Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2

by Connie Suttle

  Chapter 6

  Kerok

  The short visit to Merthis hadn't gone well. Lewus vomited on his shoes at the stench and sight of it. Jacob's mouth tightened, but he remained silent.

  They were ordered to take this news back to the Council, and then prepare statements to deliver to the rest of the villages. I told them I wanted copies of everything sent to me afterward, to ensure that the word was being distributed properly.

  Once I was back in my study, still seething over the day's events, Barth tapped on the door before entering. He looked weary.

  "I've pulled in every available diviner, to do a deep divination on all of the Council," he sighed before taking a chair and blinking tiredly at me. "We'll find out where the messenger money went," Barth shifted heavily into a more comfortable position. "Your father knows something is happening, but he didn't ask."

  "How much money?" I could answer financial questions about the army in my sleep. Monies paid to the Council hadn't crossed my mind often.

  "It's two gold pieces a month for the messengers, who have several villages to visit, and they should be going out at least twice a month. I suppose the messengers have been living off what the villages pay them, because the Council hasn't been using their services."

  "And the villages can't pay much, so they're barely subsisting, unless I miss my guess."

  "We'll find out how far back this goes, and who the genius was who first thought of it," Barth sighed.

  "Drenn," I shrugged. "He probably knew all about it, because he was in charge of that seething mass of idiocy."

  "It's possible." Barth nodded absently.

  "I'd call it likely, if he were in charge of messenger payments."

  "Hunter will know."

  "What's the matter?" I asked. Barth was behaving in a distracted manner.

  "I just spoke with your father's physician-he met me on my way here."

  I went still. "Tell me," I whispered.

  "He says things are getting worse. Perhaps a few months are left to him. Wulf is failing quickly, now."

  "I'm sure the current state of Az-ca isn't helping," I said. "Even if we don't tell him, he can surely feel that something's wrong."

  "I think everyone in the King's City is on edge, and the moment the news is delivered to the villages, they'll be on their guard, too."

  "As they should be, with Merrin still on the loose. I should have killed him the moment I set him down in the poisoned lands."

  "Hindsight," Barth said softly. "We have plenty of that. It's foresight-the kind that can see through the fog around Merrin, which we truly need."

  "Who can do that?" I asked. "Do you know of anyone?"

  "I do not, my Prince, and that is indeed a pity."

  * * *

  Sherra

  Breakfast was done; the dishes washed and put away when I walked past the wall surrounding Kyri's garden. I held a necklace in my hand-something of Kyri's she'd given to me before constructing her own perimeter divination.

  I had to force my mind away from events in Az-ca to concentrate on the task at hand; things could go wrong if bad memories lurked in the necklace, as they had in Pottles' shell.

  The information gained from the shell I hadn't told anyone about-it was a secret I felt I had to keep. Finding something terrible in Kyri's past could cause me to collapse, as I was grieving in my heart for Merthis and the lives lost, there.

  She stood outside the invisible lines of her perimeter divination, waiting for me to delve into the object I held, and then walk past the lines she'd constructed as if I were her.

  The stone pendant dangling from the gold chain was blue-a blue I'd never seen in any stone before. It looked similar to turquoise, but it wasn't turquoise. I'm not sure how I knew that; I did, just by handling it.

  Closing my eyes, I slipped into Kyri's power-and one of her memories.

  A boy stood before her; dark-haired and blue-eyed. He'd done something she'd told him not to do.

  He has power, whispered through my mind. Kyri was teaching him. "I told you to place a shield around the hens," she lectured angrily. "You know they need air. You made the shield too small and sealed it too tightly. The hens are dead of suffocation."

  "I'm sorry. It won't happen again," he said, ducking his head.

  Whether she knew or not, I did.

  He'd done it deliberately, and was only apologizing after his goal was accomplished.

  Who was this boy, that Kyri thought to teach?

  What was his name? I couldn't find it, and I'd spent far too much time in the memory already. Kyri would be waiting, and could grow suspicious if I didn't withdraw soon. The name would have to wait-I didn't have time to work through the memory to discover it.

  I released an audible sigh the moment I opened my eyes. "I think I have it," I turned toward Kyri, who nodded and smiled. Handing the necklace to her, I prepared myself and walked through her perimeter shield as if I'd constructed it myself.

  * * *

  Doret

  "We'll get to Merrin," Kyri's words held hope and determination. "Sherra walked right through my divination lines without raising the alarm. If I weren't so pleased, it would be frightening."

  "I'm not frightened. I'm firmly in the very pleased camp on this."

  Kyri pulled the pan of snap beans toward her at the table, and began breaking them into bite-sized pieces for cooking. "I'm wondering when I should take her to Ny-nes," Kyri whispered.

  I went still. Kyri could no longer go to Ny-nes. She'd told Sherra she'd take her before, when that wasn't exactly true.

  Kyri could get her as far as the eastern edges of the great salt river, before sending the girl farther into that mess alone.

  Unless.

  "You think this will get you back into Ny-nes-this new talent she's developed." I watched as Kyri's mouth tightened at my words, but she didn't say anything.

  Kyri wouldn't explain the why of any of this to Sherra, and she'd made me promise not to tell, either. In this case, I thought Sherra needed the information and Kyri was withholding it.

  The extra shield around Sherra's room irked me, too, and Kyri knew it. Without it, Sherra may have known through her dreamwalking that Merthis was in danger. There was also a remote possibility that she may have managed to help the people living there, before Merrin fried all of them.

  Sherra was still in the garden behind the house, handling the dagger sheath. The rosewood box lay on the wall beside her-she'd chosen the wall's broad top as a favorite place to sit.

  I considered sending mindspeak, but didn't. Like her, I wanted Merrin dead. I hoped she'd be able to hand that death to him and his followers without feeling guilt later.

  Until now, she'd concentrated on saving lives. I knew, as did Kyri, that at least six escorts had followed Merrin, with their warriors.

  How were they faring, now? I couldn't imagine that their lot in life had improved by following that piece of filth. Would Sherra be able to destroy them, too, if it came down to it?

  Drenn had placed his trust in Merrin, accepting an enemy weapon to use against his own family. He had no idea what to do with it, other than point and shoot. He'd died from his trust and ignorance-of the man and the pistol.

  "You're frowning." Sherra walked in and poured a glass of water for herself. "Want tea? I'll make some."

  "I'd take tea," I agreed with a sigh. Kyri nodded her acceptance as well.

  * * *

  King's Palace

  Kerok

  Hunter's mindspeak let me know something had gone terribly wrong the moment he'd contacted me.

  I met him, Barth and a messenger at the table in the gardens, where they waited. Hunter had the foresight and manners to offer the messenger food and drink, and the poor man acted as if he were starved. I recognized him, as he'd served under me in the army in years past. Acting as a messenger was his chosen occupation after retiring.

  "What happened?" I asked, nodding at the man to keep his seat.

  "Two vill
ages emptied," he said. "Both near Central Outpost. I went there afterward, to ask the commander if he knew anything. I barely got out of there alive-it's been taken over by the missing villagers and a few-well, deserters, I suppose."

  My eyes locked with Barth's for a moment. "Did you see Captain Merrin there?" I asked.

  "No. I saw two warriors, their escorts and Gram Plicton. I used to deliver for him, so I knew his name. I didn't recognize the others. One of the warriors fired a blast at me, while Plicton shouted at him to stop. I stepped away, Prince Thorn. I didn't wait to see what their purpose in all this was."

  "You did the wise thing, Oren-it is Oren, isn't it?"

  "Yes, my Prince."

  "Oren, I think I'd like to add you to my staff," I added. "As a messenger to the Crown Prince. You can begin work now by telling Hunter everything you can recall about your ah, brief visit to Central Outpost, while he writes it down for the records."

  "I'll be honored to serve," Oren dipped his head to me.

  "Good. Hunter, get started on that. Barth, come with me. We have a personal message to deliver to General Weren."

  * * *

  "I have your records from North Camp," Weren said, and led us to the back bedroom in his cabin. "I had a desk brought in, and they've all been put away. If you need privacy to search," he offered.

  "No," I held up a hand. "I should be able to find the records of inventory for Central Outpost easily enough. If you'll send for the post commander, I'd like to speak with him, too."

  "His cabin is in the northwestern corner. I'll send for him right away."

  * * *

  Sherra

  "I keep having the same dreams," I told Pottles as we drank our tea at the kitchen table.

  "What dreams?"

  "That I'm trapped somewhere, and can't get out."

  "How long has this been happening?"

  "The past two nights. It's-terrifying. I'm afraid to go to sleep, now."

  "What's this?" Kyri walked into the kitchen and went straight for the cupboard to find a teacup.

  "She's been having nightmares-the same one, actually, two nights in a row," Pottles snorted. "That she's trapped and can't escape."

  "Nobody is trapped. Tell yourself that before you sleep," Kyri's voice sounded indifferent to my fears.

  Pottles snorted again, but she didn't say anything.

  I didn't tell Kyri that I'd struggled to convince my dreaming self that it was only a dream. That had only ramped up my terror and I'd awakened, gasping for breath.

  As the chickens surely had gasped and struggled to breathe in that boy's shield-before they died of suffocation.

  That was Kyri's memory, and has nothing to do with your nightmares, I attempted to convince myself.

  Perhaps.

  * * *

  Secondary Camp

  Kerok

  "Two trucks, jarred food, uniforms, kitchen supplies and staples," Garth, the outpost commander, confirmed what I'd already guessed. "Welton says that there are medical supplies left there; he didn't know how long we'd be gone, and left the bulk of those things stored in the post hospital."

  "They can't eat those," I waved a hand. "Destroy, yes, but there'd be no purpose in that. What I'm interested in is camp records, Commander. Did you have a list of personnel, which mentioned their talents?"

  "I did," Garth nodded.

  "Which ones were mindspeakers?"

  "We had only one," Garth shrugged.

  "Bring him. Weren, I need the list of all mindspeakers," I barked at the General. "I think they'll become targets-we believe Merrin wants mindspeakers to further his treasonous plans."

  * * *

  "There's more bad news, I'm afraid," Hunter set a glass of whiskey on my desk moments after Barth and I returned to the palace.

  "What now?" I barked at him. "Sorry-that's wasn't directed at you." I lifted the glass of whiskey and downed it in a single swallow.

  "Northeast Outpost has been taken, too. At least the messenger landed outside the walls before attempting to go through the gate. When he was nearly fireblasted to death, he fled to report the incident to us."

  "Do we know if villagers are inside-with Merrin's deserters?"

  "He didn't get a look at anyone; he was fired on the moment he set down."

  "Merrin's new tricks at work, no doubt. At least he can't prevent anyone from stepping inside his boundaries. Not yet, anyway."

  "If my guess is correct, Merrin's spreading his allies thin between two outposts. That means he'll either stick with those two, or go looking to recruit others to his cause."

  "What do you suggest we do?" I pushed my empty glass toward Hunter.

  "We don't have sufficient troops to properly guard all villages and outposts-not fully trained ones," Hunter said and poured more whiskey for me.

  "Tell me about it." I emptied the glass a second time.

  "If we can get the washouts and instructors trained-but that will take time," Hunter added before I could voice my protest.

  "You know Merrin doesn't give a damn about any of those villagers. He'll kill them in front of us to get something he wants," I rumbled. "He may be telling them otherwise-at least for now, but they're nothing more than hostages at this point."

  "You're sure we can't step in to do a rescue?"

  "You saw what happened when Armon and his crew stepped to that cabin," I said. "Merrin knew immediately and got away before they had time to do anything useful, other than shield themselves from the repercussions and fallout of opposing blasts."

  "According to the last census, those villages together held close to two hundred," Hunter informed me. "Those numbers could be up or down from that count, as you well know."

  "I do." I considered asking for a third shot of whiskey, but held back. "Were there any black rose girls, sixteen and older there?"

  "I'll consult your father's records and let you know."

  "I want the number and age of the boys scheduled for warrior training, too," I said as Hunter turned to leave my study.

  "I'll see to it."

  * * *

  Kaakos

  Sovereign Leader of the Free Nation of Ny-nes

  "High Cleric Ruarke is here, Sovereign Leader." A guard bowed to me after making his announcement.

  "Ah. Show him in."

  I nodded my dismissal of the guard the moment Ruarke strode inside my office, black robes swinging about him as walked.

  He must have seen something important, to come unannounced like this. He and I-we were very much alike. I waved him toward a chair before my desk.

  "I have word from my spies," Ruarke said after accepting the offered seat.

  "What do they have?" I asked.

  "A rift has occurred in Az-ca." His smile was slow, indicating devious thoughts-much like the smile he wore while torturing adults and children.

  "Tell me," I touched fingertips together and focused attention on my guest.

  "I don't have the full tale. I only know this; a member of the King's army escaped his death sentence, and is now pulling allies to him. He wants to take the King's City-and the throne-for himself. He has developed a taste for blood, Lord Kaakos."

  "How do we exploit this?" If Az-ca were on the verge of a civil war, how much easier would it be to destroy?

  "I doubt he will be concerned as to where suitable allies come from," Ruarke offered.

  "You're suggesting that we infiltrate?"

  "It's why I'm here," Ruarke chuckled. "With our combined efforts, I believe it will be simple to provide ah, extra followers for the opposition."

  "How do you propose getting them across the border?"

  "I recently had an idea," Ruarke said.

  "What idea is that?"

  "Mechanical power, instead of demon power." Ruarke withdrew a square, metal contraption from his robes.

  Setting the device on my desk, he leaned back while I examined the thing. In the center, it held one button, with a dial.

  "What does it do?" I asked.
/>
  "Nothing. But it will convince your troops that we've found a way to make a machine do what the devils of Az-ca can, without offending any laws."

  "Truly?" This had definite possibilities, and I wondered why we didn't think of it before.

  "Yes. The dial's first position will be to transport us. The second dial position will serve to send fireblasts. The third will protect us with a shield."

  "But only you and I are allowed to operate it," I guessed.

  "Yes. In the hands of a lesser being, it could be employed to commit crimes against Ny-nes and make the bearer like our enemies. I believe I can convince the troops that only the worthy will be able to operate it."

  "Then make another and have it delivered to me soon. Select your clerics and brief them on their mission. I'll send the rest of the army in vehicles to follow you."

  "I'm hoping Az-ca will fall quickly, once the regular troops arrive."

  "Infiltrate the opposition carefully, Ruarke. I dislike the idea of ruling Ny-nes without your steadfast support. Once we destroy those with power, the rest will be sheep to do with as we please."

  "It will be as you say, my lord."

  * * *

  Central Outpost

  Merrin

  "There are only two." Gram shoved two boys before me. I sat behind the post commander's desk, considering how to go about testing these young warriors.

  One was sixteen, perhaps; the other, twelve at most.

  I didn't care if they could make fire yet-that's not what I needed. I needed mindspeakers, and hoped at least one of these could achieve it.

  I wouldn't know, however, unless someone else with the talent confirmed it. As for the black rose girl, I'd test her, too. If the seventeen-year-old had mindspeaking talent, I could be persuaded to leave her intact, if only for her cooperation.

  Barring that, I'd hand her to Gram as a gift for his support.

  "Bring the girl, too," I nodded to Gram. We'd see if luck were with us in this. If not, there were two young men at the other outpost we'd taken.

  Gram frowned at my last command-he didn't want anything to stand between him and the girl, as he'd already marked her as his. I could disabuse him of that notion easily, and he knew it.

  "We need a mindspeaker from inside the King's City," Gram pointed out. I didn't fail to notice the angry sarcasm in his voice.