Taste Of Darkness

“Ah.” He dropped his hands and pushed a few papers, lost in thought. “But what if you objected?”

“There’s that trust issue again, Ryne. Let me give you an example. I really didn’t enjoy dying for you, but I trusted Kerrick and his reasons that you needed to live. If you’d explained that confirming Cellina’s desire to awaken Tohon was important, then I’d be fine. I might not like it, but I trust your reasons. Now you need to trust me to follow your logic.”

Ryne shook his head. “Kerrick warned me you wouldn’t follow orders, so I figured if I worked...around you, it’d be better.”

“That was different. I didn’t trust him then.”

“I see.” He leaned back. “What if I can’t tell you for a very good reason? Will you still trust me?”

Good question. “Yes, as long as you keep me in the loop with all the other stuff.”

“Agreed.” He reached over and shook my hand.

“Now that’s settled. What’s going on?”

He laughed. “I’m planning to attack Cellina’s troops in Zabin.”

That explained why he’d want the infirmary closer. “Why?”

“It’s a good strategic position. If I can clear them out, we’d have a stronger defense against her army.”

“What if you can’t?”

“Then we retreat and the offensive becomes a rescue operation.”

Rescue? Ah. “You think Cellina left Estrid and her high-ranking officers behind?” Sepp had frozen them all in a magical stasis.

“It doesn’t make sense for her to drag them back to Vyg. Besides, she believes only Sepp can awaken them.”

Oh. Now I understood his earlier reluctance. “You need Flea to go in with the initial attack and awaken them if they’re still there.” It was easier to rescue people who could walk.

“Yes. And I know how...protective you are of him.”

“I am. Which just means I’m going, too.”

“No, you’re not,” Ryne said, as if that ended the discussion.

It didn’t. “Yes, I am.”

“It’s too dangerous.”

“Then keep Flea with me at the infirmary until you’ve secured Zabin.”

“And if we can’t, there will be no second chance. He has to go.” Ryne held up a hand, stopping my protest. “He’s a good fighter, Avry. Very capable.”

“I don’t care.”

He fingered the light brown stubble growing on his cheeks. Dark smudges of exhaustion marked his eyes. “How about if I assign a squad with the sole purpose of protecting him during the attack?”

“That’s acceptable, but I’m still going.”

His demeanor changed. “I can ensure you stay behind.”

KERRICK

He resisted the pull. Fought the fever.

I’m not.

Going to.

Relax.

I promised.

Avry.

At times, he was everywhere. Every blade of grass, every tree, and each bush was him. Stretched across the forest, he felt every intruder, every animal, and each breeze. Pain from broken limbs and trampled grass pulsed inside him.

At times, he was nowhere. He existed in a void of light and sound. But he struggled against the nothingness and returned to the living green.

At times, he was everywhere and nowhere, teetering on the edge.

The voice of the living green spoke to him. Told him to rest. Told him to stop fighting.

Kerrick never liked being told what to do.

I’m not.

Going to.

Rest.

I promised.

Avry.

He resisted the pull. Fought the fever.

CHAPTER 5

Ryne’s hard expression and threat to prevent me from joining Flea failed to affect me. “Uh-huh. And who’s going to help Flea when he pukes up his guts after awaking Estrid and still needs to awaken her staff of about twenty people? He won’t have the strength to do them all.”

His shoulders drooped. “Why didn’t you tell me about that?”

“You were too busy being all ‘no, you’re not going and I’ve spoken’ about it.”

“And you were too busy being all defiant. You could have explained.”

“I could have.”

He studied me for a moment. “Except I was too busy putting my foot down instead of asking you why.”

“That’s what I just said.”

“Yes, but without the sarcasm.” He rubbed both hands over his face. “Now I understand what Kerrick had to deal with all those months. You’re exasperating.”

“Thank you.” Kerrick’s name sent a jab of pain deep into my chest, but I kept it from showing on my face.

Dropping his arms, Ryne just shook his head. “Okay, you can accompany the offensive. I’ll make it work.”

“Good. And just so you know, if Flea and I go, then—”

“The monkeys will insist on going, too. Got it.”

Another thought occurred to me. “What happens if word gets back to Cellina that Estrid and her staff have been reanimated? Do we want to tip our hand now or wait?”

“Excellent question. I debated the very same thing. In the end, I need Estrid. Her acolytes have been effective in recruiting soldiers for her army, and there are a number of her companies that have refused to join my forces. Hundreds of fighters have fled back to Ozero Realm and we need them.”

Unpleasant memories of my encounter with High Priest Chane in Mengels played in my mind. His men had tried to ambush me. “The acolytes use strong-arm methods and outright kidnapping to recruit people. Do you really want to resort to that?”

“Of course not. Which is why we need the High Priestess. Only an order from Estrid will change their methods. Plus she amassed a rather large army and could again. If Tohon hadn’t used his dead soldiers to trap them, he would have had a hard time defeating them.”

“But they fight in the name of the creator.”

“I don’t care if they fight in the name of broccoli. The goal remains the same.”

True. I considered. “What happens if our combined forces conquer Cellina and High Priestess Estrid decides she wants to be in charge?”

“You mean you don’t want to become an acolyte?” Ryne faked horror.

“It’s those garish red robes. The color clashes with my hair.” I flicked an auburn strand from my face.

“Now, now. The creator frowns on vanity.”

“And on laughter, joy, music, dancing... Basically all forms of fun. Oh, and on sex, too. The creator’s a dour deity. However, you’re evading the question.”

“I am?”

“Ryne, talk or I’ll zap you.”

All humor dropped as he gaped at me for a moment. “Will you?”

“Are you crazy? I was just kidding.”

“I know, but I’ve been curious about your healing powers. There’s no record of that defensive move you’ve used in my book on magic. I’d like to feel it for myself.”

Remembering the attack at the infirmary, I hugged my chest. “Unfortunately, it’s not a secret any longer.” I explained about the head-to-toe covering they wore. My magic only worked if I touched skin.

“Still it would be useful to know the extent of the pain.”

“You are crazy.”

“Please.”

Low blow. “All right, but answer my question first or I won’t zap you.” Did I really just say that? The situation had turned unreal.

Ryne smiled, acknowledging the twisted logic. “If Estrid desires power beyond her Realm of Ozero, then I will stop her. I promised Kerrick that I would return our world to its preplague state—with all Fifteen Realms thriving and prospering. Once that’s accomplished, I’ll retreat to Ivdel and assume my place as its king.”

A heck of a to-do list. And it explained why he hadn’t assumed the title. Impressed, I studied Ryne. Intensity burned from his hazel eyes. Kerrick had utter faith in this man, which meant I did, too.

Ryne stuck out his arm. “Okay, now zap me.”

I gestured toward his bed. “It would be better if you lie down. Some people have a low pain tolerance and collapse right away.”

He huffed in amusement, but followed my advice. Before I took his hand he said, “Low pain tolerance? Do you judge people based on their pain thresholds?”

“Don’t worry—your manhood isn’t at stake. Well...unless you break down and bawl like a baby,” I teased. “Then I have no choice but to tell the monkeys and Flea.”

“I’d expect nothing less. Uh...have people bawled?”

“Yes. It can be very overwhelming. Just squeeze my hand twice if it gets too severe.”

“You once told me you zapped Kerrick so you could escape. How long did he last?”

Bittersweet memories surged. I’d blasted him with every ounce of strength, depleting all my energy. “I didn’t escape.” The stubborn, infuriating man wouldn’t let go. And I hoped that exasperating quality helped him now.

“Oh.”

“Yeah, I would have been impressed except I hated his guts at the time.” I patted Ryne on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I don’t hate you. Well, not at the moment. But if we keep reminiscing...”

“All right.” He laced his fingers in mine.

Magic flowed from my core, but instead of healing, I channeled it to cause pain. Starting out with a tiny spark, I gradually increased the power. Ryne’s expression tightened and he fisted his other hand. Color leaked from his face as sweat beaded on his forehead. All his muscles tensed.

He pumped my hand a few minutes after I’d reached the level most people collapse at. I stopped. Ryne lay there panting. He wiped his sleeve over his face, mopping up the sweat before it reached his eyes.

Pushing up to his elbow, he said, “Wow. That’s a significant weapon you have. And as soon as you stopped, all the pain disappeared.”

“That’s because the magic affects your nerves, but doesn’t damage them.”

“Handy.”

“As long as there’s exposed skin for me to touch. Otherwise it’s useless.”

“What about that neck thing?” Ryne pointed to the base of his skull.

“That’s harder to do in a fight. I need to touch the exact spot and send a burst of power. That move doesn’t hurt, it just renders the person unconscious for a couple hours. Do you want a demonstration?”

“No.” Ryne hopped to his feet. “I’ve too much to do.”

“Uh-huh.” I followed him from his office. ‘What’s next?”

“I’d like you to stay here for a few days while the patients are moved into the new infirmary site.”

“Why can’t I go now? And don’t tell me it’s not safe. No place is ever completely safe.”

“I agree. But that’s not the reason. During our explorations of the tunnels, we’ve encountered a number of exits that are blocked by Lilys. We need you to determine if they’re Death or Peace Lilys.” He paused. “Funny that I’ve mixed feelings about the results. On one hand, I hope they’re Peace Lilys so my men can get in and out, but on the other, we’re in serious need of more Death Lily toxin.”

That reminded me. Rummaging in my pack, I pulled out the four sacks I’d collected on our way to HQ and handed them to Ryne.

“You’re amazing,” he said.

“I know.” I smirked. “And if any of those Lilys in your way are Death Lilys, I’ll talk to them, see if we can work out a truce.”

“You can do that?” He sounded incredulous.

“Of course. I’m amazing after all.”

He groaned. “I’ve created a monster.”

* * *

“Why am I here?” Odd asked from behind me. His words echoed slightly.

“For protection.” I peered beyond the bubble of lantern light, searching for a sign that we’d reached the end. Nothing but a solid wall of darkness.

“Protection from what? Rats?” Odd’s voice held a slight hitch.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid of rats.”

“Not rats.”

“Then what?”

“I don’t know.... It’s creepy down here. Are you certain you know where you’re going?” he asked Hogan.

Sergeant Hogan carried the lantern in one hand and a map in the other as he led us through the labyrinth of tunnels. “For the fourth time, yes. My squad has been mapping these shafts for days and this one is pretty straightforward.”

“Days? Gee, I feel much better now,” Odd grumbled.

Hogan ignored him. Smart. The quiet young sergeant was one of Ryne’s soldiers from Ivdel and he had a rather no-nonsense demeanor. Unlike Odd.

Puddles dotted the uneven floor of the mine. Our footsteps sounded too loud and a heavy mineral scent laced the damp air. Having spent many days and nights in caves, I wasn’t as bothered by the tight space or the tingly feeling of pressure on my shoulders. Just because thousands of pounds of dirt and rocks hung above our heads was no reason to be... Oh, who was I kidding? It was creepy. Odd had a point.

“This is payback, isn’t it?” Odd asked me.

“Payback for what?”

“For letting Cellina’s men ambush you.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. You were following orders.”

“Somehow I don’t feel all warm and fuzzy inside.”

“Sounds like a personal problem.”

“Cute. What was I supposed to do? Warn you?”

“Did Ryne tell you not to?” I asked.

“Yes.”

“Again, you were following orders.”

“Swell. And the reason I’m here...”

“Ryne wanted us to take along another person just in case we ran into trouble. And I chose you.” Which I was starting to regret big-time.

“Why?”

“’Cause of your sunny disposition.”

Hogan huffed in amusement. “Good one.”

“Avry—”

“It’s because I trust you. We’ve worked together, did the whole silent training together. You know, friendship-type stuff. Gee, think much?”

“Oh.” Odd remained silent the rest of the way.

After some time passed—it was hard to keep track without the sun—Hogan slowed. A faint blob of light flickered ahead.

When the blob sharpened into sunlight filtered through large leaves, Hogan stopped. “Lily vines are wrapped all around the opening. We’re safe here.”

“Good. Stay,” I ordered, striding past Hogan.

The sergeant gasped when I reached the edge of the vines.

“You get used to it,” Odd said.

I stepped between the vines, trying not to harm the Lily. Exiting the tunnel, I paused, breathing in the fresh air. The sun hung low—late afternoon. We had left in the morning, not that it mattered below the earth, but Ryne had wanted my ribs to heal and for me to get a good night’s sleep. As if that was possible. Dreams of Kerrick and Tohon had sabotaged my rest. At least my ribs no longer caused me pain. Just a dull ache that should disappear soon.

A handful of Lilys grew nearby. As soon as I approached, the scent of vanilla dominated. Peace Lilys. They didn’t even twitch when I rested a hand on their petals.

“It’s okay,” I called to the men. “They won’t hurt you.” I searched the area, seeking Death Lilys. None.

When I returned, Hogan sat cross-legged on the ground. He sketched on a piece of parchment stretched across his lap. Working fast, he drew the landscape with a piece of charcoal.

“What are you doing?” Odd asked.

“Drawing landmarks,” Hogan said.

Confused, Odd glanced at me.

“Do you know where we are?” I asked him.

“No.”

“Neither does Hogan or Ryne. That sketch will help them figure out where this tunnel leads to.”

Odd nodded.

“We did find a rudimentary map of the mines,” Hogan said. “But it was old and doesn’t show half the shafts we’ve discovered.”

If only Kerrick was here. He’d know our location the instant he touched the forest. While Hogan worked, I wandered among the greenery, trailing my fingers over the leaves and along the rough tree bark.

Most of the Pomyt, Casis, Vyg, Sogra, Lyady, and the northern half of Ozero Realms were wooded. On a color map of the Fifteen Realms they appeared like a green belt south of the Nine Mountains. No surprise that lumber and mining were the top two resources for them. Farming dominated the realms of Zainsk, Sectven, Tobory, Ryazan, Kazan, and the southern half of Ozero. Bavly Realm extended into the Southern Desert and they sold the high-quality sand used in making glass wares.

Of course, all the trade and sharing of resources died when two-thirds of our population died. Not enough workers to plow the fields, mine the sand, or cut trees. Not enough manpower to stop the marauders and outlaws from running amok. Not enough craftsmen to provide goods and services. It had been utter chaos. A dark time when the people executed healers because they blamed us for unleashing the killer among them.

I’d believed we had nothing to do with the disease, but I’d since learned the healers did indeed cause over six million deaths. They’d been experimenting with mixing Death Lily toxin with Olaine pollen as a way to heal those pricked by the lethal Lilys. Instead, it had triggered the plague.

Did all my colleagues and friends deserve to die? Or just those few who lost control of their experiment? Tough questions.

And now Ryne hoped to return us to peace and prosperity. Or rather a semi-peace. The leaders of the Fifteen Realms squabbled like siblings over things like mine rights and border issues. Minor compared to Tohon’s army of the dead.

“Avry...hello?” Odd waved a hand in front of my face.

I focused on him. His brows were pinched together.

“Something wrong?”

“Hogan’s finished his sketch and wants to get moving to the next blocked exit.”

We headed back, joining Hogan at the threshold.

“How many more of these—” Odd gestured to the Lilys “—do we have to check?”

Ah, the reason for his scowl.

Hogan consulted the map. “Four more.”

Odd gave me a sour look. “Gee, Avry, if this how you treat your friends, I’d hate to see what you do to your enemies.”

* * *

We spent the next couple days trekking through the Victibus mines. I made and discarded a dozen plans to rescue Melina as we moved through the forest. Peace Lilys blocked the next exit, but at the third one a small Death Lily grew. Not big enough to snatch a man yet, its petals reached as high as my hip.

“Is that...” Hogan backed up a step.

Odd laughed. “It’s just a baby. Can’t hurt a full-grown man.”

“Should we pull it?” Hogan asked.

“No. It has a flower and is still dangerous.” I stepped between him and the Lily. Before the plague, teams of people would cull the young Lily plants before they flowered to save lives.

“But we might need this exit.”

True, but these plants had a sentient core. “Let me talk to it.”

“Uh—”

“Don’t ask,” Odd cut in.

I knelt next to the Death Lily and extended my hand. With a high-pitched hiss, it parted its petals and grabbed my arm. Two barbs pricked my wrist. Toxin flowed in me, but it wasn’t strong enough. Semi-detached from my body, I connected with the Lily’s consciousness. However, the connection remained weak. I caught a glimpse of another Lily, one fully grown a few miles away.

“How do you know where it is?” Hogan asked after I’d recovered. “We don’t even know where we are.”

How to explain? “The Lily showed me a map of the area. Like your sketch, but in my mind.”

“And you trust this?”

“Yes. And we need more toxin. It’ll only be a short detour.”

“But Prince Ryne—”

“Will be very happy to be able to eliminate more dead soldiers with the toxin we collect.”

Hogan glanced at Odd.

Odd shrugged. “Just so you know, she’s going whether you agree or not.”

“You can wait here if you want. We’ll be back by sunset.” I hefted my pack.

Hogan tried again. “Prince Ryne ordered us to stay together.”

“Then come on—you’re wasting time.” I strode north. “Besides, what can happen? We’re in the middle of nowhere.”

“Now you’ve done it,” Odd said, catching up to me. “Never invite danger.”

“How’s that inviting danger?”

“Asking ‘what can happen’ is a challenge to fate. It’s like asking fate to throw something our way.”

“That’s a silly superstition.”

“To you.”

Uh-oh. Had I hurt his feelings? I glanced at him. Instead of wounded puppy dog, his expression remained serious. I remembered Odd was from Ryazan Realm. “Is this a Ryazan belief?”

“No. Soldiers don’t tempt fate. We don’t brag or boast, which is different than being bold and aggressive. We aren’t cocky, just confident. Well, the good ones are.”

“But you brag all the time at camp.”

“About stupid stuff, not the important things. You’ve never heard me come back from a patrol and brag about how many enemy soldiers my squad killed. Or how we ambushed them while they slept.”

True. He’d bragged about stealing the last cookie from the mess tent or about dumping Ursan in the mud during a training session. Actually he’d never seemed to tire of teasing Ursan over that one.

“I understand and I’ll be more careful in my...word choices from now on,” I said.

“Thank you,” Odd said.

We walked in silence for a while. While Odd and I moved with the sounds of the forest, Hogan didn’t. He needed the silent training. The afternoon sun warmed the air and drove off the damp chill. Tipping my head back, I enjoyed the heat of the sunlight on my cheeks. We’d been overnighting in the tunnels for the past two nights. I hoped Ryne’s new infirmary location wasn’t inside a cave.

After an hour, we reached the Death Lily. It grew among a dozen Peace Lilys, the largest cluster I’d seen since I’d been harvesting the toxin.

I dropped my pack and approached. It snatched me in one quick gulp. Impressive. Pain jabbed my upper arms. Then I broke free from my body, flowing into the roots of the plant and joining with its soul.

Joy and contentment pulsed over my arrival. I smiled. Death Lilys didn’t get many willing visitors. It wished to help me and it showed me its entire network of Death Lily plants, offering the toxin sacks from them all. A generous gift. Committing as many to memory as I could, I concentrated on the locations.

Then I asked it about not taking Ryne’s soldiers.

Show me, it said. It desired a mental picture of every person in Ryne’s entire army.

I can’t. Another way?

No response. Perhaps I could mark the Death Lilys with paint to warn Ryne’s men. But then Cellina’s army would figure it out, too. And I didn’t mind if the Lilys ate them.

Another memory occurred to me. It wasn’t nice. When I’d been a prisoner in Tohon’s castle, I’d learned how to kill a full-size Death Lily. With its toxin. If I sprinkle it on the ground below the flower, the toxin would be absorbed by the Lily’s roots. It would die. But just the idea... I hated it. However, it might be the only way to make those exits safe for Ryne’s army.

Seeds, the Death Lily said.

What kind of seeds?

Mine. It showed me an image of a deer grazing under a Lily. A breeze shook the leaves and a handful of oval seeds showered on the animal’s back. Eventually a noise startled the deer and it ran off, carrying the seeds. Protect seeds. Make new.

Understanding dawned. If Ryne’s soldiers wore those seeds, would they be protected?

Yes.

Will you—

Yours.

But nothing happened. What’s wrong?

Others. Another image rose in my mind. A squad of a dozen soldiers wearing Tohon’s uniforms crept up on Odd and Hogan.

Alarmed, I fought to be released. I need to warn them!

Too late.

Odd spun, pulling his sword. Hogan leaped to his feet and yanked his weapon—a long thin blade. Both had daggers in their other hands. Outnumbered six to one, the fight lasted mere moments. Disarmed and forced to their knees, Odd and Hogan surrendered to the squad’s leader.

Their situation was all my fault. Guilt and fear pumped in my heart.

The leader—an older man with wide shoulders and a powerful build, pointed to my pack on the ground and asked Odd, “Where is your other member?”

Odd glanced at the Death Lily. “Eaten. Damn fool got too close.”

“What are you doing out here?” the leader asked.

Odd refused to answer.

More. The Lily showed me a large number of other squads moving east through the forest.

Not good. Did Ryne know they were here? Why were they so far from their main forces in Vyg? What was Cellina planning? The answer clicked. She dangled Zabin’s strategic military position to lure Ryne south. Meanwhile she sent her forces north in the hope of sneaking up behind him.