Taste of Darkness (An Avry of Kazan Novel - Book 3) (34 page)

KERRICK

“I’ve been thinking,” Flea said from behind him as they rode Huxley. “That a small group, no matter how talented, won’t be able to get near Tohon even if we know where he’s hiding.”

Kerrick agreed. “He’s probably surrounded by his dead soldiers and a dead-ufa pack or two.” He suppressed a shudder. Ufas were bad. Dead ufas haunted his nightmares.

“So why does Avry think we can get to him?”

“Because he needs to be stopped.”

“I get that, but if we can’t reach him, we can’t stop him.”

The hard knot in Kerrick’s stomach that had formed when Avry had told him of her dreams tightened. “Tohon won’t kill Avry. He’s had ample opportunity in the past.” Another painful jab twisted his guts. “She can reach him and use that reluctance to her advantage. And it’s our job to make sure she does.”

“Oh...but that’s suicide.”

“Yes.”

“No. We won’t be doing that.”

Kerrick glanced back. “We won’t?”

“You’re not thinking clearly. If all he wants is Avry, then she can just ride Hux right into the enemy camp and no one will touch her. No. He wants everyone. So we should give him
everyone.
”

“What are you suggesting?”

Flea explained his idea. “...and we can’t tell Avry. This bond thing between them can’t be good. We should assume what she knows, he knows.”

“She’ll be angry if she finds out we’re keeping secrets.”

“Better to be angry than be Tohon’s.”

“Good point. Flea, you’ve come a long way from the boy we rescued.”

“I’ve been paying attention, listening to you, Avry, and Prince Ryne discuss strategy and follow the logic.”

“I missed it this time.”

“You’re acting more like Belen, being all Poppa Bear about Avry. Not a bad thing.”

But not a good thing, either. He’d let his emotions make decisions, which was the reason Belen hadn’t been in charge of their group. “Duly noted.”

Flea chuckled.

“Now what?”

“Oh, I’m just thinking about how the sparks are gonna fly between you two.”

“I’m glad I can provide you with some entertainment,” Kerrick said drily.

* * *

Anxious to reach HQ, Kerrick kept their stops to a bare minimum. Flea dozed in the saddle, leaning forward on him. The boy could sleep all he wanted once they arrived. But calling him a boy wasn’t quite right. Flea might be young, but he’d matured since accepting his magic. While glad Flea no longer refused to use his power, Kerrick lamented the boy’s loss of innocence.

Expecting to be a day ahead of the others, Kerrick stopped Hux in surprise when he spotted Coffee and Tea outside Victibus. Not able to enter any of the buildings without expending lots of energy, Kerrick sent Flea to find the others. While he waited, he unsaddled the horses and groomed them.

Not long after, Flea returned with Avry. She dashed toward Kerrick while Flea retreated inside. He waited for her, growing alarmed as she neared. Dark circles hung under her eyes and most of her auburn hair had escaped her normally neat braid.

Avry slammed into him, wrapping her arms tight around him.

“Easy.” He hugged her. “What’s wrong?”

“The dreams... I don’t want more dreams.” She shook. “I haven’t slept...in days.”

“Hey, it’s okay. I’m here now. I’ll block them.”

“I...couldn’t... He knows about Wynn and Sepp and the Skeleton King. I didn’t want him to learn anything else.”

Avry dropped her arms, but Kerrick wouldn’t let her go. “It’s okay.”

“I found out Tohon saved Zila’s life and wants to adopt her.”

One small but tight knot in his chest eased. “Great news about Zila, but there is no way I’ll let him keep her. We’ll rescue her once we figure out another way to locate him.”

She pulled back slightly. “He’s at the Healer’s Guild.”

“Are you sure?”

“He could have lied, but deep down I don’t believe he did.”

His skin prickled and he scanned the woods, searching for hidden soldiers. “The guild is only three days away. How long ago did you dream his location?”

“Two days. Why?”

“He could be on the way here.”

“He said he’d wait for me there.”

Smug little snot. “Flea and I can go scout the Healer’s Guild, see if anyone is there.”

“And run right into a dead ambush? I don’t think so.”

“But Flea’s a death magician. He can sense the dead.”

Avry rubbed her face. “I forgot about that. But his power isn’t exactly the same at Sepp’s.”

“Then test it. Is Yuri still here?”

“I don’t know.”

“Find out. Did Ryne leave soldiers behind?”

“Yes.” Still she hesitated. “But you’re weak, Kerrick.”

“It’s a reconnaissance mission. We won’t engage the enemy. We’ll just take a look around, but we’ll have to leave the horses so we’ll be gone six days max.”

She broke from his grasp and put her hands on her hips. “I’ve heard that before.”

“How about, we’ll be back in six days
unless
I learn a good friend who we thought was dead is alive and in trouble?”

His nose crinkled as she smiled. “Better, but I’m still not happy.”

“Do you have another idea?” he asked.

“Actually...” Avry glanced at the wide mining building Ryne had converted into his HQ. “I might.”

Surprised, he said, “Let’s hear it.”

“I’m not sure it’ll work. I need to check a few things first.”

Her classic dodge. It meant he wasn’t going to like her alternate plan. And she would be correct. Since he’d rather she remained safe at HQ until Tohon was gone for good.

“All right. But don’t be too long. You’re exhausted.”

“You don’t look any better. When’s the last time you ate?”

He held up his hands. “Let’s call a truce.” Kerrick earned another smile.

“All right. I’ll be back with food and bedding. You build a nice hot fire.”

“Yes, sir.”

Her laughter warmed his heart. After she left, he gathered firewood. The cold air dragged at his limbs as if he moved through mud. And it was only three weeks into the season. What would happen to him in the middle of winter? He couldn’t leech energy off Avry or Flea all the time or they’d be useless. Like him.

When Avry returned hours later, she brought more than food. Belen, Flea, and the monkeys followed her, carrying cots, blankets, and wood for the fire. A squad of soldiers also trailed after her.

“We’re having a cookout,” Quain chirped as they set up the cots.

Avry drew one of the soldiers over to him. “Kerrick, this is Sergeant Saul. He disobeyed Estrid by remaining with Ryne’s army. Just like Odd.”

Kerrick shook Saul’s hand, hoping the man wasn’t like Odd. He didn’t need to deal with another jealous man. But Saul appeared friendly. A few gray hairs mixed with the blond strands of his buzzed hair. Kerrick guessed he was about five years or so older than Loren.

“Thanks for your help down in Zabin,” Saul said. “We’d have run right into that blockade.”

Kerrick nodded, wondering where Saul had been during Estrid’s rescue.

“He offered to patrol around HQ tonight so we all can get a good night’s sleep,” Avry said.

Nice.

“I’m gonna take a loop or two with them,” Flea said.

Kerrick exchanged a glance with Avry. “It worked?”

“Yes. Flea spent some time with Yuri this afternoon.”

“And what about your other plan?”

“I’m still working on it. But in the meantime, I think you and Flea should check the Healer’s Guild to see if Tohon is really there or not.”

Her resigned expression said more than her words.

“What about your dreams?”

“I’ll take a strong dose of sleep powder. That should prevent him from invading my mind.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.”

“All right. We’ll leave in the morning,” he said.

Saul and Flea left to start their sweeps. The monkeys and Belen settled near the fire.

“So it’s our last night together in a while and you brought the boys,” Kerrick said.

“There’s safety in numbers.”

“Uh-huh.” He waited.

She huffed. “They refused to stay in HQ.”

Figures. He pouted.

“This just means we’ll take an extralong honeymoon.”

“Are you asking or telling?” he asked.

“Telling. You’re better at following orders.”

He couldn’t argue with that. Happy she didn’t preface her answer with an “if we’re alive,” Kerrick kissed her. And with that kiss, he promised to do everything within his power to ensure they had that honeymoon.

CHAPTER 22

“Are you sure Sergeant Hogan isn’t here?” I asked a private with bright red hair.

“Yes, sir. He accompanied the battalion that went northeast. Prince Ryne only left a few squads behind.”

Shoot. “Any reports from the battalion?”

“They reported that the enemy hadn’t crossed the pass before the winter snows closed it.”

Good news. “Are they coming back then?”

The private’s young face creased with confusion. “No, sir. Prince Ryne ordered them to remain there to ambush the enemy when the pass opens.”

“Why?”

“Sir?”

I’d exceeded the girl’s knowledge base. “Never mind. Is there anyone else here who knows how to navigate the mine shafts?”

“Private Beau has been helping Sergeant Hogan.”

“Can you find him, please?”

“Yes, sir.” The girl saluted and bolted.

I mulled over the information I’d gleaned so far. It would be two months before the pass opened. Why keep the battalion there when the enemy still occupied Vyg? Unless Ryne believed Tohon had sent all his forces to the south and north. It didn’t sound like Ryne would be that...gullible.

My head ached. I rested it on the table, glad the mining machinery all around me remained silent. The maps Ryne had left hadn’t helped me discern the enemy’s western positions. Which made Kerrick’s mission all the more vital. He’d been gone for two days and I missed him so much.

“Are you all right?” Belen asked.

I sat up. “I’m fine.”

He set a large box on the table. “I found the maps of the mines.”

“Great.”

Belen set the lid aside. “Don’t get too excited.” He pulled one from the box and unfolded it. “They’re written in code.”

“Code?”

“Yeah, you need a key to figure them out.”

I spread the map out. It appeared to be normal except strange symbols had been written along the lines at intersections, starting points, and ending points.

“Do you think these are marked on the mine shafts?” I asked. “I remember seeing numbers and words on the walls.”

Belen rubbed his hand over his scar. “Could be. Guess we can check. But with which map?” He tossed a couple more on the table. “There’s a ton of them.”

Hopefully, Private Beau would know. Rolling up the area maps Ryne had left, I cleared a space. “Let’s open them all and see if there’s a pattern.”

While Belen opened them, I studied each one.

Belen tapped a finger on a map. “You do know the odds of one of these going straight to the Healer’s Guild are low, right?”

“Yes, but maybe we can get close. It’s worth checking.”

“Oh, yes. No doubt. Just didn’t want you to get your hopes up.”

The sudden desire to hug him filled me, so I did.

He hugged me back. “What’s this for?”

“Because you’re here and I can.”

“I missed you, too.”

“Don’t disappear again.”

“I won’t if you don’t,” he said.

I pulled away and gazed up at him. “You’d think that would be an easy promise to make.”

His deep rumbling laugh rolled through me like a cup of hot tea.

“How about no misleading the other over one’s death?”

“I’m sorry about that, Belen. I should have trusted you.”

“I’ve a lousy poker face. Besides, you were worried about Tohon. With good reason.”

I tapped my chest. “He still has a hold on me.”

Belen wrapped me in one of his bear hugs. “Not for long.”

We returned to deciphering the maps, but no pattern emerged. The monkeys arrived a few hours later.

“We checked everywhere and couldn’t find a legend for those maps,” Loren said. “It makes sense not to have a key lying around if you’re going to use a code. That would defeat the purpose.”

Plopping in a chair, I rubbed my stiff neck. Quain picked up a map and studied it. I didn’t have the energy to tell him it was a lost cause. Unless Private Beau knew the codes.

“Have you seen a young private?” I asked the monkeys.

“They’re all young,” Loren quipped.

“One with bright red hair?”

“Yeah, she was looking for someone,” Quain said, sounding distracted.

“I need that someone—Private Beau. Can you see what’s taking her so long?”

“Sure.” Loren glanced at Quain. He put the map down and followed Loren.

Now what? If we couldn’t sneak up on Tohon, maybe we could attack him. I sorted through the rolls of maps and found the one of northeastern Pomyt. Unrolling it, I weighed down the edges with the rocks that littered the entire building.

Belen gave me a questioning look, but I ignored it. Guessing Noak’s army waited in the foothills below the Milligreen Pass of the Nine Mountains, I calculated it would take fifteen days for his army to return to HQ. Plus the time it took to send a message via horseback, adding seven days. Twenty-two total.

Could I last that long? Would Tohon wait that long? He had to know our location. If he attacked, we could hunker down in the mines until Noak arrived. Military strategy was not my thing. Maybe Belen had a few ideas.

“Recalling Noak’s army could ruin Prince Ryne’s plans,” Belen said.

“Too bad. So sad. Ryne’s just as bad as Tohon.”

“Now, don’t go jumping to conclusions. There’s more going on than you think. We need to trust Prince Ryne.”

“Easy for you to say. You haven’t been used as bait when he promised he wouldn’t.”

“Did he know about your dreams?”

“Yes, but—”

“Did Noak tell him about the bond?”

“Maybe, but—”

“Did you consider he might be feeding Tohon false information through you?”

“Uh...”

“Thought so.” Belen lifted his chin, giving me a smug smile.

And then I remembered Ryne’s four
D
s he’d learned in boarding school for future realm leaders—diplomacy, defense, deception, and disinformation. He’d certainly mastered the deception and disinformation part.

The monkeys returned with Private Red Hair. The private fiddled with the hem of her shirt. I braced for bad news.

“Go on, tell her,” Loren prompted the private.

“Private Beau has disappeared. I can’t find him anywhere.”

“Is he out on patrol?” I asked.

“No. The rest of his squad is inside.”

“Do they know where he is?”

“He doesn’t hang out with them during down time,” Red Hair said. “They had no idea he was missing.”

“Lost in the mines?” Loren asked. “Or absent without leave?”

Frustration boiled. “I’d send search parties, but no one can read the maps.”

Quain and Loren flipped through the stack.

Out of ideas, I said, “We’ll wait for Kerrick and Flea to—”

“It’s a symhextric cipher,” Quain cried.

“A what?” Loren asked.

“The maps. It’s been driving me crazy, trying to remember where I’d seen this before. Prince Ryne used this symhextric code to send messages to his scouts. It uses symbols, numbers, and hexagons.”

“How do you know all this?” Loren asked.

“Back when we were camped in Zabin with Estrid’s army, he showed it to me.”

“Can you decipher these?” I asked.

Quain picked up another map. “I can try.”

“What do you need?”

“Uh...a few sheets of blank parchment, a ruler, and a piece of charcoal.”

I scrambled to assemble the supplies while Loren helped him organize the maps.

After I finished, he shooed me away. “No need to hover. I’ll let you know if this works.”

I pulled Belen aside. “Seems a big coincidence that Quain knows this code.”

“Coincidence or part of Prince Ryne’s grand scheme?”

Too tired to argue, I said, “I’m going to bed. Wake me if there’s any news.”

Grabbing an extra lantern, I walked through the oversize loading doors into the next room, skirted the piles of dirt, and descended into the living levels of the mines. I’d been sleeping on the cot in Ryne’s office. My blankets smelled of spring sunshine and living green. I debated about taking the sleep powder. Would Kerrick’s scent keep the Tohon dreams at bay?

A light tapping sounded on the door. I answered. A man in his late twenties stood at attention.

“Private Beau, sir. I heard you wished to see me?”

Rather old for a private, but he could be a new recruit. “Yes. Where have you been?”

“Scouting in the tunnels, sir.”

“Are you supposed to be doing that?”

He blushed. “No, sir. Not without Sergeant Hogan, but I...was... I wanted to show a colleague this...rock formation...and...” Beau squirmed with embarrassment.

Ah, the old let-me-show-you-this-rock-formation move. Beau probably had a lady with him.

“That’s okay, you’re here now. I need you to help decipher the maps of the mines. We’re looking for an underground route to the northwest. One that will get us close to the Healer’s Guild.”

“No problem. That’s the three-triangle route. It’ll get you about two miles west give or take a mile,” he said.

Excited, I asked how to find this route.

“I’ll show you the entrance and the symbols you need to follow.” He picked up my lantern.

I hurried after him. We descended two levels and he headed to a tunnel on the far left. Shining the light on the wall, he illuminated a symbol that resembled three blue triangles in a circle with their tips touching. There were other symbols painted on the wall as well.

“This tunnel branches in different directions,” Beau said. “Just down here...” He walked farther in, gesturing for me to follow him. “Here’s an intersection. As you can see, the three triangles are painted on this branch, but not this one. All you need to do is follow them, and make sure you keep the symbol on your right, that means you’re moving away from the center. If they’re on the left, then you’re heading back. It can get confusing down here.”

I agreed. Too bad the shaft wasn’t big enough for horses. “How long does it take to get to the guild?”

“It’s not a straight shot. Four, maybe five days. Let me see...” Beau continued down the three-triangle tunnel until he reached another junction. “Ah, yes.” He pointed to a symbol that had four circles side by side. “This shaft is a shortcut and will eliminate a couple days. Hmm...three days total.”

“Sounds like you know this area well. We might need you to guide us.”

“Oh, sure. I’ve done this route a couple times.” He smiled, revealing yellowed teeth.

An uneasy chill zipped through me. No one knew I was down here. We had gone farther into the mines than I’d expected. Too far for anyone to hear me yell.

“Great.” I turned to go back.

“Wait,” he said.

I glanced over my shoulder. He’d hung the lantern on a hook and reached into his breast pocket. Beau pulled out a slender object. A blow gun? I shifted my weight to the ball of my feet, ready to flee. Then he dipped his hand in his pants pocket. Was that a dart filled with Death Lily toxin?

He yanked a piece of folded parchment from his pocket. “I just want to write down these other symbols so I can double-check the directions on the maps.” Beau smiled again. “I don’t want to get us lost. My sergeant would kill me.”

A mixture of relief and chagrin calmed my heartbeat. It wasn’t foolish to think he might be a spy for Tohon; it was very foolish not to consider it until after it was too late.

After Beau wrote down the symbols, we returned to the surface. He joined the monkeys. Quain had found the right quadrant, but not the correct tunnels. Beau helped.

Belen followed me back to Ryne’s office. “What’s wrong?”

“How did—”

“Poppa Bear, remember?”

I explained about my moment of panic. “I’m not cut out for all this...subterfuge.”

“It’s not one of your strengths,” Belen agreed with a broad smile. “How about we keep a guard nearby just in case?”

“All right.”

He peered at me in suspicion. “That was too easy.”

“As I see it, I’d rather go to Tohon on my own terms than be dragged there by one of his spies.”

“Ah, that’s our girl.”

I mixed a teaspoon of sleep powder in a glass of water and gulped it. One way to keep Tohon guessing was to block him from my dreams.

Belen tucked me in, pulling the blanket up to my chin. Then he turned the lantern’s light down low, dragged Ryne’s chair over by the door and sat with his sword across his lap.

“Belen, you don’t—”

“Hush. Go to sleep.”

“Yes, sir.”

His chuckle sounded like the sweetest lullaby.

* * *

Kerrick and Flea returned in the evening of the sixth day. I rushed out to meet them with Belen and the monkeys right behind me. Too pale and too skinny, they both appeared in serious need of a month’s worth of Mom’s cooking and a week’s worth of sleep.

I embraced Kerrick, sharing my energy. Instead of stopping me, he drew me closer. Not a good sign.

Eventually, he pulled away. “Thanks.”

“I thought Flea could share his strength with you.”

“He can, but we kept moving and I didn’t want to slow him down.”

“What did you find out?” Belen asked.

“Give the man a break,” Quain said. “Let’s get a fire started and heat up some food.”

“Trust Quain not to miss a meal,” Loren said.

Quain bumped Loren’s arm hard as he issued orders. In no time, a warm fire blazed and a pile of dirty dishes grew. I snuggled next to Kerrick, anxious to hear his report, but also afraid.

“I can’t wait any longer—was Tohon at the Healer’s Guild?” Belen asked.

“Yes,” Kerrick said. “He set up camp right in the middle of the ruins. Big fancy tent with a rug.”

I straightened in alarm. “You got that close?”

“No, I caught a glimpse when the flaps opened.”

“How many troops does he have with him?” Loren asked.

Kerrick glanced at Flea.

Flea said, “Approximately five hundred living soldiers, and about eight hundred dead protected with neck armor. And a dozen dead ufas that guard Tohon’s tent.”

“And we have—” Quain pretended to count heads “—the six of us.”

Sinking back against Kerrick, I closed my eyes. Tohon was too well protected.

“We have an idea,” Kerrick said.

I opened my eyes in time to see Flea nod.

“Yeah, we’re thinking we can stay downwind of the camp, Loren can shoot a flaming arrow at Tohon’s tent, setting it on fire, and when he runs out into the confusion, Loren puts another one into his heart.”