Touch of Power
Page 87

Tohon’s name produced the desired effect. The man straightened. “I’m in charge of patient care.”
“Wrong answer. You’re in charge of a cesspit. The right answer is Healer Avry is in charge of patient care from now on.”
The man shot to his feet. “You can’t just barge in here and—”
“I can. If you have a problem with it, please feel free to take it up with Tohon.”
He fisted his hands and stared at me. “That’s King Tohon.”
I met his fierce gaze and held it until he looked away.
“King Tohon will hear about this,” he said as he stormed from the room.
The other four—three women and one man—gaped at me.
I frowned at them. “Do you work here?”
They nodded.
“No you don’t. If you did, this place wouldn’t reek. But we’re going to correct that right now.”
Along with the two in the main room, I sent them to fetch buckets of clean water, find clean cloths, clean linens, soaps and alcohol. While they were gone, I started checking the patients. Infections, fevers, broken bones, dehydration… The list continued. The man who had been in charge returned with a smirk and Tohon right behind him.
Tohon crinkled his nose in distaste, but didn’t remark on the smell. “I sent you here to help, my dear. Not cause problems.”
“My mistake. Is there another healer here?” I turned my head as if seeking another person.
“Quit the act, Avry. What’s going on?”
“Look around, Tohon. Take a deep breath. This place is filthy. Your soldiers are dying, not from their injuries but from infection and poor care.” I stabbed a finger at the man. “He’s causing more harm than good.”
Tohon considered. “It doesn’t seem that bad to me.”
I suppressed a growl. “Come back here in five days. I guarantee half these patients will be on their feet and have returned to work by then.”
“You’re rather confident for someone who doesn’t have any experience,” Tohon said.
“First thing an apprentice learns is the importance of cleanliness. Basic stuff, Tohon. Your guy and his crew are either too lazy, too stupid or don’t care.”
The man protested, but Tohon stopped him with a look.
“All right, my dear. You have five days.”
The five days were exhausting, but gratifying to see the patients respond to my care. I had also found a way to avoid Tohon’s touch. Since the dire cases all involved infected wounds, I spent every night in my bed, fighting fever and delusions as Winter stayed with me. Another unexpected bonus during that time, I’d found a set of keys inside a captain’s uniform’s pocket. I had been collecting soiled garments to send to the laundry and heard the rattle.
When Tohon arrived on the fifth day, he quickly quelled his surprise. A fresh breeze blew in through the open windows. The patients had plenty of room between them. They sat up, propped on pillows and talked. Care workers moved among them, filling water glasses and checking bandages. The place smelled of soap and alcohol.
“Nice work, my dear. If I assign you a few more helpers, will you have time to assist me with my project?”
“Even with the extra help, I’ll need about ten days to finish implementing and training everyone on how to provide the standard care.”
“Ten days, then.” He left.
I really didn’t need that much time, but I hoped, by then, Estrid’s army would be keeping Tohon busy and distracted. Plus I could use the extra days and the stolen keys to search for Ryne.
I found Ryne a week later. Tucked in a corner of the castle, in an abandoned and off-limits wing, the room felt like a museum. I held up the lantern I carried, illuminating the contents. The light reflected off shiny boxes resting on top of black velvet-covered tables. Upon closer inspection, I realized the boxes were glass coffins. A knot of cold horror twisted in my chest.
Ryne occupied one of them, but he wasn’t the only one on display. Two others had been encased. An older man, wearing formal robes and a gold crown must be King Zavier. The other was a much younger man—close to Kerrick’s age. He had broad shoulders, short blond hair and familiar features. Did Tohon have a brother?
There was one empty glass coffin. To think it waited for an occupant was creepier than the occupied ones. I shuddered, then inspected the bodies.
Ryne actually looked many years younger than when he had visited Tara. He had shaved his full beard and bushy mustache. His dark brown hair had been cut short and, with his expression smoothed, he had a pleasant face.
While Ryne appeared to be asleep, King Zavier’s skin had death’s pallor and the other man was also dead. From his comments when he showed me the castle, I knew Tohon enjoyed using his power to take a life. But he hadn’t taken Ryne’s. At least, not yet. I wondered if the stasis prevented Tohon from finishing the prince.
Who was next? I suspected Tohon would enjoy seeing Kerrick inside the empty coffin. A strange feeling touched me, almost as if I felt protective of Kerrick. I dismissed it and searched under the tables.
A cheap pine coffin had been shoved underneath the empty coffin’s table. I didn’t need to open it to know I would fit inside.
I left the morbid room, setting a quick pace. The early-morning hours before dawn had been the best time for me to search the castle. Most of the inhabitants worked late, and remained in bed until midmorning. I’d been here long enough to know those were the hours Tohon kept, as well.