Flesh & Bone (Rot & Ruin, #3)(47)
They studied each other for a long moment, each of them calculating the implications of that.
“Someday soon,” murmured the saint, “we will have a discussion with Brother Alexi.”
“Most assuredly,” agreed Brother Peter, and his eyes were hard as metal. “But . . . if Brother Alexi has fallen from grace, what does that say about Mother Rose? They are inseparable. He does not scratch an itch without her say-so.”
Saint John placed his hand on the younger man’s shoulder. “We must be vigilant, but we must not leap to judgment. The truth always finds the light, you know this?”
“Yes.”
“Then be patient. God has set many tasks before us. We have to find and end the rest of Carter’s heretics and send them into the darkness. We must find Sister Margaret and make sure that she tells only us how to find Sanctuary . . . and not her mother. This is of paramount importance.”
“Silencing her voice would be easy enough. . . .”
“Don’t underestimate her,” cautioned Saint John. “Remember how talented she was. Had she not fallen from grace, her skill could have rivaled your own.”
Brother Peter gave an elaborate shrug. “I welcome the opportunity to test that.”
“Do not give her the slightest chance. As far as the ranger, Joe . . . we need to find him before he can do more harm. Every time he kills one of ours and is not punished for it, a seed of doubt is planted in the hearts of our reapers. This man must be found.”
“Yes, Honored One.”
Saint John nodded. “There are two other tasks at hand. First, I want you to select your most trusted reapers and have them join you when you go to observe Mother Rose’s meeting at the shrine. Have some follow Her Holiness and Brother Alexi and send runners to me to report everything that is said at this meeting.”
“Of course.” Peter paused. “What is the other matter?”
Saint John looked at the line of footprints in the soft earth. He told Brother Peter about Nyx and her knight.
“Surely they are part of Carter’s party,” insisted Peter, but Saint John shook his head.
“I don’t think so. Their eyes have looked upon the darkness, I’m sure of it.” Saint John absently touched the cut on his forearm. “I will follow them and seek to discover the nature of this holy test.” He took a breath. “Go now. The god of darkness calls us to our purpose.”
“And we answer with joy,” replied Brother Peter with his flat voice and unsmiling face.
He bowed low. Saint John kissed his head and blessed him.
The young man got back on his quad, fired up the engine, and roared off into the woods.
Saint John watched him go, nodding to himself with silent approval. Brother Peter was the best of the reapers. The best by far. A genius of the blade and a killer whose every breath was dedicated to giving the gift of darkness. Saint John had no doubts that Peter would find this man—this troublesome man—and do as he had promised. He would open the doors in the man’s flesh and let the darkness in. It would be the greatest act of faith and devotion possible. Saint John almost envied him that pleasure.
He reached up and touched the silver whistle that hung around his neck. He stroked it contemplatively for a moment and then raised it to his lips. He blew into it, long and hard and with no apparent effect.
Soon, however, he heard the sound of clumsy feet crunching on dead leaves, and the swish of pine branches brushing against bodies that moved without delicacy but with the implacability of the stars themselves.
Then the saint of all the killers left on earth ran after Nix and Benny, and behind him an army of the living dead followed.
FROM NIX’S JOURNAL
Tom taught us that the samurai lived according to a code of ethics and behavior called Bushido. You’d think something that means “The Way of the Warrior” would be all about killing the enemy, but that’s not how it was. There are seven “virtues” that true warriors had to live by.
1. Justice. This is about doing the right thing or making the right decision (even if it’s the hardest choice at the time).
2. Bravery. We can’t really be fearless, but we can act brave even when we’re scared green.
3. Benevolence. Warriors should always show mercy, charity, and kindness.
4. Respect. Everyone deserves it. (I have to keep reminding myself of this one!)
5. Honesty. This includes trust and sincerity, too.
6. Loyalty. Yeah. This one’s really important if we’re going to survive out here in the Ruin.
7. Honor. Tom says this means that when you give your word, then that’s set in stone. He said, “Honor isn’t a convenience. It’s a way of life.”
34
AN ARROW THUNKED INTO THE TREE TRUNK AN INCH FROM CHONG’S FACE.
He screamed and threw himself down and away.
In the clearing, Brother Andrew shouted, “Danny! Did you get him?”
“He went right down,” cried a second voice from well behind where Chong lay. “Go get him and I’ll cover you.”
Chong had no intention of waiting while the muscle-freak with the scythe came to kill him. He sprang to his feet and bolted for the crooked line of shrubs twenty yards away. He ran bent almost in half, sword clutched in one fist. Another arrow struck a tree directly in front of him, causing him to skid to a stop and dive down behind a thick pine. A third arrow hit the pine, and when he risked a look, a fourth cleaved the air so close to his head that it tugged at his hair. It tangled in a creosote bush and fell to the ground. Chong gave it a microsecond’s glance. The arrow had an aluminum shaft, with black plastic fletching and a wicked barbed head that was smeared with some black goo. Poison? Either way, Chong did not want to touch it. He scuttled away as fast as he could.