When that idea filtered into my brain, which was undeniably slow at grasping anything at the moment, I realized he was right.
Let the Council question Garkus and his motives. Any diviner would know if he spoke the truth.
A public trial of military personnel hadn't happened in a very long time. In this case, where civilian deaths were concerned, it could be considered appropriate.
"Then we'll do that," I said. "Hunter, take the message to the Council. We'll convene tomorrow, to discuss a time and place. Today, we must discuss how to handle Merrin's presence at Northeast Outpost."
"Have the physicians testify as to the damage caused by Garkus' attack," Adahi went on. He'd lowered his hood today, so we could see his face. "If I were you, I'd also ask them to testify regarding the neglect of those villages by their ah, representative Council members."
"We can summon the villagers, too, to corroborate that testimony," Barth suggested.
"Excellent idea, Diviner," Adahi nodded to Barth.
"Tea, my Prince," one of the guards tapped on the door.
"Bring it in," I said. "Adahi, will you join us?"
"Certainly."
* * *
Northeast Outpost
Merrin
He'd killed another of my warriors-and his escort-while I watched. How in the name of the first warrior had the enemy created a device that could do what a warrior did?
"I did that to get your attention, Merrin," he'd said.
Ruarke. He called himself Ruarke. Described himself as the Chief Cleric to the Sovereign Leader of Ny-nes.
Then, he'd offered me protection, the throne of Az-ca, and control of thousands of Ny-nes' troops to keep the peace among the rabble-if I cooperated and helped him destroy the King, the Crown Prince, and every warrior and escort in existence.
Granted, the idea had merit.
A great deal of merit.
Gram was somewhat skeptical-but if I promised him a role as my First Advisor, why should he quibble if Az-ca's army was destroyed and Ny-nes annexed our lands? If I were left in charge as Ruarke said, I'd see that the remaining population followed my desired path anyway.
It greatly intrigued me to be one of only a handful remaining in Az-ca with a warrior's talents.
Ruarke didn't seem to mind that I'd remain powerful. He had a device, after all. Who knew-everyone in Ny-nes could now own one of those things. Power in the hands of the rabble? Nobody could have guessed that.
As for Ruarke's black-robed clerics, they were silent more often than not. Their faces were like masks-neither approving or disapproving. They merely obeyed Ruarke's every whim in every matter, and I admired that level of submission.
Gram, Querl and the others had a penchant for arguing against everything I put forward. If Ny-nes were in charge, I'd expect to see that subservience in everyone about me.
"You can have that and more," Ruarke spoke aloud after reading my expression. I followed his gaze to the small chest lying on a corner of the outpost commander's desk. "You may read the book anytime you wish, after I've read through it. Never forget, too, that you will be left in charge, here. Neither I nor my people want that position."
A slow smile spread across my face at his words. "I've considered your offer, Chief Cleric," I said. "I'll stand with Ny-nes; as will my followers."
* * *
Sherra
"Will we get more clothes when we get to the King's City?" Anari stepped through my open door sounding lost.
"Of course," I said, motioning for her to come in. "Sit there on the bed. I think you can have a few of my things before you go-if you want them. They may be a little long, but they'll fit."
"I like this," she pointed to a blue top I'd just folded.
"Then it's yours," I handed it to her. "There are dark blue trousers to go with it," I rummaged through a stack until I found them.
"Those are nice," she agreed and pulled both items to her chest, as if she were afraid I'd take them back.
"You should see the uniforms for the escort trainees," I smiled at her. "And those they give to escort officers, if you get a promotion."
"Did you get a promotion?"
"I was a captain," I said. "In the King's Army."
"Az-ca still exists because of Sherra," Pottles walked in. "I see you already have an outfit for tomorrow," Pottles smiled at Anari, who clutched the clothing to her chest. "Come with me; I'll find other things for you."
"What about Kyal and Laren?" I asked as Anari slid off my bed to follow Pottles.
"I've asked for help in the matter. Cole is sending something for them."
"Good."
"There will be baths tonight and clean clothes tomorrow," Pottles patted Anari's shoulder. "We can't go to the Crown Prince dirty."
I didn't miss the sudden hero-worship in Anari's eyes; Pottles had made a definite friend.
I laid out two other outfits so Anari could choose something else, but all the while, I couldn't shake a feeling that something had gone horribly wrong in Az-ca.
It has to do with your dreams, I told myself. A part of me wanted to tell Kyri. Another part wanted to hold the information back. Both halves warred with the other, which ended up rendering me helpless and undecided in the matter.
"I'll take the yellow outfit, too," Anari decided.
"Yes-it'll look good on you," I agreed.
"Have you been to the palace?"
"I have."
"I wish you were coming, too," Anari sighed. "Doret is nice and I look forward to learning from her, but having someone else to talk to would be good, too."
She meant someone closer to her own age-I read the wistfulness in her voice.
What if I did go back with her?
Would that be a bad thing?
Kerok had been calling my name-that's what sent me in his direction in my dream the night before. It's just that other things drew my attention away, and I hadn't seen him after all.
I'd seen Hunter-and the one called Ruarke.
Who was Ruarke? I needed information on that one. Would Kerok know who he was? I knew one thing that others perhaps didn't, though. If my dream were true, he now held a very dangerous book.
There's one way to find out if Kerok really wants to see you, a small voice said.
Ever since I'd breached Kyri's perimeter divination, I'd held the key to breaking through the shield she held around her city.
I could get past it, now, either by stepping or in mindspeak.
I hadn't forgotten the vision of the boy I'd seen in her necklace, either. I wanted so badly to ask who he was, but held back. She didn't know that I could see that memory in her belongings. Neither did Pottles realize I'd seen her memory.
Perhaps it was time to consider other memories, of other people. Merrin I also wanted to see again, but handling the rosewood box and dagger sheath could be telling if Kyri or Pottles found me with either.
Perhaps there was a way to deal with everything at once.
If I returned the sheath and box to the King's palace, where they belonged.
If Kyri didn't want me to go, what then? Would it be ungrateful of me to go against her wishes? Where was my loyalty in all this? If Kerok needed me, if Az-ca were in as much danger as I imagined it to be, that decision could be an easy one to make.
You owe it to the black rose girls who are afraid to come here, the small voice insisted. They are in terrible danger, as are the warrior boys.
"I need to find Kyri," I told Anari. "Try on those clothes-we may be able to hem them before you leave."
* * *
Kyri
"I dislike this."
"You cannot-and should not-hold her here against her will. She is needed by the Crown Prince and all of Az-ca. The visions are fracturing all around us and you know this. I cannot see Ruarke's hand in anything-not since he breached the barrier between us and Ny-nes. I know not where he is. He is close to Az-ca, I feel it, but that is the best I can do."
"You think to pit her again
st that viper? You know what he is," I hissed.
"We fight with what we have," Adahi quoted the old adage. "If she is successful against Ruarke," he began.
"If she is successful," I snapped. "She needs more time and training."
"Because you want her able to take on the one who is worse than Ruarke. Admit it-you wanted her to breach the barrier around Ny-nes, and get you past it, too. That's why you've focused her recently on the perimeter divinations. How long has it been since you were locked out of Ny-nes?"
Adahi knew just where to dig to find the sorest part of that festering wound. "Admit that you may not be strong enough, Kyri, to stand against him again," he added.
"He deserves to die," I hissed.
"As do many. We all meet our match-or the one who is stronger, eventually. Then it no longer matters who is right-only who is powerful enough to survive."
"Selling me platitudes from the End-War, Adahi?"
"It bears saying again. We know who won, by killing nearly everything in their path."
"Too bad those fanatics from Ny-nes can no longer read the book they believe so desperately in," I snorted. "Judgment and purgatory for those who are evil? What a load of tripe. Every day, they're led around and subjugated by evil, and they don't have a clue."
"Kyri?" Sherra's voice floated into my study-she was looking for me.
"Bring her in," Adahi said. "I think she may have something to tell you."
"In here," I called out, even as I frowned at Adahi.
"Kyri? Oh, sorry," Sherra stepped back after discovering Adahi standing nearby.
"Do not fear," Adahi held up a hand. "Ask your question-I see it in your eyes, young one."
"Uh," she looked from Adahi to me and then back again. "Do you ah, know anyone by the name of Ruarke?"
* * *
Sherra
"You're sure he has the book?" Kyri asked the question for perhaps the fourth time. Every time, my answer was the same.
"He has the book, the dagger and the coronet. And Merrin, too, I think. I didn't see Merrin, but it's logical to me," I said. "I don't know the name of the outpost, either, but it was an outpost, I'm sure of it."
"Our worst fears," Adahi turned his back to me as we sat inside Kyri's study. That's when I understood that Kyri and Adahi were holding a silent conversation in mindspeak.
"Did you see anyone else?" Adahi turned back to ask.
"I ah, saw Hunter, when he was attacked by Merrin and someone else in Kerok's study," I said. These two were taking my dreams and treating them as if they were more real than reality, if that were possible.
"Hunter still lives," Adahi confirmed before I could say it. "I saw him earlier. He remains confused about his rescue, but this-Kyri, you can no longer doubt."
"How long will it take Ruarke to get through the book?" Kyri whispered, her eyes begging Adahi to give her hope.
"Perhaps a few days," Adahi rumbled. "After that, who can guess what he'll do?"
"Why will Ruarke read the book? What can he do with it?" I asked.
"We must approach the Crown Prince, before it is too late," Adahi said. "We are wasting time as it is."
"I'll go with Doret in the morning," Kyri said. She sounded defeated. "Sherra, go pack your things-you must come with me."
"Kyri," I began as I stood to go.
"What is it?"
"I think we should gather the older black rose girls still in Az-ca-and the warrior boys, too. I am afraid for them." My voice became a whisper at the end, as if speaking those words aloud made them truer than they'd ever been.
"It's prudent," Adahi agreed.
"Then you tell Thorn to get on that," Kyri snapped at Adahi. "Tell him he'll have visitors tomorrow morning. Early."
She was angry about all of this, and spitting her anger at Adahi and me, when we'd had nothing to do with it.
"Kyri, it isn't their fault," Pottles appeared in the doorway. "Put the blame where it belongs-on Ruarke's and Merrin's shoulders."
"Doret, make sure the children are ready early tomorrow. We'll go. I may not stay, but I'll go for a meeting with Thorn," Kyri sighed. "Meanwhile, don't tell the children of this-they have enough to deal with as it is."
"I'll see to it. Sherra, you need tea and something to eat. Come with me-the young ones are eating in the kitchen."
* * *
King's Palace
Kerok
"He didn't say who's coming?" Hunter asked a second time. Adahi had come and gone, after delivering a rather cryptic message.
"He didn't. He only specified the number and type of suites."
"One with two beds means two are sharing. Two others with one bed means either two couples, or two that aren't sharing. It could mean at least four, or as many as six."
"True."
A part of me held hope that one of our visitors would be Sherra, but why would Adahi ask for a separate suite if that were the case? If Sherra came, there was only one place I was willing to allow her to stay, and that was with me. I hadn't set aside our vows. Only death or the actions of the King or Crown Prince could do that.
I certainly wasn't willing to take that action. Even if Sherra were dead, I'd be unwilling. I'd had enough of pain, and had grown tired of losing what I loved.
"Get the rooms ready, and select those close together if possible. I don't want to set up extra guards if it's not warranted."
"I've already given it some thought," Hunter said. "I have staff working to prepare four rooms on third floor east."
He'd named suites farthest from Father's and mine. That satisfied me well enough. Whether Adahi thought these guests trustworthy, I would make my own determinations-with help from Barth and Hunter.
"The kitchen will serve drinks and small treats for the breakfast meeting tomorrow morning," Hunter added. "I've included Weren, Armon, Levi and several others in the number expected."
"Good. Thank you, Hunter. I hadn't considered that."
"You should also consider what you'll wear, Crown Prince Thorn," Hunter pointed out. "You're still wearing your uniforms, you know."
"Hmmph. Do you think I'll start dressing like Drenn?"
"Nobody should dress like Drenn," Hunter sniffed. "Not even Drenn should have dressed like Drenn."
"Then order clothing-in black. Make a new design, marking me as the Crown Prince and ultimate Commander of the Army."
"Making a change?"
"It will be made," I growled. "I know what I'm doing on the battlefield-who better to do it?"
"None that I know," Hunter agreed. "We have Council members who want to do what Garkus did and attack Northeast Outpost. I told them that was out of the question, with so many civilian lives at stake. On another note, how is the training of washouts coming? We need extra troops to guard villages. We can't risk Merrin taking more than he has already."
"Armon says they have to work around convincing some of them-men and women-that they actually have the talent in them, it only needs to be brought out better."
"I'm assuming the men had better training to begin with?"
"They did. I wish Sherra were here-maybe they were never meant to be warriors, but messengers or something else, instead."
"You think she could touch them and tell you what they were suited for?"
"I do. I wish I'd considered it before. Especially in light of recent events. We needed more messengers; messengers working directly for the Crown instead of worthless Council members, who took the money provided by the Crown and kept it, instead of paying the messengers."
"I have a suggestion, then," Hunter said.
"What's that?"
"To allow the villages to send their own representatives to comprise the Council, rather than appointing overfed politicians from the King's City to consider their interests-because they don't. They're self-serving, and it's the real reason you don't want anything to do with them-admit it."
"That's something to consider," I agreed. "But first, we have to deal with other problems."
"Merrin-and Garkus' trial date."
"Merrin and Garkus," I repeated Hunter's answer. "Merrin, who holds villagers and an outpost hostage, even as we speak. I'm surprised he hasn't sent another note, yet."
"Give him time-he was always slow at writing anything."
I barked an unwilling laugh; not only was it an excellent insult, but all the better because it was true.
* * *
Secondary Camp
Armon
"I want you and Misten to come to the meeting with us tomorrow," I told Caral. "We can't be too careful, you know."
"What about the trainees?" she asked.
"Wend and Marc can oversee training for half a day," I said. "I know you're worried about more than half our trainees, but they can wait a few hours for you to stand over them and glare if they're not trying."
Caral turned away so I wouldn't see the grin.
"Thorn says there'll be a few extra guests, but he didn't say who they were. It almost sounded as if he didn't know himself, but unless I miss my guess, there'll be tea and a nice breakfast, with honey cakes, perhaps."
"Food is always good at the palace," Caral turned back to me. She was still smiling.
"Yes, it is. Wear your new uniform, Captain."
"I will."
* * *
Sherra
"It's fried squash, fresh from the garden, and sliced tomatoes," Pottles told Kyal, who couldn't get enough of the vegetables on his plate during evening meal.
"It's wonderful," Anari confirmed. "I don't think I've ever had squash before."
"Good," Laren confirmed around a mouthful of food. At least they were eating, instead of staring morosely at their plate.
"Wait until you swallow your food to speak," Pottles reminded Laren. He nodded and kept eating.
I recognized their hunger-I'd had it myself at their age. It wasn't until I arrived at North Camp that I'd ever been full after a meal.
"You'll have enough food from now on-especially if you're in training," I told them.
"Baths and bed after we finish cleaning the kitchen," Pottles warned. "Tomorrow, we wake early."
"Yes'm," Kyal nodded.
Chapter 10
Kerok
"I don't fidget," I told my image in the mirror. "I am the Crown Prince of Az-ca, and former Prince Commander of Az-ca's Army. I do not fidget."
Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2 Page 12