"Everyone knows how to step to the officers' mess, now—go in groups of two," I ordered while smiling at Sherra's group. "Your warriors will meet you there."
Sherra looked at me, her eyes shining as the trainees disappeared two at a time. You've made a miracle, I informed her.
"They already had the talent, I just showed it to them," she replied.
"Come on, then, I'm hungry," I slipped an arm around her shoulders to step us away.
K ing's Palace
Crown Prince Drenn
The conversation I'd had the night before with Merrin played and replayed through my mind. "You know what you have to do—the enemy will strike soon and I want to be in charge when that happens," Merrin had growled as he handed me the weapon and the projectiles he'd stolen from the enemy camp.
"Your father is ill, or haven't you noticed?" Merrin had gone on, making me draw in a shocked breath. "He has months at best, and the last of those months will make him suffer greatly. Do the right thing and end it now."
Merrin—he'd made me more than angry, telling me things I had no desire to learn. His own desires were beginning to wear on me, and I considered waiting until he came back to fire the weapon at him.
Perhaps it was just as well he'd stepped away immediately, or I may have loaded the weapon while he watched and then killed him with it.
During the night, I'd had time to think. Merrin was becoming a bedsore on my ass. If I were in charge, I could order Father's new assassins to search for Merrin after I leveled a death sentence against him and had someone else placed in charge of the army.
Yes, I still wanted Thorn dead—when I took the throne, he'd be my heir until I could get one of my own. I wasn't willing to wait for that to happen. If I waited to pass a death sentence on Merrin, then he could take care of Thorn first, then I could name him an enemy of the state and have him actively hunted for execution.
Yes—that was the best answer.
The trouble, of course, was Father's life and role in all this. If I took him down, I'd be forced to take down Barth or Hunter with him, as one was always at his side. At times, both were.
Both.
I needed to kill all three, or one would call Thorn and bring him into this. That I didn't want—Thorn had already threatened me. If I killed Father, he'd waste no time taking me down.
Better to do this now and blame it on the phantom. I hadn't had dinner with my Father in weeks. I'd ask to have an evening meal with him, Barth and Hunter. I merely had to be careful so Barth wouldn't suspect anything.
K erok
While Sherra and I sat at our usual table with Levi, Armon and their escorts, Wend and the others had taken tables nearby. All of them were laughing and discussing newly-discovered talents with their warriors.
This is how it should be, I told myself. The excitement of new discoveries, instead of more somber discussions of how to survive on the battlefield.
"I haven't seen this much enthusiasm in—well, I've never seen it," Armon admitted.
Thorn? Father's mindspeak interrupted my thoughts. He seldom contacted me directly, just as I didn't contact him. We each realized we could be interrupting something important. That meant what he had to say was significant.
Father? I sent my question back.
Drenn has asked to have dinner with me tonight. I was thinking about issuing my own invitation to him—and you—soon. I need to see both my sons, as well as Barth and Hunter. Leave your rose behind; I wish to speak with all of you privately.
I'll be there—is it the usual time?
Yes. I look forward to seeing both my sons at the table tonight.
It will be good to see you, I responded, although I didn't want to see Drenn. He had much to answer for, and I had no desire to sit across the table from him while he made jabs at me.
He'd gotten away with too many crimes in my estimation, and didn't deserve a place at Father's right hand.
He deserves a proper sentence, a small voice informed me. For the crimes he'd committed, he deserved death—just as Merrin had.
Both were still alive, due to Drenn's interference. Warriors and at least one escort were dead because of Merrin, too.
Stop thinking about it—you're only making yourself angrier, I sent a warning to myself.
"I'm having dinner with my father tonight," I turned to Sherra. "He wants a private meal with my brother and me. Will you be all right by yourself?" I asked.
"We'll make sure she has someone to sit with," Caral smiled.
"I'll be fine," Sherra said.
Sherra
I spent the afternoon with Armon, Levi, Caral and Misten. Kerok told us he had paperwork to do and sent me to the training field with the others.
Hari and Lera arrived to learn what they could, so I worked with them while Armon and Levi practiced with Misten and Caral while supervising some of the others.
"I can feel your fire," I said after touching Hari's fingers. "Now, you do the same for me."
She drew in a breath as we connected that way. "If you work with another warrior, do the same thing so your shield will recognize his power as your own and allow his blasts to go through unscathed," I told her.
"Why didn't anyone think of this before?" Lera asked.
"I don't know. Perhaps they did. I was lucky that the Prince Commander was willing to listen to my ideas."
"Narris was so adamant that the new method was a waste of time," Hari let my hands go and dropped her eyes. She'd named her warrior—the one the King ordered executed.
"Where are the roses for those two who died in the mess hall fire?" I asked.
"Still at the army camp," Lera replied. "They were sent to work with the drudges, there. Ours were the ones convicted and executed, so we were allowed to leave to mourn their loss."
"I wonder if those escorts have been notified of their warriors' deaths?" I mused.
"I don't know—probably not unless the Prince Commander has informed General Linel."
"I'll ask about that later," I said. "Are you ready to try this? I can get Armon and Levi to fire weak blasts to test you."
"I'd like to try," Lera breathed. "I feel as if I've been set free, for some reason."
"I think maybe you have," I agreed and smiled.
K erok
Send them to North Camp, I wrote to General Linel. He'd asked what I thought should be done with two escorts whose warriors were now dead after attacking Secondary Camp.
Dayl, Linel's messenger, waited in the sitting area of my cabin while I hastily scribbled a note to the General. As I wrote, I considered that Dayl could be taught other things. Sherra could touch him to see what he might be suited for.
Sherra? I sent mindspeak. Will you come to the cabin for a few minutes?
On my way, came the reply. Moments later, she stepped into the sitting area. Rising from my seat, I folded the note in my hands as Sherra blinked at me in curiosity before turning toward Dayl.
"Teach him how to shield himself, if you can," I told her.
Dayl drew in a breath at my words. "Stand up, Dayl," I told him. "Sherra needs to touch your hands."
Sherra
Dayl did very well at forming a shield; Kerok wouldn't let him leave until he'd done so. Kerok asked about Lera and Hari afterward.
"They're doing very well," I said. "I left them with Levi and Armon, to practice their new shielding techniques. Caral and Misten are helping them along."
"In your opinion, are they a threat to anyone here, or to the army as a whole?"
"No. Not after they were targeted in the mess hall. Before that, Hari was uncooperative, but that's changed."
"So you trust them?"
"I do. I think they still need a bit of gentle handling, but only because they lost their warriors and under such bizarre circumstances."
"Do you think they might consider working with some of the newly-trained warriors who arrived today?"
"I suppose—I think they could prepare them for what battle is, and what to e
xpect when they get there."
"That sounds good. I'll leave that to you and Armon while I'm having dinner with Father."
"I think we should ask the new warriors to join their table with ours, then, and see how they all get along," I said.
"Good enough. I should get dressed," Kerok said absently. "I just sent two escorts to North Camp—the two whose warriors died in the mess hall attack. They'll be taken care of there until we can determine what to do with them."
"I hope they don't cause trouble," I said.
"Why do you think I asked you to teach Dayl how to shield?"
"Perhaps I should go with him," I began.
"No, I asked Linel to send Dayl and two unattached warriors with them. The warriors will stay there, and I've given orders for them to take care of things if the escorts step out of line. Barth did his divination when we were there, but they've had several days to stew about things."
"Things can certainly change," I agreed. Kerok was wise to take such precautions.
"Yes, they certainly can," he acknowledged. "Go back to your training, my rose. I'll dress properly for dinner with my father."
K erok
"Drenn was the one to ask first," Hunter informed me. He and I walked along the hallway leading to my father's private dining room. "Your father took the opportunity to ask both of you; Drenn doesn't know you'll be there."
The last time we saw one another didn't go well, I informed Hunter. I may have threatened him, too, before going back to North Camp to see about the flooding.
You were supposed to see me afterward, Hunter said.
I remember.
What did you have words with your brother about? Hunter asked. You didn't know then that Merrin had survived or that your father's assassins were compromised.
It's nothing you don't know already, I said. I'll explain later, if you're interested.
I am.
We'd reached the door to Father's private dining room; the guards bowed and opened the door for us.
As usual, Drenn hadn't arrived. Father stood next to the far window with a glass of wine in his hand, looking at the gardens below.
"There are late roses blooming," Father turned to me with a smile. He looked weary. I worried that he knew about Drenn's misdeeds and it was taking a toll on his health. "Come, sit with me," he held out a hand, indicating my seat at the table. "Hug your father first," he chuckled as I made my way toward my chair.
Barth, as usual, stood nearby, nodding his approval as I embraced my father.
"Sit, sit," Father said when he pulled away. "Tell me how the training is going while we wait for your brother."
"Training is going extremely well," I said, reaching for the wine bottle and pouring a glass for myself. "I am more than satisfied with this crop of trainees."
"Is your rose one of those you're satisfied with?" Father had a gleam in his eye as he asked the question.
"Sherra is exceptional, but you know that already," I stated. "I have no complaints."
"Good, good," Father said, setting his glass down so I could refill it. "Ah, here's your brother now. Drenn, join us in a glass of wine," Father invited.
I turned to watch as Drenn approached the table.
"Ah, brother. How good of you to save me time and trouble," Drenn laughed as he pulled the weapon of the enemy from a pocket and fired it at me first.
CHAPTER 20
K erok
Had Sherra not taught Hunter and me how to shield, we'd all have died. Drenn intended to kill Father, but as I was there, he wanted to dispatch me, first.
Two times he fired the weapon, in swift succession. The first pellet glanced off my shield and hit a tall, precious vase that had belonged to my mother. It shattered while I widened my shield to include Barth.
The second projectile bounced from Hunter's shield to mine, then ricocheted with a whine off my shield and hit Drenn squarely in the forehead. In total shock, Father, Barth, Hunter and I watched Drenn die instantly in front of us, a victim of his own malicious intent. He was dead already by the time his body crumpled to the floor.
F ather was in bed, asleep after his physicians administered a sleeping draught. Barth, Hunter and I sat in Father's sitting room, drinking wine after Barth had done a divination on Drenn's body.
"He knew your father was ill," Barth released a weary sigh. "From Merrin."
I'd guessed at it months earlier; I'd merely waited for Father to tell me himself. Evidently, Drenn hadn't known until Merrin the miscreant told him.
"So—Merrin told Drenn that Father would suffer and handed the weapon to him. Having a working weapon and ammunition for it means Merrin's been to the enemy camp to steal those things. No wonder they're all stirred up." I gulped a mouthful of wine and shook my head.
"I've checked the weapon," Barth nodded. "It has certainly passed through Merrin's hands."
"This leaves us in a very precarious position, Thorn," Hunter pointed out.
"You mean telling the populace—and the Council—of my brother's demise?" I lifted an eyebrow at Hunter.
"Not just that," Hunter said. "You are now the King's heir, Thorn. You know what that means."
"No." I set my wineglass down with a thump. "The enemy is preparing to attack. I cannot desert the army now and leave them leaderless."
"Linel is there," Hunter reminded me.
"Linel is old and tired," I snapped. "He doesn't need this. Not now, if ever."
"The first thing you need to do while your father still lives, is clean out the Council," Hunter said. "Immediately. Your father let Drenn have his way far too often with that den of vipers, and they'll revolt unless you tell them now that their services are no longer required. Then go looking for their replacements—men who can be trusted."
"Hunter—leave him be," Barth said softly. "He can deal with politics tomorrow. Tonight, he has to come to terms with many things, and one of those is his family. One is dead, the other dying slowly. Leave him be."
"Hunter?" I lifted my eyes to Father's advisor.
"Yes, my Prince?"
"Call Sherra, Armon and Levi. Have them come as soon as possible. I need to speak with them."
"Shall I have Armon and Levi's escorts come as well?"
"Yes. Please."
"It will be done."
Sherra
Hunter led us toward the King's sitting area, where Kerok and Barth waited for us.
Armon was worried—I could see that easily. Levi had a hand at Armon's back, while Caral and Misten walked together behind them. I followed those four as Hunter strode ahead of us.
Something had happened. Something has gone wrong, I told myself. Too terrified to mindspeak Kerok, I followed obediently behind the others, waiting to learn what happened directly from the Prince Commander.
When I entered the lavish sitting room, Kerok sat there beside Barth, drinking a glass of wine. He looked haggard.
They both did.
I drew in a breath. Had something happened to the King?
Once, I wouldn't have worried about that.
Now, I did.
"Drenn is dead," Kerok rose to his feet. "By his own hand, after attempting to kill Father and me."
Misten's gasp was the only sound to break the ensuing silence.
"I 'm almost sure that Merrin had something to do with the impending attack by the enemy." Kerok nodded when I silently offered to refill his wineglass. "Sherra and I saw the bodies of a warrior and his escort that Merrin tortured before killing. I believe he's developed a taste for it, and now the enemy is furious and planning a large-scale attack."
"This brings up a difficulty we all face," Hunter intervened. "Thorn is now the Prince-Heir, and according to law, cannot return to the battlefield, even though he wants to." Hunter frowned at Kerok, who wanted more than anything to argue with that assessment.
I wanted to argue, too. We needed Kerok to stand against the enemy. He had the knowledge, authority and battle experience necessary to see us through the coming da
ys.
"Father is ill," Kerok raked fingers through his hair. "I've spoken to his physicians after they gave him a sleeping draught. He has perhaps a year, with no stress aggravating his illness. They say the last few months he will be unable to serve as King."
"He was prepared to abdicate in favor of Drenn tonight," Barth admitted, causing Kerok's head to turn swiftly in his direction. "I divined it while touching your father in his bed earlier," Barth held up a hand. "Had Drenn waited only a little, he'd have gotten what he desired most and we would all be lost."
"Barth, have you not noticed that we're lost anyway?" Kerok snorted. "I hate the political climate in my father's palace. I'm much better suited to the battlefield, where most people know not to fight with one another. We have a common enemy, there. Here, enemies are everywhere."
"Perhaps a short visit to the battlefield will bring them around," Armon suggested quietly.
"With what's coming, they'd likely end up dead," Kerok muttered, his words bitter.
"I think that, too," I agreed. "I just—something awful is coming."
"What do the General's Diviners say?" Barth asked.
"Linel says they're seeing a flash of light so bright it is blinding, and then darkness. I don't know what to make of that—do you?" Kerok shook his head.
"Has that ever happened before?" Hunter queried.
"They've seen the usual bombings—that's not out of the ordinary," Kerok shrugged. "They admit they've never seen anything like this and have no idea what it means."
"What is your command, my Prince?" Armon stood and dipped his head to Kerok.
"Go back to Secondary Camp and make the move to the battlefield tonight, under cover of darkness. I'll send messages to Linel—you and Levi will act as his right hands in this, with assistance from Sherra. Armon, stay in contact through mindspeak as often as possible."
"But," Hunter protested. I knew then he wanted me to stay with Kerok.
The Rose Mark: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 1 Page 28