The glasses had given me a headache. Conscious of my lips, I formed my words with care. “I can’t wear...long.”
“Not to worry.” Mom rummaged through her supplies and produced a pair of glasses with silver wired frames. “These have plain glass.”
She helped me adjust them so they fit.
“Smart,” I said.
Sadness filled her eyes. “No, I’m not. If I’d listened to the rumors, I could have sent Melina away before those red-robed devils arrived.”
“Where would you have sent her? Not north or west, Tohon is invading those realms as we speak. Estrid has the north and east occupied. South?”
Pausing in the middle of cleaning up, she gaped at me. “No. Travelers from the south have told me such horror stories about a Skeleton King in Ryazan Realm.”
“Skeleton King?”
“He has gathered a following and they’re armed with the bones of their enemies.”
“Are you sure? That sounds far-fetched.”
“If it was only one or two travelers, I’d dismiss it, but many people have been fleeing from Ryazan. And they all say the same things.”
Just what we needed—more trouble. “Then you couldn’t have sent her anywhere, Mom. No place is safe anymore.”
* * *
No place is safe. My words to Mom replayed in my mind as I waited on top of the armoire. There was just enough room for me to sit cross-legged. Watery moonlight illuminated the lump under the bedcovers, but my hiding spot remained in the shadows.
A breeze rustled the leaves in the forest outside my open window. The fresh scent of living green reminded me of Kerrick. I half expected him to climb into my room. But nothing stirred or caused the insects to halt their nightly chirping.
The thin handles of my throwing knives dug into my damp palms. My cloak hung inside the armoire, and I wore my black travel clothes. Three years on the run from bounty hunters and mercenaries had taught me patience.
To pass the time, I thought about a new name and realm. Since my skin color now matched the people born in the northern realms, I decided I would be from Gubkin. It was tempting to pick Alga, but when Prince Kerrick of Alga showed up with Prince Ryne of Ivdel, there was a slight chance someone would try to introduce us. Plague survivors always sought out others from their former realms.
As for a name...I chose my mother’s name, Irina. A wave of grief swelled. I’d never had the chance to say goodbye to her or Allyn. Noelle had buried them in the mass graves and left Lekas. I’d arrived home to an empty house. My father and older brother, Criss, had died in a mine collapse before the plague struck. Four members of my family gone. I swallowed the tears that threatened. I would not lose Noelle, too.
The sudden quiet warned me. Shuffling footsteps outside approached my window. I shifted into a crouch and concentrated on the sounds. Two acolytes moved to block my escape. Then the lock on my door clicked and two robed figures entered. One moved toward my bed while the other stood before the now closed door.
Only four? Or did they have more waiting in the hallway? Did it matter? Not really.
I threw a knife at the person guarding the door—thunk—and then a second—thunk—pinning the sleeves of his robe to the wood. One down. I leapt off the armoire and landed on the acolyte near the bed. He fell with a solid thud. Just to be safe, I touched the back of his neck.
Power swelled from my core, and I channeled it into him, zapping him into unconsciousness. Not many people knew healers had that ability, and the acolyte wouldn’t remember what hit him. I doubted his partner even saw the action as he struggled to free himself.
Now for the two outside. I dove through the window, hit the ground and rolled. A cry of surprise sounded nearby, but I gained my feet and dashed into the woods. They chased after me. As soon as I reached a thicker area, I slowed and moved through the forest the way Kerrick had taught me.
My passage matched the natural sounds of the woods. Unlike my pursuers, who crashed through as if running from a pack of ufas. I found a hiding spot. They cursed as they stumbled into trees, and the fabric of their robes caught on thorns. I muffled my breathing as one came quite close to me.
He yelled at his companion to stop making so much noise. They paused and listened, then decided to split up to cover more ground. Big mistake. I waited until they were far enough apart, then I stepped behind the acolyte who had yelled.
Touching the back of his neck, I zapped him. He jerked in surprise before collapsing.
His companion’s noisy passage was easy to track. I caught up to him and pulled my stiletto. Instead of zapping this one, I pressed the tip of the blade against his throat. “Looking for me?”
He froze. “Uh.”
“Don’t do anything stupid,” I warned as I yanked his sword from his belt and tossed it aside. “Follow my orders and your head will remain attached to your thick neck. Understand?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Let’s go.” I grabbed the collar of his robe.
“Where?” he asked.
“Back to the Lamp Post Inn.”
He paused. “You’re crazy.”
“So I’ve heard.” I poked him with my blade. “Now move.”
When we reached the front of the inn, I instructed my captive to go inside first. Drawing in a deep breath, I stayed behind him as he pushed open the door. This could be a very big mistake. I steadied my nerves by concentrating on being confident like Loren and cocky like Quain.
While we were still in the shadowy threshold, I peeked around my guy. The common area was rather crowded for the middle of the night. I counted five. All armed.
The leader, Chane, rounded on my acolyte. “What’s going on? Where is she?” he demanded.
“Uh.”
My captive wasn’t the most loquacious. I moved next to him but kept my stiletto pressed against his skin.
“I found him lost in the woods.” I tsked. “Poor thing should know the forest is dangerous at night.”
Swords appeared in four hands within seconds.
However, Chane studied me. I copied him. He was as tall as Belen but not as wide. Although I didn’t doubt strong muscles lurked underneath his robe. His nose looked as if someone had sat on it, and his brown hair had been cut military short. A soldier despite the acolyte’s garb. He appeared to be around Loren’s age—about thirty-five.
He broke the silence. “You’re either incredibly stupid or...”
“Or what?” I asked.
“Or incredibly stupid.”
“Now, now. Play nice. I didn’t kill any of your men. And I could have easily disappeared. I still can,” I said with a bravado I didn’t feel.
He motioned to one of his men. “Hent, check her room.” Then he returned his attention to me. “Okay, I’ll play. What do you want?”
“It’s more about what you want. You sent your colleagues to ambush me. I assume you have a good reason?”
A slight smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “I just wanted to talk.”
Yeah, right. “Okay. So talk.”
It took him a moment to cover his surprise. “Just like that?”
“You’re looking for bodies for Estrid’s army. Right?”
“We’re missionaries, spreading the creator’s message of peace and educating the—”
“Save the speech for someone who is gullible enough to fall for it. Fact is, I’m interested. You know I’m skilled. Four of your guys couldn’t catch me. I can fight for Estrid, but I don’t want to be a draftee, devotee or anything else ending in ee.”
Understanding shone in his eyes. He relaxed until Hent returned from my room with the acolyte I’d pinned to the door. Two small rips marked the sleeves of his robe. He clutched my knives in tight fists, glaring at me.
“We can’t wake Tyson,” Hent said.
Every gaze focused on me. “He’ll be fine once the drug wears off.”
“What did you use?” Chane asked.
“Trade secret.”
“
And my other acolyte?”
“Sleeping in the woods.”
He paused for a moment before gesturing to the bar. “Let’s have a drink and discuss your...terms.”
I waited.
“Consider it a cease-fire. No one will attack you. I give you my word.”
“And you are?”
“High Priest Chane of Ozero Realm.”
High Priest? An impressive rank. “What are you doing in Mengels?”
He laughed. “Spreading the word. I can be very persuasive.”
I glanced at his men. They still held their swords at the ready. “Uh-huh.”
“They’re overprotective.” He signaled them, and all but Hent sheathed their weapons.
He stared at me as if waiting for the opportunity to throw my knives at me.
Chane noticed. “Hent, give me those.”
With reluctance, Hent handed him the two throwing knives. Chane placed them on the bar, then he inclined his head at me, waiting. I released his man and slid my stiletto back into its holder on my belt. He pulled a stool out for me, then settled on the one next to it as if we were old friends getting reacquainted. But his gaze turned cold when he focused on my ex-captive. “Otto, fetch us some wine.”
The man rushed to obey.
“So, Miss...?”
“Irina of Gubkin Realm.” I perched on the edge of the stool.
“You’ve traveled a long way.”
I shrugged. “The northern realms are quiet compared to what’s happening on this side of the Nine Mountains.”
“As I understand it, you’re looking for a higher-ranking position in the High Priestess’s army. Why didn’t you approach the officers up near Zabin?”
“They weren’t smart enough to catch me while I crossed through their territory.”
Otto placed two glasses of red wine on the bar and retreated to the other end.
Chane swirled his wine. “But I haven’t caught you either.”
“That’s why you need me.”
“That doesn’t make sense.”
I swallowed a mouthful of wine. “I’ve been in Vyg. I’ve seen Tohon’s...special troops.” I let the horror and revulsion show on my face. No acting required. “You need me.”
He considered. “Word from the High Priestess is that those creatures are a rumor. A tactic to spread fear in our army.”
I stared at him, doing my best to match Kerrick’s flat expression.
“The information about them came from a dubious source,” he tried.
“Then you are calling me a liar.” And also Belen, Quain and Loren. If Belen were here, he’d squash Chane so the rest of his body matched his nose. I snatched my knives and stood.
“Wait. I apologize. It’s just so...implausible. I know Tohon’s a powerful life magician, but for him to be able to animate the dead is...unbelievable.”
I could have explained how Tohon injected them with an unknown substance and then froze their bodies in a stasis so they didn’t decay. The combination of the mystery drug and magic gave them a fake life. Why it worked, I had no idea. However, that was much more than I planned to reveal to Chane.
Instead, I said, “You would have an easier time recruiting soldiers if you showed the people what Tohon’s capable of. Then you wouldn’t have to resort to late-night abductions and rounding up street rats.”
He peered at me as if he had misjudged me. “How do I know you’re not a spy for Tohon?”
“Because if I was spying for him, I would have let you kidnap me. Then I would be like all the rest you’ve conscripted—a nameless, faceless soldier able to blend in with ease. He probably has a dozen spies in place already. Tohon’s no fool.”
When he didn’t respond, I said, “This has been a colossal waste of time. I’m leaving.”
“Where are you going?”
“To join Tohon’s forces. Might as well fight for the winner.” I headed for the door. Would they try to stop me?
“Irina, wait,” Chane said.
I turned, expecting to see sharp blades pointed at me. Instead he sent Otto to fetch him parchment and ink.
“Finish your wine,” he said.
Still wary, I settled back on the stool. After Otto returned, Chane wrote a letter of introduction.
“Give this to Major Granvil,” he said, handing it to me.
I scanned the letter. Even though there were a few compliments about me, three words stood out as if they’d been written in bright red ink. My aunt Estrid. Chane was her nephew. I almost groaned out loud. So much for keeping a low profile.
KERRICK
The dead ufa pack kept their positions as if waiting.
Waiting for what? Kerrick stretched his senses to the maximum distance and felt the unmistakable vibrations of a galloping horse. A potential ally or more trouble? With six ufas poised to attack, it couldn’t get any worse.
He kept a firm grip on his sword as he speculated on the approaching rider. It could be Tohon, coming to gloat over Kerrick’s imminent death. But why would he travel all this way when he was busy preparing for war? Because it was exactly what Tohon would take the time to do.
After all, Kerrick and Avry had snatched Ryne from Tohon, denying him his revenge. Ryne’s military savvy posed a very serious threat to Tohon’s plans to become king of all the realms.
The ufas didn’t flinch as the horse slowed and entered the clearing. Kerrick recognized the rider. Although lines of strain marked her face and her long blond hair was frizzy and unkempt, she had the same sad smile he remembered from school.
“Cellina, fancy meeting you here,” Kerrick said.
“We’ve been waiting for you,” she said.
“We? Is Tohon here, as well?”
“No. It’s just me and the dead mutts.” She gestured to the ufas, crinkling her pudgy nose in disgust.
“Was this your idea?”
“Nothing about this is my idea, Kerrick.”
“Yet, you’re here.”
“Tohon is a hard man to refuse. He’s forced me into a very difficult position.”
Lyady Realm had been invaded by Tohon last year. To ensure the president’s cooperation, Tohon had taken his daughter, Cellina, with him.
“I’d feel bad, but your position is better than mine at the moment,” he said.
“True.”
“How did you find me?” he asked.
“The pack was given your scent. Instead of guessing which pass you’d take, we crossed the Nine Mountains and found a place to wait east of the Milligreen pass.”
“Smart.”
“Tohon’s plan. Just like these mutts. Dead ufas are easier to train and more loyal than the living ones. They won’t attack you until I give them the signal.”
The four scars on his neck burned as his heart rate jumped. “Is giving them the signal part of Tohon’s plan?”
“Yes. I’m to report every detail of your death and dismemberment to him. I’ve also been ordered to bring home a souvenir.”
Stunned, he stared at her.
“Your sword, Kerrick. Don’t be so morbid.”
He swallowed. “Hard not to be.” He braced for the signal, but she remained quiet. Sensing her ambivalence, he said, “Cellina, come with me to Ryne’s.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not? We’ll protect you.”
“I know you’ll try.”
“We’ll succeed. We saved Ryne and the children.”
“But not your lady love.”
“She chose her fate.”
Cellina sat straighter in the saddle. “So did I.”
“There’s no reason for you to return to Tohon now.” But as he said the words, he realized she must still be in love with him. Either Tohon’s life magic had influenced her, or she’d never recovered from her school crush. In his younger days, he would have scoffed at the notion. However, he’d learned love didn’t follow logic at all.
“You don’t have to do this,” he said.
She clutched the reins ti
ghter. The horse moved a few steps to the side, smelling her fear. “I can’t disobey him.”
In desperation, he stepped away from the tree. The ufas growled and snarled but didn’t move. Kerrick pointed his blade at the ground, slowly approaching Cellina. Sweat soaked his shirt and burned in his eyes. But he kept his gaze on her.
He stopped with two feet between them. Her lips pinched tight together as if she’d whistle, but no sound escaped. Yet.
Kerrick offered her the hilt of his sword. “Take it.”
CHAPTER 3
I arrived in Zabin around midmorning a week after I’d left Mom’s. The town was completely overrun with Estrid’s acolytes and soldiers. When I’d been here with Kerrick, there had been only a few red robes. Now, it appeared as if the streets were covered with blood. A bad omen.
And the feel of the town had changed. Before, unease rippled just under the surface of the populace. Now, outright fear fogged the air.
My dark gray cloak no longer helped me to blend in. Plus, the day would be too warm for my fur-lined garment. Summer was only three weeks away. I removed my cloak and packed it into my knapsack, put my glasses on, then strode through town as if I belonged. But it wasn’t long before a group of five soldiers stopped to question me.
Showing them Chane’s letter, I asked where I might find Major Granvil. They glanced at each other with suspicion creasing their collective foreheads.
“This letter could be a forgery,” the female lieutenant said, passing around the paper to her team again.
I suspected this could take all day. To speed it up, I asked, “Why don’t we ask the High Priestess? I’m sure she’ll recognize her own nephew’s signature,” I bluffed. The last thing I wanted was an audience with Estrid.
But my comment had the desired effect. At the mere mention of her name, they blanched. I offered them a more palatable suggestion. “Or we can all find Major Granvil and let him decide on the authenticity of the letter.” Plus it would give me an escort so I didn’t have to do this song and dance all over again.