Maria Snyder - Touch of Power

Here we go. Time for the lecture. I braced for his recriminations.

“Did I see you actually smile?” he asked.

Thrown, I stared at him.

“I know you can smile,” he said, as if we were having a pleasant conversation. “You gave that little girl one even after her family turned you in to the town watch. Why?”

I stammered a moment before I collected my wits. “It wasn’t her fault her father turned me in. She’s a delightful child and I was glad to see her well.”

“Even though it almost led to your execution?”

“The two aren’t connected. I decided to heal her. I took the risk of being captured. It was my fault.”

“I see.”

I didn’t. What game was Kerrick playing now?

“We’re leaving Mengels a few hours before dawn.” He gestured to the bed. “I suggest you enjoy the comforts while you can. We won’t be overnighting at an inn again.”

“You’re still planning on taking me to Prince Ryne?”

“Yes.”

“Can you?” I asked.

He bristled. “You haven’t escaped.”

Not yet. “That isn’t what I meant. Mercs and bounty hunters are searching for me. They almost succeeded and Belen almost died. Can you really escort me to your prince without losing more of your men or me? Forty golds is a fortune to these people.”

“Almost succeeded isn’t succeeding. If you remember, we rescued you. Again.”

“And killed all those men. Even the magic sniffer, he’s—”

“Working for the enemy. If I didn’t kill them, they would attack us another time.”

“But there are more to take their place. You haven’t neutralized the source. As long as Tohon of Sogra dangles those forty golds, they’ll just keep chasing us like ufas after fresh meat. Eventually, someone’s going to succeed.”

Kerrick’s gaze turned contemplative. “What are you suggesting?”

I hadn’t realized I was. But as I chased the logic, I knew what should be done. “That we find out why Tohon wants me. Maybe if you turn me in—”

“That’s insane. I don’t need—”

“Not for the money. If you turn me in, then there’s no reason for the mercs or hunters to chase us anymore. We can learn why Tohon wants me alive. Maybe he’s like you, and wishes me to heal a sick friend or loved one. I could heal that person and then we won’t be bothered.”

“And if there’s another reason he wants you alive?”

“Then we escape. You have your earth magic.”

“Won’t work. I’m a forest mage not an earth magician. It’s a common mistake. My magic is a gift from the living essence of the forest. Tohon lives in the Sogra castle. I can’t do a thing surrounded by stone and dirt. Besides, I doubt Tohon cares enough for another to offer forty golds to save his or her life.”

“You know him?” I asked.

“Unfortunately. Why do you think he’s put a bounty on the healers?”

“I figured he lost someone to the plague and held a grudge against us.”

“No. He knows Ryne is sick and only a healer can save him. He wants the prince to die.”

So did I, but I wouldn’t go to such extremes. “Why?”

“Ryne is the only one who can stop Tohon.”

“Stop Tohon from what?” I asked Kerrick.

“From turning the Fifteen Realms into his own personal kingdom.”

Not what I expected. “First, one man can’t change or stop anything. And second, why would Tohon’s attempt be bad? In case you missed it, our world has fallen apart. Peace throughout the Realms would be a step in the right direction.”

Kerrick shook his head. “You’ve been in hiding so long, you’ve no idea what’s really going on. Tohon is not trying to help the plague survivors. He’s gathering them into an army so he can invade all those towns that have managed to reform. Towns like Jaxton. All so his army can grow. And if his forces encounter anyone who refuses to join, they kill him or her. Tohon is … mentally unstable, and for him to be king of all … would be a living nightmare.”

“Why do you think only Ryne can stop him? Why not raise your own army?” I asked.

“Because Ryne is a brilliant strategist, and has outsmarted Tohon before.”

I huffed in disbelief. “Probably because Ryne and Tohon are both megalomaniacs.” I realized my mistake when Kerrick’s entire body stiffened. Expecting him to lose his temper, I stepped back.

Instead, he said in a flat monotone, “We’re going to cross the Nine Mountains. I suggest you get some rest while you can.”

I tried again. “We’ve been traveling for over twenty-five days and we’ve only reached Mengels. Do you really think we can get to the Nine Mountains?”

Annoyance creased his brow. “Dodging mercs, keeping off the main roads and dragging along an unwilling healer has slowed us down. However, I’ve no doubt we will reach Prince Ryne.” He opened the door, then paused. “And don’t worry about anyone disturbing you. My men will take turns staying with you.”

I bit back a sarcastic reply. After he left, I went to the window. I drew in the cool air and gauged the distance to the ground. Would the drainpipe hold my weight?

Even if I escaped, how long would I be free before Kerrick tracked me down? Or before the mercs found me? If I turned myself in to Tohon, would he give me the forty golds? A ridiculous prospect, but interesting to contemplate nonetheless.

“Avry?” Loren stood in the doorway. “What are you doing?”

“Taking in the view.”

“Uh-huh.”

“What’s the matter, Loren? Afraid I’m going to jump out the window?”

“Something like that.”

I sighed. As much as I would love to part company with Kerrick, I was smart enough to know he was better than being dragged to Tohon by a group of mercenaries. I shuffled over to my bed, kicked off my boots and squirmed under the covers.

Loren closed and locked the shutters before settling into a nearby chair. I enjoyed the warmth and comfort of the bed, but couldn’t fall asleep.

“Why did we come to Mengels?” I asked Loren.

“Do you want the ugly truth or for me to sum it up nice and neat?” His words were punctuated with anger.

I propped up on my elbow and studied Loren’s expression. “Did you want Belen to die?”

“No … yes … no.” He rubbed his face. “It wasn’t my decision.”

“That’s right. It was mine and it was easy. I’m sorry it caused you such … trouble. And don’t expect me to promise not to do it again.”

Loren laughed. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you that . Wouldn’t want you to make our lives easier or anything.”

“You’d be bored.” I flopped back onto the pillows. “Although I’m not too sorry. I ended up in this lovely bed.”

“You can thank Kerrick for that.”

“Ugh. I’d rather not.”

“He probably saved your life.”

“Oh?”

“He packed leaves and mud into the holes in your stomach and wrapped a bandage tight around your waist. We used Belen’s litter and ran here. Mom’s famous for her healing herbal remedies and she forced spoonful after spoonful down your throat.”

“Should I thank Mom, then?”

“Not funny.”

Kerrick only worked so hard to save my life so I could save Ryne’s. He didn’t care about me. “You’re right, it isn’t.”

“Get some sleep, Avry.”

Despite Kerrick’s promise of a peaceful rest, a commotion outside my door woke me in the middle of the night. The lantern had been turned down low, and Quain had replaced Loren. He stood near the door with his dagger in hand.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

He shushed me, and cracked the door open. Mom’s frantic voice pierced the darkness. Pounding steps drummed past my room. Other voices joined Mom’s. Unable to wait any longer, I slid from the bed and crept beside Quain. He shot me a dark look before returning his attention to the hallway.