In a short amount of time, Sherra had changed so many things for the better.
* * *
King's Palace
Kerok
"I've already sent scouts to observe the outposts from a distance," I said. "We need to discuss what actions to take when Weren and Armon are here," I told Garkus. He and Kage sat in my office after they'd left Secondary Camp behind. Garkus wanted to present options on how to deal with Merrin's hostage situation at two outposts, and I wanted all my advisors with me before making important decisions.
Those advisors included Barth and Hunter. Both would be clear-headed as we considered our options.
"Whether we send in a small or large force, people will die," Kage refuted Garkus' suggestion of going in to take Merrin down, regardless of the loss of civilian lives. Kage was firmly in the negotiations camp, offering to go himself, if necessary.
"When will that be?" Garkus demanded.
"Tomorrow. Go home, put all your options on a list and bring them tomorrow at mid-morning. We'll discuss all ideas then. I'll send mindspeak to Armon in the meantime, to tell him and Weren the same. Something has to be done before they run out of food."
Garkus wasn't happy, but he rose when Kage did and was ushered out of my study by the guards posted at the door.
"That one has always acted rashly," Adahi appeared and took Garkus' seat before my desk. "It's one of the reasons Linel offered him a position as an instructor, after his last escort died more than forty years ago."
"I've read Linel's records," I leaned back in my chair to study my visitor. This time, he'd left his hood up, instead of lowering it. I wondered why, but that thought was cut short when Hunter almost ran back inside my study, Garkus and Kage right behind him.
"There are burned bodies in the courtyard," Hunter's breaths were labored. "With a note addressed to you, Thorn."
* * *
"Who brought them here?" I demanded when we reached the ring of guards in the courtyard, who now surrounded three blackened bodies dropped haphazardly onto the flagstones. All were burned beyond recognition, and currently in that small period of time between the body remaining intact and dissolving into dark ashes.
"Only a brief sighting," my Prince, the guard captain bowed to me. "I only know it wasn't Merrin-this one had darker hair."
"Querl?" Barth arrived to survey the tragic pile of bodies.
"Most likely," I growled. "Captain, are the bodies cool enough to approach?"
"Yes, or the note would have burned, my Prince."
"I will retrieve it, then," I strode forward.
"No, my Prince," the captain held up a hand. "I merely waited for your approval before removing it myself." He turned toward the bodies and pulled out the dagger holding the paper to one of the bodies.
The note was brought to me; I recognized Merrin's crabbed writing immediately. Adahi, still standing behind me, read over my shoulder when I opened the note.
Well, Thorn, you know what this message means, Merrin had written. We have roughly two hundred more who can meet the same fate. Come after us and you'll regret it, I assure you.
Merrin.
"No demands?" Barth read the note quickly after I handed it to him.
"Only that we leave him be," I hissed. Angry couldn't begin to describe how I felt.
"Perhaps we should offer a trade, anyway," Hunter's eyes met mine after reading the note.
"We need to negotiate for lives," Kage agreed.
"He'll kill them anyway-they're already dead," Garkus advised.
"Prince Thorn, I suggest taking this conversation back to your study," Adahi spoke quietly. "Call in your other advisors and make a decision."
"Hunter, send for Armon and Weren. Get them here as quickly as you can," I snapped.
"It will be done, my Prince."
"Captain," I turned back to the guard.
"Yes, my Prince?"
"See that these bodies receive a proper burial."
"It will be done, my Prince."
* * *
High Cleric Ruarke
"Things are moving quickly, my brothers," I announced to the soldier-clerics gathered about me. "I understand, too, that these are not the best of conditions, but I feel that will be remedied very soon."
Currently, our tents were spread across the northern edge of an enormous blast crater, left behind when Ny-nes' army was destroyed-before the weapon could be delivered by plane.
The actual events surrounding that destruction were hidden from me, but it was clear that all involved were dead, and rumors from within Az-ca verified it. We'd failed at a direct attack.
We would not fail this time-with an indirect assault that came from inside. Events were lining up spectacularly; the day I destroyed the King's City and handed the rest of Az-ca to Kaakos would be a glorious one.
"Will we have enough weapons to last until the vehicles arrive, Revered One?" A cleric asked.
"I believe so, brother. Everything else, the god will provide. The vehicles are on their way already. We must clear a path for them, you understand. This device will aid our work," I held up the gadget I'd brought with me-the one they all believed had transported them in moments to the edge of the enemy's lands.
"The god's will be done," the cleric dipped his head to me.
"As it has always been," I made the expected reply.
* * *
King's Palace
Kerok
"I dislike the idea of holding back and allowing Merrin free rein to do as he pleases," Weren sighed and handed the note to Armon. "I dislike even more that the lives of villagers hang in the balance."
"We have to make an attempt to negotiate," Kage said. "If Merrin refuses, then our choices are limited, but at least we'll know where we stand."
"What will you offer?" Barth asked. "Food? He has that already-for the moment. I have no desire to offer him freedom and absolution for his crimes."
"I say we allow him to take as much food and supplies as he wishes, if he leaves Az-ca," Hunter suggested. "If he returns, he will be hunted again."
"You'll be offering him time to gather more power about him," Adahi counseled. I suspected Adahi knew more than he was saying, but I refrained from asking.
"Do you think that's possible-that he can become more powerful?" Weren asked Adahi. Weren was still skeptical about allowing the phantom into our meeting, but I had no way of keeping him out of it-he stepped in whenever it suited him.
"What if he offers an exchange?" Armon said.
"An exchange? For food or gold?" Garkus asked.
"No. An exchange of prisoners. Thorn and Hunter-for two hundred villagers."
"Because Merrin wants the throne," Adahi nodded to Armon. "Very perceptive, Colonel."
"That offer will be refused," Garkus insisted. "I will never serve Merrin. He is a traitor to the Crown and a murderer."
"Calm down, assassin," Barth said. "Trading either of these will not be an option. If Merrin doesn't realize this yet, he should."
"It could get me inside the outpost," I said after considering it for a moment.
"No," Hunter and Barth objected simultaneously.
"But I could," I started again.
"No," Garkus, Weren and Armon joined Barth and Hunter's protests.
"Never consider it, Prince Thorn," Adahi spoke. "Unless your rose is beside you."
"Do not speak of the dead to her grieving warrior," Weren snapped.
"You think her dead? You have much to learn," Adahi stood. "I will leave you now. I caution you to proceed carefully, Thorn, and do not offer yourself without her beside you."
Adahi strode toward the door, before stepping away.
* * *
Kyri
I was more than grateful that Adahi came when he did, while Sherra and Doret were busy finding beds, clothing and arranging baths for three unexpected guests.
"More betrayals will come, Kyri. Believe that, if nothing else," Adahi warned.
"I will be hunting Ruarke,
" I began.
"Tell Doret he is coming. She will not forgive if you withhold that information. Neither of you will find Ruarke, if he reaches Merrin's side."
"Does he know? That Merrin is unseeable?"
"I'm sure he has his spies. Doesn't everyone?"
"You make me weary," I sighed.
"I only give you truth, Kyri. This truth will weary anyone, including the powerful. Also, I am removing the shield around Sherra's bedroom. It has caused too much interference and I no longer agree with your reasons for placing it."
"You know she'll disappear the moment her dreamwalker discovers," I snapped.
"You cannot keep her forever, Kyri. You said this yourself-told Thorn this yourself."
"But I'm not done with her training," I argued.
"Hmmph. Better to let her go and remain allies, than attempt to hold her here and make an enemy."
"You make it sound so clear-cut," I complained. "When it is anything but."
"Nothing is decided, or can be from now on-I feel it. Only the actions of those involved will send events one way or another. Do not hold them back by your own fears and misgivings."
"Then tell me what you think I should do, Adahi. All of it."
"Take those three children to Thorn, so they can report what they've seen and heard directly to him. Tell Doret that Ruarke is coming. Let Sherra make up her own mind from now on."
"Doret will begin her search for Ruarke immediately."
"Not if you tell her that tomorrow, you are sending her and those three children to Thorn, where they belong. They need her training, as you both well know. All three have mindspeak, and that is a rare and desirable gift. Keep Doret away from Ruarke at all costs. I see this ending badly for her if she pursues him. You must convince her-tell her that she is needed by those children-and by Thorn. She has a sworn duty to the Crown, you know."
"Blackmail, Adahi?"
"If that's how you choose to see it."
"Fine. Leave the shield up for tonight, and I'll send Doret and the children to Thorn tomorrow."
"Tell them while I am still here, and the shield will be removed, regardless."
"Distrustful?"
"Kyri, you may not be thinking clearly in the wake of this news concerning Ruarke."
"I suppose you want me to tell Doret about that, too, while you're here?"
"It will not go amiss, I promise. Doret shall make up her own mind in this, but your persuasion will count for much in her decision. This way, she will not count withheld information against you later."
"Have you become my conscience, then?"
"When yours does not act as it should."
"She'll leave. Sherra will leave," I quavered.
"Kyri, you will only be alone if you wish to be alone. Go with them, if you want to continue seeing them. Get back to living a normal life. Surely someone here can take charge in your frequent absences. They will understand there are things that need doing in these volatile and unpredictable times."
"You're asking me to ally with Thorn?"
"He is the best of many I have seen who are destined for the throne-if he survives."
"I have no stomach-or desire for that," I said. "What about you?" I pointed an accusing finger at Adahi.
"If it will make you feel better, I have offered to train Thorn, but have held back after I saw more than one path leading to his death. My training will not help him, should that occur. Sherra will be the best shield and protection for him, should it come to that."
"More blackmail." I turned away from Adahi again.
"I consider this the event we all knew would come. It requires that we stand or fall together."
"As it has always been," I quoted without thinking.
"As it has always been," Adahi agreed.
* * *
Doret
"Adahi and I must speak with you, Doret," Kyri walked into the spare bedroom, where we were putting fresh sheets onto two small cots for Laren and Kyal. Anari would share Sherra's room-she'd offered to sleep on the floor and give Anari her bed, if she wanted.
"Where?" I asked, my hands stilling on a folded blanket.
"In the kitchen. I need tea," Kyri sighed. I knew then the news wasn't good. All three children, washed and dressed for bed, looked up and blinked at Kyri. They'd sensed something amiss, too. Sherra wore a frown as she gazed at both. She certainly understood that something was wrong.
"Finish the beds," I handed the blanket to Sherra. "I'll be back." Taking a deep breath, I followed Kyri and Adahi down the hall, toward the kitchen.
* * *
"Doret, you must train those children," Kyri said.
"I agree," Adahi dipped his head in a single nod. "If you choose to search for Ruarke, I feel it will end badly for you."
Ruarke. I despised him with a hatred none could eclipse. Adahi said Ruarke could be coming to Az-ca himself, treading across the boundary of Ny-nes that he'd hidden behind for so long.
"There is also the difficulty concerning the Crown Prince," Kyri said. "Adahi says he needs good advice and a steady hand, or his death could come and serve to destroy Az-ca anyway."
"I don't care if it ends badly for me." I discarded everything they'd told me in the last few moments.
"Doret, please listen to me," Adahi rumbled softly. "I do not wish for your death to feed that vile creature's unnatural pleasures and ego."
Those words shocked me into a momentary silence. "You mean he'll survive?" I breathed when I could speak again.
"I cannot see his death at your hands, Doret."
"You still owe the Crown of Az-ca your service," Kyri reminded me. "You swore an oath long ago to protect it. It will fall if we do nothing."
"Channel your anger into thwarting Ruarke's and Merrin's plans," Adahi suggested. "You have much to offer the army-and the Crown Prince."
"Do you think those two-Ruarke and Merrin?" I almost couldn't breathe at the thought of that alliance.
"It is certainly possible, and perhaps likely, given the circumstances."
"You can't help anyone if you're dead," Kyri gripped my hands with hers. "Promise me you'll stay alive."
Closing my eyes, I drew a deep breath. And then another. I had no idea how many breaths it would take to still my anger and hatred of Ruarke, but I would do it, in an attempt to bring about his downfall.
Chapter 8
Sherra
"Laren and I stay in contact, we just didn't know it was called mindspeak until we were herded into the outpost and met Merrin," Anari explained. "Neither of us knew that Kyal could do the same until there at the last, before we got away."
"I wish I'd had someone to speak to like that when I was younger," I laid a quilt and blanket on the floor. The bed was small and wouldn't fit both of us, so Anari had agreed to take it.
"What was training like?" Anari asked, settling under the blanket and turning on her pillow to look at me.
"Scary at first," I admitted. "I think things will be much better for you, especially if Pottles-Doret-trains you."
"Why do you call her Pottles?"
"A long story. Ask her to tell you, sometime."
"So it's a friendly name?"
"Yes. Exactly. She calls it a nickname, but I have no idea where that word came from."
"Did you have friends while you were training?"
"I had the best friends, and one or two of the worst enemies," I said.
"Who were your friends?"
"Caral. Misten. Jae. Wend. Others, too."
"That sounds nice."
"It helped me so much, to have good friends like that."
"Did you choose a warrior?"
"That's a story for another day," I said. "Time to sleep, now."
* * *
Doret
Ruarke was always a coward, unless he had the upper hand, a small voice reminded me as I readied myself for bed. I doubted I'd get much sleep, with Ruarke's threat looming as it was.
What would change that-to make Ruarke bold enou
gh to come to Az-ca and leave his safety in Ny-nes behind?
What did Merrin have to offer that Ruarke couldn't obtain for himself? Ruarke was much more talented than Merrin ever would be.
There had to be something.
Thorn's Book.
Holy hell. What would Ruarke be able to accomplish with that thing in his possession?
Kyri?
Yes? Her answer was a sleepy one.
Adahi thinks Ruarke will get his hands on Thorn's Book. Doesn't he?
That's one of his concerns, yes.
This isn't good. For all of King Thorn's talents, did he ever stop to think the book could fall into the worst hands of all?
I don't have an answer, Doret. Let's sleep on this and discuss it in the morning. We'll decide then when to send you and the children to the Crown Prince, too.
He probably should hear their story soon, I said.
I know. I'm not looking forward to being without you here.
You can travel, too, I pointed out.
Yes. I can, can't I?
It won't be as if I don't know my way around the palace, either.
Very true. Good-night, Doret.
* * *
King's Palace
Kerok
If I didn't go to bed soon, I'd not get any sleep. If I went to bed, the same could be true.
I wanted to curse Merrin until he couldn't move from the weight of my words. Damn him, blast him, strangle-the list was nearly endless.
"You'll be receiving guests soon." Adahi walked into my study and took a seat as if he were invited.
"Guests?" I cast a wary eye upon the phantom. Guests could be welcome or unwelcome, and I dared not pretend to know which these would be.
"Three young ones escaped Merrin's clutches; a black rose girl and two warrior boys. The girl stepped them away to a safe place. They will be returned to you soon, and you will hear their tale."
"You're sure they're safe?" I rose to my feet to stare at Adahi.
"As sure as I am of anything. Another will bring them. Sherra calls her Pottles, but her true name is Doret."
"What about Sherra? Why doesn't she return?" I demanded. I needed her with me now, to navigate what had become the most dangerous maze of treason and betrayal I'd ever dealt with.
"She will return in her own time, Prince Thorn. When she is ready."
Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2 Page 10