Taste of Darkness
Page 57

“Did you see Ron’s gash? Nasty with green oozing out.”
“Quit your jawing and fetch me more firewood.”
“You two have the third watch. Don’t fall asleep again or I’ll wake you with the pointy end of my sword.”
“If it doesn’t rain, we’ll be home in eighteen days. I haven’t been home in two years. I hope my girl hasn’t found someone else.”
Kerrick focused on the men talking about home.
“Two years? She’s probably married with a babe or two by now. I made sure and married my Sarah before leaving.”
“I didn’t think it would take this long or I would have,” the first man said.
“It sounds like we’ll be home for good. No more of this sneaking through the woods, poking at the enemy. It’ll be nice and simple just protecting our borders.”
Kerrick watched as the squad set up their camp with practiced ease, joking with each other as they completed their tasks. Kerrick had heard and seen enough. This squad wasn’t a threat.
He headed south toward the second group. Smaller, with seven male intruders, the squad hiked through the woods at a cautious pace. Quiet, too. Kerrick wondered if Avry had trained these men.
Memories of teaching her how to move with the sounds of the forest came unbidden. He’d enjoyed those lessons. Probably more than her, as she’d hated him then. And then the game of hide-and-seek... Kerrick grinned at how she had sniffed him out. Avry might have learned a lifesaving skill, but he’d learned again not to underestimate her. She was one smart cookie.
Kerrick followed the squad until they stopped for the night. Using his magic, he concentrated on the men and cursed under his breath. He recognized one of them. Kerrick eased closer. They kept their conversation to a minimum, lit a small fire, and posted more guards than the other.
The weak firelight reflected off their strained faces and they froze at any animal rustle or natural forest noise. Kerrick put the few clues together. They weren’t supposed to be here, and he suspected the leader had given his men a choice and four members had decided to remain behind. Kerrick stretched his senses along the roots of the forest, seeking another squad that might have been sent after them. Nothing.
He could stand here and guess all night, or he could ask. Pulling power, Kerrick uncamouflaged. Testing their abilities, he scuffed the dirt as he walked and rattled a few leaves.
Four of the seven men had their swords out and faced in the right direction, including Sergeant Odd. Impressive.
The sergeant relaxed when he recognized Kerrick. “At ease.”
His men sheathed their weapons, but stayed alert.
“Running home to hide under your High Priestess’s robes?” Kerrick asked, baiting him.
“My home is in a small town near Koo in Ryazan Realm,” Odd said.
“Well, then, you’ll want to make a right at the next tree and head straight south.”
“Cute, but I’m not planning on going home until I see this through.”
Kerrick waited.
“I’m not going to explain myself to you. What do you want?”
“Confirmation.”
“Of what?”
“That you’re not a threat.”
Odd grinned, but there was nothing humorous about it. “To who? Because the answer changes depending on the person.”
Nice. “To Avry.”
“Do you mean the woman you left in the middle of the night without so much as a word? The woman you tortured by disappearing for over a month?”
Kerrick refused to be provoked. He had started this, and Odd’s comments revealed quite a bit. Keeping what Avry called his flat stare in place, Kerrick said nothing.
“If you’re referring to her, she has nothing to fear from us.”
“And her companions?”
“We’ve no problems with the monkeys or Flea.”
“Good. And since you’re no threat to me, I’ll be—”
“So the mighty Prince Kerrick can fight off seven men now? Did you disappear to a secret training camp?”
“Avry understands what happened and that’s all I care about. I do like the secret-training idea, but you can go ahead and assume whatever you wish. However, there’s one thing that’s indisputable.”
“And what’s that?”
“You can’t fight with a tree in your lap, or vines wrapped around your legs.” He nodded to Odd. “Until the next time.” Then he dropped the normal camo just in case they doubted his abilities.
No reaction from Odd, but a couple of his men started. Kerrick backed away, thinking if he hurried, he could return in time to get a few hours of sleep before dawn. With Avry wrapped in his arms and tucked in close, sleeping had been his favorite part of the day.
“Kerrick, wait,” Odd called.
He paused.
“We came to help Avry on her mission.”
Kerrick rematerialized. “Help how?”
“Some of my guys grew up in Chinska Mare. Plus as soldiers in the High Priestess’s army, we blend in better.”
“Until the High Priestess learns of your treason.”
“Which is why I hope the plan has us well away before that unfortunate time.”
There was no sense letting Odd know they hadn’t discussed strategy yet, so Kerrick mulled over Odd’s offer. Could they trust him? What if Odd was working undercover for Estrid and planned to sabotage their mission? Odd’s comments about Avry clearly indicated where Odd’s loyalties belonged...with Avry. Better than with Estrid.