“Don’t lecture me, Kerrick! Bad enough Avry stares at me with...pity and disappointment.” Flea scooped up a handful of dirt and flung it into the fire.

“She doesn’t—”

“Come on. We both know she does. She is all about sacrificing herself for others. My behavior’s been... Well, not even to the lowest of her standards. Sure, I rescued Quain and Estrid, but now I can’t... Death is all around me. I can’t turn it off.”

Flea’s confession alarmed him, but he kept his face neutral. “Are you saying that when you look at me you see my death?”

“No, but if I touch you then I might.”

Might. Interesting word choice. “How about when you evaluate Avry’s patients?”

“Yeah, I see it. I didn’t tell her, ’cause I was hoping I’d learn how to control it. To keep from going that...deep. But each time, it comes quicker. And now it’s a flash. I get everything from current situation until death in one rush.”

That explained his refusal to use his magic. “Then why did you say you might see my death?”

“I can’t see Avry’s, so I’m guessing her magic blocks mine.”

And Kerrick wasn’t about to suggest he try with him. Kerrick had no desire to frighten Flea or to learn about his ultimate end. Instead, he said, “I don’t remember Sepp ever saying he could foresee a healthy person’s death. But Sepp managed to fool me over his loyalty, so he could have been keeping other secrets as well.”

“You think Sepp wants an apprentice?” Flea asked darkly.

“I don’t think he’d be a good mentor. Avry might be able—”

“No.”

Kerrick studied Flea. Something had happened between them. He remembered Avry saying Flea had been avoiding her since she’d reanimated Yuri. Which might explain why he hadn’t told her about the flash.

“Avry didn’t intend for Yuri—”

“I know. But it happened. Just like the plague. Healers mucking about with things they shouldn’t be, giving Tohon the means to kill millions. Yes, magic saved you and Avry and Quain and me, but it’s done far more damage.”

It was hard to argue with the logic. Plus Flea’s tight fists meant he wouldn’t be receptive to any opposing views at the moment.

“Okay,” Kerrick said.

Flea peered at him in suspicion. “Okay, what?”

“I understand and support your decision not to use magic.”

Openmouthed, Flea gaped at him. Kerrick fought to keep a smile from his face.

Recovering, Flea asked, “What’s the catch?”

Ah, he’d been hanging out with the monkeys too long. “Ryne has this book about magicians. I’d like you to read about death magicians.” He held up a hand, stopping Flea’s protest. “Just read, not practice or try anything. Just read. That’s all. Can you do that for me?”

Flea grumbled, but agreed.

Kerrick changed the subject, asking about Flea’s training. “Has Loren shown you the Gahagan attack yet? It’s one of my favorites.”

They discussed sword fighting. Kerrick noted how Flea had relaxed, acting a little bit more like his old self. But he had a long way to go.

Loud voices interrupted their conversation. Avry and Ryne arguing. Kerrick and Flea exchanged a look.

“I don’t know why Ryne bothers,” Kerrick said. “She won’t listen to him.”

The argument stopped when Avry strode into the clearing. Flushed and pissed off, she struggled to regain her composure. Ryne followed, appearing equally riled.

Not wanting to add to the tension, Kerrick waited.

Flea had no such qualms and said, “Estrid’s still leaving.”

No one corrected him. Flea had been right.

“And so are we,” Avry said.

CHAPTER 11

“You are not,” Ryne said.

“Unless you plan to hold us against our will, we’re leaving tonight,” I said.

Ryne’s red face turned crimson, which I didn’t think was possible.

But before the prince exploded, Kerrick stood and stepped between us. “What’s going on?”

“Estrid refused to stay, so we need to beat her back to Ozero,” I said.

“Why?”

“Once she seals the borders, we won’t get another chance to rescue Melina. I promised Mom I’d make sure she was safe.”

Kerrick turned to face me. “Melina’s in Ozero?”

I told him about her run-in with Estrid’s purity priestess. “They sent her to the monastery in Chinska Mare. And Estrid won’t release her.”

“Ah.”

“You can’t go,” Ryne said. “We have far greater problems to deal with. The Skeleton King, Cellina’s invading army, dead soldiers, and diminishing resources all outweigh the rescue of one girl.”

“And how am I going to make a difference with all that?” I demanded.

He stared at me as if I’d just lost my mind. “Aside from healing my soldiers, you harvest the Death Lily toxin.”

“Except I’ve gotten all the sacks around here, and you said the dead patrols hadn’t crossed the border with Vyg.” Plus I wasn’t going to consign Melina to living the rest of her life in a monastery. “All I need are a couple horses and we’ll be back in two weeks. And I can harvest more toxin sacks for you.”

“How do you plan to rescue her?” Ryne asked.