Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (14 page)

"We know those ancient weapons used by Yevil to kill the
Avii King and Queen were kept there," Justis said quietly. "While I
know of nothing like this controller device, that doesn't mean that it also didn't
come from there. My question is this—why were those weapons in Camryn's
treasury in the first place? Berel says there are none such as these created on
Siriaa, and neither Fyris nor the Avii have the technology required to produce
them."

Silently I sat and listened to the debate as it went on; Amlis
and Rodrik had left only a few moments earlier, after ordering as many men as
they could muster to travel with them. I had the idea that someone might
transport them to the army so any damage caused by that now headless horde could
be held to a minimum.

Somehow, in my mind, I understood that the unusual weapons and
devices had arrived when the Avii and Fyrians did, but I had no guess as to
when that was or from where. It was a puzzle that I had few resources to solve,
after all, no matter how much I wanted to do so.

Had the metal box been transported at the same time? That
thought was so far-fetched I discarded it immediately. I was no ancient object,
after all. I was flesh, blood and bone; I bled when cut or whipped and my bones
had broken—I'd experienced all those things in my brief lifetime.

"It is clear that Treven stole from Camryn," Justis
said. "And Yevil used that stolen property to kill. I would prefer that we
take him to the King and allow Jurris to pass sentence. If I know my brother,
he will force Yevil through the gate."

"What about Tamblin?" Omina asked. "I'd prefer
that Jurris pass judgment upon him as well."

"Amlis asked us not to kill him," Justis muttered.

"Amlis is on his way to the army Tamblin conscripted.
Tell me Tamblin didn't order them to perform heinous acts against the people of
Fyris," Rath spoke for the first time. "He attempted to kill my
sister and me. How do you think we feel about that?"

"He and Yevil tried to kill Amlis—several times," I
spoke without realizing. "By poison, twice by ambush; these are the acts
of mad men," I concluded. "Both are responsible in some way for
Timblor's death."

"I have no doubt those things are true," Omina wept.
I knew she cared for her eldest, but he'd aptly followed his father's lead,
rather than taking a stand against his injustices. I would speak no support of
Timblor, whether he was loved or not. He'd taken pleasure in my beating when I'd
acted to save Amlis' life. He would have made a cruel king, had he taken
Tamblin's place.

My dear, I see the sorrow on your face. Do not fret—all
will come right
, Kaldill spoke in my mind.

At that moment, I knew two things—first, I wanted to huddle
against him while past memories plagued me and new ones troubled me more.
Second, I wanted to tell him those things, but dared not. The answers to the
ensuing questions could harm me more than the questions themselves.

"I suggest we wait for Amlis' return; he will make the
final decision on his father's fate," Justis decided. "Yevil will go
to Jurris for judgment."

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

"They had a controller, Mom," Teeg dropped onto a
chair next to his mother's in the arboretum atop her palace. "It's not
modern and larger by comparison to the one I created, but it worked well enough
to do what Yevil wanted."

"I guess you'd know what one looked like, then"
Lissa huffed. "I'm grateful they're outlawed everywhere, now. They're an
abomination."

"I know," Teeg held up a hand. "That's the past
and I understand my mistakes. We won't visit that again. Reah glared at me the
whole time I was there because of it."

"You think she's not justified?"

"She is, but there are extenuating circumstances. You
have to believe I'd never do that when I'm completely sane. Besides, Tybus
would kill me. He wouldn't bother to think about it first; he'd just do it."

"I know. He'd probably have help."

"I understand that."

"From me."

"Mom!"

"Come on, it's time for dinner," Lissa stood and
jerked her head toward the door. "You coming?"

"I'm coming."

* * *

Lironis

"You may want this," Ordin handed a leather-bound
book to Gurnil.

"Have you read it?" Gurnil accepted the book and
examined the cover. The leather was darkened by age but still pliable—the old
physician had kept a personal journal throughout his life.

"No. I have no idea who could be interested in it; I may
offer it to Quin to read and ask for a more legible report to be handed to me
afterward. She seems depressed after the events in Kondar; perhaps a reading
assignment will help."

"A good idea. She's always happy to read," Ordin
agreed. "We'll have patients again tomorrow, but I'll only keep her four
hours. She can read after the midday meal."

"Good. How are they, by the way? The citizens of Lironis?"

"Starving. Sickly. Many of them suffer from the early
stages of the wasting disease. I've held Quin back from healing that—they'll
only get it again."

"That's my fear, also. When does Justis plan to take
Yevil to Avii Castle?"

"Tomorrow."

* * *

Quin

"Will you read this for me and provide a report for the Library
records?" Gurnil handed a leather-bound book to me after dinner. "This
is the old healer's journal and I feel you would better understand it, as you've
spent most of your life here. Something you may find important I might discount
altogether."

"When would you like your report?" I asked, taking
the softbound book from Gurnil.

"Whenever you have time," he waved a hand and
smiled. "I hope it is interesting reading."

A part of me hoped it was, too. Nevertheless, I was glad to
get it—and worried at the same time.
What if the answers to my question
about the metal box lay within its pages?
Recalling my manners, I stammered
polite thanks to Gurnil and went to find Berel and Dena.

* * *

"Ardis says they're leaving tomorrow to take Yevil to
Avii Castle," Dena said. I'd found her and Berel inside Berel's suite—he'd
moved to the research building as he was more comfortable there.

His guards from the ship were also more comfortable there,
although they hadn't complained about quarters in the castle. They stood
outside the suite door, allowing us to talk.

"Are they flying or taking an airchopper?" I turned
to Berel.

"I offered an airchopper. They prefer to fly him in,"
Berel shrugged.

"Do you think it will be a form of torture, to hold him
aloft over the sea for hours?" I asked Dena.

"If I were unable to fly, I'd think it torture," she
blew out a breath.

"Then it will be awful for him," I said. "Perhaps
he deserves it. Will they continue to fly if it rains?"

"They'll only search for land if hail falls, and that
seldom happens at this time of year."

I recalled riding in a hailstorm with Amlis and Rodrik, but
didn't say that. I didn't envy the journey Justis was determined to make, but
it was evident that he'd kept his troops trained and ready, no matter the
circumstances.

I doubted Jurris cared whether the troops were trained or
not—all he cared about was himself most of the time. He hadn't really cared
about Halthea—he'd only cared about the color of her wings.

Justis—as did I—hoped that one day, Jurris would be half the
King Camryn had been. I hoped for all the Avii that the day would come soon.
After all, when I worked in the kitchen at Avii Castle, Justis had no care for
me but he ensured that the Black Wing who'd pulled my wing nub and drew blood
was punished. Jurris wouldn't have done anything to help a half-blood girl,
dumped on his doorstep as I was.

Even Ardis recognized that fairness in Justis and gave him
respect. Dena still slept in Ardis' suite, in her own bed—for now. I could see
his eyes following her at times. I also knew he would never hurt her, or ask
for what she wasn't willing to give.

Dena was beginning to care for Ardis, and as I didn't want to
interfere in any way, held back from asking. She would tell me when she was
comfortable with the new feelings she carried.

"Quin?" Reah tapped on Berel's open door.

"Reah?" I slid off Berel's couch, grateful I didn't
stutter her name. She was the most beautiful woman I'd ever met, and with the
power she held, she was magnificent. It was difficult to comprehend that the
others failed to see these things in her.

"I have a request," she smiled at me. "From
Torevik's mother, Queen Lissa. She would like you to visit—the Sirenali that
Marid had with him in Kondar cannot speak and neither of us can read anything
from him. We'd like to see if you can tell us anything about him."

"I'm not sure whether I can," I shook my head. I
hadn't bothered with him—I'd focused on Marid because he held vital
information. I'd only gotten a little of the knowledge needed from him before
he killed himself.

"Will you try?" Reah's green eyes begged me to say
yes. "Besides, the Queen would like to meet you. Gurnil and Ordin have
volunteered to come with you, as have Kaldill and Daragar."

"May I go?" Berel asked. I realized then that we'd
be traveling far away from Siriaa. Berel was excited by the prospect; I was
terrified.

"Kaldill and Daragar will come?" I quavered.

"Yes. There is nothing to fear, I promise."

"Then I'll come. I don't wish to disappoint anyone; I can
only promise to try to read this man."

"Sirenali," Reah corrected gently.

"As you say," I hunched my shoulders. "How
should I dress?" It was a valid question—I didn't wish to offend a Queen.

"Dress nicely, but for comfort," Reah smiled. "The
Queen isn't particular."

"I'll help," Dena stood with a smile.

* * *

Not long after, I was herded back to the research building
where Berel, Kaldill, Daragar, Reah, Gurnil and Ordin waited. Torevik intended
to come as well—the Queen we would visit was his mother.

As quickly as Daragar could transport me to Kondar, this trip
was just as swift. I marveled at the ability to fly through the stars and
arrive far away in less than a blink. Nevertheless, I'd closed my eyes for the
journey, opening them once my feet settled on a solid floor.

Avii Castle was a wonder; buildings in Kondar, including the
High President's palace home, were amazing. What met my gaze when I arrived at
the palace on Le-Ath Veronis took my breath away.

Dark marble, with veins of gold and silver in its depths,
covered the floor. A lighter version covered the walls. All of it was so
carefully designed and beautiful I wanted to touch it to make sure it was real.

A woman—small and slender—waited for us. She was lovely, with
blue eyes and reddish-gold hair. I discovered quickly that I couldn't read
anything in her, either. The Queen of Le-Ath Veronis, dressed in a silk tunic
and pants, smiled at us and lifted her cheek for Torevik to kiss.

Kaldill held a hand at my back and Daragar walked beside us as
we were led inside the Queen's library. As massive as Gurnil's Library was at
Avii Castle, this one eclipsed it. My fingers itched to open a single book—
surely
I could read it
—and lose myself in other worlds and cultures.

I couldn't—it hadn't been offered and I'd been invited for
other reasons. Others waited in the library for us to arrive—many of them mated
to the Queen. Some of them made me want to shrink away—one of them could become
a huge wolf whenever he wished.

Perhaps he guessed at my discomfort—he offered a gentle smile,
convincing some of the tension to fall from my shoulders. Another there frowned
at me, making the tension rise again.

It was Kaldill's son, Lendill. I knew it before Kaldill
introduced him.

"Don't be a fucking dick," Kaldill scolded his son.
I jerked to a standstill—I'd never heard Kaldill curse before.

"Lendill, stop being a fucking dick," Reah echoed
Kaldill's words. They were mated; I could see it when Lendill turned in Reah's
direction.

"Lendill, stop being a fucking dick," Queen Lissa
repeated. Winkler—the man who could become wolf at will, burst into laughter.

A woman stood with the many men in the library; she, like
several others, was fascinated by winged people. "You really fly? I mean,
Roff flies, but he doesn't have feathers."

"What Renée's saying is that she's used to winged
vampires, but not winged people," Lissa said. "I don't know of
another winged race such as the Avii in all the known universes."

"Renée is a pretty name," I offered. I was at a loss
to comment on the wings—I hadn't had mine long, after all. Gurnil or Ordin
would be better to ask about the Avii. A name—a real one, anyway—was also
something I hadn't had for long.

"Thank you," she said. If she hadn't been described
as a vampire, and if I hadn't seen it in her already, I would have thought her
the same as any other. She had feelings for the one she believed had made her
vampire, when the one who'd actually made her vampire stood nearby. The Queen
had offered her blood for the turn and one named Montrose had taken over,
teaching her the ways a vampire should behave and comport themselves.

Lissa lifted an eyebrow as all those things flew through my
mind but didn't say anything; I couldn't read her but I could read the others
about her.

"May we offer food or drink before we make our way to the
Sirenali's cell?" the Queen suggested. That's how we came to have tea and
tiny cakes in her library, while I was ensconced on a comfortable sofa with
Kaldill and Daragar.

Berel was in raptures, I think. After getting permission to
record images, his tab-vid was held aloft more often than not while the
library, the people and everything else was captured for his father's perusal.