"Sherra, explain the hole in his head," I turned to her.
"I formed a long, small tube with my shield," she sighed. "I sent a forceful blast through it, straight at Ward's forehead. He never knew what hit him."
"That's terrifying," the chief physician said. I considered that I should have sent him out of the room earlier.
"It was necessary," I frowned at the physician. "He was about to behead a nine-year-old. What would you do in Sherra's place?"
"The same, if I could," he shrugged.
I made a mental note to ask her how she'd come up with the idea. It had been a sound one, and something I hoped I could duplicate if necessary. She'd pierced another escort's shield with her own, and then brought down an enemy about to commit murder.
"Is there anything else you found in your divination?" I asked Barth.
"Yes. Perhaps the worst of all," Barth mumbled. "Ny-nes is sending another army against us, and they are scheduled to arrive at the border soon."
* * *
Border Camp
Ruarke
"Bring Merrin to me," I commanded my newly-appointed first assistant, Niles. Ward's death angered me, and the way he died angered me more. I wanted to know exactly how this method of killing had been developed, and by whom.
The one responsible would become a target of my recently-acquired divination techniques, and I would have my revenge. As yet, I hadn't contacted Kaakos; that could wait until I had further information from Merrin to pass along.
"Merrin is here, esteemed one," Niles escorted Merrin into my tent.
"Ah, friend Merrin," I greeted him.
"Is there something amiss?" he asked.
"No, I merely wish to ask questions about our mutual enemy," I held out a hand, inviting him to sit on a nearby camp stool. "Niles, bring something for our friend to drink."
That drink would be laced with the drug, to make Merrin even more cooperative. Niles left, but was back shortly with a mug of tea for Merrin.
"Ah, good," I nodded as Merrin drank. "Now," I began, "You know they killed my beloved first assistant, Ward."
"Yes, I heard that news. I'm sorry."
His condolences were false; I expected nothing else from this one. "Well, I wish to discuss how they were able to breach Willa's shield to deliver a small, well-aimed blast to Ward's forehead. I watched him die. As you may imagine, I am greatly incensed by this heinous act."
"Hmmph. If Sherra hadn't died when you sent the huge bomb against Az-ca, I'd say it was her work. She did train several before her death, however, so this talent could be attributed to any of her closest followers."
"Sherra? I haven't heard that name before." He was about to tell me how the bomb had failed to eliminate Az-ca's army. Kaakos would be more than interested in hearing this, as Merrin appeared convinced that it was accomplished by a single person.
And a woman, no less.
Had things changed? Were women allowed to become warriors again? That couldn't be. Surely the old laws were still in place concerning the training of warriors and escorts.
"She's dead-everybody said so, and the last I heard, it was more than six months after the bombing and there was still no sign of her. She died. This-maybe Caral, Wend or one of the others who trained with her managed this."
"Caral? Wend?"
"They are quite talented with their shields. I can only imagine that they did this with stronger shields than Willa can make."
"You're saying that an escort's shield pierced another escort's shield?"
"How else would it happen?" Merrin gulped more of his tea.
"Something to consider," I said. "Niles, take Merrin back to his tent. I must think on this."
* * *
King's Palace
Sherra
"Because I asked Pottles how that weapon that your father kept in his desk worked," I explained to Kerok. He and I sat in his study with Barth, Armon, Hunter and General Weren.
We'd left the physician's study after Barth told the biggest secret we'd found in Ward's divination-that the enemy army was on the way.
Kerok said Weren needed to be in the meeting, sent Armon after him and moved the rest of us to the palace. I was glad to leave the physician behind, actually. I felt bad enough about killing the way I had, and he'd pointed out how horrible he thought it was, too.
I'd done it to save a life-one who was much more innocent than Ward had been for most of his existence.
"You wanted to know more about Drenn's death, didn't you?" Kerok asked me. He didn't sound upset.
"I did. Pottles explained about ricochet, too-how the bullets can bounce off one surface and hit another. We had a discussion about redirecting fireblasts with shields at the same time, to accomplish the same result. I'd just never connected those two in my mind, until she pointed it out."
"You formed a narrow tube with your shield, you say?" Weren asked.
"Yes, General. Like the barrel of a pistol-that the enemy carries. I sent the small blast forcefully through the tube I formed. It exited not far from Ward's forehead and killed him before he could kill the girl."
"Was it difficult to breach Willa's shield?" Armon asked.
"Not really; she was prepared for much larger blasts. A small, forced piercing of her shield didn't concern her. I doubt she even felt it."
Kerok, Armon and Weren exchanged glances, while Barth and Hunter focused on me with growing interest. I felt compelled to explain.
"It's the way they were taught," I said. "To concentrate on protecting against bombs and larger blasts. They weren't as concerned about bullets and small projectiles, because they weren't trained to be."
"And they never expected to get this close to the enemy, either," Kerok nodded thoughtfully. "That's why some shields held around the few enemies who managed to invade our camps, while others didn't. The escort really didn't know what to expect and hadn't prepared for such an event."
"Yes. We talked about that at Secondary Camp," I acknowledged. "You said that everybody ran after a shield was placed around an armed enemy, because nobody knew if the shield would hold their small bombs or bullets back. I've had time to think about it since then."
"I can see that," Weren agreed. "That is exceptional observation, young woman."
"Do you think the escorts with Merrin will be able to prevent something like that from happening again? I want your honest opinion, Sherra," Kerok said.
"Willa won't ever be able to hold me back," I sighed. "Her shielding talent isn't strong enough. Caral can probably get through, too. Wend, yes, probably some of the others. As for the other escorts with Merrin's bunch, I can't say, because I didn't go against them."
"Which escorts are with Merrin?" Kerok turned toward Weren and Armon.
"Willa, Calli and Reva," Weren replied.
"Are the other two stronger than Willa? Weaker?" Kerok asked Armon.
"About the same-if I were grading them, I'd have said Willa was the strongest of the three, though."
"Probably why Ruarke chose her to place a shield around them," Adahi and Kyri walked into my study. "We've been listening to rumors," he held up a hand to silence Kerok's annoyed growl. "We're hoping to learn the truth of the matter, if you don't mind."
"I suggest we adjourn to the meeting room, then," Hunter said. "We can have a meal there and discuss the day's events."
* * *
"Did Ward know the numbers being sent by Ny-nes?" Weren asked after we'd been seated around the meeting table and plates of food were set before us.
"He didn't," Barth answered. "I believe only Ruarke may have that information, and he hasn't shared it with his clerics."
"What he did know is that they held back some of their troops last time," I said. "Somehow, they knew to do that, in case something went wrong. They were training replacement troops, too, for the same reason."
"You saw that?" Barth turned to me.
"Sherra has an unusual talent to see others past the divination subject," Kyri said.
&nb
sp; "I don't see everybody," I said, hoping to fend off additional questions. That talent wasn't a reliable one, and I'd hoped to keep it to myself until I knew more about it.
"Who?" Kerok asked.
"It's unreliable," I admitted what I didn't want to reveal. "Some things just come during the divination, and I can't predict who it'll be or command it in any way."
"Could still be useful," Barth said. "No matter who or what."
"I didn't see Ruarke," I pointed out. "I wish I had, so we'd know more about him. It's as if he were closed off to me. What I saw was someone else who'd said those things within Ward's hearing-back in Ny-nes. Perhaps it was a conversation that Ruarke had with another, but Ward was listening, too."
I didn't add that Ward wasn't supposed to be listening. He'd been spying, actually. I wondered if Ruarke knew about that.
"We've never seen past the prophet's bones-or whatever that drug is, on any other divination of the enemy," Barth observed. "Sherra and I together can do it. That will change things going forward."
"The prophet's bones is a mind-altering drug," Kyri sniffed. "Those fools."
"Which ones-the ones giving it or the ones taking it?" Kerok asked.
"Both. Granted it does what their Sovereign Leader wants it to do in the short term, which is to develop an obsessed hatred for their enemies. At times, one of the recipients goes berserk and kills anything in his path-including his closest friends and colleagues. This is why the officers and leaders never take it, once they've left the common ranks behind," Kyri said.
"They learn what it is and how dangerous it can be, and still they give it freely to their troops," Adahi didn't hide his scorn.
"Because it achieves the desired results," Kyri added. "Those in power desire to stay in power, and rise in the ranks. Better benefits and living conditions are offered, you understand."
"The same goes for the clerical order," Adahi agreed. "While they form an army of sorts, their method of destruction is generally relegated to information gathered on Ny-nes' subjects, and the torture of those who hold power or withhold desired information."
"Until now," Kerok said. "Why do you suppose Ruarke and his clerics decided to come this time?"
"Merrin," Kyri answered quickly. "Ruarke saw an opening with one of our own who has gone rogue. You can be assured that Ruarke has offered Merrin your place, Prince Thorn. Merrin has likely been given the drug unknowingly, to make him more cooperative. As for Ruarke, he has no intention of giving Merrin anything other than a tortured death after the rest of us are destroyed."
"How close were you to this Ruarke person earlier?" Kerok turned back to Armon and me.
"Perhaps thirty yards," Armon said. I nodded my agreement. We could see him, but not well enough to sort out identifying marks on his face. Mostly he'd been wrapped in long, black robes, which brushed his booted feet.
"I was much more focused on the girl and the knife Ward held," I confessed.
"Sherra, I know how you feel about situations like these," Kerok sighed as he studied me. "If you find yourself in the same situation again, I order you to kill Ruarke first and forget the others. Do you understand?"
* * *
I recognized the wisdom in Kerok's command; I merely didn't want to accept it. That's why I walked outside the palace later, after paying a short visit to Pottles and her young trainees.
Anari and the boys were thriving and getting enough to eat for the first time in their lives, I imagined. I didn't stay long, choosing to go downstairs instead of up, and walking out of a side door in the palace and into the gardens there.
The guards thought nothing of it, merely nodding as I passed them on my way out. I knew where the outside table and chairs were, if I wanted to sit.
I didn't.
I wanted to walk and think-about everything I'd seen in Ward's divination, what I'd seen that Barth hadn't, and finally, Kerok's command to kill Ruarke first, no matter what the situation.
In my short span of life experiences, there was always an exception to nearly every rule. Something more important, perhaps, that took precedence. Too many possibilities crowded my mind, of whose life I'd consider more important than Ruarke's death.
Where are you? Kerok sounded gruff.
Walking in the gardens, I replied stiffly. I wanted to ask for a separate suite-one I could retire to on nights like this, when something troubled me and served to hold me away from him.
Sherra?
Kyri's voice.
I'm in the gardens, I replied absently.
Good. Adahi and I need to speak with you alone. Seconds later, they appeared nearby.
"What is it?" I asked as they approached.
"We have something to tell you. Something that you are that is-unexpected," Kyri said. "Come, sit with us. We'll explain as well as we can."
We found the garden table and chairs not far away. I shivered in the night air as I took a seat; the way Kyri spoke didn't sound as if she had pleasant news to deliver.
"Do you recall the dreams you had-and the rescue of Hunter when he was attacked by Merrin?" Kyri asked once she was settled on a chair opposite mine.
"I do. I still don't know what that was, or how it happened."
"We do," Kyri said. "Sherra, you are a dreamwalker. That means you can carry your power away from your body while it sleeps. Your body stays behind, but your spirit and your power can travel elsewhere, sometimes faster than stepping. You really did save Hunter's life that night."
"A dreamwalker?"
"There are dangers to being a dreamwalker," Adahi rumbled. "Never let the enemy know what you are. With Thorn's Book in his hands, there may be a way to trap a dreamwalker, keeping his or her spirit in a prison of sorts, until the body dies."
"That's horrible," I whispered.
"Much of the time, the dreamwalker knows more and can be more powerful than the conscious person realizes. We tell you this now, so that if you find you are dreamwalking, you'll know what you're doing, and also know to protect yourself at all costs. Do you understand?"
"I can see why it would be so important," I agreed. Leaving my body behind to die while my spirit was held captive frightened me a great deal. "How do you know this about me? Other than the saving Hunter's life?"
"You remember the nightmares you had-of being trapped?" Adahi asked.
"Yes. Those were horrible. I felt as if I were suffocating."
"In a way, you were," he said. "I placed a shield around your bedroom, keeping your dreamwalker inside while your body rested. I apologize for doing that, now. I removed it before you returned to Az-ca, because it was wrong to place it in the beginning."
In the dim light of the King's gardens, I watched Kyri's head turn swiftly toward Adahi, before turning back toward me.
She asked him to do it, I realized. Somehow, that made me sadder than it should have.
* * *
Kerok
Perhaps they didn't know I'd stepped into the garden with a bottle of wine, breaking Father's rule while I searched for my rose. Therefore, I heard what Kyri and Adahi said to Sherra.
It was meant for her ears only; I heard it, too. A part of me was angry that they'd left me out of this meeting.
Another part understood how dangerous this information could be. The thought of Sherra's spirit trapped by the enemy while her body died terrified and angered me. I had no idea what to do about it, either. She was already upset that I'd ordered her to kill Ruarke no matter what, if she saw him again.
"I need to go. I have to think about this," Sherra scooted her chair back on the flagstones. Like a coward, I stepped back to my suite, as if I'd never stumbled upon a conversation I wasn't meant to hear.
* * *
Sherra
"Did you need something?" Hunter found me walking down the hall toward Kerok's suite. After the events of the day, even though I still felt a little out of sorts with him, I wanted Kerok's arms around me.
"No, just-bed, I suppose," I said.
"Good. Ker
ok will be pleased to have your company-he may have thought you weren't coming. I just delivered a book to his suite."
"He's reading?"
"I think it was a distraction," Hunter shrugged. He was smiling, however. Perhaps he and I should have a talk about the night I'd saved him. Both of us could learn things, maybe.
"I'll see if he has a bottle of wine," I said. I needed something to help me sleep.
"I believe he does. And an extra glass. Good-night." Hunter continued along the hall, away from Kerok's suite.
"Kerok?" I tapped on his door.
Come in, he sent.
Just as Hunter said, I found him reading in bed, several pillows propping him up. Covers were pulled up to his waist, but his chest was bare as he turned a page. A scar on his body disappeared beneath the blanket. It made me sigh.
"Please say that's an open wine bottle," I moved toward the bed, waving a hand at the bottle and glasses on his bedside table.
"It is," he stuck a thumb in the book to hold his place. "Come have a glass with me."
"Thank you."
"Hold on, I have a bookmark somewhere," he moved about, searching for the bookmark in question. "Ah." He held up a scrap of paper. Stuffing that in the book, he set the volume on the table before reaching for the wine bottle.
"Come, fill your glass and then lean against me-you've had a terrible day, my rose."
"No worse than yours," I sighed and did as he asked. His skin felt good-warm-as I leaned against him and sipped my wine.
"Weren will be expediting the training in the next few days," Kerok whispered against my hair. "We have no idea when the enemy army will arrive to attack us."
"So many things happening at once, and we're not prepared for even half of it," I turned my head into the hollow of his shoulder and closed my eyes. His presence was a comfort that I couldn't describe at that moment. It merely was.
* * *
Doret
While the young ones slept, I stepped away to Kyri's City-at her request. Waiting there with Kyri were three black rose girls-they'd finally answered Kyri's call.
Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2 Page 17