed across the western sky; those hung over the ocean in the distance, I think, and kept their moisture far away from those of us who'd appreciate it the most.
Not that it would fall through the domes anyway.
I missed rain—although so little of it fell on Az-ca. In Cole's village, it was a more regular occurrence. There, boughs of evergreens hung heavy after a rain, and a shoulder brushing against them would send a flurry of drops onto unsuspecting heads. I liked it.
"You're lost in thought today," Cole said, placing a cup of tea in my hands. He'd brought the cup from home; I recognized the scent of the tea he used.
"I was just thinking about the rain in your village," I said. "It's so—peaceful."
"I agree."
"We have to get everyone on board with combining their blasts today, because I want to take them outside the King's City tomorrow."
"To do target practice?"
"Yes."
"Good idea."
"Things are—better, now, with Kerok."
"I'm pleased to hear it. He isn't the type who won't admit to his mistakes—when his head clears."
"You're right." I sipped my tea—it was good.
"Do you think we'll be ready when the time comes?" he asked.
"I hope so. Pottles says Kyri and her bunch are planning some sort of raid tomorrow, to distract Kaakos. I hope it works."
"Did she say what it was?"
"No. It's better that way, I think. Kaakos can't stop an attack if he can't suck the information away from someone else."
"How is Hunter?" Cole's voice was low and troubled.
"No better, no worse. I asked Briar to talk to him whenever she can. I'm hoping it helps."
I didn't add that if Hunter could see himself like this, he may have chosen not to survive. A part of me felt guilty about it, but I'd taken him back from Kaakos. At least he wouldn't die at the bastard's hand. Not if I could help it.
"So many times, I watch them learning," Cole nodded to the exercises on the training field. "And I can't help but wonder whether any of them will survive."
"I didn't think I'd survive, when my bus rolled into North Camp that day," I admitted. "The odds were against me lasting more than two or three years past that point. I felt that I and everyone on the bus with me were already dead—we just hadn't realized it."
"Kyri always said that Ruarke had much to answer for, although I didn't hear the full tale of it until he'd returned here to cause trouble."
"You mean the changing of the laws, because of his treason?"
"Yes—and the murders and betrayals, never forget that."
"Pottles still misses her sister, and it's been centuries," I blew out a breath.
"Love seldom gets turned on and off, like a piece of machinery."
"I've discovered that for myself."
"I doubt anyone saw one such as you coming," Cole laughed. "Kyri only learned of you from Adahi."
"Adahi?" This was something new. "He told her about me? When?"
"When you were born, I believe."
"Why would he do that?"
"Ah, well. I doubt any of them wanted you to know," Cole dipped his chin and studied his boots.
"Wanted me to know what?"
"That he was your many, many times great-grandfather. Do not make me regret telling you this secret, by confronting either Kyri or Doret about it. Since Adahi's final death, I felt you ought to know."
"But," I was confused and floundered for words. Only questions crowded my mind, and there wasn't anyone to answer them.
"Kyri told me that only three dreamwalkers have been known to exist. You, Adahi, and Adahi's great-grandfather, who died when Adahi was young. All of them come from that lineage, Sherra. I think Adahi was hoping that a son would be born eventually, who'd carry a dreamwalker within him. He got a daughter, instead. Your great-grandfather's bones lie in Ny-nes, now. He gave that life to save Kyri. He gave his dreamwalker's life to save you."
"Cole, I have deaths to avenge," I hissed. Everything made more sense, now. Adahi had called me daughter, because in a sense, that's what I was to him.
"Only this morning, I warned the young ones about revenge clouding their minds. Focus on the battle to come, dear one, and worry about revenge when it is over," Cole said.
I'd do that, and there'd be no mercy in any of it.
Chapter 20
Ny-nes
Kaakos
"There have been no new sightings, and we've found no evidence that he's healed anyone recently," my General's messenger offered a written note while he bowed.
"Anything else?" I fingered the folded paper.
"Only that after a lengthy torture, an escapee said that the healer has two who help him."
"Two?"
"A man and a woman."
"Did you get descriptions?"
"The informant died before we could extract that information."
"Too bad for us, then."
"As you say, my Lord."
I had an idea who those two could be, however. North had taken them from my palace, right under my nose.
Just as he'd killed my raver, Jubal and my warrior-priests. This prick had to be found, before he stung me again.
"I want all my troops to focus on finding this heretic," I snapped at the messenger. "Empty the barracks. Make sure they're all focused on this, or the Prophet will see them die."
"I will carry that message, my Lord."
"Go. Report to General Tern right away. I want those troops across the river before the day's over."
"It will be done." He dipped his head before turning smartly and marching out of the room.
"You're damned right it will be done. Fucking incompetents," I spat. "Guard," I shouted for someone standing outside my audience chamber. One scuttled in quickly. "Send for Liam," I said. "I wish to see him right away."
"Of course, my Lord." He ran out faster than the messenger did.
Jubal
Except at mealtimes, I was treated as if I were invisible. Nobody wanted to talk to me, and I felt isolated.
"It's your own fault, traitor," North set a mug of fish stew in front of me. He'd read my mind, too, and provided an answer I didn't want to hear.
Where he'd come by the crockery, I had no idea. It didn't matter, it would disappear with him the next time he went out for food.
Who cooked our meals I had no idea, although they were competent, at least. I'd never found bones in any of the fish we'd eaten.
"If you hadn't blamed others all your life for what you perceive as your mistreatment, your life would have been different," North went on. "Eat, before it gets cold."
He walked away from me then, to join the other two across the bare, concrete bunker.
That's what North called it, once—a bunker. I thought bunkers were underground, and told him so. He laughed and said time had partially uncovered this one. I caught the scent of the stew, finally, and my stomach rumbled.
"You can't make me forget the injuries I've suffered at others' hands," I mumbled at North's back. He laughed, letting me know he'd heard.
Sherra
Kerok joined us in the afternoon; he wanted to practice with Armon and the others. They welcomed him into their group, although I'd told him already that he should stay in Az-ca while the rest of us went.
He planned to go out with us on the final day, too, for target practice.
Then, I'd join the group, and together we'd see how much firepower we had, and how strong our shielding was.
We'd make judgme
nt calls on the others, too, and make a final determination on who would go and who, if any, would stay behind.
Cole told me Anari, Kyal and Laren wanted to go. I relayed that message to Kerok, who said he'd watch them during practice, and decide afterward.
He considered them warriors, now. They'd helped take down the planes Kaakos sent against us, which was more than many of our current troops had done. There was no disagreement that they could outfly almost anyone in their bubble shield, and could turn it on the head of a pin, almost, if needed. Those three had bonded with each other, far earlier in age than the rest of us had.
It worked to their advantage. Someday, if we survived, I would be compelled to have a conversation with Cole, as the Queen-heir of Az-ca. Someday, those three young ones wouldn't be satisfied with a bonding of one male to one female, or one male to one male. It would be all three together or they could walk away from us. I hoped Cole's village would accept such an arrangement, as those in Az-ca could take a dimmer view of such things.
Queen-heir of Az-ca. That's what Kerok said my title was, and I wanted nothing more than to unload it as soon as I could. With Hunter's condition, it could take some time.
"This is fun," Kerok walked toward me, a huge grin on his face. "I think we can blast half of Ny-nes at once, if you're with us."
"I don't want to blast half of it. I only want to blast a small portion—the one containing Kaakos, his army and his flunkies. The rest of the people don't deserve to be blasted, most likely."
"True, but stop thwarting my joy, woman."
"I'll stop thwarting your joy," I laughed.
"All right. Now, who do you think we can employ to drop rocks in Ny-nes?" he asked, sounding more serious.
"I think that would require transporting rocks, or finding a rocky place there. I'd prefer to find the places where he stores his trucks and such, and lob those at him from nearby."
"Good idea. I'll talk it over with Armon, after I get information from our spies."
"It's funny how they've become our spies. What do you intend to do with Garkus, if he survives?"
"I'll take that under advisement for now and decide afterward, if necessary."
"And North? Whoever he is?"
"You know more about him that I do."
"Just because he sends mindspeak, which I don't appreciate, by the way, it doesn't mean I know anything at all about him."
"Then I'll wait and speak with Kyri or Garkus."
"That sounds like a good idea. When do you intend to leave here?" I asked. "To facilitate the attack?"
"We'll make those decisions tonight, over dinner. Armon will let his people know shortly before we leave. He's already warned them to be ready on a moment's notice. This is no different from the days when the enemy attacked unawares."
Sherra? Armon's voice sounded in my mind.
Armon? I replied, holding up a hand so Kerok would know I was engaged in mindspeak.
I'm authorized to perform a bonding ceremony, he said. Caral and Misten want to do this tonight, before we ah, he didn't finish.
"Can we have Caral and Misten's bonding ceremony in the King's garden?" I turned to Kerok.
"Yes. Tell them to come, and we'll have dinner afterward."
Armon, come to the King's garden after training today, I sent. Kerok will perform the ceremony, and we'll have dinner afterward.
I'll let them know. Tell the King I'm grateful.
"Armon says thank you," I told Kerok.
"Their ceremony will be the first of its kind in centuries, and it's long overdue," Kerok agreed. "Tell Armon he is more than welcome, and that Caral and Misten are deserving."
Briar herded servants around and had several more tables brought to the King's garden, then decorated them with flowers after laying out cloths and beautiful dishes.
Kerok and I saw it first; Armon and the others hadn't arrived, yet. Food would be brought for all attending after the ceremony was performed.
Candles, rarely used for any purpose except emergencies, were waiting to be lit on the tables, too.
"It looks like something from a tale," I hugged Kerok's left arm as we took in the preparations.
"It'll be even more like that when it's darker and the candles are lit."
Sighing, I laid my cheek against his shoulder. He turned his head to kiss my hair. I wish I'd given you something like this, he sent mindspeak.
We were in a war, I reminded him.
We still are—but the rules have changed. Instead of allowing Ruarke to toss bombs in our direction, Kaakos took a direct interest the moment Ruarke died.
I don't regret Ruarke's death, I said.
Neither do I. He deserved it, just as Merrin deserved his final fate. Let's hope Kaakos finds his death, too, on the other side of our attack.
I didn't add that I hoped we survived the attack ourselves, but that was a morbid thought. Tonight, I wanted to celebrate Caral and Misten's love-bonding, and set my fears aside.
"We'll have the meeting indoors after our meal," Kerok spoke aloud. "Doret is bringing a map with her, and we'll talk target points when we see it."
"She has a map?" I pulled away from Kerok.
"Drawn from images and instructions sent by Kyri. She told me earlier that she'd spent most of the day yesterday on it."
"I hope she has the locations where they keep their bombs and trucks," I said. Kerok frowned and nodded, the scar on his face becoming more noticeable. I reached out to touch it.
"I wish you'd stay here," I told him.
"This is my fight, and my country. I want that bastard to know that even Az-ca's King is willing to come against him. I'll just hold that information back from the spies, in case they're captured before we get there to unleash hell against Kaakos."
I didn't tell him that his leaving Az-ca frightened me in ways I couldn't explain—especially since Hunter wasn't himself.
"Who will you leave in charge?" I asked.
"Barth and the quadrant leaders," he said. "With Claude being chief among the quadrant leaders, under Barth. I've already met with them, and Kage will be standing by, in case anyone decides to take their authority too far."
"Good. We don't need an uprising while we're gone."
"Most people don't know about Hunter's condition," Kerok pulled me into a tight embrace. "Barth and the others are acting on his behalf while I'm gone, with Kage standing behind them. They have the power to mobilize the military left behind, if it becomes necessary."
Necessary. I drew a shaky breath. What he meant but hadn't said was this; if we failed absolutely in Ny-nes, then Barth, Claude and the others would have to fight against what was coming as best they could.
Necessary.
Because Kaakos would see Az-ca die if he won the battle we carried against him. Things had come to that, as I should have known they would.
Ny-nes
North
They've come to move the plane already, Kyri's voice hissed in my mind. I didn't need the information; I could see it for myself.
We were high in the rafters of the ancient hangar, while a unit of Kaakos' troops and a pod of six warrior-priests crawled about the aircraft like ants collecting a grasshopper's carcass.
Garkus was so angry, I imagined he'd snort fire if he could.
What should we do? Kyri asked.
What we came to do, I said. Only now, we're going to bring down the entire hangar instead of destroying the plane and letting it burn itself out.
He may guess that there are more than one with power if we do that, she snapped at me.
He has no idea what kind of power we have—together or separately.
But. She wanted to argue.
On my command, I said, Garkus, you blast the plane. I'll blast the front of the hangar. Kyri, you take the back. We don't want any of the ants escaping, now do we?
Kerok
A love-bonding was far different that a warrior-escort bonding. As it should be. "Misten, do you take Caral as your bonded partner
in love, and pledge to her all that you are, from this day forward?" I smiled at Misten, who blushed as she lifted her eyes to Caral's.
Caral's hands squeezed Misten's, lending her support to answer.
"I pledge to do so," Misten's voice wobbled.
"Do you, Caral, take Misten as your bonded partner in love, and pledge to her all that you are, from this day forward?"
"I pledge to do so," Caral breathed. A tear coursed down Misten's cheek at the love in Caral's voice.
"As the King of Az-ca, I announce to all the country that I rule, that you are now bonded, and any who come against your bonding will answer to me."
Misten laughed through her tears and flung her arms about Caral's neck. They shared a kiss to a great deal of applause from attendees.
The last plane has been destroyed, along with the building that housed it. A few of Kaakos' minions may have perished with it, Doret sent mindspeak. Kyri just informed me of this.
Then thank her for me, and for Az-ca, I replied.
"Let's eat," I held out my hands to a general cheer.
Sherra
Kerok, Armon, Levi and I sat at Caral and Misten's table. Both wore their dress uniforms, as was befitting a couple in the military. Besides, we'd had no time to find formal clothing for either of them.
I think they were more than grateful that they could have a ceremony. Having the ceremony in the King's garden, with their close friends and Caral's sister in attendance was the sweetest frosting on the best cake ever.
Darissa chose to sit at a nearby table, filled with drudges from Secondary Camp. Caral and Misten wanted them to come, and they were more than excited to do so. Some had never been to the King's City, let alone allowed into his garden.
I'd like to call them something other than drudges—it's demeaning, I sent to Kerok.
Where did that come from? He lifted an eyebrow at me. This is supposed to be a celebration, and not work. That comes later.
I just don't want to call them that, I argued.
Then come up with a more suitable title, and I'll consider it. Now, drink your wine—you only get one glass. We have a battle to plan after this.
Black Rose Queen: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 3 Page 28