She nodded; I noticed she looked pale.
There's nothing to worry about, I said. You're with me.
A guard stood outside Father's study door; he opened it when we approached to let us in. Father sat at his desk as we walked past the guard—Barth and Hunter, both looking agitated, stood nearby.
"What happened?" I demanded, dispensing with protocol.
"Wendal is dead, Thorn," Father sighed. He sounded weary.
"When?"
"Two hours ago. Like Poul, there was nothing for Barth to find in him, either. The phantom killer has struck again." Hunter answered my question while Father shook his head.
"Injuries on the body?" I asked.
"None on Poul or Wendal—the snakebite method has been abandoned. We don't know what killed either of them."
"Sit," Father waved a hand at Sherra and me. "Young woman, I regret that this will be your introduction to the royal palace. There is no help for it, I'm afraid."
"Hunter, have you spoken with Kage and Weren?" I asked before nodding to Sherra to take an empty chair before my father's desk.
"Yes. They know nothing. I've even searched all the trainees; they are not involved and have no knowledge of it. Everyone in the palace, likewise, has been questioned, except Drenn, and he is so frightened by the events he refuses to come out of his suite."
A real Crown Prince would be working beside Barth and Hunter to find the cause and the culprit in this, whispered through my mind. Drenn chooses to hide from it. Why is he so frightened? also breathed through my mind, but I shoved the thought away—he was a coward afraid for his own skin. Father was also afraid, yet he wasn't shirking his duties and hiding from everyone because of it.
"Who do we have as likely candidates to replace Poul and Wendal?" I asked.
"We were hoping you'd have someone in mind," Barth said. "I will provide your father with information on them regarding final approval, mind, but we need two replacements soon."
"I can't spare seasoned warriors," I began before it hit me. Perhaps Sherra's question to Garkus hadn't gone amiss after all.
"I suggest Garkus, then, and I'll look through the list of other trainers to determine a match for the position."
"Garkus—I can see that," Hunter agreed with a thoughtful nod. "Find another and bring them tomorrow. We'll have this settled quickly."
"Good. Very good," Father breathed before slapping his hand on the desk. "Hunter, have food and wine brought while Thorn informs us of the battles at the front."
Sherra
"I met with Linel before breakfast this morning," Kerok said as a servant poured wine for all of us.
I blinked at Kerok's remark—I had no idea he'd been up so early, or that he'd stepped away without me.
"What does General Linel say?" the King asked before waving the servant out of his study.
"There's been a lull in the attacks; perhaps the enemy is waiting for reinforcements or giving their troops a rest before the winter campaign begins," Kerok explained. "We've seen it before, perhaps ten years ago."
"Or they're waiting for bomb deliveries," Hunter's words were dry.
"That, too, perhaps," I agreed.
Why don't we step where they are and attack them? I sent my silent message to Kerok.
"Stepping into enemy territory is extremely dangerous," he turned dark eyes on me and answered aloud. "We have to know exactly where to place our feet, and wherever we land, imagine that you'll be surrounded by enemy. They can kill us with smaller weapons before we can fire a blast at them."
"What sort of weapon?" I asked.
"Here." I watched as the King pulled out a side drawer in his desk and removed a strange object from it. "This is called a pistol, young woman, although I can't determine why, or where that term came from. We have no ammunition for it, so it is harmless as it is." He handed the weapon to Kerok, who then handed it to me.
"It fires projectiles that pierce the body," Kerok explained as I turned the thing this way and that, attempting to determine how it worked. "If the body is pierced in a vulnerable spot, such as the head or heart, you can die instantly."
"That's frightening," I handed the thing back to Kerok.
"The enemy has many of these—and other small weapons besides the bombs they fling at us," the King said. "Stepping into their midst is a suicide mission."
"Do you think my shield will hold against those projectiles?" I asked as Kerok handed the pistol back to his father.
"I think yours would, but you can't consider flinging yourself or others into that nest of vipers," the King said, his voice stiff and commanding. "Our attempts in the past have resulted in many deaths. We cannot risk losing warriors or escorts in such a foolish venture. Thorn and his army hold steady at the line—the one the enemy must cross to reach our lands. To the east lies unforgiving mountains and the poisoned lands, and to the west lies a great crater and water. Their army will be forced to defeat ours before they can enter Az-ca."
"So they are aware that we have no intention of attacking them," I said. "Meaning they know they can keep on attacking us as often as they like."
"Thorn has made that very argument to me time and again," the King snorted. "We fight with what we have, and that will be the way of it."
Stop arguing with him—you won't win, Kerok warned in mindspeak.
"My apologies, sir," I dipped my head to the King.
"Accepted. You are new and haven't seen battle, yet. I depend upon you to keep my son safe."
I didn't reply, although I intended to have a conversation with his son quite soon about stepping to the battlefront without me at his side.
Not long after, Kerok and I rose to leave the King's office, with Kerok repeating his promise to provide replacements for the King's assassins.
Did you not find anything on either assassin? I sent to Barth as Kerok embraced his father.
I'm still working on that, Barth admitted. Rest assured, if there is something to find, we will get to it. Thorn will be informed if anything is discovered.
Thank you.
Hunter walked out with us; Kerok didn't want to step away from inside his father's palace. Therefore, Hunter followed us to a garden outside the massive building.
I wondered at that, until I realized he was having a mental conversation with Kerok the entire time.
K erok
Drenn will never consent to Barth's divination. He will argue until the end of time against it, even if Father asks, I told Hunter. He has his secrets, and doesn't want Father to know how many Council members are kissing his backside already.
We've gone through everyone else that we can think of, Hunter replied.
Trust me, Drenn is scared witless, I pointed out. He's afraid he may be next on the phantom's list. I can't explain why Poul and Wendal were on it, so don't ask me to speculate, I added.
If the phantom has stooped to random killings, Hunter began.
Hunt, I know what you're thinking, because I've already gone there. Yes, I've considered that the phantom, whomever that may be, can be leading us along until we think he's only after those who've done wrong. Until they hit us where it will hurt the most, and attempt to assassinate my father.
He could be doing this—getting closer and closer to your father, Thorn, in an effort to weaken you as the leader of the King's army. Have you considered that this may be a plot by the enemy?
I've never seen them act with such deviousness before, I responded. Their conditioning to kill us has never been that amenable to complex thought.
But you've only seen their lowliest warriors, unless I miss my guess. You haven't been in contact with any leaders, and certainly none of their women. Have you told Sherra yet what happens to escorts who are captured by the enemy?
Not yet—that's frightening, in and of itself, I said. The time will come and I'll explain it completely to her.
Make sure you do. She wouldn't have argued with your father about attacking the enemy, had she known of it.
&n
bsp; Agreed. I'll tell her soon, I promise.
Good. She is a staunch defender and a credit to you and the escort program. I've heard about the incident with Garkus, Hunter sounded smug. He was forced to report to me on the first day's training, as is customary.
Garkus thought to test her and could have paid with his life, I said. He's lucky to be alive, in my opinion. If she hadn't shielded his body inside the outer shield she constructed around him, he'd have fried himself.
I wish I'd been there to see it.
I had my eyes closed while pretending to be ill, so I didn't see it either. Armon had to describe it to me.
Keep her alive as long as you can, Thorn. This one is quite sharp.
You think I haven't noticed?
Sometimes you have to be hit in the head with the obvious.
Thank you for your confidence in me, I sniped back. No, don't walk that way, I steered him down a different path. Out of habit, I'd almost led us to Grae's resting place, and I didn't want Sherra to see it.
She walked beside me, realizing, I'm sure, that Hunter and I were having a private conversation. "We can step from here," I turned to Hunter. "Thank you for your support and honesty."
"Anytime," Hunter grinned. I took Sherra's arm and stepped us back to Secondary Camp.
"Y ou're offering me a promotion?" Garkus sounded surprised. "I imagined I'd be placed on a list just below the enemy as to people you dislike," he grinned.
"Garkus, you are the obvious choice to stand as a guard, protector and assassin for my father," I said. "Why would I mistreat you? You had no idea how resourceful Sherra can be, and acted in your usual manner."
"The stories are already flooding the compound about me bouncing across the training field," he shook his head.
"And I'm sure you'll be able to spin that into another feat of heroism and renown," I said. "Your reputation precedes you everywhere."
"It does, doesn't it?" He grinned. "I will say this, after having a few moments to consider things," he went on. "That woman—I pity anyone who thinks to bring you real harm."
"You know—that's quite an accurate assessment," I agreed. "I'll let Hunter know that you'll report to him tomorrow morning after breakfast. Step to the warrior's training field; Weren and Kage will meet you there and take you to Hunter."
"I have a suggestion for the other position," Garkus said.
"I'll hear it."
"You're looking at instructors, correct?"
"Yes."
"Ask Kage. He'd be very well-suited to the position, I think, and if what you're telling me about this phantom is correct, then Barth has already done his divination."
"Very true. I'll present that to Hunter, and he'll carry the suggestion to the King. It's a jolt to take away a second exceptional instructor, but the need is great and time is short."
"Exceptional? My gratitude, Commander," Garkus dipped his head.
"You're a legend, Garkus, and you don't mind telling everybody yourself," I laughed. He guffawed at my description.
Sherra
Kerok and I went to the evening meal together at the officers' mess. He'd already spoken to Garkus, after leaving me at the cabin for a short while.
"I have a request," I said as plates of food were set in front of us.
"What's that?" Kerok lifted his roll and broke it open so it could be buttered.
"Don't go to the battlefield without me again," I said. "I can't shield you if I'm not with you."
"But you haven't completed your secondary training, yet," he reminded me.
"Just as I'd never seen bombs or any other sign of the enemy before shielding a convoy of stolen vehicles," I countered.
"Good point," he said before stuffing half the roll in his mouth.
"What harm will it do if I'm standing beside you, making sure you're protected while you discuss things with the General?"
"You may hear things you're not quite prepared to hear," he began.
"I'll hear them eventually, don't you think? Now that I know you're sneaking away," he held up a hand to stop me from following up on that assessment.
"First off, I'm not sneaking away. I'm the Prince Commander, and I am merely doing my duty. In addition, you're not battle or officer trained yet, and may not be prepared for some of the things you'll see or hear."
"I still want to go with you," I said.
"Fine. I'll wake you at the ungodly hour I rise, then, and haul you with me next time."
"Thank you."
"It's not a gift, I promise you."
"It is if it stops me from worrying about your backside."
"Why would you worry about my backside?"
"I worry as much about your front side and your head, although your head may appear empty at times."
"Insults, my rose?"
"If you see it as such. I consider it payback for the training incident with Garkus. If that wasn't an empty-headed move, then I've never seen one before. Pottles would have called it bone-headed, although I never understood that remark."
He ducked his head to hide a smile and set about cutting into his meat and vegetables.
K erok
Her cheeks were flushed pink as she scolded me about the incident with Garkus. She'd truly been afraid I was ill or injured, although her reactions, rushed as they were, had been carefully calculated.
Garkus still didn't realize how much danger he'd been in, choosing to ignore it since he'd survived the incident intact.
"Discussing the weather?" Armon and Caral sat beside Sherra, while Misten and Levi took the other seats beside mine.
"Absolutely," Sherra snorted. I tried not to laugh. It didn't work.
Sherra
"Wend, Jae and the others are fine," Caral reported. "They wanted to see you, but they heard about the incident during morning training. I had to answer questions all afternoon. Bela and Reena are anxious to see you at training tomorrow."
"Garkus will be leaving for the King's City," Kerok said. "Someone else will take the lead on training exercises. Armon, are you and Caral available for an early morning trip to the front tomorrow? Sherra and I will be going."
"I can do that," Armon agreed.
"Good. Levi, I'm leaving you in charge of the warriors and roses in our absence."
"I'll take care of it," Levi said.
"May I ask why," Armon began.
"Sherra doesn't credit me with enough sense to take care of myself." At least he grinned when he said it, so I wasn't angry.
"I'd say it's a good idea to take her, but not for the reason given," Armon said.
"What reason would you give?"
"I saw what nobody expected to see this morning, Commander. I saw a black rose achieve the impossible against Garkus."
"So, in spite of rumors coming from the front, you'd send her with me?"
"I would."
"What rumors?" I asked. Things had turned in a direction that worried me.
"They're not rumors," Kerok sighed, setting his napkin beside his plate. "Somehow, the troops got word on the new method before Linel announced that the King approved it, and there's been ah, pushback."
"In other words," Armon explained, "they may have received faulty information, and consequently they're afraid of trying anything new. Even if it would save lives."
"That's why you said I could hear things I shouldn't."
"It's possible," Kerok said. "Linel has told the officers to wait until the method is demonstrated before making their opinions known, but that's like stopping a boulder from rolling downhill."
"What about the black roses?" Caral pushed potatoes around her plate. "What do they say?"
"Most are in agreement with their warriors."
"That's too bad," Misten said. "If they could see it, surely they'd recognize the benefits."
"People will go to great lengths to avoid admitting they're wrong," Levi said. "Some would cut off an arm rather than acknowledge their mistakes."
"When were you planning to tell me this?" I
asked Kerok. This was something I'd already feared would occur. I could see Kerok didn't like it any more than I did, and worried about how to proceed.
"We can hold off if you want, but I'm not going to fight using the old method unless it's a direct order from you and the King," I added.
"Everyone in this training class will use the new method," Kerok sighed. "I'm thinking of allowing the rest to use either method. I believe that once they see the new version in action, they'll come around to it."
"It's foolishness to dismiss it without knowing the benefits, and people will probably die from their own stubbornness," Armon grumbled. "There may not be a better way to introduce it, though."
"I had hopes of going into the winter war with everyone trained," Kerok shook his head. I watched his face—he looked grim at that moment.
"Now it'll be one here and one there, while we're fighting battles," Armon agreed. "Not the best way to get things done."
"I'm not sure how the word slipped out and was allowed to fester among the troops, but it did. Linel met with immediate opposition the moment he announced it."
"Who could have carried the news back to them?" Caral asked.
"There's only the messenger, and I don't believe he'd do something like that," Kerok said. "I've been back and forth, but the only person I've discussed it with is Linel. He knew not to say anything until the King made a decision in the matter."
"No matter; we'll see things for ourselves tomorrow morning," Armon said. "Finish your meal," he told Caral. "We have an early day tomorrow."
"Will they know I'm responsible for the new method—for the most part?" I asked Kerok once we'd arrived at our cabin.
"I haven't heard any names mentioned, but I'm not privy to conversations between troops."
"This is so depressing," I breathed. Kerok frowned at my words.
"I thought I'd be saving lives," I confessed. "This just proves I shouldn't count on hopes and dreams, because they always turn to dust, don't they?"
The Rose Mark: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 1 Page 23