Was Kaakos the same? Had he gone another way, he could have accomplished much. Ny-nes could be a stronger nation if he'd built it up, rather than spending all his time and energy to tear it down.
Merrin wanted power.
Kaakos had power. Why, then would he keep throwing his armies and technologies against a country so far away, that, until now, never thought to attack him where he was? What did he want? I didn't believe him to be so zealously religious that we offended him this much. Especially since he held power much the same as ours.
Much the same.
My heartbeat thumped hard in my chest, as speculation began to form. My dreamwalker had known something perhaps, and had diverted my attention away from it.
For now, though, my fears kept me from going straight to Doret for answers. For good or bad, we were going against Kaakos the following night.
Should I survive, I'd be sure to ask questions.
"My love," Kerok turned in my arms. "You're wearing too much clothing," he murmured as his lips grazed my neck. "Let's take it off."
Ny-nes
Kyri
Soobi slept nearby, her breathing soft and regular. Across the room, Garkus did the same.
North, like me, lay awake. Jubal was the one to snore—his rough breathing a by-product of injuries sustained long ago in a bomb blast.
I'd heard from Doret, after she attended a meeting with Thorn and the others in the King's City.
They're coming at midnight tomorrow, their time, I sent to North.
Good. That will serve to roust everyone here from their beds, and they'll be disoriented at first. Heavy blows tossed against Ny-nes' army may not be answered.
Will we meet them at the empty hangar in the city?
You can meet them—you and Garkus. I have another plan.
What plan is that?
A plan to trip Kaakos just a little, making it easier to breach his shields.
That sounds like a fool's errand to me.
I knew you'd say that. It's why I didn't tell you until you asked.
Fine. Do whatever you want. It's what you've always done, I accused.
Thank you. I will.
I was being sarcastic.
My dear, you are the most adept practitioner of that particular talent I've ever met.
Don't try to mollify me with sweet words, asshole.
I find your willingness to fight with me charming.
Only because you're perverse about everything.
Will you come over and sit with me, while I think?
What?
I mean it.
I could have said no. I could have called him names again. What I realized was this; this time tomorrow, we could be dead or dying. How many of us would refuse arms about us, when faced with that prospect?
Without a reply, I stepped to him, and making as little noise as possible, I sat beside him as requested.
His arms came around me as I knew they would; he kissed my hair and leaned his cheek on my head. I sighed and closed my eyes.
Doret
Doret? I blinked—the mindspeak came from Barth.
What is it, Barth?
Apparently, Thorn signed a decree leaving me in charge of the quadrant leaders and everyone else, if the need arises. He also decreed that you act as my ah, backup, I believe is the term he used, in case I need help.
I'll be happy to back you up, I replied. If you need it.
I think I'd like you to come to the palace when they leave tomorrow night, he said. Because this is going to be difficult.
I didn't argue with him. When a Chief Diviner is worried, then there's generally something to worry about.
I'll be there, I promised. Let me know if you want me to get there sooner.
I will, and thank you, Doret. Having you with me will ease my mind.
His mindspeak cut off, then, leaving me blinking in the dim light of my bedroom. Barth. Who would have thought?
Sherra
I woke earlier than I intended and left Kerok sleeping in our bed while I went to my study to consider plans for the day. We'd practice at North Camp until mid-afternoon, then send everyone away to rest and eat.
Armon was in charge of letting the troops know how and when to coordinate, and I planned to place a specially-designed shield of my own around every bubble shield before we left for Ny-nes, so they could step past the barrier.
Everyone had seen the image of the plane's ancient, skeletal frame by now; Armon and Cole had seen to it. Cole would bring his troops in for training, and they'd spend the rest of their day at the training camp in the King's City.
"Tea, Queen Sherra." Briar set a cup on my desk. "Would you like breakfast in here, too?"
"Yes," I said. "Thank you."
"I know something is going on," she said. "I don't need to know what it is," she held up a hand. "Just know that I and the others here in the palace stand with you, no matter what."
"Things are different now, aren't they?" I asked. "Different from before, when Kerok's father was King."
"And when his brother was the Crown Prince," Briar spoke Drenn's title with contempt. It appeared none of the palace staff had been fond of him. "It's more evident, now, to us—what King Thorn, you and the others have done for us all this time. We never saw any of it before—not like this. We had no idea how much danger we were in, we were so far away from the battlefield."
"I know. And that's how we wanted it," I told her. "To keep you all safe and away from that awfulness. Now, it's trying to attack us everywhere, and we're fighting it as best we can."
"You have my gratitude," Briar said. "For that—and for other things. Now, do you want eggs with your sausages? Cooked the way you like?"
"That sounds wonderful."
"Good. I'll have it here soon."
"Sherra?" Kerok walked in, with Cole, Armon and Caral right behind him.
"I see I'm not the only one who couldn't sleep late," I said, taking in Kerok's damp hair. He'd showered before coming to find me.
I feel excited—and scared at the same time, Caral sent. Misten went to the training camp to meet with Levi, Wend and Marc. You have a nice bed, she added.
"I just asked for breakfast. I'll tell Briar to bring extra plates."
That's how we came to have our morning meal in my study, and we talked while we ate—about inconsequential things.
Time enough for seriousness later.
Kerok
When Sherra joined our group inside Caral's floating, mirror-shielded bubble, I couldn't believe the firepower we wielded.
A distance away from North Camp's lake lay a deep, massive crater, now. Doret, standing back from our war games, relayed our success before we could see it for ourselves.
Level that against Kaakos and see what he does, she sent mirth with her mindspeak.
Just what we intend to do, I told her, as we moved our bubble out of the way to make room for the next bubble to fire.
After this round, tell them to stand down and return to the King's City, I sent to Armon.
Yes, Commander. Did you ever think we'd attack the enemy from the air? He added.
Not in my lifetime—or in any other lifetime, I admitted. Until the enemy flew one of their infernal planes at us, I didn't think it possible. Now, I know it's old technology that they've revived, but we've found a new way to combat it, using our power.
Neither of us said what we knew, however. Had Sherra not thought this possible, we'd never have tried it on our own.
She'd looked inside all of us at one time or another, I think, and told us how strong we were—how capable we were. Until then, we hadn't been using what we had to its fullest potential.
When we return, I sent another message to Armon, remind me to outlaw some of the things Kaakos does—those things should be forbidden to anyone with power, and a heavy price will be levied against anyone who attempts it.
With pleasure, my King.
I never wanted to hear of anyone taking over another's mind
as Kaakos could, and then using that person for their own nefarious gain. No matter how bad Merrin had become, he didn't deserve the fate Kaakos forced upon him.
Let's go back, I told the crew inside our shared bubble. It's time to rest and eat.
Armon
Levi and I had other plans for an evening meal. It required some assistance from the training camp mess, but it was put together without much fuss. Then I allowed Levi to transport us to his home village.
We stood outside a modest home, the porch posts made of cedar that had been carefully sanded in years past. Those posts bore the patina of too many hands to count, and parts of them gleamed in the late afternoon light.
The door opened before we had a chance to knock, and an elderly, dark-skinned man hobbled out to see who'd come. His entire life was mapped in the wrinkles of his face, and in his younger days, I imagined he'd looked much like Levi.
A younger woman peered around him, her eyes wide with concern; she didn't recognize either of us.
"Pap?" Levi said softly.
The old man, whose eyes had dimmed with age, stopped still. "Only one man ever called me that," he said. "Levi, is that you?"
"It's me, Pap. I brought my bonded with me—and dinner, if you'll share it with us."
"Levi?" the woman came from behind the old man. "Levi?" The timbre of her voice rose, and before she could be called back, she'd flung herself into Levi's arms with a happy shriek.
"Rosie, I'm glad to see you, too," Levi sounded muffled and emotional as they hugged.
"Come in, come in," Levi's father invited. "We're just about to put our own supper on the table."
That's how we ended up having a feast of sorts—and a reunion—with Levi's parents, his sister, her husband and two children. All of them couldn't stop grinning at both of us, and told us about every relative still living, and a few who weren't.
As a meal before going to fight an enemy far away, it was perfect and ended far too soon.
Sherra
Both of us wore battle uniforms as we stood on opposite sides of our bed.
We'd shared the bed earlier—to take our minds off the coming attack. Now, after another light meal, we'd dressed and made ourselves ready to join the troops at the training camp.
"Ready, my love?"
"Yes."
"Then come kiss me again, before we go."
I was happy to oblige.
Kerok
The troops, escorts and warriors stood at attention in the largest mess hall, where all tables and benches had been removed to make room.
"You know why we're here," I said, standing before them. "For the first time in Az-ca's history, we are taking the war to the enemy, instead of waiting here for their next attack. May good fortune travel with all of us tonight. Focus on your skills. Perform to the level I know you can—all of you. You are Az-ca's elite troops. Never forget that."
"Pods, gather. Form your bubble shields. Sherra will come to each of you and place another shield to get you through Ny-nes' barrier. We move on my signal. Never forget who you are, and what you fight for. We stand or fall together."
"As it has always been," they chorused back to me.
I watched as bubble shields were formed by the first row. Sherra went to them and placed her shield before they stepped outside the mess hall. The same procedure was repeated forty times before they were all aloft outside.
"Time for us to lead," I spoke to Armon, Sherra and the others.
Caral formed the bubble shield. Sherra added hers to the mix, and stepped us outside, to the others.
"Sherra, tell them the signal is given," I told her, my eyes focused eastward, where the enemy waited.
Her mindspeak sounded in all our heads; Proceed to Ny-nes. The King commands it.
We stepped.
Chapter 22
Ny-nes
Kyri
I will never forget the sight of bubble shield after bubble shield appearing inside the hangar, in an elaborate dance of fitting into a confined space. The first had focused on the ancient plane. The others focused on the bubble previous to theirs. It was an old trick of getting an entire army from one place to another, without stepping on each other.
In all, forty-one appeared. Sherra stepped out of the one she was in, with Thorn at her side.
Garkus, waiting beside me, fidgeted. Here was his King, and he had no idea what Thorn would say to him. King and Queen of Az-ca walked toward us. I hated that North hadn't decided to stay to meet them, but too many explanations could have come from that.
"Where is North?" Sherra asked when they reached us.
"He said he had other things to do—to trip up Kaakos—or that's the excuse he gave."
"King Thorn," Garkus bowed to the King.
"Ah, Garkus. I almost didn't recognize you," Thorn lifted an eyebrow at Garkus' current skin tone.
"I erred," Garkus bowed again.
"And that will be addressed when we return to Az-ca," Thorn said. "Tonight, we fight together."
"It will be my honor," Garkus assured him.
"Good. Kyri, what are your plans?"
"We will join you when you attack the palace," I said. "I have hope that North will add his talents to ours when we arrive."
"Excellent. We are ready to commence our attacks on Kaakos' troops and his warrior-priests. I thank you for the images you sent—they have been more than helpful."
"Then let's proceed," I indicated the floating bubble shields about us.
"Sherra?" Thorn turned toward her. She closed her eyes to send mindspeak to everyone. I blinked, as every bubble shield went invisible, after employing a mirror shield.
"I never thought I'd see this day," Garkus breathed beside me.
"You're seeing it now," I said, as Sherra and Thorn stepped back to their bubble, which disappeared last of all. "Come, we have our positions mapped outside the palace. Let's go."
"I'm ready," Garkus growled.
Anari
Our pod had been one of several assigned to attack the warrior-priests. I saw a gleam in Cole's eyes as we followed other bubble shields in that direction. We'd be high above it, to allow those who were selected to lob trucks to hit the building without damaging our shields.
When the first truck hit, we were to level blasts against the warren of barracks, mess halls and other buildings in the compound.
Kyal practiced his breathing exercises—aimed at calming his heart and sharpening his focus. Laren nodded to me over Kyal's head. I saw his face in the dim light of the moon. The shining orb hung halfway to the horizon in the west, where Az-ca lay—across a distance that we never thought to travel.
The first truck hit below us, crushing half of a building beneath it.
"Fire," Cole said, his voice calm and measured.
We fired, and in the light created by at least five massive fires blooming at once, I saw warrior-priests running like insects to escape us, only to be hit by our next fireblasts.
Kill them before they kill us, Colonel Armon had instructed. And so we did.
Kaakos
Had I a mindspeaker, news would have traveled swifter than the alarms did. I didn't wake immediately; I'd incorporated the alarms into a dream I had. A dream where I attacked Az-ca while flying high above it. Their alarms were sounding as a result of my efforts.
When I did awaken, after a guard pounded on my chamber door, I discovered it was our alarms sounding. Az-ca had come to Ny-nes, as it turned out, and thought themselves wise to attack the troops and warrior-priests, first.
Send more troops, I flung mindspeak to my Generals, knowing they'd hear my voice inside their heads, although they couldn't reply. We'd trap the fools on the ground between burning buildings and the vehicles and bombs I sent against them.
They're not attacking on the ground, the voice came to me, then.
Drawing in a breath, I returned mindspeak. Come to me, you worthless piece of excrement, I shouted back at him. Die before me, like the dog you are.
It had to be the healer, and how would he know the way we were being attacked?
See for yourself, the voice came again, and this time, it held laughter.
My mind was bombarded by the images, then, of fireblasts raining from the sky, far above the warrior-priests' compound, and upon the troops' barracks. When a heavy vehicle was flung into the burning mess of the compound, it launched a storm of sparks skyward, which would in turn fall upon anything flammable around it.
They intended to set the city ablaze.
Cursing, I shut off the images and placed a shield to keep more from coming in; I had a battle to plan, to take them all when they attacked my palace.
"Get past my shields if you can, you devils," I hissed aloud. While shouting for my guards, I flung on a dressing robe and stalked out of my suite, heading for my audience chamber.
Fire the weapons, I commanded my Generals in mindspeak. They could hear my mental commands, some of them for the first time. I held that much power, and more. If any of them guessed I held power not given by the Prophet, it no longer mattered. They weren't going to survive, anyway.
As for the attack I commanded against the enemy, I no longer cared that bombs would be lobbed at my city. I cared not that it could be destroyed in the process. It was already burning—let the devils of Az-ca deal with our returning firepower—for now.
Their delight at destroying two compounds would end quickly enough, when they had to contend with my first round of opposition.
Reaching out while chanting the spell under my breath, I called in the power from every warrior-priest still alive. It turned out to be more than I thought, too, and I reveled in the energy of their lives pouring into mine.
Less than half were at their compound when they were hit; many were across the river looking for the healer, just as my troops were.
How fortuitous was that?
The first puny blasts the enemy leveled against the palace shield were only heard and not felt. They'd have to do better than that to get anywhere near me. The moment my warrior-priests were drained and dead, I turned to the power within my troops.
Black Rose Queen: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 3 Page 30