Levi and I knew the accusers. They'd found a way to get back at those of us supporting the new ways. Even if the accusers had no actual proof, I knew, as did Levi, that Caral and Misten would be proven guilty of disobeying the laws once a divination was performed.
If nothing else, their power would be removed and they'd become outcasts.
The law was wrong.
I'd known that for a long time. Suddenly, I felt weary. Fighting battles for Az-ca's preservation no longer held interest. I was tired and sick to death of all of it-because of stupid laws.
At first, I'd considered contacting Sherra, but held back. Somehow, Merrin's information on Caral and Misten had been used against them. There was past information on Sherra that could be used against her, too, involving a forbidden book. She'd broken that law, and Kerok hadn't made acceptance of the book retroactive. That old law could trap her, too; I had no doubt about that.
Merrin was still destroying the army, in every way he could. What he couldn't destroy, his new-found allies would annihilate when they arrived.
I jumped and nearly shouted my terror when Adahi walked into the cabin without bothering to open a door. "I have a solution, Colonel. Take it or leave it," he said.
* * *
King's City
Sherra
Armon and Levi are waiting to assist you when you arrive to release your friends. They will also join you in your and Cole's efforts to find the enemy army, Adahi informed me in mindspeak. Go now to release Misten and Caral. If you do not, their power will be removed upon General Weren's return, and they will be transported to the King's City lockup, on the Crown Prince's orders.
Then I need to send Cole and his people away when I leave, I felt the beginnings of panic-things were happening far too fast for me to think coherently.
Then send them to the northern edge of the bomb crater at the border, Adahi suggested. You can meet them there after you collect your friends from Secondary Camp.
All right.
I'd gone to the suite I'd selected after my disagreement with Kerok. He hadn't sent mindspeak or bothered to contact me about any of this, once the initial announcement was made that Caral and Misten were in lockup.
Snatching clothing and stuffing it into a travel duffle, I struggled to gather thoughts which had flown in every direction at Adahi's sudden contact.
Armon and Levi. They'd be marked for death, too, once Kerok discovered their duplicity.
Rogue. A term that had frightened me all my life.
Things had changed in the past year. Kerok could declare me rogue all he wanted. My heart squeezed at the thought of never seeing him again, but my feelings were unimportant at the moment.
Lives mattered, now.
I'm coming, I sent to Armon.
We know, he replied. We're ready.
* * *
Doret
"Gather your things-quickly," I told my charges. "We're going back to Kyri's City tonight."
I'd gotten the warning from Adahi-that once Sherra disappeared, Thorn would tear the palace apart and interrogate anyone close to her.
I wasn't willing to answer questions he should bloody well be able to sort for himself. Besides, I had no idea where Sherra planned to go and didn't want to ask.
I also didn't want to contact Kyri, mostly because I didn't want to be privy to her plans, either. That knowledge could upset me more than what was currently happening with Sherra's friends.
"Yes, that's good enough," I waved a hand at Kyal and Laren. "Come now, we must hurry."
* * *
Secondary Camp
Sherra
It was one thing for me to get inside the shields around the camp. It was another to get several other people out.
I stood outside the walls, where the outermost shield lay. Wend had placed this one; Caral and Misten had been forced to remove theirs. The one I'd placed around Secondary Camp wasn't a concern for me-I could walk through it anytime without difficulty.
Wend's shield I could also walk through, because I knew her power well. I wondered if any of the others would or could present a challenge. For now, that was an unknown.
If I formed a tube, and made it large enough to walk through, then sent it under the wall-that would eliminate the problem of more shields. That method had definite possibilities, and could get the others out, too-if I left it in place long enough to do so.
Yes. That could work.
* * *
King's City
Kerok
Weren didn't want to remove Caral's and Misten's power. I understood that. I also understood his reluctance to return to Secondary Camp for that very reason. That's why I consented when he'd asked if he could have dinner with his wife before leaving the King's City.
That left me alone inside my study, where I turned King Thorn's diary over and over on my desk, contemplating how much I hated my position at the moment.
My study door opened and Adahi walked in to sit on a guest chair. Dark eyes considered me carefully. His hood was down, his long, dark hair falling in a braid over his shoulders.
"It's interesting that you should be handling that book right now," Adahi finally spoke.
"Why's that?"
"Because what I have to tell you concerns him-and Ruarke."
"What about those two? How are they connected?" I had no idea what Adahi meant, and I didn't welcome his presence-I'd wanted this time alone to think on current events and how to handle things with Sherra.
A slow smile spread across Adahi's features. "You said the proper word," he chuckled. "Connected."
"All right, now you're becoming an annoyance," I growled.
"Do you recall the conversation you and I had weeks ago, when we spoke about King Thorn's Book on divination?"
"I do. So?"
"What did I tell you?"
"That Merrin had Thorn's Book, and it was dangerous. That because Merrin had royal blood, he could use it. That Thorn had left out a word in his spell, which would prevent anyone but me using it," my words faltered.
"You and Kyri were worried about the book falling into Ruarke's hands," I spoke my growing fear aloud.
* * *
Mountain Camp
Ruarke
It had come to me finally-the full spell I'd performed against Caral and Wend, before I'd been interrupted.
This time, I'd use it for another purpose. I could either pull someone to me, or bend their will to my own. I wanted to laugh at how perfect it was.
* * *
Secondary Camp
Sherra
I'm coming, I informed Armon. I had to build a tunnel, but it's a way for us to get out, I added.
Then hurry, he said. Things are turning strange.
Strange?
Get here, Armon shouted his mindspeak, just as a fireblast detonated inside the walls.
Chapter 17
Secondary Camp
Armon
With Weren absent, Caral's and Misten's accusers decided to act on their own to enforce the laws. How that happened I had no idea, as I'd have called them too cowardly to do anything of the sort before.
They'd gathered enough courage to do this, though, and I wondered about outside influences.
They thought the way clear, too, when Levi and I hid behind a mirror shield outside the lockup, where we waited for Sherra's arrival.
That's how the fireblast they launched at the wooden building bounced off our combined shields and landed in an empty spot between the lockup and the mess hall. I sent mindspeak to Sherra, begging her to come quickly.
Another fireblast was leveled against our shield; Levi grunted at the force of its impact.
Sherra walked inside our shield, then, as if it were as thin and fragile as a soap bubble. "We have to hurry," she said. "Tie off your shields and come with me."
With a nod, Levi tied his off first and disengaged, then I did the same. Sherra stepped us inside the lockup, where Caral, Misten and Derissa huddled, with shields held about the
m for protection. How had Derissa gotten in?
"Let's go," Sherra said, offering her hands to lift Caral and Derissa to their feet. Levi was already helping Misten to stand.
"Where are we going?" Caral asked.
"Rogue," Sherra replied before stepping us out of the lockup.
* * *
King's City
Kerok
I'd risen to my feet and turned my back on Adahi. I hadn't spoken my fears aloud-I was desperately attempting to sort them. Adahi and Kyri had both been terrified of Thorn's Book falling into Ruarke's hands.
Because he had power, I reminded myself.
They'd said he was far more talented and dangerous than Merrin could ever be. But, if Ruarke was of the enemy, why would he be able to use the book? He wasn't of King Thorn's royal blood-couldn't be.
"And he arrives at the obvious. Finally," Adahi rumbled.
"That anyone with power can use the book?" I whirled to face Adahi.
"And it's the wrong conclusion," Adahi tossed up a hand. "I should have known better than to trust your logic."
"If only those with royal blood can use the book, does that mean those royals in Ny-nes can use it too-if they have power?"
"There is no royal blood born in Ny-nes, and never has been. Only power is born there, of the mundane and supernatural varieties." Adahi sounded impatient with me, now.
I went still. "This is impossible," I snapped. I wanted to shout, but that would send guards and anyone else within hearing distance running toward my study.
"No. It is not. Tell me who Ruarke really is. If Doret were still here, she could tell you easily who he is and was."
"Where is Doret?" I demanded. "I saw her earlier."
"I warned her that you'd be angry about what I came to tell you, so she gathered the children and transported them back to Kyri's City. They are safe, there. Ask yourself, dear Prince, why Doret simulated her kidnapping and death three centuries ago."
"I don't know why," I did shout, this time. "All the records are destroyed or murky around that time."
"What happened then that you do recall?"
"That's when it was decided that a Crown Prince couldn't serve as Commander of the Army-because a Crown Prince died at the hands of his escort."
"Do you recall that Crown Prince's name?"
"Wulf. Crown Prince Wulf. My father is named after him," I retorted.
"Oh, the irony," Adahi snorted. "What was his full name? You all have extended lists of names, do you not?"
"I don't know his full name." I couldn't help glowering at Adahi as I made that reluctant admission.
"Then I'll enlighten you-for future reference, you understand. His full name goes thus; Wulf Tadson Ruarke Rex. Now do you get it? Doret wasn't the first to simulate a death, you know. Ruarke killed her sister, Daria. Doret still wants revenge for that terrible act. Now, it is time for me to go-I have other things to attend to, and Sherra and her friends are all safely away."
I sank onto my chair, feeling completely numb. Not only had a Crown Prince of Az-ca deserted his country, he'd aligned himself with the enemy, and now tortured and killed his own countrymen.
"Sherra?" Adahi's words finally penetrated my brain. "What have you done with her? Where is she?"
"She, in her own words, has gone rogue," Adahi replied. "She has rescued her friends at Secondary Camp, and not a moment too soon, I may add, because some of your troops were manipulated by the very Ruarke we have discussed tonight, and those troops attempted to kill Caral and Misten by destroying the lockup. Sherra is gone and may not return to you." He laughed at my shock and outrage.
"I will kill you for distracting me while this happened," I formed a funnel with my shield, then built it into a tube. The fireblast was forced through it before I fully considered what I was doing.
The chair Adahi sat on now bore a cleanly-burned hole in it. Adahi hadn't disappeared and remained whole before me, albeit somewhat transparent. He even appeared to be amused by my actions, if that were possible.
"There's something else you should know," Adahi said as he rose from his seat. "You can't kill what is already dead, my dear Prince."
When he walked through the door rather than opening it, I realized how accurately we'd name him when we'd called him the phantom.
"What's wrong?" Hunter burst into my study, with Barth right behind him.
"Get Weren. We're needed at Secondary Camp," I barked.
* * *
Marc and Wend had taken the attackers into custody and waited for our arrival, but Sherra had taken the prisoners and was long gone. Armon, Levi and Derissa had voluntarily gone with her.
That served to make my anger sharper as I glared at the prisoners inside Wend's shields. It had taken hers and several others to hold them, but these warriors knew better than to launch blasts while contained within those bubble shields.
"You couldn't wait for the King's justice?" I shouted at cowering warriors.
Barth had come with me, leaving Hunter at the palace. One heir needed to be present, there, especially in light of recent actions-Adahi's and Ruarke's.
Not to mention those who stood before me, trapped inside a bubble shield. For all I knew, they could still be under Ruarke's influence. Their power would be removed before I left Secondary Camp; their fate could be decided later, when I had time to cool off and consider all options.
I was forced to admit how angry I was at Sherra, Armon and Levi, too-for deserting the army.
And me.
Fuck.
"Barth, remove their power and send them to the lockup in the King's City," I waved a hand. "They can keep Garkus company until I decide what to do with them."
* * *
Bomb Crater, Northside
Sherra
Cole's people were used to this. They'd built a fire, put up tents and handed out provisions they'd carried away with them.
Caral and Misten sat near the campfire, arms wrapped around one another as Derissa leaned in against Caral.
Derissa had carried a meal to Caral and Misten in the lockup, hoping to convince them to escape, if a way could be found. A way to escape had caught up with all three, while they'd attempted to protect themselves from an unexpected attack.
"Cole," I said, "Armon and Levi have years of experience commanding troops. I'm the newcomer. I'd feel much safer placing lives in their hands," I said. The topic had turned to our small army, and how we'd begin our search for the much larger force coming from Ny-nes.
"If we wait for them to cross the land bridge," Armon said, "They're already too close."
"Wherever they set up, it'll have to be close enough to get those flying machines to the army or the King's City-those two things have to be their main targets," Levi said.
"I agree," Cole nodded at Levi. "For now, Az-ca's army is at Secondary Camp, and all of it is in one place, making it a vulnerable target. Once they eliminate that, they can safely cross the border and get close enough to attack the King's City."
"We've given up any influence we may have on moving the army elsewhere," Armon gruffed. "Even if we send mindspeak, they won't listen."
"Do you think that's true?" Cole's eyes narrowed to slits as he gazed at Armon. "Will they not listen, or do you worry that they'll be obstinate in the face of good sense?"
"I think it's the latter," Armon nodded after a moment's reflection.
"Thorn may be unwilling to listen to advice from anyone at this point," Adahi walked out of the shadows to join us. He dropped to the ground across from me, the image of his dark eyes flickering in the firelight between us.
What did you say to him? I sent mindspeak.
The truth, which we can discuss at a later time, Adahi replied. In a day or two, when he works through recent events, he may become more approachable. Unfortunately, by that time, the enemy army may be upon us, and it will be far too late for him to act in any rational sense.
That means we have to do something, doesn't it?
Yes. And quick
ly.
"So. The timing of this was well-planned, wasn't it?" I spoke to Adahi aloud. "That Ruarke would cause problems within Az-ca's army, hoping to direct the attention to that, rather than Ny-nes' encroaching troops and machinery."
"I believe that to be truth," Adahi dipped his head in acknowledgement.
"We need a battle plan now, don't we, if we are to stop them from reaching the land bridge?" Armon said. "I will entertain any and all ideas," he added.
"Sleep on it tonight," Adahi suggested. "In the morning, make your plans and do it quickly. Time is short."
"What about Ruarke?" Cole asked.
"Hmmph," Adahi huffed. "Should we be successful in destroying their army, that whelp will run back to Kaakos. He values his own skin, you see, and when he learns that rogues from Az-ca are actively hunting him on Ny-nes' soil, he'll move to protect himself."
"How will he learn that rogues are hunting him?" Caral spoke for the first time.
"He has mindspeech," Adahi chuckled. "As do I. I intend to tell him."
* * *
King's City
Kerok
The day couldn't get any worse-until it did.
Hunter called me back from Secondary Camp. The physicians were at my father's bedside when I arrived. I'd spoken to Father earlier in the day, but things had changed drastically since then.
He'd fallen unconscious, and his breathing was labored. I found it more than difficult to watch someone who'd been so strong and active when he was younger, fall ill and waste away like this. With every struggling breath my father drew, I wished to ease that for him and felt powerless to do so.
"I am here, Father," I gripped his hand in mine and wept.
* * *
Bomb Crater, Northside
Sherra
I sat, cross-legged, inside Caral and Misten's tent. At least here, they could be together openly. There wasn't anyone in our camp who would accuse them of breaking a law. In fact, several of Cole's people were together, male and male, female and female.
Yes, they'd been mutilated young, but that didn't prevent them from loving someone, whether sex could be a part of that or not.
"I feel so guilty," Misten wiped tears away. "I couldn't hold back any longer, and Caral didn't stop me."
Rose and Thorn: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 2 Page 22
