Taste Of Darkness

“True, but she still has us outnumbered. And if your marks on the map are accurate, she has already positioned her troops in prime locations. So instead of an outright offensive to retake the city, I’m sending only a few elite squads to harry her defenders and draw them away from the manor house while you, Flea, and another squad rescue Estrid and as many of her staff as possible.”

I considered his plan. “With her troops coming from the north and the ones in Zabin, won’t you be caught between the two?”

Ryne stared at me a moment. “I should make you a general. That’s exactly what’s going to happen, but we’re going to hunker down in these mines and make a nuisance of ourselves for now.”

“And the rest of us?”

“The new infirmary location is near Grzebien, southeast of Zabin. There’s a cave system that’s—”

“I’m well acquainted with that cave.” The grief inside my heart pushed against my throat. I spent about twenty days there with Kerrick and the boys. Lots of memories waited to ambush me there. Looking past the pain, I recognized the strategic strength of the location.

“Here’s a map. I’ve marked where you, Flea, the monkeys, and the odd squad need to rendezvous with the rest of the team.”

Odd moved closer to study the markings. “When?”

“Twelve days,” Ryne answered. “That’ll give you enough time to travel to the infirmary, check patients, and get to the rendezvous location.”

“I thought you were worried about time,” Odd said.

“My squads are on foot. If I had enough horses for everyone, it’d be different. But the same goes for Cellina, and I hope by the time the news reaches her and she adjusts her strategy, we’ll be there and gone.”

I calculated. We’d have to give Zabin a wide berth as we headed south—familiar territory for me, and I’d have at least three days with my patients. “Twelve days works for me. What about Jael?”

“What about her?” Ryne asked.

“Last time I saw her, she was in that area. She could be holed up in Grzebien.” I’d no desire to run into the air magician.

“My intelligence agents report she’s headed toward Dina.”

Dina was one of Tobory Realm’s major cities. A little too close for comfort, but better than in Pomyt.

“Okay. What if we’re delayed? What’s the contingency plan?” I asked.

Ryne tapped the map. “Second rendezvous point for day fourteen. If you don’t arrive there, then the mission is cancelled until we can regroup. Details about the mission will be given to you when you meet up with the team. Captain Drisana will be in charge.”

“How will I know it’s her and not one of Cellina’s spies?” I asked.

Odd nodded. Wynn’s betrayal remained a raw spot in our hearts.

“Ask her what realm she’s from. If she doesn’t answer Ronel Realm, then it’s not Drisana.”

Ronel was the dangerous sea east of the Fifteen Realms. It made sense not to use a real realm, as a person had a one-in-fifteen chance of guessing it right.

“And you trust this Drisana?” I asked.

“Oh, yes, she’s been with me since before the plague. Just follow her orders and the mission should go smoothly.”

Odd huffed. “Follow orders? You do remember who you’re talking to.” He jerked his thumb toward me.

“Hey.” I batted Odd’s hand away.

“Do I need to provide examples?” Odd asked. “I’ve several.”

“No need,” Ryne said drily. “I’m well aware of Avry’s...uh...unpredictability.”

“Good save,” Odd said.

“I’m sure he learned that in school,” I said, matching Ryne’s dry tone.

“You’re right. It’s one of the four Ds we studied.”

“Four Ds?” I couldn’t resist asking.

“Diplomacy, defense, deception, and disinformation.”

“Ah. And which D were you referring to?”

Ryne handed me the map. “I’ll let you figure that one out. You’re a smart girl.” He left.

* * *

Just as I feared, a flood of memories assaulted me as soon as I entered the cave near Grzebien. Outside this cave, Kerrick had taught me how to move silently in the forest, and we had all played a fun game of hide-and-seek to test my new skills. I’d boasted of being Queen Seeker and Kerrick had tried to trick me by hiding in a tree. But I’d sniffed him out, following his wonderful scent of spring sunshine and living green.

I wondered if the painted targets were still visible on the trunks from when Belen had shown me how to throw a knife with accuracy and heat. I’d learned survival skills, and after three years of searching for information, I’d discovered my sister, Noelle, had survived the plague and been conscripted into Estrid’s holy army.

And it all had happened only three seasons ago. So much had transpired since then it just amazed me.

I checked on the patients. The move had gone well and no one with major injuries had arrived during the transition. All were settling down for the night.

When I joined the boys, I didn’t need to say a word. Flea and the monkeys’ expressions of sad acknowledgment spoke volumes. We huddled together around the communal campfire and exchanged information. I told them about my adventures at HQ.

“I’m not surprised she’s being aggressive,” Loren said. “I think Cellina’s been planning to take control of Tohon’s army from the beginning. Tohon didn’t know about her sister, did he?”

“No, and Wynn claimed she hated him, and Cellina did sic her pack of dead ufas on Tohon,” I said.

Talking until midnight, we batted a few ideas around, but no one had any more insight into Cellina’s plans. Tired from seven days on the road, I spread my bedroll near Flea’s.

“Can I talk to you in private?” Flea asked in a whisper.

“Sure.” We moved away from the fire.

“There’s a patient I’ve separated from the rest,” he said.

“Why?” Flea’s serious tone scared me more than the secrecy.

“There’s something wrong with him.”

“You should have told me right away. Where is he?” I demanded.