Taste of Darkness

Odd watched her go with his mouth open. “Did she just...?”

“Yes. You don’t mess with Mom.”

“Anything else I should know?”

“Let her take over the cooking. You won’t regret it.”

Just then a high-pitched squeal sliced through the night. Melina tore from the cave and tackled her mother. They went down with a clatter of teapots and Kerrick hoped for Mom’s sake the pots survived the fall. Sounds of the happy reunion reached Kerrick and he drank them in, wishing Avry was here to see this.

Melina and her mother clambered to their feet and, with tears streaking their faces and their arms around each other’s shoulders, they went inside.

Kerrick committed the scene to memory so he could recount it in detail to Avry when he rescued her.

“What about if Prince Ryne arrives with reinforcements and wants to go after Wynn?” Odd asked.

“Good question. Give me a minute.” Kerrick crouched down and laid his hand on the ground, seeking irritants to the north and east. Nothing. He sought signs of soldiers to the west. Still nothing. But his range remained limited to a couple miles.

He straightened. “When did you send the message?”

“We sent one right after Gylon’s squad arrived. That was...six days ago. And the second was dispatched four days ago immediately after the attack.”

“On horseback?”

“Of course. Why?”

Kerrick calculated. Ryne should have gotten both messages by now. And according to Odd, except for Melina, the lady warriors had left with Ryne, but they were on foot, so they wouldn’t have gone too far and could have been diverted back to the infirmary. Or at least be within Kerrick’s circle of perception. Or would they? His circle shrank every day.

“Odd, you’re on your own for now. There’s no backup within two miles. Unless they’re farther away.”

“Any enemy coming our way?” he asked.

“No. Wynn’s force is heading toward the border.”

“Should I send another message?”

“No. Keep all your soldiers close.”

“All right.” Odd nodded and walked into the cave.

Kerrick cared for the horses, watering and feeding them. Running his hand over their legs seeking hot spots, he hoped they’d be rested by the morning. He built a small fire and determined the best direction for them to travel in the morning, mapping the quickest route in his mind.

Worry for Avry swirled in his thoughts. Kerrick tried not to dwell on her predicament and instead wondered what outrageous stories Belen and the others were reciting by the fire inside the cave. Muted chuckles floated from the entrance, along with a delicious-smelling stew. Mom worked fast.

As the air cooled, he inched closer to the flames. Even with the pop and sizzle of the burning wood, it was too quiet. Too... Kerrick longed to join the others, but he needed to conserve his strength for tomorrow. A weakness had soaked into his bones.

“Kerrick?” a familiar voice called.

Danny stood nearby, holding a bowl and peering at the campfire. Kerrick pulled magic and turned normal. A big grin spread on the boy’s face as he raced over to him. He gave Kerrick a one-armed hug.

“I would have come out sooner, but I had to finish my rounds,” Danny said.

“Finish your rounds? My, don’t you sound all official,” Kerrick teased.

The boy puffed up his chest. “I’m useful.” Then he sobered. “I’m sorry about Avry. We—”

“Do not apologize. Nothing you could have done.”

“I know. It’s just...” Danny growled with frustration. “She’d just made a major breakthrough and now...”

“What breakthrough?”

“Didn’t Odd tell you?”

“No.” And he’d like to throttle the man, but he hid his annoyance.

“She cured the new plague!”

Kerrick’s shock lasted mere seconds. If anyone was going to figure it out, it’d be Avry. That’s my girl. He gestured for Danny to sit beside him. “Tell me.”

Danny plopped down and thrust the bowl into his hands. “Forgot. This is from...Mom.” His lips twisted over the name as if he’d never said the word before.

Poor kid probably hadn’t. Kerrick rummaged in his pack for a spoon.

“It’s the best stew I’ve ever had. You should have seen Judd’s face. She took over the cooking without a word. He was angry until she turned his boring stew into this.”

Kerrick scooped up a mouthful. The venison melted on his tongue. Ah, yes, he’d missed Mom’s cooking. Before the next bite, he prompted Danny. “The cure?”

As Kerrick ate, Danny told him how Avry followed the logic. “Can you believe that? All from Odd’s comment? I didn’t think it’d work!”

He smiled at the boy’s enthusiasm, remembering when Flea had been that full of energy and life. Although, Flea’s outlook had improved and Kerrick hoped Flea’d continue to make progress.

After Danny left, Kerrick lay by the fire mulling over all the information he’d learned today. They had a number of assets—Death Lily toxin to counteract the dead soldiers, Noak and Fydelia’s warriors, Flea’s magic, and now a cure for the plague. But where was Ryne’s army? Had Ryne truly fallen for Cellina’s distraction at the Healer’s Guild? And was Zila dead, or had she survived Tohon’s chest wound? They’d have to wait until Tohon was defeated...again. Otherwise, they’d—