"There really wasn't a good reason to do that," I attempted to reassure her. "The law isn't just and we all know that."
"We can't ever go back," Misten whispered.
"You'll be welcome in Cole's village, or Kyri's City," I soothed. "It's not Az-ca, but you'll find that in many ways, it's much better."
You've cut yourself off from Kerok, Caral informed me in mindspeak. She'd hit the subject head-on that I was desperately trying to avoid.
That is my choice to make, not something for you to feel guilty about, I told her. I didn't add that I felt guilty enough for both of us, for deserting him without a word.
"Look, we need rest if we're going to find a way to deflect the enemy army tomorrow morning," I said, rising to my feet. "Try to get some sleep, all right?" I walked out of their tent, focused on finding my own, when Hunter's mindspeak came.
King Wulf is dying, he informed me. Thorn is at his bedside. As yet, no warrant has been issued for your arrest.
You think he'd let me walk back in after what I've done? I demanded.
He needs you now. Tomorrow can take care of itself.
Then he can issue a warrant tomorrow-or whenever he gets to it, I responded. Tell him I'll come unless he doesn't want that.
I'll tell him.
He says come, Hunter's next message came quickly. He guarantees no harm will come to you.
Thank you. I'll be there in a moment.
Step into the King's chamber; neither Thorn nor I want the guards to see your arrival.
All right.
I waited until I was inside my tent before stepping to the King's palace.
* * *
King's Palace
Kerok
Hunter brought Sherra to me-I refused to leave Father's bedside. Silently she sat next to me, on a chair Barth had brought from Father's sitting room. Without a word, she gripped my hand in hers.
That wasn't enough for me. I pulled her toward me, until she was on the same chair as I, half-sitting on my lap as I wrapped arms about her.
This wasn't the time for apologies, accusations, or anything else except my father and his final hours.
* * *
Sherra
The King passed three hours after my arrival. I spent the rest of the night with Kerok as he made arrangements for a royal funeral and asked Hunter to have a place prepared for the body in the catacombs, not far from Drenn's resting place.
"The catacombs are extensive, have multiple levels and were originally built as a bomb shelter," Adahi appeared beside me as Kerok spoke to messengers outside his suite. Those messengers would carry the news throughout Az-ca, regarding the King's death and Kerok's elevation to that title.
"A bomb shelter?" Adahi's words found their way into my numbed brain.
"Yes. There was a well-founded fear that they'd collapse if a bomb landed directly atop them. These domes were built above the catacombs before that determination was made," he added.
"So, they'd fall-like a crushed honeycomb?" I blinked at Adahi.
"Something like that."
"Huh."
"Sunrise will come soon-here and at the camp," he reminded me.
"And we need a plan to thwart the enemy." I rubbed a hand over my eyes to relieve blurry vision. "I need tea," I sighed. "To wake up."
"Ask Hunter to lace it with the marching draught-he has access."
"I suppose that's a good idea."
"For now, it's the only idea," Adahi warned.
Kerok aimed an angry glower at Adahi when he found him standing beside me. A servant rushed in, breaking up a tense moment as he set a tray of tea down and raced out again.
"He did not see us," Adahi nodded to me. "Drink-the tea contains the draught."
"You asked Hunter?" I frowned at Adahi.
"I did. Drink-we must return to the camp. The enemy is closer than we think."
"What in the bloody hells are you talking about," Kerok sputtered.
"You should drink, too," Adahi motioned toward the cups and teapot. "It will be a very long day, my dear King."
* * *
Bomb Crater, Northside
Armon
Levi and I were awake; we joined Cole at the campfire outside his tent where someone had already served him tea and a small meal. I found it was Derissa, who nodded to both of us and went back to the cooking tent to fill plates for us, too.
"King Wulf is dead," Cole sighed as he lifted his cup to drink. "Sherra went back for a time under a temporary truce, I believe, to comfort Prince Thorn. He is now King. She and Adahi are on their way back."
"Has she been awake all night?" Levi asked.
"Yes."
"Don't worry, I've had a dose of marching draught," Sherra held up a fragile teacup as she stepped into camp. Adahi was right behind her.
Still, she looked weary and sad to me. I refrained from pointing out that obvious fact. We needed her, fresh and alert, to determine how to defeat the enemy with our small army of less than one hundred.
Caral and Misten arrived, both looking as if they'd had a troubled night, too. That was to be expected-they'd be declared rogue soon if they weren't already.
"Join us-we have plans to make," Cole invited.
Sherra sat beside Cole, who nodded to her; Caral and Misten sat together beside Levi. Adahi took his place next to Sherra. "Does anyone have anything to start?" I asked.
"I have a question," Sherra said.
"Ask," I gestured toward her.
"How important is the land bridge? Do we need it for anything?"
* * *
Kyri's City
Doret
"Whatever they're planning, it will keep Ruarke and Kaakos occupied long enough for me to make the attempt," Kyri tied her duffle before pulling it from her bed and dropping it to the floor. "If I pass through Kaakos' barrier on the southwestern side, through the marshes, he won't ever know."
"Kyri, you can't count on that," I hissed. "You know what happened last time. He wants you dead, and tortured long and painfully before you die."
"Someone has to destroy him. You know why it has to be me," Kyri snapped. "Let me go, Doret. If I fail, then your warning is well-given and I ignore it at my peril."
"What if it doesn't have to be you? Convince Sherra to go. If anyone can," I stopped talking when Kyri cast a dark look at me.
"Adahi warns against it. Besides, she didn't start this mess. You know that. I have to try. Once Sherra showed me how to get past a divination shield, the way opened to get past Kaakos' boundary."
"What do I tell the people?" I flung out a hand. "When you don't return? Will we even know if you are captured or killed?"
"I don't intend for either of those things to happen."
"Nobody intends it, but it still happens," I argued.
"Ruarke is outside the boundary, leaving Kaakos alone to face me. There is an opportunity here, and I must take it."
"He can return to Ny-nes quickly-you know that," I said. "I have never seen you act so rashly, Kyri."
"Then hope for my success," she said. "I'm going."
I sagged against a wall as she hefted the duffle over a shoulder and walked out of her bedroom toward the front door. She'd be at the tiled rose in no time, and stepping to the designated place outside Kaakos' boundary a blink after that.
* * *
Bomb Crater, Northside
Sherra
The land bridge was less than twenty miles from where we stood. It was narrower now than it had ever been, thanks to the earthquakes precipitated by the same bomb that formed the crater south of us.
The same bomb that nearly killed me, I reminded myself. They could be bringing more than one, this time.
Armon had frowned skeptically at me when I outlined my plans for what to do after we destroyed the land bridge.
The enemy would have to find a way around it, traveling backward toward the edges of the poisoned lands. That could take several days, and we needed that time to set our trap. It would take all ninety
-four of us, working quickly, once the location of the trap was pinpointed.
I hoped the marching draught had a long-lasting effect-I was going to need the stamina to see this through.
"Caral, will you and Misten place a mirror shield over the camp?" Armon asked, drawing me away from my thoughts. "We may move it after the land bridge is destroyed, but we'll consider that after we finish that task."
"It's done," Caral told him moments later. She stood tall and strong in the early morning, with our tents serving as a frame for the crater's edge in the distance. She felt the loss of her home and country, though; I could feel the sadness in her.
Caral, I sent mindspeak. We'll get back there, I swear it.
I don't share your faith, she replied. I've been outcast all my life. This has been my worst fear all along.
"Stop beating yourself." I strode toward her and wrapped my arms about her. She was taller than I, but her head drooped onto my shoulder. Usually, she was the strong one. This time, she needed the support.
"All will be well," Cole came to stand beside us. "Come now; we have much work to do."
* * *
Ny-nes, Southern Border
Kyri
Things had changed since I'd been here last. That was almost a century ago, I reminded myself. I hadn't had the courage to attempt another journey through Kaakos' barrier, then. I knew he'd receive the warning of my return, so I'd watched for a day before leaving, feeling the defeat that he'd handed me more than ever.
This time, I had a way to get past his barrier. Pulling the small coin from my pocket, I studied it carefully.
This coin was ancient, and its face was all but worn away. It came from before the End-War, and was a lucky survivor, if you could call it that.
Once, it bore words in addition to its value. Hardly anyone living would know what those words or value were, now.
I knew, because I'd studied those things. This coin had belonged to the one calling himself Kaakos, before he took that name and cast away his old one.
This coin would get me through his barrier safely, without his knowledge. For now, I could only wait until things changed for his army, which now approached Az-ca. Around me lay the spongy marshlands, where once solid ground held homes and businesses.
Before the End-War.
Inside the barrier, even the fishing shacks that dotted the landscape before were gone. No structures remained as far as I could see, and brackish water surrounded small hills as if they were islands.
Had the fish disappeared, too? They'd carried poison from the End-War within their bodies, but some fish and people had adapted to it. Many others died, eating poisoned fish and foods because they would starve otherwise.
Either way, death was the end result.
Forming a bubble shield, I sat upon it and made myself comfortable. Sherra's small army would provide a distraction soon, and I'd make my move then.
* * *
Ny-nes' Army Camp
Ruarke
Merrin and his small band blinked in surprise as we walked toward the commander's tent. The army would be crossing the land bridge later today, and we would be riding with them.
All around us lay the tents of other commanders, with regular troops standing guard outside. They knew me and let me pass, while my clerics and Merrin's band followed in my wake.
All the guards dipped their heads in reverence at my passing-as they should. They believed I carried the god with me, as well as his power. It suited me very well to be seen this way-as a much-feared representative of their deity.
Perhaps one day they'd learn that I was their deity.
I was the one to be feared.
Laughter bubbled up inside me; I quelled it as High Commander Finn and General Venge exited Finn's tent to greet me, bowing in reverence, just as the others did.
* * *
Land Bridge
Sherra
I'd never seen the land bridge before. On the western edge, far below the cliff that formed that side of the land bridge, lay the sea. I could hear it booming against the rocky sides of the bridge far below.
Eastward lay an enormous canyon, that I could barely make out in the distance. Sunlight shone red against its walls.
"At the bottom of that canyon, a river runs," Cole informed me. "It carries seawater inland, now. Once, the land extended far west of here. The End-War destroyed much of it; more has been worn away since then. Past the canyon, far to our east, lie the poisoned lands. It could take weeks for the enemy to work their way around that large hole in the ground and come at us from another side."
Cole knew his geography, and for that I was very grateful.
"I think we need to change our plans," I said.
"What?" Cole and Armon turned and spoke in unison.
"I think," I said, working to clear the fog of no sleep out of my brain, "That this is an opportunity we can't afford to lose. The enemy wants to cross here. I say we let them cross."
* * *
King's City
Kerok
Commander? Armon's mindspeak was tentative. Careful.
Armon, what in the blasted hells were you thinking? I laid into him.
I was thinking the fucking laws need to be fucking changed, he snapped back.
All right, I conceded. He'd never lashed out like this.
He'd never gone rogue before, either, I reminded myself. Why are you contacting me? I asked.
To tell you that Sherra placed me in charge of this rogue army, and that we're about to attempt to destroy the enemy convoy. They're close, Thorn. Very close. They'll be crossing the land bridge later today.
Fucking hells, I sent. What do you want me to do about it?
Tell Weren. I suggest that you have the army waiting for them if they manage to get across the land bridge. If that happens, then we've failed and it'll be your turn to fight them back.
What are you planning? I demanded.
I can't tell you that, because it will reveal our location. We're rogues, remember? You'll be forced to apprehend us.
Fuck that, I sent. I'll inform Weren.
Do it through Wend-Weren's main source of mindspoken messages is currently running amok. Armon's flash of humor came through in his sending.
Armon? I sent.
What is it, Commander?
Thank you.
You're welcome. I grieve for your father, and I'm sorry for the pain his death brings to you; I know you loved him dearly. I have to go; if we don't get started now, the trap won't be finished in time.
The King's blessings be upon you, I said. We stand or fall together.
As it has always been.
Chapter 18
Army Convoy
Ruarke
Traveling over rough ground inside a vehicle wasn't my preferred method of travel. The truck creaked and groaned with every dip or rocky place we were forced to drive across.
Looking out the back end of a truck at passing scenery held no interest for me, either, which forced me to tamp down my impatience at how slowly we were approaching our goal.
"What are those tall plants? They look like trees," Niles asked Merrin.
"Cactus," one of Merrin's warriors answered. Merrin wore a frown, as if he were thinking. I wanted to laugh-his thinking generally got him in trouble.
Soon enough, he'd be of no use to me and the torture would begin. He didn't think anyone here could remove his power.
He had much to learn.
"We'll be across the bridge and into enemy territory in three hours," I said. "There, we'll set up camp and build a runway to send the planes out."
"It will bring us great pleasure to see the King's City die," Niles grinned.
"What?" Merrin lurched to his feet. "The King's City is mine. It was promised to me."
"Little man," Niles hissed, "There was never anything promised to you."
Niles should have kept his mouth shut; Merrin stepped away before we could stop him. Because I was angry enough as it was, I blasted Ni
les to ash without a second thought.
I should have held back on that impulse; Merrin's three sets of warriors and escorts disappeared as well, leaving only former Council members to face my wrath.
* * *
Secondary Camp
Wend
Marc and I had been elevated so quickly, I was still attempting to deal with the changes. Marc was now Weren's Second-In-Command, while I was the new mindspeaking liaison between the General and King Thorn.
When the message came from the King, I almost didn't believe it. Nevertheless, I passed the information to Weren, and now the entire camp was in a rush of preparations. Weren wanted us on the southern edge of the bomb crater by midday, and we were struggling to make that happen.
I still wanted to call the new King by the old name I knew-or Commander, even-when neither of those titles were correct. General Weren says the army will be in place by midday, I sent to King Thorn.
Keep me apprised of the situation, he replied smoothly.
Of course, my King.
Thank you, Wend.
You're welcome, Commander.
* * *
Land Bridge
Armon
Cole understood quickly what Sherra wanted to do, so he and his people gathered about her, to lend her strength to accomplish the feat.
She'd said Adahi had given her the idea earlier, but didn't explain further than that. As for Adahi, he'd disappeared without a word, just as he usually did.
Sherra suspected there was something more to Adahi, just as I did. She may have arrived at his truth faster than I had, however.
"She's building a tunnel, like the one she built beneath the wall at Secondary Camp," Levi brought a mug of fresh tea that Derissa made for us.
"Is she planning on hiding inside it?" I turned to Levi.
"I don't know, love," Levi sighed. "I haven't figured this out, yet."
It was the first time he'd felt comfortable calling me an endearment in public. "This is going to ruin your tough-warrior persona, you know," I told him, before turning back to watch Sherra and her group work.
"Bullshit," Levi laughed.
"And there's the man I know and love," I sipped my tea.
"I had no idea she could spin a tube, then widen it out and strengthen it the farther away from her it goes," Levi said. He didn't bother hiding the smile in his voice. "All those people are either in contact with her or one another," he added. "We should have considered things like this long ago."
Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2 Page 23