"Do you think the enemy?" Armon began.
"No." I shook my head. "They'd torture any of ours, and not bother to send the bodies back. I have no idea what this is, and it concerns me a great deal."
"At least the one or ones responsible have only targeted those who deserve what they get—or seemingly so," Armon sighed.
"That's something else," I toyed with a pen on my desk. "Those who have disappeared unexpectedly in the past—we don't usually find out about their misdeeds until after the bodies are discovered and the Diviners start asking questions of those around them."
"Do you think we may have a very talented, rogue Diviner on our hands?" Armon suggested.
"I think he would need help—many of those taken were men, and a few had power—like Veri. That didn't appear to help them in the end."
"You think someone—or more than one—has appointed themselves an alternative source of judgment, outside that of the palace?"
"Right now, I don't know what to think, but things are pointing more and more in that direction. My question is this—if what I think is true, how did we miss finding someone with this sort of power? How did they slip past our notice? We have enough problems facing the enemy—we don't need somebody attacking us from the side, too."
"Or from the inside."
"Armon, stop scaring me." I didn't admit that I'd considered the same possibility, and that worried me even more. "We've never had two this close together, either," I said. "Usually, the incidents are years apart. Besides, if they were on the inside, with the power to confound other Diviners, we should have discovered that when they were young, don't you think?"
"Let's hope so," Armon agreed. "I'd hate to think the one living in the next tent could have that kind of ability."
"Go to bed, Armon. We have another early day, and it'll be difficult enough to sleep after this conversation."
"You have the right of it," Armon said while standing. "One last question," he said after a moment. "Have any of the bodies showed signs of torture or abuse? Other than the handprint on Veri's face?"
"None. It was as if this time it had become personal, when all the other times it wasn't. Good-night, Commander."
CHAPTER 10
Sherra
On the fourth day after the fire, we were allowed to go back to our training schedule. The washouts were training alongside us by that time, under Armon and Levi's watchful supervision.
Yes, Lilya's and Nina's deaths still affected all of us, and on the third night, we were allowed to hold a memorial for them after the evening meal. The other instructors paid them tribute, and a small glass of wine was poured for each of us.
We drank to their memory at the last, before we were herded to our barracks. I imagined at this point in other training classes, the trainees would be considering the lists and discussing them at length.
This training class had seen tragedy after tragedy, and any talk of the lists was subdued.
We spent the following morning doing shield training after Levi took us through our normal drills. After the midday meal, we were marched toward the classroom building. I wondered what Levi would be teaching us today—he was unusually quiet as we made our way over parched, dusty ground to new lessons.
"I wish it would rain," Wend sighed as we walked through the door to take our seats in the classroom. "We haven't seen any since we came."
She was right—it hadn't rained here for nearly three months, and that was unusual. Normally there was at least a smattering here and there, although it never lasted long.
"Fall is coming—surely it will bring some rain," I said, hoping to lighten her mood.
"I know. I heard the enemy increases their attacks in cooler weather."
"I think that's why they train us in the summer—when the attacks are lighter," Caral whispered.
"Take your seats," Levi commanded as he walked into the classroom last. All of us pulled out chairs to sit right away, and conversation hushed.
Armon arrived, then, and walked to the back of the room, where he pulled out an empty chair to sit in a corner. He nodded to Levi to begin. I turned back to see Levi, who looked as uncomfortable as I'd ever seen him.
"Today's lesson is about the lists, the choosing, and the vows," he began. "As you probably know, the lists of trainee names have already gone to the warriors. Those lists will be turned in after you are tested at the end of your training. Once you have passed your tests, you will be ranked according to your performance in the field and in the testing. Are there any questions so far?"
"What if we fail the tests at the end?" Reena raised her hand.
"Your performance in your training sessions will be taken into account," Levi said. "Usually, your instructor will have a preliminary ranking already, for all her students. Only a few will be shuffled after the tests, according to their final performance, you understand. After Lilya's death, Armon and I have taken those things into account, and we have put a list together as best we could, to substitute for Lilya's. Of course, any here with demerits will also be taken into account."
Caral shifted in her seat beside Wend.
"If you'd failed in your training, you'd have washed out already," Levi almost smiled as he continued. "Yet here you are, listening to me."
His words drew a few giggles from the former washouts—he'd quieted many of their fears.
"Any other questions about the testing?" Levi asked.
"Do you think the King will approve the new method?" Misten asked.
"Ah. The same question we keep asking ourselves," Levi nodded. "It is our hope that he will, but much will depend on how everyone performs during the testing. Be confident. We've seen you master it, time and again."
"How do you feel—personally—about the new method?" I asked. "You've been on the battlefield, and know what it's like to use the old way. How confident are you that this will be more effective and less tiring for the black roses?"
"The answer I am about to give you is a personal opinion only, and cannot be taken as the opinion of other warriors, the leadership, or the army as a whole," Levi stated. "I would much prefer the new method. I've watched you trainees, and I'm sure you've noticed the difference yourselves—you're exhausted after working the old way, while you remain fresher and more alert longer with the new method. I imagine it has to do with the fact that you're not constantly raising and lowering your shields."
He received nods of agreement throughout the classroom. I think that's why we wanted the new method approved—we would last longer on the battlefield, and ultimately keep our lives longer.
"Any more questions on the new method?" Levi asked.
Nobody raised their hands.
"Good. Now—on to the lists," he said, although he sounded less enthusiastic about this subject. "As you've probably determined by now, the lists that go to the warriors contain all your names. From those names, they make their own list—of those trainees they ah—find competent and who they would prefer to work with. This warrior list is called a preliminary list."
"So—they sort us by looks and then by ability?" Caral raised her hand.
"I can't guarantee what their criteria is when they put a preliminary list together," Levi hedged. "They've watched you work—during the shielding exercises, of course, and at other times."
"You'd think they'd want to keep their asses safe," Caral followed her own question with a sarcastic observation.
"Trainee, I will issue a warning," Armon said from the back of the room.
A warning. It could lead to more demerits, if Caral didn't keep her tone respectful.
"Understood, Colonel."
Yes, Armon and Levi had received promotions. I thought them deserved, but hadn't discussed the subject with them or any of the others.
"After the preliminary lists are made—which are mostly for reference purposes, you understand," Levi continued, "The warriors attend the testing. Some of them are selected to participate, as you may have guessed. Afterward, while the ranking
s are considered by leadership in attendance, and compared to the rankings of the instructors, the warriors will finalize their choices, and place their names on individual trainees' lists for consideration."
"Is it possible that names could be added to their preliminary lists after the testing?" Wend asked.
"Yes, although it doesn't happen often, especially with seasoned warriors."
In other words, they were looking for either sex or protection, depending upon the warrior. I didn't say it aloud, however. I felt Caral was thinking the same thing. If Captain Merrin were still here, he'd be looking for sex; that was a given in my mind.
"When the warriors have added their names to the trainee lists for consideration, those lists come back to you, the black roses-in-waiting. You will be given a day to consider the warriors' names on your list and make decisions. If you are ranked first among the trainees, congratulations. You will be given your first choice. That warrior's name will then be struck from all subsequent lists, so other trainees may have to adjust their choices, until all trainees have had their pick. Those final decisions will be announced at a feast at the end, where each of you will be allowed to sit with your chosen warrior and have dinner with him, although the pairing will not come until you arrive at our secondary training camp and take the vow of faithfulness."
"Secondary training camp?" Bela raised her hand.
"Yes. It is six weeks of intense training, where you work every day alongside your chosen warrior—to learn his battle methods and preferences. You must be able to successfully work together on the battlefield, or you could die quickly. Do you understand? This is to preserve your life, if nothing else."
"What is the vow of faithfulness?" Someone else asked.
"That is a vow you take with your warrior, that you will remain faithful to one another while you both live," Levi said. "A proven violation of the vow will result in a death sentence for the one violating it."
"Faithful?"
"In a sexual context," Armon intervened when Levi hesitated. "As you've probably guessed by now, Levi and I are life-partners. Any rose accepting either of us will not be given sex. It's nothing against you—he and I are bound by our own vows. That doesn't mean we won't care for you, because we will. Just not in that way."
"And what about roses who prefer their own sex?" Caral spoke. Yes, I'd understood that about her for a while.
"That is not ours to decide—the King rules in this, and roses are bound by their vows."
"But you and Levi," another pointed out.
"That rule was handed down by the King nearly a century ago—that warriors who are bound may stay faithful to one another. Their roses must understand this when they make their choice for either. On the lists, there will be a designation by each of our names—the letter indicating we are already bound to another warrior. It affects how we're chosen, more often than not."
"But the same rule wasn't given for the roses." Caral sounded angry, now.
"I'm sorry to report that it's true," Levi admitted. "You have no idea how regretful I am about that."
"Not your fault," Caral sighed and ducked her head.
"What if a rose chooses to be celibate?" Misten raised her hand.
"Then it's my suggestion to look for a bound warrior," Levi shrugged. "Easy enough, don't you think?"
"That would certainly solve the problem," she admitted.
"These are things for all of you to think about," Levi said. "Consider who may keep your best interests at heart. Those may be the ones who aren't as handsome or charming, perhaps. I'm sure you've made your own assessments when you've worked with the warriors in your training sessions. Make the best choice for yourself, understand? This isn't a popularity contest—or it shouldn't be."
"The warriors get to see our rankings," I raised my hand a second time. "Will we get to see theirs?"
Levi drew in a breath at my question.
"It's not done," Armon spoke behind me. You're thinking too much again, he reminded me in mindspeak. "If they're an officer, that will be listed with their name. That's all you'll receive."
"Captain Levi?" Tera raised her hand.
"Yes, Tera?"
"Why are some born with the power, and some not?"
"That is a question for the ages," Levi admitted. "We don't know. Even the Diviner-scholars don't know, and they've studied it more than anyone else."
"Was that the King's Diviner who was here after the fire?" Jae asked. "Will he be the Diviner who examines us after our testing?"
"Yes. That is Barth, the King's Chief Diviner and head of the scholarly branch of his profession. Barth is trustworthy to a fault, and the King relies heavily upon his judgment."
"Has Veri been found and held accountable?" Wend asked.
"That's off-topic, trainee," Levi said. "Keep your questions related to today's class."
"Yes, Captain."
"What if you're afraid?" Reena raised her hand timidly.
"Of what?" Levi didn't understand. I did. I think all of us were afraid.
"Of being hurt the first time, or anytime afterward," I answered for Reena, who'd turned bright pink and dropped her eyes.
"The Prince Commander works tirelessly to see that doesn't happen," Armon said quietly. "All officers know to watch for bruises and other—signs. No warrior wants to be brought before Prince Thorn and a Diviner to be questioned about such. It is also your right to take these concerns to any officer, who will carry your message to the Prince. You'll receive more information regarding this before you take the vow."
Thorn—the Prince Commander. We hadn't heard his name mentioned before, although everyone knew he was in charge of the King's army. Like me, I think all the trainees imagined he was so far-removed from them and what they'd be doing, that he'd have no interest in any of us.
Like the King had no real interest in us. I'd been surprised when I heard that he'd be coming to watch our testing, and wondered if that were something he often did. We knew that Thorn was the King's younger son; Drenn was the King's eldest and heir, who would never be sent to the battlefield. There was a law in place that prevented it.
The King had no trouble sending any woman who wore the black rose to the battlefield and their ultimate death. Some men, like the King, were born to privilege. Others, like the black roses—decidedly not. Did the King honor the tattooed women, as it said in the book he kept in his library, or were they mere conveniences, so he could keep his life of privilege?
I dared not speak of that book to anyone—I'd read about The Book of the Rose in The Rose Mark—the forbidden book an old, blind woman had inadvertently given me when I was ten.
Perhaps the warriors we chose would treat us well until we died—I could only hope that they would.
As for my choices—those were narrowed to three already. I wondered how surprised Armon and Levi would be that they accounted for two of those three names. The third was a long shot, as things either went well or didn't between us—but I trusted Kerok well enough to respect my wishes in most matters.
Yes, they were all officers, but Armon and Levi wouldn't be on many lists because of the vows they'd given one another. I could live with that honesty between us. I'd worked closely with Levi, and many times with Armon. We were familiar with the others' methods and ways, and I'd felt their fire. Understood it, too.
"Are there any questions?" Levi asked, interrupting my thoughts.
There were none.
"All right, let's walk you through the testing schedule," he said. "First thing after breakfast that morning, each cohort will be called upon in numerical order. That means Second will be tested first, since First no longer exists. While Second and Third are being tested on the field, Fourth and Fifth will go through their interview with the Diviner. Fourth and Fifth will face their testing after the midday meal, while Second and Third are interviewed by the Diviner. The rankings will be discussed afterward, while you go to the showers and clean up before the evening meal."
"You hav
e five days to prepare yourselves," Armon stood and stretched. "Make them count."
Hunter Lattham
King's Advisor
"Pour yourselves a glass," King Wulf pointed to the bottle of wine on his desk. Barth, who was just as confused as I about this late-night meeting, lifted the bottle and poured his, first.
"May I ask," I began.
"When you have your wine in hand," he waved away my question.
Barth passed the bottle to me; I reluctantly lifted it and poured half a glass of the dark liquid for myself.
The vintage was good—the best the southern domes could produce. As for Drenn's absence, I didn't mind that the Crown Prince wasn't here. It did tell me, however, that this was a private matter and the King wished to keep Drenn out of it.
That didn't happen often.
"This is about Thorn," the King sighed before sipping from his own glass. "I have the reports from you and Barth regarding your conversation with him at North Camp. He is being stubborn about this, and I wish to entertain suggestions on how to change his mind—through any means possible. I have no desire to lose a son to the barbarians."
"Are you suggesting blackmail or threats?" Barth asked. His voice was steady—he had no qualms about following the King's commands in this.
I agreed—up to a point. There were two lives involved here, not just Thorn's. I thought the girl would be foolish to turn down Thorn's offer, but he had to make an offer, first.
I wasn't naive enough to think that some warriors, when they tired of their escorts, wouldn't pull away excessive amounts of power just to have a change. I'd heard Merrin boast of it once, but I'd kept quiet on the matter, as that was only one example of what I perceived as a much larger problem.
I'd never taken that knowledge to Thorn, either, but that could change. I disliked placing more weight on his shoulders, but in this—we would fall sooner than later without sufficient escorts to support the warriors.
The Rose Mark: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 1 Page 14