Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (12 page)

"I'll make arrangements, then," Edden nodded. "A
Founder of an Alliance, you say?"

"Yes. You have nothing to fear; Ildevar is one of the
finest people I know."

* * *

Sector Two

Dorthil's Quarters

"You think I don't have spies in Kondar? Think again,"
Dorthil hissed at President Pragg. "Charkisul is being approached tonight
by the Founder of the Reth Alliance. We must act quickly to destroy both. Once
we're in charge of Siriaa, they'll never get their claws locked on it."

"Founder? Reth Alliance? What are you talking about?"
Pragg growled. "There is no Reth Alliance, unless Yokaru has hidden
something from us all along." He spat his last words in Marid's direction.

"Yokaru? Faugh," Marid gestured angrily. "I
only told you Yokaru before, because you have no idea what lies beyond this
planet. The Reth Alliance swallows planets and demands they conform to their
rules and standards. Is that what you want for Siriaa?"

"They will make us slaves? Is that what you mean?"

"Slaves to their will," Marid blustered. Dorthil
realized then that the wizard had lied to him all along, but as the lies fell
in with his own desires, Dorthil kept the information to himself.

"What can we do? Shall I contact the other Presidents?"

"Too late for that—they'll dither while we must take
action," Marid said. "I will take you to the High President's dinner
tonight. If you choose to kill him and his guests while we're there, I'll be
happy to lend a hand." Marid wiped blood away from his nose with a dark
handkerchief, its red color hiding the blood it already bore.

* * *

Lironis

Quin

"Quin, we're going to Kondar for dinner tonight,"
Berel beamed at me. He'd run down castle steps to arrive at the healer's
quarters as quickly as he could. He looked forward to seeing his father, I
could tell.

"Who is going with us?" I asked. I had to know—I
felt growing danger about the High President, but didn't wish to alarm his son.

"Reah, Kaldill and Daragar. Father will see a Larentii
for the first time. Kaldill says others will arrive; he named the Founder of an
Alliance. Isn't that exciting?"

My shoulders sagged in relief when he listed those
accompanying us. Too many things troubled my mind of late, and some of them,
understandably, swirled about a metal box.

"I will find Daragar, then. I wish to speak with him,"
I said.

"I heard my name," Daragar appeared magically at
Berel's side. He smiled at me, and that served to slow and warm my heart. It
was beating too quickly, and I felt chilled and terrified by all I knew.

* * *

"Sit here," Daragar settled me on a bench on the
research building balcony. "Do you wish to only speak with me, or will you
allow Kaldill to attend?"

"He can come," I hunched my shoulders. "It's
only fair that he hears this, too."

"Hear what?" Kaldill appeared. He'd been called, I
suppose, the moment I gave Daragar permission to include him.

"I keep hearing the name Marid. In my dreams and at other
times. Do you know of such?" I asked.

Daragar glanced at Kaldill before turning back to me. "I
do. Do you have other information?"

"I feel the High President is in peril because of this
name," I stuttered. "I feel better, knowing you will be there with
him tonight, but I feel this Marid is more than dangerous."

"Dangerous only to the High President?"

"Dangerous to all of Siriaa," I shuddered. At that
moment, I wanted more than anything to tell Kaldill and Daragar about the metal
box, but was terrified by what I might learn. I kept my lips pressed tightly
together as I'd often done in my past, shoving that desire away.

"Quin, I have asked that something appropriate be brought
for you to wear," Kaldill said. "If you wish to have more clothing
than that, Daragar and I can provide it."

"What I have is good enough to work in." I ducked my
head as heat warmed my cheeks.

"That is not what we meant," Kaldill was up and
kneeling before me, lifting my chin. I blinked into eyes that were neither gold
nor green, but a mixture of both. Now, they were filled with concern—for me.

"You know even the lowliest servant here has something to
wear for special occasions. Why should you be different?" Daragar asked.

I'd been different all my life. Was different now. The box I'd
found might tell a tale of just how different I was. Nevertheless, these two
deserved an answer, and appreciation for their offer.

"Yes—I'd like something pretty," I confessed. I'd
never had anything that qualified as such—even Amlis' uniforms had been
utilitarian. Nowadays, I was grateful to have clothing I didn't have to scrub
myself.

"You shall have pretty things—I command it," Kaldill
waved a hand and smiled.

"Is that all it takes?" I couldn't help smiling back
at him. As ancient as he was, he had a young heart.

"Quin," he placed both his hands on my face, then,
and held it gently, "the flowers in spring bloom beautifully, even if they've
been trampled during the winter by those who have no care for such. It is hope,
I think, that keeps it so."

He placed a kiss on my forehead, then, before disappearing.

* * *

Reah identified the color of my dress as turquoise, and it fit
snugly beneath my arms and wings, hugged my breasts and then fell in graceful
folds down to my ankles. Soft shoes completed my outfit in a pale, golden
color.

I'd found the dress lying across my bed when I finished
helping Ordin with his patients. More people had shown up than had come the
previous day, so word was spreading that the winged healer and those who
assisted him could indeed relieve their aches and illnesses.

We'd had a few who needed dental care; those were handled by
some from one of the ship's crew. I was grateful that was so—merely watching
them numb sore mouths made me shiver.

Pushing the events of the day aside, I walked out of my
bedroom to find Justis waiting. He appeared uncomfortable, for some reason. "Make
sure you stay safe," he said abruptly and left the suite in a rustle of
feathers.

Breathing a sigh, I walked out behind him to meet with Kaldill
and the others.

* * *

"Are you sure you wish to embroil yourself in this quest?"
Justis asked. He watched as Torevik cleaned blades that were longer than he was
tall. He could tell they were heavy, too, by the way Tory handled them.

"Absolutely. We went to two villages Tamblin's army hit
on their journey from Vhrist. I have no qualms about taking him into custody. I
believe there are some who wish to question him—aside from you," Tory
nodded in Justis' direction.

"Can you wield those—with effectiveness?" Justis
ventured to ask.

"Not as I am now. Pray that you don't see what I can become
to wield these properly."

Justis held his questions back; he had no desire to anger
Tory. "I'm nearly ready," Tory said in the silence that followed. "Say
the word and we'll go."

* * *

"Are you sure this is a good idea—going without Quin to
guide us? She led us straight to Rath the last time," Ardis observed.

"It's why they called her Finder when she lived here,"
Justis explained. "She can find things. Torevik assures me he can do much
the same, using one of his talents. We will see how effective it is."

"We could wait until Quin returns," Ardis began.

"I want this usurper in custody tonight," Justis
growled.

* * *

Avii Castle

"A message from Commander Justis," a black-winged
guard bowed to Jurris before handing the parchment to the Avii King.

Jurris examined the seal on the rolled message, determining
that it hadn't been tampered with. "Very good, that will be all,"
Jurris waved the guard away before cracking the seal.

My King
, the message began,

My men and I have killed Fyrians when they attacked us,
with no adverse effects. Liron either chose not to interfere, or supports us in
our efforts. Tonight, we go in search of the usurper. The Prince has asked us
to take him into custody rather than killing him and for now, I will honor that
request.

I ask that you search your private treasury for the weapons
stored there by Camryn. It is my belief that they were transported to Fyris in
the past. Even if your treasury is intact, other weapons of a similar nature
have been found here and that should not be. The Larentii assisted in rendering
them harmless, which is a welcome relief.

Already we have in custody the one Quin spoke of—the one
calling himself Yevil. He it was who had the weapons in his possession. We have
discovered through evidence attached at the end of this message, that Treven
fathered him. I hope this does not upset you, as he is directly responsible for
Camryn and Elabeth's deaths.

Your brother and Commander of the Guard,

Justis
.

Affixed to the bottom of the message was a tiny, red feather.
Jurris cursed and flung the message across his study.

* * *

Kondar

Quin

"Welcome," Edden Charkisul beamed at us the moment
we were ushered into the entry of his residence. Berel wanted to run but chose
to walk sedately toward his father, before Edden enveloped him in a warm
embrace.

I was grateful that such love existed between them. Grateful,
too, that Edden had seen to Berel's education—he was impressive in his role as
temporary Commander of the fleet anchored near Lironis.

"Where are the others?" Edden asked when he and
Berel stepped away from one another.

"We are here, High President." I blinked in
astonishment at the three who'd come.

* * *

Quin says Marid intends an attack of some sort
, Kaldill
sent to Ildevar as Ildevar gripped Edden's hand and offered polite greetings.

The High President fears something as well, but his fear is
less focused
, Ildevar replied as he offered the gifts he'd brought with
him—Tiralian crystal and ripe gishi fruit.

Where did the Tiralian crystal come from?
Kaldill
asked.

I have friends
, Ildevar sent a mental laugh.
Does
Quin say when the attack might occur?

I believe the attack is in flux—perhaps he is gathering his
courage or his power. Reah believes he is aging, although he still appears
young to most. Belancours have always been adept at illusion
.

With Reah here, his wizardry will be neutralized if he comes
close enough
, Ildevar pointed out. "This is my trusted advisor, Willem
Drifft," Ildevar made the introduction aloud. "And this," he
indicated his other companion, "is Kooper Griff, my security for the
evening." Edden greeted both and then gestured for his guests to join him
in the dining room.

With Daragar here, Marid may as well give himself up before
he starts
. Kaldill said as they walked to the dining room with the others.

The Larentii are wonderful when they're given permission to
intervene, are they not?

I believe the Wise Ones may have weighed in on this
decision
, Kaldill responded.
Daragar's feelings for Quin play a part as
well. He cares very much for her
.

Let us hope all goes well, then, and we capture Marid
without bloodshed
.
Lissa wishes to speak with him most urgently
.

* * *

Master Norwal
, I sent mindspeech to the High President's
Chief of Security,
one of the High President's servers is a spy
.

"Quin?" Melis Norwal barely blinked as he turned in
my direction. We'd already been served the first course, and I'd determined
that the food was safe. The young man who looked uncomfortable in his uniform
had drawn my attention immediately, and I knew he'd fed information to the
Sector Two President and the one who called himself Marid.

I mentally described our server to Melis as the young man in
question walked out of the dining room. Melis was on his feet, reaching for his
weapon when the assassins landed in the vestibule outside.

* * *

Fyris

"Follow me," Tory said as he walked toward the army
encampment. Makeshift tents and campfires dotted the landscape before Justis
and his Black Wings as they followed cautiously behind Tory.

Justis almost backed away when they were attacked by ten
soldiers wielding blades; Tory changed before his eyes. Became taller.
Black-scaled. His face flattened and horns appeared, curving around his ears
and revealing sharp tips extending past his forehead. He had wings as
well—similar to those a bat might have. Smoke drifted from his nostrils as the
long swords he carried were drawn into his hands. Deftly handling both blades,
Tory killed two attackers swiftly before the others backed away.

The second attack was laughable when it came; three men died
before another dozen chose to run from Torevik Rath's High Demon Thifilathi. The
third attack was merely a gesture—one died while his companions raced away.
After that, soldiers and commanders alike gave way as six black-winged men and
one tall, bat-winged creature stalked through their camp toward the King's
tent.

Tamblin and a few personal guards stood outside the tent
eventually, watching the seven approach. Tamblin's sword was in his hand but he
trembled, whether with rage or fear, Justis cared not. This was the other half
of his intended revenge—the second plotter in Elabeth and Camryn's deaths.

He intended that they would pay for their crimes—when he could
convince others that it should be so.

"I name you murderer," Justis now strode beside Tory
and pointed a finger accusingly at Tamblin. "Lay down your weapon and we
will not hurt you—at Prince Amlis' request."