Authors: Maria V. Snyder
“We heard,” Liv said. “The jacks told us.”
“Typical of Ursan to think of the bigger picture even when dying,” Wynn said.
The others agreed, and silence descended as each of us mourned our colleague.
“Any news about Belen and the others?” I asked.
“No. Not even a rumor,” Wynn said. “We’ll let you know if we hear.”
She squeezed my shoulder before she, Liv and Odd headed back to camp. Training and preparations continued despite the loss. If anything, Ursan’s death was an added reminder to be extra diligent.
Saul lingered behind. He waited until the sergeants had moved out of hearing range. “When?”
“When what?” I asked.
He pulled out a paper from his pocket and handed it to me. I unfolded it, revealing a rough sketch of the area around Zabin marked with the locations of the Lilys. He had copied the original.
“That obvious?” I asked.
“For those of us who know.” Saul glanced at Flea, who hovered a polite distance away. “Major Granvil requests that you take me along in exchange for his cooperation.”
Interesting. “His cooperation for what exactly?”
“For keeping his mouth shut about your young friend. He wants to be kept in the loop regarding any future attempts to duplicate the...incident.”
Saul was uncharacteristically verbose. I suspected he had quoted the major word for word.
“That’s rather brave. Isn’t the major worried about Jael eventually finding out?” I asked.
“The major is taking a wait-and-see approach. If this doesn’t work, then he won’t look like a fool for believing you.”
“Me?”
He smiled. “Yes, you. Now that your true identity has been revealed, you’re not trustworthy, so we can blame you for lots of stuff that goes wrong.”
“Great. What if it works?” Again a swell of hope threatened to push the sadness away.
“Then he has some good news and proof for his commanding officer.”
“I see. I’ll consult with Ryne and let you know.” And then it hit me. I’d never discussed with him my theories regarding Tohon’s dead soldiers. With everything that had happened with Ursan and then Belen, it had slipped my mind. I spotted Ryne talking with Estrid. The monkeys stayed close to him.
Saul nodded and returned to camp. When Ryne broke away from Estrid and her retinue, he joined me. The monkeys trailed behind with Flea.
Ryne gestured to the sea of tents below us. “No time to waste.”
We headed back.
“Did Loren tell you where to rendezvous with them?” he asked.
“Yes, and Saul wants to accompany us.” I repeated my conversation with the sergeant to him.
“Major Granvil is putting a great deal of faith in us,” Ryne said. “Saul can come, but he’ll have to ride with you.”
“I’ll tell him. And I also need to talk to you regarding those disappearing soldiers.”
His full attention focused on me. “What about them?”
“This is pure speculation.” I explained my theory about the buried soldiers. “Feel free to tell me I’m crazy. I won’t mind.”
Instead, he stared at me with shocked horror as if I’d just plunged my stiletto into his heart.
“Please tell me I have an overactive imagination,” I said.
“Give me a minute.” Ryne’s voice cracked.
Uh-oh. I wondered if he was also acquainted with Ulany, the earth mage, and the extent of her powers.
“It sounds impossible, but I...” He sucked in a deep breath. “I need to...”
Ryne flabbergasted? Fear shot through me. “Need to what?”
He straightened, pulling himself together. “Check my books. I brought a few with me. In school we had learned about the abilities of various magical powers in depth.”
“But I thought they kept that to themselves?”
“As future leaders of the Fifteen Realms, we were privy to more sensitive information than regular students.”
When we reached the edge of the encampment, Ryne rushed off. Loren and Quain hurried after him, leaving me and Flea. The restless energy of the camp pressed against me as we walked through the tents. A buzz filled the air, and the soldiers in the training sessions sparred with a fierce determination.
I found Saul and told him where to meet us. Then Flea and I hustled back to the manor house to change and pack. I informed my staff we were going to collect herbs and I’d return tomorrow, leaving Christina in charge. We cut through Ryne’s army, heading north to the POW camp. Loren waited with Saul on the edge of the woods.
“There’s been a change in plans,” Loren said when we approached. “Since Saul is going with you, Prince Ryne wants me and Flea to stay in camp. The horses are within the forest about a quarter mile straight north of here. Ursan’s body is already secured to one horse, and there are two others for you. Their handler is with them, but he’ll return once you’re under way.”
I exchanged a glance with Flea. Something was wrong. “What’s going on, Loren?”
“I’m not sure. Honest. Whatever you told Prince Ryne earlier has agitated him. He said we needed to concentrate our forces at the border.”
Which meant he believed my theory was possible. A horrified dread churned in my stomach. “Why does he need Flea? He’s been so adamant that I’m protected.” And Flea, as well.
“He knows you’ll be safe with Saul. And he said, ‘Tell Avry to trust me regarding Flea.’”
I might not understand Ryne’s motives, but I trusted him. “All right.”
Loren’s shoulders relaxed, and I almost smiled. The poor guy must have been prepared for a fight.
“Don’t dawdle. Be back early tomorrow. The horses are fast and can be ridden after dark,” Loren said.
“Got it,” I said.
Saul and I said goodbye to Loren and Flea. Despite Ryne’s assurances, I felt a twinge of worry for Flea as we entered the woods. It was probably something I’d have to get used to. Flea couldn’t be by my side all the time after all. I wondered if this was how mothers felt with their children. At least Danny and Zila were safe at Ryne’s castle. Unless the invasion of the tribes wasn’t stopped, which would mean Kerrick... No. I wouldn’t even consider the possibility.
Before we reached the horses, Saul made a noise and called out in a soothing voice so we wouldn’t startle them. When we approached, the three horses had their heads raised with one ear perked forward and the other cocked back. Their handler—a young man—murmured to them and stroked their necks until they relaxed.
Ursan’s body had been wrapped in oilskin and draped over the back of a chestnut-colored mare. Saul talked to the handler. The young man bobbed his head, gestured to the saddlebags and then took off. Saul grabbed the reins of the big brown-and-white horse before swinging into the saddle.
“Hand me the reins of Ursan’s horse,” Saul said. When I hesitated, he shot me a concerned look. “Do you know how to ride?”
“Uh...sort of.” I moved closer. “My mentor, Tara, taught me the basics back when I was an apprentice.” She had insisted, claiming we might be needed in an emergency and would have to travel fast. Horses were expensive, and my family hadn’t been able to afford to own or even hire one.
“How long ago?” Saul asked.
“Five years.”
“Heck of a time to get reacquainted.”
I agreed, but since I’d promised Ursan to do all I could for him, I swallowed my anxiety and untied the reins of Ursan’s horse, handing them to Saul. The last horse was all black except for the white on the bottom half of her legs. She looked as if she wore socks. I secured my pack on my back, freed her reins and hopped up into her saddle. She cocked her head to peer at me as I patted her neck.
“You need to lead,” Saul said. “My hands are full.”
I pulled the map from my pocket and studied it a moment before spurring my horse into motion, which almost unseated me. With her bumpy, jarring gait, it took effort to gain my balance. Once I felt more secure, I urged her into a faster, smoother rhythm along a footpath.
Traveling via horseback might be quicker but it certainly wasn’t quieter. Our passage through the woods could probably be heard miles away. Another drawback was locating paths big enough to accommodate the horses. Our route wouldn’t be direct, but at least we were heading northeast, away from enemy lines.
Soon after we’d set off, the horse broke her stride and stumbled before recovering. Behind me, Saul and Ursan’s horses also shied before settling. I shrugged it off; horses were skittish despite their size.
As we traveled, I consulted the map from time to time and made adjustments. When we reached the clump of Lilys northeast of Zabin, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows.
We dismounted. Taking Ursan’s horse close to the Lilys, I helped Saul untie the body, and we lowered him onto the ground. Now I understood the term
deadweight.
Saul cut the bindings around the oilskin. Even though I was no stranger to death and cadavers, I braced myself as I peeled the cloth back.
Bone-pale despite the hours he had trained in the sun, Ursan’s skin was damp from the melting ice. Pain throbbed deep inside me. Anger flared. Stupid, stubborn man should have let me heal him. If this worked, I had a few choice words for him.
“Can you carry him?” I asked Saul.
“With your assistance.”
I helped Saul lift Ursan, but once he straightened and settled the body in his arms, he didn’t need me. We walked to the Lilys. Only a single Death Lily grew among three Peace Lilys. We approached the closest Peace Lily and stood underneath its petals. The faint scent of vanilla wafted in the air. Biting my lip, I waited for the giant flower to move.
Nothing happened.
“Come on, you helped Flea,” I cried.
Not even a twitch.
I grabbed the Lily’s stalk and tried to shake it. The thick green stem didn’t budge.
Yanking my stiletto from its sheath, I lunged for the Lily, aiming the tip at a petal. But vines snaked around my ankles before I could reach it, tripping me. They continued up my legs and along my arms, stealing my weapon.
I thrashed, yelled and cursed, but the plant held me tight. Eventually I ran out of steam and wilted.
Saul had watched my antics with a queasy expression. But he’d remained in place with Ursan.
“Now what?” he asked.
The ground around us rumbled alarmingly. The earth heaved, and Saul stepped back as a mound of loose soil grew as if a very energetic dog dug for a bone.
When the noise died and the dust settled, a deep rectangular hole had opened up at the base of the Peace Lily. Oh, no.
“You’re supposed to take him, you overgrown weed,” I shouted. “Not bury him.”
“Wow,” Saul said. “That’s not subtle. Should I...?”
“No. We’ll find another Lily. Cut me loose.”
Saul set Ursan down and pulled his sword. But as soon as he came close, the Lily ensnared him in its vines, as well. His sword disappeared into the foliage.
“Got any more ideas?” he asked.
“I’m thinking.”
As I considered, roots from the cavity flowed over the edge, wrapped around Ursan and drew him toward the grave.
“Think faster,” Saul said.
But no matter how hard I thought or struggled, there was nothing I could do but watch. After the Peace Lily pulled him in and covered him with a lattice of roots, the dirt mound reversed, filling the hole. Within minutes all that remained was the smooth ground.
The vines released Saul, but they carried me to the base of the Death Lily, letting go just as its petals encircled me in darkness. The barbs pierced my skin, and I connected with the flower’s soul.
I demanded answers to Ursan’s rejection. Instead of a reply, memories came to my mind unbidden.
It was strange to remember past incidents not of my own choosing. Images from my time with Tohon, conversations with Sepp, the death magician, being held by the dead, Danny, Zila and Kerrick all flickered in front of me.
One memory wasn’t mine. A vision of Kerrick sitting on the ground, cradling me in his arms. My lifeless eyes stared at nothing. Kerrick closed them and then squeezed his own shut as he hunched over me in utter misery. Then my eyes opened. This view had to be from the Death Lily, but why show me? Was it significant?
Touch.
The answer hit me. The Peace Lily hadn’t brought me back to life, Kerrick’s touch had. It was the same with Flea. He hadn’t been breathing until I touched him. And why us? Because we had Peace Lily serum in our veins. However, one wouldn’t work without the other. A person needed both the serum and a touch. But could anyone touch them?
I asked. No answer. What about Ursan? I could touch him, too.
Gone too long.
The Lily withdrew its barbs and expelled me onto the ground. It took me a moment to gather my wits. I glanced around in the semidarkness. The sun had set, and Saul had built a small fire.
He hurried over and knelt beside me. “Are you all right? You’re bleeding.” He pointed to my upper arms.
Blood stained my sleeves. “I’ll be fine.”
“What happened?”
“I’m not sure.”
Saul stood and reached his hand out. I would have grasped it except I held an orange sack in each hand. More of the Death Lily’s toxin sacks. Why? There must be a reason the Lily wanted me to have them. I hoped I’d figure it out.
“How long was I in the Lily?” I asked.
“Long enough for me to feed, water and groom the horses,” Saul said. “I also cooked us dinner. You must be starving.”
“I’m sorry about Ursan. We didn’t get him here fast enough.”
“At least there’s hope for another.”
Suddenly exhausted, I sank down next to the fire. “I’ve no idea about the timing. Flea had been dead a couple hours.” According to Kerrick, I’d died inside the Peace Lily. “I don’t think I’ll be able to figure out these Lilys.”
“Don’t give up. It’s too important.”
I nodded.
“We need to leave at dawn. Tomorrow’s midsummer’s day.” Saul handed me a steaming bowl.
After I ate, Saul offered to take the first shift. I gratefully accepted and fell asleep next to the fire. Tohon’s dead hunted me through my dreams. Saul woke me before they could drag me back to Tohon. I spent my shift pacing around the Lilys, mulling over the significance of its toxin.
* * *