FOREVER KNIGHTS: #4 Battling Black Roses

Marshall Manse, Mane Country

RHYERS

“What’d you do to Ebony?” Samuel asked.

Nothing. Ever.

“I hurt her feelings.”

That’s what he wants me to say. Rhyers knew. Spitting out the words dully.

“I quite gathered that. She’s been hiding from you every time you come to the Manse since that ball at the Parson’s House.”

“I hurt her feelings.” He reiterated.

What do you want me to say? You know what was there.

Rhyers was sulking himself. I rather enjoyed teasing the scamp on my visits. Now she don’t want anything to do with me. He turned a black rose between his fingers.

“What’s that for?” Samuel asked.

“It was for her.”

But not if going to give it to her is going to result in some outpouring of emotions.

“Are you going to apologize?”

Gad, no!

“Apologies usually involve some version of an explanation. We can’t tell her without putting her in danger.”

“True.” Samuel barely looked up from the missive he wrote by candlelight. Twice already he’d drug the lace of his shirt cuff through the wet ink. Making him swear. “I see your point.”

Thankfully. For once.

“Do you think I should?”

Why did I even ask that? I don’t want to apologize.

I don’t want to talk about her feelings.

“She worships you.” Samuel murmured without looking up.

“I know. But if Cimmerii see I have any affection for her it makes her a target.”

Samuel nodded thoughtfully.

“Who are you writing to now?” Rhyers shifted.

“My cousin Garix, the Nightway Rebel Leader. He often comes across your Cimmerii in the Warlock Wood.”

Warlock Wood?

He’s a commoner. Rhyers realized.

Being family to nobility doesn’t always make you one. He realized he’d forgotten some of those rules that really didn’t apply when you lived forever.

“Ah. Has he found some?” Rhyers leaned forward hopefully.

“He has.” Sam dipped the quill again.

“Grand.” Rhyers gestured broadly. “I’m in need of a good fight.”

“You should probably say something to my sister.” He gave Rhyers’ a pointed brown-eyed look. “She’s one of your only two friends.”

“I have more!” Rhyers’ brow furrowed.

“Other than your kind.”

“Yes, well…” Rhyers sat back on the settee. Staring into his glass of wine as he swished it around.

“Did you know she’s not really my sister?”

No.

“What?” His head shot up.

“My parents said they dreamt of her for days and then found her and brought her home. I was already around twelve. But she was so adorable I loved her on-sight. I wanted nothing more than to protect her.”

“You have.”

“No. I nearly let a Yearner make off with her. She had me in her sights and I was putty. It was the most terrifying experience of my life. Then soon after a Gripper gets ahold of me and it was you again stringing me to my own four-post to save my tail…Thank you for that by the by.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” Rhyers assured. “It has probably worked on numerous people. And you were resisting that Yearner. The time it took her to overcome your will was enough time for me to get there. So, in a sense ’twas you that saved Ebony.”

“Wow.” Samuel stared into the dancing flame of the candle a moment. “I never thought of it that way before.”

“You should.”

“You’re a clever manipulator, Christophe Rhyers.” Samuel murmured.

Better then clever. Rhyers knew. It wasn’t ego. It was fact.

“So, I’ve been told. But I’m a better tracker. So, let’s talk of this Cimmerii…”

“I think you should tell her about the serum.” Samuel changed the subject abruptly.

What? Who?

Ebony? Hell, no!

“Whyever would I do that?” His head snapped to Samuel.

“So, she knows how to help you.”

I don’t need her help. She’s a child.

“Most people don’t even know there’s a problem with my blood. It’s a weakness few are aware of. Why would a child need to know of it?”

“Yes, well I may not always be here to administer it to you.”

“Hmm.” Rhyers grunted. “Maybe eventually. But not now.” He dismissed. “Now tell me about the Cimmerii.”

“Garix says he leads a band of highwaymen. His name is Brotus. Quite evil from my understanding.”

All Cimmerii are. How does this one differ from the rest?

“How so?” Rhyers’ interest was piqued. He swirled wine in his glass thoughtfully.

“He has a special interest in killing children.”

Sounds like he needs to die.

Rhyers stiffened as new thought dawned. “You think he was something to do with the ambush on you and Ebony back then?”

“I think it’s possible. I’d very much like to know if someone’s coming for her again.”

“They won’t get to her.”

That’s why I’m here so often.

“How do you know?” Samuel gave him a long study.

Rhyers sipped his wine. “I won’t let him.” Smacking his lips, he set the glass down. “I check the perimeter of this house constantly. One track and I’ll kill it. Cimmerii almost never attack at random. They scout what they’re after until Radix blesses them. Only Sarabi are voracious enough to disobey orders.”

“Will I know a Sarabi when I see it?”

“You’ll know its hideous.” Rhyers’ nose curled at the thought of it. “The worst thing you’ve ever seen.”