Taste Of Darkness

Odd left to organize a watch schedule. I placed the serum in an outside pocket of my pack. Unable to resist the lure of a warm fire, I joined the others. Wrapping my cloak tighter around me, I settled next to flickering flames, using my pack as a pillow. I’d just rest my eyes for a moment.

“How’s that for proof, my dear?” Tohon asked as he led me around the dance floor.

I wore the green silk gown with the plunging neckline and open back. The heat from Tohon’s fingers seared my skin, but I couldn’t break away from him. Music filled the air like a mist, swirling around us.

“Proof of what?” I asked.

“That part of me resides in you. Why else did the Peace Lily open for you?”

“I needed—”

“It doesn’t care. You placed your hands in the exact same spot I did and it worked. Proof.”

“But it gave me its sack, I didn’t steal it.”

“Trivial details, my dear. And not worth ruining our evening over.” Tohon increased his pace, twirling me in circles.

The other dancers blurred by. When Tohon finally stopped, we stood in the garden. My head kept spinning. Tohon hooked his arm in mine and walked me along the stone paths. When my vision cleared, I noticed the once-manicured bushes and plants were now overgrown and wild. Weeds grew everywhere.

Tohon tsked. “Such a shame. Look what happens when the gardener is gone.”

“Kerrick’s not gone.”

“Then where is he, my dear?”

Cold drops struck my face. Water ran along my jaw. The sound of sizzling matched the steady shushing of rain. I groaned and opened my gluey eyes. The others stirred, as well. Darkness remained. Smoke billowed from the wet embers.

“Ah, the joys of camping,” Quain said. “Waking up in a puddle.”

“Yeah, sure, it’s a puddle,” Loren teased.

“Grow up.” Quain pulled his hood over his bald head.

“I’m not the one with the puddle.”

“That’s enough, gentlemen,” I said. Every muscle in my body ached. I clambered to my feet. Rain dripped into my eyes. I yanked my hood up. Icy water splashed down my neck. Lovely.

“Welcome to the rainy season,” Odd said. He swung his cloak around his broad shoulders.

Quain peered into the dark sky. “I told you the weather last year was unusually dry.”

“And how does that help us now?” Loren asked.

I ignored their bickering. My thoughts returned to my nightmare as Odd gathered his squad and prepared to leave. Tohon’s magic couldn’t be inside me. Could it? No. I’d never heard of such a thing. Then again, that shouldn’t be a surprise; my knowledge of the other eleven types of magic was limited. Perhaps it was mentioned in Ryne’s book about the various magical powers. I’d have to ask the next time I saw him.

The rain continued as we traveled back to the infirmary. The darkness turned into a grayness. The sound of raindrops striking the leaves interfered with our efforts to match the noise of our passage with the forest’s song. We stopped often to listen for intruders or signs of an ambush. At each stop, I touched the greenery without thought, seeking Kerrick’s magic. Nothing.

While I understood the need to be cautious, my frustration over our slow speed grew as the day progressed.

It was close to midnight when we arrived. I grabbed a few supplies and headed to Yuri’s cavern, ordering the others to remain behind. Flea slept on his bedroll, blocking the entrance.

He woke the instant I stepped over him. “Did you find a Peace Lily?”

“Yes, and it gave me its serum.” I placed everything on the floor so I could take off my dripping cloak and toss it into a corner with a wet plop.

“Do you think it’ll work?”

I pulled the blue sack from my pack. Was there even enough inside to save the patient? “I’m not...sure.”

“Then talk it through. That always helps me.” He flashed me his lopsided grin.

“Okay. If I inject this serum into Yuri, it’ll do one of two things. It will accelerate the disease and kill him. Then I revive him with a touch. Hopefully.”

“And the other?”

“It will cure him.”

“Why would you think that?”

I explained the link between the plague and Death Lily toxin.

“So you think since Death counters Peace, it’ll work in reverse?”

“Yes.”

“What happens if Yuri dies and you can’t bring him back to life?”

“Nothing. He’ll be gone.”

“Which will eventually happen regardless.” Flea gazed at the sleeping man. “We should ask Yuri first.”

“Is he lucid?”

“At times. He knows he has the plague. I thought it only fair to tell him.”

“You’re right. And we should ask for his permission to try the serum.”

Flea woke Yuri. The young man’s gaze jumped from Flea to me and back as we explained my theories. It was a lot of information to absorb.

When we finished, he closed his blue eyes for a moment. Then he looked at me. “Go ahead and do it. It’s my only chance to live.”

I picked up the syringe, poked the needle into the blue sack, and drew all the clear liquid into the reservoir. Tapping it, I expelled the air bubbles. Yuri’s gaze never left me. He held his right arm out. Flea stood on the other side of the bed, holding Yuri’s hand.

A drop of serum hung from the end of the needle as I approached. I ran my fingers along the inside of his arm, seeking the best spot.

Learn. The Lily’s comment came unbidden. I stopped as another scenario popped into my mind. Was the serum for me? Was I supposed to heal Yuri, die from the plague again and be revived by Flea’s touch?

Of all the options that one made the most sense. Had the best chance of working. Had worked before.

Why hadn’t I considered it prior to this moment? Was it because it would take me twenty days to die and the pain during those last three would be the worst I’d ever experienced? Oh, yes.

I met Yuri’s confused gaze. Could I endure the plague again? Should I? Others needed me as well as this young man. And we had to rescue Estrid and her staff in two days.

“What’s wrong, Avry?” Flea asked.

“I figured out what I’m supposed to do.”

“That’s great. Right?” Flea’s brow crinkled.

Not so great. Now I needed to decide if I should.

KERRICK

Kerrick suppressed a sigh and invited Ryne to get comfortable. No matter how much he wanted to catch up to Avry, Ryne needed to know.

They built a small fire and sat on opposite sides as if negotiating a treaty. The guards fanned out in a wide circle around them. Kerrick explained waking in the forest and his new limitations. “That’s why I couldn’t go inside. I still don’t have enough energy to leave for long.”

Ryne hadn’t said anything during his story. Now he leaned back against a tree trunk. “That’s...quite a story. Avry was right again. Good thing she’s not the type to gloat.”

The warmth in Ryne’s voice raised Kerrick’s hackles. “Why did you bring her to HQ when she’s needed at the infirmary?”

Ryne told him about the Lilys. “She completely disregarded my orders and put my men in danger, but I couldn’t yell at her because she discovered vital information. Do you know how frustrating that is?”

Oh, yes, Kerrick was well acquainted with Avry’s inability to follow directions. “I’ve found the best way to work with her is to explain the situation. She’ll figure out the best way to approach it and you avoid the whole ‘ordering her around’ thing.”

“I’ve learned that the hard way.”

Kerrick laughed at Ryne’s martyred expression. “What was the vital information?”

“Cellina sent troops to our north. She was doing a classic backdoor sneak, but once word of the...incident with Avry reaches her she might change tactics. Regardless of her plans, I need to protect our flank, which means we had to change the attack on Zabin to a distraction and rescue.” He continued outlining his plans.

“Wait? You’re sending Flea and Avry to rescue Estrid?”

“Do you have another idea? I’m open to suggestions,” Ryne snapped.

Kerrick waited.

“Sorry. I don’t like it, either, but I’ve no choice.” Ryne lowered his voice. “I need Estrid. My army is small and we’re scrambling to stay in this. Without her forces, it’s just a matter of time until we’re forced back over the Nine Mountains.”

Not good. A stray thought struck Kerrick. Would he be able to cross the Nine Mountains? Forests grew between the ridges, but the peaks were bare. He might never see his home again. Refusing to dwell on those thoughts, Kerrick focused on the problem at hand—keeping Avry and Flea safe.

“What if I send a message to Noak asking for aid?” Kerrick asked.

“Noak? The leader of the northern tribes?”

“Well, technically, his sister, Rakel’s, in charge, but he leads their warriors.”

“Do you think he’ll come?” Ryne asked.

“I’ve no idea if he will help. It wasn’t too long ago he wished to slaughter our entire population, but Danny did save his people. We won’t know unless we ask.”

Ryne asked Kerrick to write a message. “I’ll send someone tonight.” Then he sobered. “I can’t count on him, so I’ll need to go forward with the plan to rescue Estrid.”

“When is the attack?” Kerrick asked.

“Two days from now.”

It would take Kerrick four days to walk there. “Do you have any horses?”

“No. Big noisy creatures aren’t good for guerrilla-warfare tactics.”

Too bad Kerrick had sent Oya back to the northern tribes. He’d have to find another horse.

“I know you want to catch up with Avry and Flea. Then what?” Ryne asked.

“What do you mean?”

“With your forest magic, you’re my best scout. You can get past enemy lines and I really need accurate information on where Cellina’s forces are.”

“I’d rather stay with Avry.” If she wanted him. Kerrick worried she’d distance herself from him in order to avoid getting hurt again.

“I’ve two of my best squads guarding the infirmary. Once Estrid’s rescued, Avry won’t be in any more danger.”

Kerrick just stared at his friend.

“She shouldn’t be in danger, but... Yeah, we both know it’ll find her.” Ryne rubbed his hand along the stubble on his chin. “It’s up to you. I won’t order you to return. But think about this....” He paused as if debating what to tell Kerrick.

Kerrick braced for bad news. “Think about what?”

“Belen. No one has heard anything or seen him. But no one can get close enough to the enemy.”

Ryne didn’t disappoint. His words sucker punched Kerrick right in the gut, implying only Kerrick could discover where his best friend had been.

“Low blow, Ryne.”

“I’m despicable, I know. And you shouldn’t be surprised.”

“I’m not.”

“Will you think about it?”

“Yes. But Avry first.”

“Of course.”

“Anything else I need to know about?” Kerrick asked.

“I’ve heard rumors about a Skeleton King down in Ryazan Realm. He’s gathered an army and is marching north.”

“Bad news. We encountered him once when searching for Avry, and barely made it out alive.”

“I sent a scout.”

From Ryne’s dour expression, Kerrick braced for more bad news. “And?”

“The scout returned with a package for me. The Skeleton King sent me a crown made from human bones and a note.” He sighed. “He warned me that he was coming and he planned to conquer—his word, not mine—both Cellina’s and my forces. And that when he is victorious over us all, I will crown him with this special crown.”

“How much of a threat is he?”

“Pretty big for us. For Cellina, not so much. She has over two thousand living troops and close to a thousand dead ones. Plus a dead-ufa pack or three.”

“Could that be another reason she’s pulling out of Zabin? Clearing the way for the Skeleton King to come after us? Then with the sneak attack from the north, you’ll be caught between them.”

Ryne cursed. “Another reason why I need you, Kerrick. To find out how many troops the Skeleton King has. My scout learned nothing of value.”

“I said I’d think about it.”

Kerrick wrote a message to Noak and left soon after, heading south to Zabin. Traveling through the night, he avoided the various patrols, but he kept track of animals in the forest, seeking a loose horse. In the morning, Kerrick skirted small towns and farms, hoping to find someone willing to sell or rent him a mount.

By midafternoon he finally spotted two horses grazing in a large pasture near the woods. Summoning all his magical strength, Kerrick turned his skin and clothes to normal before leaving the forest. Each step forward required a concentrated effort. By pure determination, he reached the farmhouse.

He found the horses’ owner and, if the man thought Kerrick’s strained demeanor odd, he didn’t seem to care once the two gold coins hit his palm.

“No saddle,” Kerrick whispered to the farmer. “Just a bridle. Please bring him to the forest. I’ll be waiting there.”

Kerrick’s legs shook as he hurried to return to the living green. As soon as he entered its domain, he collapsed.

Two seconds later, or so it felt, the man arrived with the horse in tow. “Hello?” he called, almost stepping on Kerrick. “Harper’s all ready.” He walked farther in.

Drawing on his final reserve of energy, Kerrick stood, changed to normal and caught up to the man, who jumped about a foot when Kerrick approached from behind.

“Thank you,” Kerrick said, taking the reins.

The man nodded and then bolted back to his farm.

He’ll have an interesting story to tell his family. When the man disappeared from sight, Kerrick mounted Harper. The dark brown horse instantly turned green, brown, orange, red, and yellow, exactly matching Kerrick and the rest of the forest. Handy.

Kerrick had a day and a half to reach the rendezvous spot. He spurred Harper into a gallop.

CHAPTER 8

“You can’t,” Flea said after I explained what I needed to do to save Yuri’s life.

I placed the syringe carefully on my pack to free my hands. “It makes the most sense.”

“What if the serum doesn’t work?” Flea dropped Yuri’s hand and moved around to my side of the cot. “You can’t die. We need you.”

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