Taste of Darkness

Horror welled. “Did you produce a different strain?”

“Have you ever wondered why I helped the Healer’s Guild?”

“You’re dodging my question.”

“Indulge me.”

I mulled it over. “You had the time since your father picked your cousin to be his heir.”

“Ouch. Keep thinking.”

“Your magic makes all the lady healers swoon so I think you had your pick of evening companions.”

He smirked. “The perks of being a life magician. But I was after more than a warm bed. Think devious thoughts, my dear.”

In boarding school Tohon had wanted one thing: to be crowned king in his final year. Instead, Ryne had won the crown. But to Tohon, it was considerably more than a political exercise. He desired a kingdom more than anything. What would he do to gain it?

I stopped, shocked to my core, gaping at Tohon’s serene expression. “You spread the plague. You murdered six million people.”

“It’s not murder, my dear. It’s called biological warfare.”

* * *

“Avry, wake up.” Odd sat on the edge of the cot. “You’re yelling in your sleep.”

“Sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me. You’re the one dreaming about Tohon.”

Oh, great, I’d called Tohon’s name. “I—”

“No need to explain. I understand. Tohon’s the stuff of nightmares.”

Sitting up, I said, “Is it time to go?”

“Soon. Cook made us a pot of oatmeal. Go and eat breakfast before we leave. Everything looks better with a full stomach.” He patted his.

“Odd’s philosophy on life?”

He smiled. “Is there any other?”

“Not worth listening to, I’m sure.”

“Damn straight.”

After consuming a bowl of steaming oatmeal, I gathered my pack and joined the monkeys, Flea, and the odd squad outside the cave. The coming dawn turned the eastern sky a charcoal gray. Odd signaled and, without a word, we headed northwest to the rendezvous point.

My thoughts returned to my dream. Had Tohon released the plague as a form of biological warfare, or was it just me thinking devious thoughts? The only reason Tohon’s efforts to become king of all the realms had any chance of succeeding was because of the plague. Did it matter if he’d caused it or not? That knowledge couldn’t change the past, and everyone already knew he was a monster. Why couldn’t he try what Jael did and marry into the position? If the plague hadn’t killed Estrid’s son, Stanslov, it would have worked for Jael.

I returned to Tohon. Would he create a second form of the plague to use later? Kerrick had said one of Tohon’s spies had attacked Ryne before he fell ill. The assassin had wrapped his hands around the prince’s throat. And Yuri’s encounter with the enemy had resulted in a gash on his neck. Did that mean the attackers were sick, too? They had killed the man who’d touched Ryne, but Yuri’s opponent might still be alive. Doubtful I could find him, though.

Another devious thought struck. What if Sepp already knew that those who died from the plague were immune to the Death Lily toxin? What if he and Cellina had purposely released another form of the plague so they could create dead soldiers resistant to Ryne’s best defense? Blow darts filled with toxin had been the most effective in neutralizing the dead soldiers who all wore neck protectors. A soldier had to be close to use the skull jab, which had less success.

My thoughts churned as we traveled through the forest in silent mode. No one spoke and, when we stopped for the night, we ate cold rations because it was too dangerous to light a fire. Odd set up a watch schedule.

Wrapped in my cloak, I curled up on the ground. Flea and the monkeys kept their distance from me as they’d done all day. I didn’t blame them. If I’d seen one of them awaken the dead, I’d be keeping out of reach, too.

* * *

We arrived at the rendezvous point late the next afternoon. The location was a mile south of Estrid’s manor house outside Zabin. A woman with short blond hair waited with two men. They wore civilian clothes, but their movements and body language pegged them as military.

“I’m Drisana from Ronel Realm. You must be Avry.” The blonde woman held out her hand.

Hearing the correct realm, I shook her hand. “Yes, I’m Avry.”

Drisana wouldn’t let go. “Prove it.”

“How?”

“Prince Ryne says you have a powerful handshake.”

Oh. I sent a small bit of magic into her fingers, zapping them.

She clenched my hand harder, but otherwise her face showed no reaction. I increased the intensity.

The muscles along her jaw tightened. “Impressive.” She released her grip.

I pulled away and gestured to my companions, introducing them.

She nodded. “Here’s the plan. My team will lead an attack on the enemy bivouacking in the fields near the manor house. It will draw the soldiers from the house. At that time your team will breach the manor, find High Priestess Estrid and her staff, revive them, and leave.”

Her tone suggested it would be easy.

“Where do we meet up after we rescue them?” Odd asked.

“Your team will head straight east. Another squad will be waiting to escort the survivors to Prince Ryne. My team will go north so don’t wait for us,” Drisana said. “I’m also assigning an additional squad to your team.”

Odd nodded. “Good.”