Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2

by Connie Suttle

  "This is Doret," Kyri introduced me to the girls. "She will take you to the King's palace, where you'll be made comfortable. You'll train with the others who've come away."

  Kyri had given them a meal before she called for me, and they'd had a bath and wore fresh clothing. It made me grateful to the residents of Kyri's City for providing in an emergency.

  I'll send mindspeak to Hunter to prepare another bedroom, I informed Kyri. One of these can stay with Anari, the other two can share.

  I'll let Sherra know tomorrow that she'll be in charge of Cole's troops-they'll arrive at Secondary Camp on her command.

  Will they survive? I asked the direct question.

  I don't know. Things are too fractured to see much. Adahi says the same.

  Whenever Kyri said that, it meant the future was balanced upon the breadth of a hair, and could fall either way.

  Would any of us survive? I doubted anyone had an answer.

  * * *

  Border Camp

  Ruarke

  I had two names, Thorn's Book, and a desire to exact revenge for Ward's death. Except for the guards at the perimeter, everyone else was asleep. Thorn's Book held so many delightful possibilities; compelling someone to come to me was among them.

  Merrin had given me the names; I'd gotten descriptions from one of the escorts. Caral and Wend were as good as in my hands as I set about sending messages into their dreams. I considered the pleasure I'd have, torturing both until they screamed and begged for death.

  Placing the King's heavy dagger across the book to hold it open, I began my preparations.

  * * *

  Sherra

  I felt the uneasiness in my dreams; they'd turned quickly from harmless randomness to focused fear-for Caral and Wend. I'm not sure how I'd connected their dreams to mine, but both were being pulled away-coerced to go elsewhere.

  Suddenly, I stood beside the bed where Marc lay with Wend in his arms. Constructing the most powerful shield I could, I cut off the coercion to her dream and pulled it toward myself instead.

  He was on the other end, I felt sure of it.

  Next, I went to Caral, who was shielded better but still in danger.

  I didn't bother with the fact that Misten slept in Caral's arms. That information would never come from me or go to another if I could help it. As for breaking the law-the law was unjust, cruel, and deserved to be broken.

  Cutting off the coercion in Caral's dreams, I transferred it to myself, too.

  He had no idea I was only using it to locate him-I saw his hiding place easily. He waited inside a tent across the border, casting a spell from Thorn's Book to ensnare two unsuspecting black roses.

  Did he realize the coercion would allow the visions to work both ways? For someone powerful enough to force it to do so?

  With no second thoughts, I shifted my location to his tent. I smiled, because he expected corporeal bodies to appear before him, instead of a half-visible wraith.

  There he sat, Thorn's Book laid open on a small table before him, the King's dagger set across it to hold the pages open while he chanted the words of the spell.

  His death would be mine.

  Something stirred at my back.

  Wait.

  Kerok was attempting to wake my physical body.

  No!

  Grasping the dagger swiftly, I stabbed downward, the point piercing Ruarke's hand and pinning it to half of Thorn's Book, while I ripped the other half of the book away with power and disappeared with my body's waking.

  Ruarke's howl of pain followed me the entire way.

  Chapter 14

  King's Palace

  Kerok

  A loud thump sounded next to the bed and Sherra, whom I'd attempted to wake in an amorous fashion, leapt from the bed with a shriek.

  "What the bloody hell?" I half-shouted as she raced toward the location of the noise.

  Flipping on the solar light on the bedside table, I saw Sherra standing nearby, naked and holding half of a large book in her hands.

  What terrified me most was the blood dripping from the book's pages.

  "Prince Thorn?" A guard, banging on my outer door, drew my attention away. Sliding off the bed, I grabbed a dressing robe and strode toward the door. "Coming," I shouted. I'd have to sort this out quickly or the entire palace would be awake in seconds, thinking we were under attack.

  Throwing the door open, I saw the concerned look on two guard's faces. "We're all right," I waved away their concern. "Will you ask Barth and Hunter to come? Have wine and tea brought, too. Please."

  "Of course, my Prince," the guard who'd knocked dipped his head to me. I closed the door and walked quickly back to the bedroom, where Sherra still stood, holding the book-half of it, anyway-as if it were a live snake.

  "Tell me," I said, attempting to calm my voice.

  "I ah," she swallowed. "I was away," she whispered. "He was trying to take Wend and Caral. I, uh, got there first. I stabbed his hand onto the other half of the book and took this." She held the book higher.

  "That explains the blood, then," I said, my words dry.

  "I know where they are, or were. He isn't stupid. I figure he'll move the camp quickly, so we won't find him."

  "He?" I had a good guess, but wanted to verify my thoughts.

  "Ruarke. He was using a spell from the book to bring Caral and Wend to him, so he could hurt them. I stopped him and stole half the book-and half the spell with it."

  "My love, you need clothing. Hunter and Barth are on the way," I said, moving carefully toward her. Her eyes looked wild to me-almost desperate. She'd been afraid for her friends, I saw that much.

  Kyri was correct-Sherra had gone dreamwalking and I'd wakened her. "Were you going to kill him?" I asked.

  "I intended to. I was ah, pulled away."

  Meaning I'd wakened her before she could accomplish her goal. Silently, I cursed myself.

  "Clothing, love," I gestured for her to put the bloody, half-book on my bedside table so she could clean her hands and get dressed.

  "Oh. All right." She set the book down carefully before searching for a robe and disappearing into the bathroom.

  Barth and Hunter knocked on the outer door before Sherra's return, so I went to let them in.

  * * *

  Ruarke

  Niles wrapped my hand after we'd moved camp; I wasn't willing to stay in the original location any longer-they could find us if we didn't move.

  Merrin was especially unhappy about being wakened, but he gathered his things eventually and came along.

  At least most of the bleeding in my hand had stopped; I'd waved the bloody thing enough to spray red on anything and everything that failed to cooperate immediately.

  I hadn't even gotten a good look at my attacker, and that concerned me a great deal. While I had a desire to discuss the event with Kaakos, I worried that he'd command us to return to Ny-nes. My imagination had run wild, too, and my thoughts on the matter were so improbable he'd call me delusional.

  Worst of all, half of Thorn's Book had been taken by my attacker. That alone infuriated me-far simpler spells were in the pages I retained, and many of those were now covered in my own blood.

  We'd settled in a valley farther away from the border, and made it as difficult as possible to find us by nesting the tents among thick stands of trees.

  Kaakos would call the wound in my hand just, for attempting the spell without testing it first.

  I no longer had the entire spell to try it again. I cursed softly, causing Niles to stop his wrapping for a moment.

  "Not you," I gestured angrily for him to continue his work. He was bursting with questions-I saw them in his eyes. He knew better than to ask, because I was unwilling to answer, even on the best of days.

  This was certainly not the best of days. Perhaps one of the women I'd called was more powerful than I imagined, or there was someone else-someone to be very concerned about-among my enemies.

  * * *

  King's Palac
e

  Sherra

  "You stabbed his hand?" Hunter asked.

  "Onto the other half of the book," I said, holding a warm mug of tea against my chest as if it would warm my entire body, which felt chilled to the bone.

  "At least we know Ruarke bleeds red, just like the rest of us," Kerok shook his head.

  "How did you know where to find him?" Barth asked the important question.

  "He was calling Wend and Caral to him," I said. "He was showing them where to come. I intercepted his message and followed his instructions. He never saw me," I said. "I doubt he'll understand what or who attacked him-at least for a while."

  "What about Caral and Wend?" Kerok asked.

  "Safe. I placed extra shields around them, so his message wouldn't get through."

  "That's extraordinary," Hunter admitted. "I wouldn't think it possible."

  "I don't know how I knew to do it," I confessed. "My dreamwalker knew." Just as Kyri said.

  "So, Ruarke has the King's dagger, instead of Merrin," Barth said. "I'm not surprised. Likely he has the coronet, too."

  "It makes sense-he had the book, obviously," Kerok pointed out. "Now he's leading Merrin around by the nose, and Merrin's too stupid to realize it."

  "Don't forget that Merrin is probably under the influence of the drug, too," Barth said.

  "You think he's any less to blame because of that?" Kerok was angry. Part of that anger was directed at himself, for some reason.

  "No, my Prince. Merrin holds the blame in this, start to finish," Hunter soothed. "Had he not done as he did, he wouldn't have attracted Ruarke's attention. I firmly believe this."

  "Then place part of that blame on my brother, who helped him," Kerok snarled, before rising to pace.

  "Kerok, we have to find a way forward, not retread the paths behind us," I said, rising to go to him. "I think we've had enough discussion for tonight."

  "We'll continue this at breakfast," Kerok waved a hand, dismissing Barth and Hunter.

  * * *

  Kerok

  I asked Armon and Weren to meet with us over breakfast, after sleeping fitfully for what remained of the night.

  Sherra had to deal with my tossing and turning, but never said a word. "Thorn," Hunter said as he walked into my study, "There are bodies outside the northern dome."

  * * *

  "I locked the shields against Merrin and the others," Sherra admitted later. Six villager's bodies, hostages of Merrin's, lay outside the northern dome. They'd been found by guards when day broke. I didn't ask her about that feat then-perhaps I should have.

  "The bodies were just dumped here, when they found they couldn't get inside?" I fumed. Sherra, Barth and I stood outside the dome, where the bodies had been dumped in a haphazard fashion.

  "I believe it was retaliation for last night's events," Barth ventured.

  Of course it was. The bodies showed burn marks, so it could be Merrin's work, even if it weren't Merrin's decision to kill them. Frankly, it could be either Ruarke or Merrin, in my mind.

  Ruarke would have tortured Wend and Caral before they died-of that I had no doubt. Sherra's dreamwalker had put a stop to that, and now six villagers were dead in their place.

  Outside the dome where the bodies lay, there was nothing but dry desert and the morning heat reflecting off the dome's surface. Only stubborn plants and small reptiles survived for any length of time.

  "Have the guards gather the bodies and deliver them to the infirmary. Barth will do a divination there," I said. Sherra stood silently at my side while I issued orders. You had nothing to do with this-those poor villagers are marked for death, no matter what we do, I reminded her. Come now, Armon and Weren are on the way; we'll discuss this latest atrocity at breakfast.

  * * *

  Sherra

  We sat at the meeting table, food in front of us as Kerok explained what he knew of the night's events. I hoped the others asked no questions of me; this way I could consider six deaths I'd caused, instead of the two Ruarke intended.

  If I could only find Merrin, now, things would not go well for him.

  Or Ruarke.

  Or any of the others who followed either. I wanted to curse that I'd been pulled away from Ruarke too soon; my dreamwalker desired his death, just as Kerok did. Would I ever find him again so easily?

  I doubted it greatly. Ruarke knew to guard himself after last night. He had a hole in his left hand to remind him, should he forget. He'd carry that scar the full length of his life, however long that might be.

  "You're positive that he wanted Caral and Wend?" General Weren asked.

  "I am, sir," I replied. "I-my dreamwalker-intercepted his spell that called out to them. That's how I found him."

  "What is this spell, exactly?" Armon asked.

  "We only have half the book, so I can't say for certain," Kerok began. "Sherra probably knows more."

  "Sherra?" Weren turned to me.

  "I think it's similar to the one Kyri uses-to issue invitations to those who are welcome to come to her city," I said. "And the one time that she pulled all the youngest roses to her, when they were threatened by Merrin."

  "You know this how?" Kerok frowned at me, then.

  "Because I provided extra power for her, while she did it," I said. We'd been connected. It was very similar to what Ruarke had performed the night before, to pull Caral and Wend away from Secondary Camp.

  I'd hoped they'd ask no questions. It appeared to be all they wanted to do. I was compelled to answer, as I'd been in the middle of it all.

  At least my dreamwalker had, and I was left with the memories of it.

  "How did you keep them from getting past the domes?" Barth asked. "I thought you had to touch them to recognize their power before doing something like this."

  "I did it last night, after Kerok fell asleep again," I admitted, hanging my head. "I only need something they've touched, you see. I found all that in the half-book my dreamwalker stole from Ruarke. Almost all of Merrin's and Ruarke's people have touched it."

  The meeting room erupted, as everyone attempted to speak at once.

  * * *

  The headache I'd developed hadn't eased any, an hour after I'd gotten the pain-killing powder delivered in a cup of tea. At least the others had gone about their business, leaving me alone with Kerok.

  "If we locate Ruarke's camp, you may be able to get past the perimeter divination, no matter who set it?" Kerok asked for the third time.

  "I think so," I replied for the third time. "Ruarke may be more-unpredictable than Merrin, but I believe I can work around that. The trouble comes from finding them, first," I pointed out.

  "You know they can strike elsewhere-any village is vulnerable," Kerok growled.

  "I know that. I think you should stop haranguing me and let me go place shields," I snapped. He jerked around as I spoke; I hadn't expected my words to sound so waspish, but I was weary, my head hurt and I was more than ready for the inquisition to cease.

  "We should sleep in separate bedrooms from now on."

  I'd wounded him; he'd struck back.

  "If that's what you want. May I be dismissed?"

  He waved a hand before turning his back on me. I walked out of his study, my anger seething, my head pounding. With or without his permission, I could lay shields around ten villages before the midday meal.

  * * *

  Valley Camp

  Ruarke

  When Merrin's warrior returned, telling me that he'd been prevented from passing through the domes, I didn't believe him. I sent Merrin in his place-to deliver the bodies to the palace himself.

  In only a few moments, he'd returned with the same tale. I cursed, then, called them fools, collected Niles to move bodies for me and went myself.

  I found the bodies outside the northern dome; I couldn't get past that perimeter any better than the others. Something strange was happening-how was this even possible? Kaakos was able to set an alarm at his perimeter around Ny-nes, which alerted him to ce
rtain persons crossing into Ny-nes, but he had no way to keep them out.

  He would know where they crossed, however, which made them easy to find and kill. That particular talent ensured we hadn't been attacked in two centuries or more.

  This-I had no idea how it was accomplished, but wanted more than anything to learn how it was done. So many things would come to me if I could perform this miracle.

  Had the same one who'd stabbed me done this?

  That question ran a regular track in my mind. Perhaps it was time to question Merrin again-and those leeches who used to be Council members. Somebody had to know something about this.

  Meanwhile, I considered how to take further revenge against the Crown of Az-ca. The army was scheduled to arrive soon and Kaakos' generals would begin issuing orders. I needed to show Kaakos some progress, or he could ask me to return to Ny-nes. I had things yet to do and vengeance to be had before I left.

  * * *

  Sherra

  Pottles volunteered to go with me, and I was grateful for her presence. Kerok had managed to wound my heart, and that pain, coupled with the headache, served to make me less than pleasant to be around.

  Therefore, in the villages we visited, she handled the leaders' questions, explaining that we were protecting them as best we could from Merrin. Pottles never told them about Ruarke or the enemy army-she didn't want to panic the villagers.

  "Of course you'll be able to go in and out if you want," Pottles soothed yet another village head. "There's nothing to stop you-only something to stop him from entering and harming you and the others."

  "I heard about the burning of that village," the man frowned at her.

  "We're trying to prevent that very thing," Pottles said. "Sherra, are you finished here?" She was tired of making explanations.

  "Yes." My answer was short, like my temper.

  "Good day to you, sir," Pottles told him. "We have other villages to visit before the day is over."

  I let Pottles step us to our next destination; it took a few moments to realize we stood inside Kyri's kitchen.

  "It's about time," Kyri said, setting plates on the small table. "Do you still have a headache, Sherra?"

  "Yes," I sighed as I took a chair.

  "I have something for that," Kyri said and handed me a small square of folded paper with powder inside it. "Drop that in your tea; it'll help. It's stronger than what they give at the palace."