I rubbed my wrists, drank a huge glass of water, visited the privy and sent my helpers out for more food. After I finished my rounds, I sat in my office and read through my apprentice journal. Although I made a list of useful plants, I found no mention of any substance that could animate the dead. No note of a substance that would render a man unconscious, either. Something I could blow in their faces or they could smell.

The guards had been smart enough to keep their distance from me until I put on the gloves. A new set of guards came for me after the sun set. With my hands manacled behind me again, they escorted me below the castle. Still lying on the bed, Ryne looked as if he hadn’t moved since this morning. However, a tray of half-eaten food rested near the door.

When the guards left, he sat up and asked with concern, “Are you all right?”

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?”

“I’m not the one who pissed off Tohon. He can be quite cruel.”

“I’m fine. I worked in the infirmary all day.”

“Tohon’s no fool. Your healing powers are a valuable resource.”

I glanced at the empty cells around us. “He could also be trying to draw Kerrick out.”

“That, too.” After a few minutes, he chuckled.

“What’s so funny?” I asked.

“You must have driven Kerrick crazy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Kerrick’s all about following orders and giving orders, there is no in between. However, I doubt you’re the type to just follow.”

“We did have our…disagreements.”

“I’d bet. Can you tell me about them?”

“It all seems so stupid now.”

“Consider it a dying man’s last request.”

“That’s not—”

“I know, but I’m bored, in pain and wouldn’t mind the distraction.”

“When you put it that way, how can I refuse?” I regaled him with a few stories of our rocky relationship. Looking back, I couldn’t see how my behavior would endear me to Kerrick. I’d been difficult and a pain in the ass.

Ryne enjoyed the tales. He certainly didn’t act like a dying man in pain. I think that whole positive attitude was the way to go. Worrying and moping won’t change his situation; he might as well enjoy his last days.

The next two days matched the first. Working in the infirmary all day, I stayed in my cell overnight, telling Ryne stories or brainstorming ideas on how to counter Tohon’s defenses. His intelligence was obvious, and I knew he would do great things if he lived. However, his symptoms increased each day. In a few days, he would enter the final stage and nothing I could say would ease his torment.

Time was against us. And, so far, we hadn’t found a way to outsmart the guards. Frustration welled as I stood within ten feet of him, yet couldn’t reach him. Tohon knew what he was doing when he picked our underground accommodations.

Trying to follow Ryne’s example, I focused on the one good thing. Tohon hadn’t caught Kerrick. But I wondered why Tohon hadn’t been down here to gloat. Perhaps Estrid’s forces had made inroads and he was preoccupied. No sign of Kerrick, either. Which was good. Nothing he could do if he was caught, as well—unless they let him keep his lock picks, which I’d learned the guards were too smart to do. Perhaps I could trick them into coming closer to me.

After I’d finished my rounds on that third morning, I read through my journal from cover to cover again, determined to find a way to escape. I also brainstormed ideas in my office. Perhaps there was a way I could trick them into coming closer to me—a fake swoon or direct attack?

A loud commotion interrupted me late in the afternoon. My infirmary helpers had all gone to fetch the dinner trays, so I hurried to the main room as two soldiers entered, each carrying an injured colleague. I gestured to the empty beds and they dumped them on the mattresses.

I turned to chastise the soldiers for their rough treatment. The taller one stood right next to me. I stepped back in alarm.

He said, “Easy there, miss.”

My heart flipped over. I glanced at the other. He tried to act innocent.

“Can you heal our colleagues?” Kerrick asked.

I played along, examining the patients. They both had concussions and multiple bruises. “They’ll be fine.” I pointed to a gash on Kerrick’s forearm. “You need sutures. Come to the exam room.” Turning around, I walked to the back room.

A few of my other patients were awake. They watched as we passed them. Would they recognize Kerrick? Would they sound the alarm? My heart urged me to hurry, but I kept my pace even.

I shut the door after both men were inside. Then I sagged against it. Loren smiled at me and I suppressed the desire to hug him.

“You were smart to wait a few days,” I said.

Loren glanced at Kerrick. “Told you. He wanted to rush in here right away.”

“What’s going on?” Kerrick asked.

He was business as usual. No sign of the other Kerrick—the one in the garden. I explained about Sepp and Ryne. When I had mentioned Sepp’s name, Kerrick scowled as a flash of pain crossed his face. Yet another betrayal for him.

“Did you know about Sepp?” I asked him.

“I suspected. And I don’t buy that Tohon’s men found them. Sepp had to tip him off.”

“They met at the Healer’s Guild before the plague, so it’s possible,” I said. Then I looked at Loren. “Have you been here all this time, too?”