"Don't look at it that way," he said, gesturing for me to sit down. "The new method is the best thing I've seen since I took command of the army more than forty-five years ago. Somehow, misinformation was spread through the troops, and now they're balking. Give it some time; they'll come around."
"How old were you when you took command?" I asked.
"Twenty-two."
"You still look almost as young," I said.
"It's the power within warriors," he said. "We have some who are nearly two-hundred still fighting. Linel is one of those, although this past year has worn him down. Part of that is my fault, because he's had to carry most of the weight while I recovered from my injuries and then waited for a new black rose."
I wanted to point out that the black roses didn't have the luxury of time like most of the warriors did, but we'd covered that ground too many times already. There wasn't anything I could do about it, either, unless I wanted to desert and have a death sentence leveled against me.
I ignored the small voice that informed me that Kerok was the one I wouldn't desert. That was news I wasn't prepared to accept as yet. Admitting that I was still in self-preservation mode against the ghost of his former rose was also not something I wanted to consider.
Not now, anyway. Perhaps later I'd deliver the scathing news of his continued rejection to myself—when I was better able to handle it.
"I'm going to bed—will you let me know when it's time to get up?" I rose from the chair with a feigned yawn.
"I will."
"Good-night." I walked away from him.
"Good-night, Sherra."
T ents. Everywhere, there were tents—all in multiple hues of sand, brown and green, to match the surroundings of the army encampment. Many of them were nestled between small hills of sand and scrub, to hide themselves better.
No, I hadn't considered where the warriors and roses would sleep, eat or bathe. Tents were the option provided, as they were easy to take down, put up and move. Kerok and Armon had stepped Caral and me to a place outside General Linel's large tent and waited while a corporal standing guard outside alerted the General to our presence.
We didn't wait long before we were ushered inside—Kerok was Linel's Commander, too.
"I'm surprised and pleased to see your roses with you," Linel offered camp stools to all of us. Like Kerok said, Linel showed weariness in the lines of his face and the fading brown of his hair.
He wants to retire, my inner voice informed me.
"This is Sherra, and this is Caral," Kerok introduced us.
"It is an honor," I dipped my head to the General, as did Caral.
"I may have a partial answer to our recent rebellion against new practices," Linel said as we made ourselves comfortable. "It appears that those few officers who regret Merrin's passing have ah, spoken out the loudest."
"I am not surprised," Kerok said after considering Linel's words. "Disappointed, yes, but not surprised. He had his friends and I should have expected this. What concerns me most is how they came by the information to begin with."
"They're not breaking any laws; they're only voicing their opinions," Linel sighed. "I'm anxious to see the new method in action, but it will have to wait until your official arrival to take command."
"I may take steps to hasten it, if your report about the enemy gathering is correct," Kerok said.
"Both our Diviners have said as much," Linel responded. "I don't doubt their findings."
"They're accurate," Kerok rolled his shoulders. "I can feel it."
Is that what the unsettled feeling is? I sent to Armon. I thought it was the opposition to the new method when we arrived—as if massive hate was directed at us.
It's the enemy—Thorn can feel these things—it's in his blood, somehow. He doesn't need to be a Diviner to know that something is happening with the enemy.
Can you feel it? How do you live with this constant barrage?
I don't feel it, and most people can't. I think we'd go crazy after a while if we did.
Kerok and I needed to talk. I had questions regarding whether this was how it usually was, less than ordinary, or higher than normal. I wasn't sure I'd be able to sleep with the overwhelming hatred aimed in our direction. My strongest shield was up and surrounding all of us in the General's tent, and still it found a way through to beat against my brain.
"I'd like to inspect the battlefield, to determine whether we should move forward or fall back to make repairs," Kerok said, drawing my attention.
"I'll come with you," General Linel said. "I was hoping you'd make this decision so I wouldn't have to."
Armon rose, silently indicating that Caral and I should rise, too. The General stood next, followed by Kerok.
He'd officially taken command, it appeared, and this was protocol. Taking my arm, he stepped me away; we landed in an area that looked as if it had been scraped bare of anything living.
Not even a wary cactus thought to poke a spine or sticker above hard, sandy soil. Amid the barrenness lay dips and pockmarks—as if something hard had rained from the sky and formed those indentions.
"Not a smooth battlefield, for certain," Kerok shook his head as Armon and the others appeared nearby.
I noticed we'd landed on the southeastern edge of the large area. "This is where everyone steps," Kerok pulled me out of the small, unmarked square of dirt. "We'll have to pull back, General," Kerok turned to Linel. "Make the southernmost line the northernmost when you construct the new field. Complete shields are difficult to construct around these irregular spaces."
"I'll see to it, Prince Commander."
The terrible feeling—it's worse here, isn't it? I sent to Kerok, who studied the field around us in silence.
It is worse. This is the place they last knew we stood, so of course they target it with their hatred.
Is it always this bad?
No. Most times it's an unsettling feeling that you can ignore. This tells me that they're planning something big and working themselves into a frenzy over it. I worry that you feel it, too, he added. The last time I felt it like this, I came away with severe injuries.
What can we do? I asked.
I think Secondary Camp will be accelerated, he replied. We may need all of them on the front lines in a matter of days. You won't get the officer training until later, but it can wait for now. This is more important.
Where are they? The enemy?
At the moment, they're roughly ten miles to the north and east—at their nearest border. Close and far, at the same time. They can lob bombs at us from that location. If they pull back to regroup after heavy fighting, I send a few teams forward to look for vehicles we can take. We have safe stepping points here and there along the way—that's how we spy on their movements.
"Have you gone yourself?" I asked aloud. "To spy on them?"
"At times."
"Hmmph. Goes more often than he should," the General complained. "Always came back, though."
"How long—before they strike, in your estimation, Commander?" Armon asked.
"I give it five days at the most. We should get back to Secondary Camp, General. I think we're going to need everyone we can muster for what's coming."
CHAPTER 17
K erok
"I'm depending on both of you to help. You've been through this process before, and know how to handle it. These roses are far ahead of any other class I've seen, so the acceleration shouldn't be too much for them to handle."
I'd sent Sherra to have a midday meal in the regular mess with her friends, so I could speak with Armon and Levi at a private table in the officers' mess.
"It helps that Sherra can just touch them and show them how to do something," Levi observed.
"I think that's what we need to do now—teach her, Caral, Wend, Jae and a few others, and then turn them loose on the rest of the roses. I think by the third day, they'll be ready to work with their warriors."
"The trouble, of course, is getting Sherra's cooperation w
hen you pull power from her in the beginning," Levi pointed out. "I remember the last time we tried that."
"I know. That's why I'd like to teach her in private this afternoon, and then let her work with her close friends tomorrow morning. The rest should follow as quickly as they learn it."
"You know to proceed carefully?" Armon sounded hesitant. He didn't want to overreach, but he also wished to voice his concern for Sherra.
"I'll take care of her," I promised. "I understand how important she is—to all of us," I held up a hand before Levi could also voice his concern.
"I just worry that—she's getting shortchanged," Levi spoke anyway, before dropping his eyes to his plate.
"No more than I," I mumbled before rising and stepping away.
Sherra
Wend's shoulder was firmly pressed against that of Lieutenant Marc's. They'd be sharing meals with us in the officers' mess, except that one of Marc's duties was overseeing the troops in the regular mess.
Therefore, she ate with him.
Easy enough to see that they were connected already, with neither wanting the other out of their sight.
For now, I couldn't determine whether it was new love or new lust, but whatever it was, both appeared happy. Jae, Tera and Neka exchanged occasional glances and smiles with their warriors when they thought nobody was looking.
Caral, Misten and I sat across from Wend and Marc; the others took up the rest of the benches on both sides.
"Commander Kerok says I can tell you, because you'll be in First group for the training," I began when conversation lulled and our meals were nearly finished. "It looks as if the enemy may be planning an attack very soon, and he wants us ready and on the battlefield when it happens."
"What does that mean?" Wend suddenly looked concerned, as did Marc.
"It means our training will be accelerated," Caral replied. "Sherra goes first, she teaches us, and then we train the rest. We'll be working alongside our warriors in two or three days if all goes as planned."
"So we'll get to train others again. I like that," Neka grinned.
"We have a short time to do it—the Commander wants us ready to go in five to seven days," Misten explained. "We'll have to hurry."
"If the Commander wants it done, we'll make it happen," Marc rubbed Wend's back. "I hate that our time here will be cut short, though."
"Tell them what you felt when we went to the battlefield," Caral nudged me.
"I felt what the Commander felt—the anger and hate of the enemy, even from ten miles away. He says it only gets this bad when they're planning a big attack, and with what I felt from them, I don't think it will be otherwise."
I didn't say that I was looking forward to working with Kerok in the afternoon with a high degree of trepidation—I didn't want to hand my fears and insecurities to any of them.
With Kerok, I'd have to swallow my fear and allow him in—to take whatever power he demanded.
It terrified me.
"Captain Sherra?" A warrior tapped my shoulder.
"Yes?" I turned to see who it could be; so far, nobody had addressed me by my rank. Standing beside a tall, thin man was Reena, and behind her stood Bela and another warrior.
"We just wanted to thank you—for our roses," the tall, thin one offered a smile. "Warrior Beckley," he introduced himself. "This is Harnn," he introduced Bela's warrior. "We, ah—usually it takes more than one training class for a rose to choose us," he added.
"Then you are doubly lucky," I stood so I wouldn't have to twist uncomfortably on the bench. "Bela and Reena are strong with talent, as I'm sure you've discovered already."
"Thank you," Reena flung arms around my neck, making Beckley chuckle.
Bela hugged me too, and Harnn dipped his head to me before they walked toward the mess hall door.
"I should probably find Kerok," I told the others. "It was so good to see all of you again."
Where are you? I sent to Kerok. I'm finished with my meal.
Meet me at our cabin, he replied.
K erok
She walked toward the cabin by herself; I should have thought about that before sending her in this direction—that she'd be alone.
Not that she couldn't take care of herself, but I still felt concerned. As Sherra came closer, I saw she looked pale.
This scared her, when nothing else I'd seen had really done that.
Except when she thought I was dying, I reminded myself. I'd heard the panic in her voice as she fought Garkus and begged Armon and Levi for help.
You're a fool for thinking she doesn't care about you, a small voice informed me.
Too many times, I'd heard Hunter tell me I was too honest for my own good. I'd lay money on there being several warriors who only pretended to care about their roses, to get what they wanted from them at night.
Or in the mornings, before breakfast.
Yes, I felt stirring in my own body at the thought of it, but chose to stifle the urges. Sherra and I had work to do, and she was frightened enough as it was.
"I've heard from Hunter," I said as Sherra stepped onto the porch where I waited. "The warrior trainees are facing their trials today, under Father's supervision. If all goes well, I'll ask for the names of their best students, and have them report here instead of to General Linel. I have an idea," I said. "If it works, we'll be more effective than ever."
K ing's Palace
Crown Prince Drenn
"They'll be out all day, stop worrying," I waved an arm at Merrin, who fidgeted in his chair.
"You don't know what it's like," he mumbled. "I feel as if I'm constantly being watched. That's why I move around so much."
"The phantom's elimination of Poul and Wendal means nothing. Nobody else inside the palace knows of your continued existence. It's only you and me, cousin. Tell me what's been happening with your allies in the army—and your forays among the enemy camp."
"My allies are ready to follow me whenever you make me your selection for the Commander's position," he grinned suddenly.
"Ah, there's the Merrin I know," I said. "Pour the wine and we'll drink while you tell your tale."
"Through my efforts, Thorn's new method is being met with opposition, as you may have heard already," Merrin began. I hadn't heard it, but nodded anyway. "This means only the new arrivals will be using it, leaving the others vulnerable when they tire. And they will tire, my Prince. Wait and see."
"You've whipped the enemy into a frenzy, then?" I felt elated at this revelation.
"Oh, yes. You should be pleased at how efficient I've become at sight-stepping at night. I've attacked their camp several times. Five times I've cooked one or more captives, before leaving blackened bodies for the guards to find. The last one, though—I tortured him until he was near death before killing him. I asked for information. I got nothing, but it was fun while it lasted."
"Did he say anything at all?" I asked.
"Oh, he went off his head after a while, covered in burns as he was. While he still had moisture in his body, he spit at me near the end and said I couldn't fly."
"What an odd thing to say," I observed.
"I told you he was off his head. I finished him shortly afterward and dumped his body in the enemy camp, just like all the others. They're so angry, the camp is buzzing like a hive full of hornets. They'll attack soon, mark my word, and it won't go well for those defending the front line."
"Where Thorn will most certainly be," I laughed. "Too bad, brother. You'll get what you deserve after all this time."
"Oh, Thorn has it coming, all right," Merrin chortled.
Sherra
"You have to let me in," Kerok sighed. "I won't fight you, and I won't hurt you. You have to trust me in this."
We'd already tried it twice, and both times, something in me deflected his attempts to connect his power with mine.
My fear had only ramped up; I was beginning to feel sick and shaky.
"Sit down," he came to take my arm. "There's enough grass and evergr
een needles to give some cushion here."
Here was on the southeastern side of the compound, where only trees and a nearby stream wandered through the property. He'd chosen it because it was private, so I wouldn't be put on display for everyone to see when I balked.
And I was balking; there was no doubt of that.
Lowering myself carefully to the ground while his hand remained on my arm, I drew my knees up and pressed my forehead against them, drawing in slow breaths to control the nausea.
Kerok settled beside me, not bothering to keep any distance between us. I jerked when one of his hands rubbed my back, and then again when his fingers moved to the back of my neck to massage it.
"So tense," he breathed beside me.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled.
"I know it scares you. Like someone is showing you your death," he said, his voice calm and even. "I will tell you this—I don't ever want to carry another rose off the battlefield, Sherra. I will do everything in my power to keep that from happening again."
While he spoke, his thumb rubbed stiff muscles in my neck and upper shoulders, using even, circular strokes that were meant to soothe.
"It's not you," I muffled against my knees.
"You can't take the blame for this; I understand that you've lived with this fear and dread all your life."
"Armon would say I'm thinking too much."
He snorted a laugh. "Armon would," Kerok agreed. "Why don't we try this," his hand moved down my back again in ever-widening circles. "You touch me and feel my fire. Then let your fire attempt to connect with mine. If we can't do it the usual way, maybe the opposite will work."
"You'd let me try? I think I can do that easily enough," I lifted my head to blink at him.
"Perhaps letting you take control will make you feel safer—at least at first, until you get used to me finding your power in exchange."
"All right." I moved to get my feet under me.
"Not just yet—you're still shaky and I can hear your breaths. Let me tell you a story, first."
"What story?"
"About Kyri, the Diviner," he said. "My mother used to tell me this tale at bedtime. She said her mother and grandmother told it, too."
The Rose Mark: Black Rose Sorceress, Book 1 Page 24
