“Thank you.”
He pulled away, smiling at me. “Anytime. So what’s the plan?”
“Um.”
His smile faded. “You do have a plan, right?”
“I’m working on it. First we need to find some horses.”
“What about getting into the monastery?”
“I have an idea, but...” I met Kerrick’s gaze.
A hard expression gripped Kerrick’s face. “I’m not going to like it. But let’s face it, I’m not going to like anything that puts you in danger, but that can’t stop you. We all knew this would be a dangerous mission.”
I stepped over to Kerrick, lacing my fingers in his. “Are we ready for horses now?”
“Yes.”
* * *
“Do I really have to wear this thing?” Quain asked in outrage. He held an acolyte’s robe at arm’s length. “I thought I’d be on the escort team.”
“You don’t have a uniform, and none of ours will fit you,” Odd said with an amazing amount of patience, considering it was the fifth time he’d repeated it.
“That’s what you get for being so fat, Quain,” Loren said. He pulled an identical red robe over his head.
Quain fisted his hand and bulged an impressive bicep. “Oh, yeah, do you want to see what this fat can do?”
“That’s enough, boys,” I said, donning my—what do I call it?—not-a-virgin robe? It matched the monkeys’ except for the color. Mine resembled dark brown mud and I wore it over my black travel clothes. Thick and heavy, it’d be hot as hell in the summer. “Ooh, pockets! Lots of pockets to hide stuff in.”
“As long as they don’t search you,” Odd said, killing the mood.
That was one of our big what-ifs. We had a number of those this-will-work-if parts of our plan. No plan was perfect...right?
We’d gotten horses to travel to within a couple miles of Chinska Mare. It had taken us six days, half the time as if we had walked.
In order to get past the city guards, we needed a cover story. My idea would not only get us into the city, but into the monastery, as well. Quain and Loren would impersonate priests returning from Sectven Realm with an impure, unmarried girl—me as Irina—in tow. They’d deliver me to the monastery and hopefully be allowed to stay and pray.
Odd and his squad would be escorting us since they just had happened to run into us on their way back to Ozero. Claiming they were obeying the High Priestess’s orders to return to relieve a few of the guards on duty at the monastery, Odd and his squad would become part of the security team while Flea and Ives would remain in the city to explore the aqueducts and map an escape route.
As one of the men who had lived and worked in Chinska Mare before the war, Ives was familiar with the day-to-day routines. He’d been the one to steal the robes from one of the creator’s houses of worship. Since we’d been in Ozero, there appeared to be a worship house in every town.
My job would be to find Melina as quickly as possible while the others figured a way out of the monastery. It sounded simple...right?
As we changed and practiced our stories, Kerrick fed and watered the horses. He’d find a stable for them once we left. He’d been unusually quiet ever since Odd and his men had joined us. While we were gone, he’d planned to find that southern aqueduct exit and meet us there. Once we reached that point, he’d be in charge of getting us out of Ozero without encountering any trouble. And he’d help us lose any pursuers.
We had all the angles covered...right?
“We’ll leave two hours before the shift change,” Ives said. “That will get us there right at the end of the day shift. At that time, those guys won’t care who they let in. They’ll be more interested in when their replacements arrive than anything else.”
We finished going over the plan. I handed Odd the container I’d swiped from the infirmary and explained how it worked. With about an hour left before we needed to leave, I packed my bag and then headed toward the horses. Kerrick had found six hardy Tobory horses so we could double up. Yet only five stood.... Oh. It popped into sight along with Kerrick. He cleared a stone from the horse’s hoof.
I smiled. “For someone who doesn’t like horses, you sure know a lot about them.”
“It’s not a matter of like or dislike,” Kerrick said. “They’re useful at times and must be cared for. And since I’ve nothing else to do...” He checked the horse’s other hooves before moving to the next one—the large chestnut-colored stallion shifted his weight obligingly.
Ah. The reason for his...moping? I’d been so busy planning Melina’s rescue, I hadn’t had much time to spend with him. We shared a mount and a bedroll, but hadn’t had any privacy.
When he finished with the stallion, I blocked him from checking another. I wrapped my arms around his neck. His magic buzzed along my skin. “That can wait. I’ve something else for you to do.”
He met my gaze as he pulled me closer. The tingling sensation intensified, going deeper.
“I understand that staying behind is hard,” I said. “I’ve been on the waiting and wondering side of things too many times to count. All I can do is promise to be as careful as possible. Knowing you’re here is plenty of incentive for me to hurry back.”
“If you don’t, I’ll come get you.” A stubborn resolve flashed in his eyes. “I might be trapped in the forest, but I’m not without other resources.”
“I believe you. After all, you’re skilled at a variety of activities.” I raked my fingers through his hair. It had grown just past his shoulders—the longest I’d seen it.
“A few,” he admitted in a husky voice.
The heat from his body reached me through two layers of clothes. Or was that from my own internal fire? “Don’t be so modest. I’d bet you could find us a nice secluded little—”
Kerrick picked me up. His magic disappeared, but my body still hummed as we turned the colors of the forest. I hooked my legs around his waist. He kissed me as he carried me to...I’d no idea. All without missing a step.
When he laid me down, we broke apart for a moment. “Impressive.” I panted even though I hadn’t done any of the work.
“I’m just getting started. Next step, getting rid of all these annoying layers.” Impatient, he tugged on the brown robe.
“Yours, too,” I said, pulling on his short cape.
Soon we had a pile of clothing next to us. I shivered in the cool air. But I wasn’t cold for long. Kerrick warmed me up until a bonfire raced through my body.
* * *
A few heartbeats later...or so it seemed, time ran out. With great reluctance, Kerrick and I untangled and dressed.
Before we headed back to the others, he drew me close. “Do I need to lecture you?”
“No, I already promised to be careful.”
“Get in and get out. Don’t dally.”
“Dally? Seriously?”
His expression darkened. “Avry.”
“All right. No dallying and no more lecturing.”
Kerrick pulled an orange leaf from my hair. “Sorry. It’s...difficult for me to remain behind. You have my heart, my soul, my life. I’m an empty shell without you.”
Emotions lodged in my throat. I squeezed him tight. “You’re never alone, Kerrick. You and I are linked. Inside you is all of me. And I’ll be there forever.”
He tipped my head back and kissed me with such passion that I forgot about the mission and all the world’s problems in that moment of utter bliss.
“Hey, lovebirds,” Quain called. “Stop raking the leaves. It’s time to go.”
I broke off the kiss. “Raking the leaves? Is this one of those guy euphemisms?”
Kerrick sighed. “No that’s a Quain-ism. He has many of them.”
“Don’t tell me.”
We returned to the campsite hand in hand. The others had shouldered their packs and waited for me.
“I’ll be at that southern exit,” Kerrick promised, whispering in my ear.
“I’ll see you there.�
��
Kerrick and I shared one more kiss before he pulled power and we appeared normal.
Odd frowned at us. “We need to leave now or we’ll miss the shift change.”
I squeezed Kerrick’s hand before letting go. Picking up my knapsack, I slung it over my back. “I’m ready.”
The monkeys and Flea said goodbye to Kerrick. I tapped my chest over my heart in a silent goodbye to him. He smiled.
Setting the pace, Odd walked in front with Flea next to him. I stayed between Quain and Loren, and the rest of the odd squad followed behind. After a few steps, I glanced back. Kerrick stood in the same spot, watching us. His hand rested on the center of his heart.
Unable to stop the silly grin from spreading over my face, I faced forward. Who’d have thought Kerrick had a sentimental side? Not me.
“Uh, Avry, or rather, Irina. You’re supposed to be contrite and repentant,” Quain said.
“I will be once we get closer.”
“As long as we’re not surprised by a patrol. Without weed boy, we don’t— Ow!” An acorn clipped Quain’s forehead, leaving a red mark.
“You were saying?” I asked.
“Forget it.” Quain rubbed his temple and glared into the woods.
We continued on in silence. Before we reached the city’s gates, I tucked a few essential items into the various pockets of my robe and clothes underneath. They’d probably confiscate my pack and search it.
A two-story-high cerulean-blue marble wall surrounded the city of Chinska Mare. Thin white veins snaked through the smooth marble. According to Ives, the city had two gates, one on the west side and the other on the east.
A line of people and wagons waited to enter the city. Odd led us to the end of the queue. A few of those waiting nearby turned and stared at us. I gazed at the worn cobblestones as if dejected. We shuffled forward until it was our turn to state our business.
Odd started to explain, but the guard waved us through with an impatient gesture, just like Ives had predicted. Ives and the men who knew the city the best moved up to the point position and led us through the narrow unmarked streets.
The rows of buildings leaned against each other. Skinny houses mixed with businesses in a haphazard way. Factories sprawled in all directions as if plopped there from high above. I imagined old buildings squashed underneath them. The odor of rotting garbage dominated. A plume of gray smoke engulfed us. We choked on the acrid fumes that burned our eyes.
The citizens hustled by, avoiding eye contact. Red-robed acolytes patrolled the streets. They peered at us with suspicion, but no one approached. It took me more than a few moments to figure out what was off about the tight and cramped city. Even though it was a large city filled with people and industry, it was quiet. No one laughed, talked, yelled, or said much of anything. Even their footsteps were muted, as if they wore rubber-soled shoes and boots. Creepy.
After an hour, I’d lost track of the turns we’d taken. The sunlight faded and the lamplighter crews lit the city’s lamps. Even they went about their work with hardly a word. After a few more hours of navigating the dark streets, Ives stopped us and warned the monastery was around the corner.
We checked our disguises one more time, and I adjusted my hidden contraband. Turning the corner, we all stopped and stared. Made of pure white marble, the building stretched for blocks in either direction. No windows marked the walls that stretched upward in multiple tiers. Each tier was smaller than the one below like layers on a giant wedding cake. Halfway up the eight-story structure, towers soared above the monastery, resembling candles. And this was just what we could see in the semidarkness.
This humongous structure made a fortress look tiny in comparison.
* * *
I stared at the monastery as my heart did flips in my chest. I’d be lucky to get out, let alone find Melina. Our plan seemed too simple for this monstrosity. Plus we only had a week at most before Estrid and the bulk of her army returned. Kerrick had sensed her in the forest along with many others just before we crossed Ozero’s border.
After I lectured Flea on staying out of trouble and made him promise to be careful, Flea and Ives said goodbye and slipped away. I met Odd’s questioning gaze.
“It’s not too late to back out,” Odd said.
“No. We’ll stick to the plan. Make sure you don’t lose that container.”
He gave me a tight smile. “Yes, sir.”
“Ready, boys?” I asked the monkeys, holding out my elbows.
Quain grabbed my right arm. “Kicking and screaming?”
Loren latched onto the other. “Dragging your feet? Perhaps dead weight?”
“I’m going to go for the full-out, desperate struggle,” I said.
“Ah, a little bit of everything.” Loren’s tone held approval.
“Nice.” Quain tightened his grip.
As I fought with all my strength but not my magic, they hauled me up to the single entrance. Two lamps burned brightly within a few feet of us. Iron hinges connected the oversize oak doors to the marble walls. A huge oval door knocker was the only thing on this side. No knob. No keyhole. Not even a peephole.
Odd used the door knocker. A heavy clap reverberated through the oak. After a few moments, Odd knocked again. My skin prickled with the feeling of being watched. I glanced up and spotted a couple guards peering over the edge of the roof of the first tier.
They didn’t say anything, but soon the door creaked open. A priest stood in the threshold. I increased my struggles to break free.
He frowned at the monkeys. “Subdue her.”
Quain pulled both my arms behind my back. Loren backhanded me across the cheek. He faked the amount of force so it was a glancing blow. I pretended to be hit harder, spinning to the side and collapsing to my knees with a cry of pain—just like we had practiced.
When Loren hauled me to my feet, I hung my head. Cradling my cheek with my hand, I acted as if cowed.
“Better,” the priest said. “Who are your traveling companions?”
Loren explained.
The priest nodded. “We’ve heard the good news about the High Priestess’s return. Come inside, Brothers.”
We entered a long hallway. When the door thudded shut behind us, the sound hit me harder than Loren’s blow. My mouth went dry and I swallowed a knot of fear. It took me a moment for my eyes to adjust to the dim candlelight. The priest led us to another set of doors. These had thick iron bars and two guards on the other side waiting.
“They are servants of the creator,” the priest said to the guards.
I wondered if it was a password. The guards unlocked the doors and we passed through the first of many such barriers. Narrow corridors cut between them. It reminded me of a maze. After each well-guarded double door made of bars or steel or thick wood, we turned left or right. Other plain doors marked the walls, but we didn’t stop. We crossed six such barriers. Odd barely concealed his panic.
After the seventh set, we stopped at a chamber where two priestesses worked behind massive desks piled with folders. An open door on the other side revealed a dark corridor.
“Another penitent for you to process, Sisters,” the priest said.
The woman on the left rose and disappeared down the hallway. The other continued with her work.
“There is no escape,” the priest said to me. “You are here to beg for forgiveness from the creator. Behave or suffer the consequences. There is no forgiveness from us. Only the creator can grant that.”
Lovely. The priestess returned with four guards. Satisfied, the priest led my companions away. Odd glanced back. He kept his expression neutral, but his gaze showed his fear.
“Sit,” the priestess ordered, gesturing to a wooden chair in front of her desk.
The four guards stared at me. What would happen if I refused? They were armed with long sticks made from a reed. Bamboo maybe? No cutting edge, but I’d bet they’d sting when slapped against skin. No sense causing trouble. Not yet. I sat.
Tuck
ing a strand of brown hair behind her ear, she pulled a sheet of parchment and asked me my name.
“Sergeant Irina of Gubkin Realm.”
“Wrong answer,” she said, snapping her fingers.
Fire raced across my back. The force of the blow sent me to the floor, gasping in pain. Two guards yanked me back into the chair. I hunched over until the burning eased.
“Your name is Penitent Two-Five-Nine-Seven.” She nodded at the man behind me.
He grabbed my left arm, pulled my sleeve up and slapped a metal cuff around my wrist. It clicked into place, pinching my skin. He released me and I examined the inch-wide metal. The numbers two, five, nine, and seven had been etched on it. Were there 2596 other penitents incarcerated here? I shuddered at the thought.
“What’s your name?” she asked again.
“Penitent Two-Five-Nine-Seven.”
“Good. I hope this means you’re a fast learner. It will save you a lot of pain and punishment.” She leaned forward. “The rules are simple. Obey and pray for forgiveness.” The priestess stood. “Follow me.”
I hurried after her, and the four guards stayed close behind me. She escorted me to a washroom. With the threat of the armed men right outside the door and under her watchful eye, I removed my clothes and the layers of grime. When I finished, she handed me a clean brown robe and undergarments. She wouldn’t let me put on my travel clothes or boots. So much for my hidden contraband.
Barefoot, I followed her through a maze of corridors, chambers and a half dozen locked doors. She finally stopped at a double-barred door guarded by four men.
“This is your sleeping quarters. Tower number ten. After supper, all penitents report back to their towers for the night. There are bunks on every level. Find an empty one. Prayers start at dawn.”
She left me with the door guards. They wrote my number down on a list, opened the doors, pushed me inside, and relocked the heavy metal doors.
Locked in a tower. I almost giggled at the thought.
I stepped deeper into the dark room. Bunk beds four high had been stacked around the circular room. The light from the guard station reflected off a dozen pair of eyes. The occupants of the beds stared at me. Was Melina here? Doubtful.
Taste of Darkness (An Avry of Kazan Novel - Book 3) Page 18