Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (19 page)

Daragar's voice sounded in my mind.

Tell me Justis worries
, I returned.
I'm not even
half Avii
.

"Where did you hear this?" Daragar appeared beside
me. I watched as he reformed sharp rocks so he could sit comfortably at my side.

I'd chosen the Western spires as my place to weep. "It is
known as nexus echo," he observed conversationally as he made himself at
home. I'd selected the highest point on the center stone, thinking only another
Avii could reach me there.

Obviously, the Larentii could, too.

"What is known as nexus echo?" I scrubbed stubborn
tears off my cheeks.

"The way I can hear someone speak my name from afar, or
find them if they reply to my mindspeech," he smiled and drew me onto his
lap. "Larentii do not lie—as a matter of choice," he added.

"But others do it every day," I pointed out.

"Who spoke the words within your hearing, my love? Are
you sure they spoke complete truth?"

"They said I had no connection to anyone on Siriaa. That
sounded like truth to me."

"That much Kaldill and I have guessed already,"
Daragar sighed. "We worried that the knowledge could upset you. As it
turns out, you'd already determined that on your own, or mostly so. Didn't you?"

"Yes." Images came unbidden of the metal box beneath
a bed in the castle.

"We found the box, dearest. We are working on that
puzzle, now. Don't let it trouble you; do not allow words to harm you that are spoken
out of fear and prejudice."

"You didn't hear her," I mumbled. Omina's words
stung, but that was the way my life had always been. I'd been different from
the moment I was dumped in Wolter's kitchen as a child.

"Age doesn't cure foolishness—it only tells everyone that
someone is an old fool rather than a young one," Daragar tilted his head
and smiled at me. "I hear that the High President is demanding that you be
brought to Kondar if Lironis fails to treat you better."

"Edden Charkisul is a good man. A kind man, too, as is
his son. Do you find it odd that they hold power, when many who do so are quite
self-serving and cynical?"

"You should see politicians on other worlds, or visit one
of Queen Lissa's Council meetings. Most people have become jaded and expect the
squabbling that goes on continuously."

"It is so wearying," my wings drooped as I sighed.
Daragar stroked feathers with long, blue fingers. I found it soothing and
settled deeper into his embrace.

"You never looked at me as anything other than a person
or being in my own right, rather than something alien," he said. "Whereas
I only have a fragile truce with most of the Avii at the castle, because Camryn
and Elabeth allowed a curious Larentii to read through the Library. Gurnil is a
sympathetic friend, as is Ordin, and Justis is getting used to me, but few
others see me that way."

"Does it bother you?" I looked up at his chin. Like
the rest of him, it was a sunny blue.

"No. There are no others in all the known universes like
the Larentii. We were created first, you know, by the Mighty Heart."

"Is that a religious belief?" I asked, curious.

"No. I have met her," Daragar smiled. "Now,
shall we go back to Lironis? I hear people are clamoring to be healed."

"I suppose I should go," I sighed. I wanted to
huddle in a corner somewhere and feel sorry for myself. I had no idea what I
was, where I'd come from and realized, after a moment or two, that the Avii and
the people of Fyris were the same in that respect. None of them knew where they'd
originated, either.

I wondered if Omina understood that.

Daragar laughed—he'd seen the emotions cross my face. In less
than a blink, I was back in Lironis and escorted to my healing cubicle by a
tall, blue Larentii.

* * *

Dinner was a quiet affair. Again I was tired, but Kaldill and
Justis made sure I sat between them during the meal. Omina, Rath, Amlis and
Rodrik were absent. Berel kept looking at me, begging me to speak to him.
Finally, I did.

"What does your father think of Fyris still being hidden?"
I began. After seeing Marid for the few brief moments I had, I'd known it was
his spell that kept Fyris' existence hidden from the rest of Siriaa.

"It's somewhat annoying to be forced to carry someone
from Fyris back and forth in the ships and airchoppers," Berel said. "And
if they leave, where will we be?"

"That's why we should take the ring from Tamblin's hand
and carry it to Jurris," I said. "He can keep it in his treasury."

"I can send it on an airchopper," Berel offered. "Orik
won't mind making another trip, I don't think."

"This will allow free passage between Kondar and Fyris,
to study the poison," Gurnil observed.

"Master Gurnil, I think everyone should leave Fyris. If
they don't, they'll die." The words burst from me before I could stop
them.

"I agree with Quin," Kaldill said. "I can feel
the earth beneath our feet putrefying. The poison is spreading faster than I
ever thought possible."

"We are not the ones to convince," Ordin pointed
out. "The Prince must be convinced first."

That night, we went to bed with nothing resolved. The
following morning, after breakfast, Ordin and I walked to the research facility
balcony to fly to the healer's quarters.

I could see the crowd waiting in the courtyard, once I took
flight to follow Ordin. My focus was on the sick waiting for us when the arrow
pierced my wing and I dropped from the sky with a shriek.

Chapter 10
 

Lironis

"We should be grateful for the difficulty in hitting a
moving target," Kaldill sighed. "And for Ordin's quick actions to
pull Quin from the air before she hit the courtyard below. Daragar has placed
her in a healing sleep after repairing the arrow wound in her wing."

"I will find who did this," Justis' fist closed on
empty air.

"Find the source of the poison behind the act,"
Kaldill said. "Regardless, we have little time. Nearly a hundred people
died last night and many more are showing signs that they won't wake tomorrow.
The Prince needs to let them go or send them home to their deaths."

"I will find him and present him with those choices."
Justis walked swiftly toward the door of Kaldill's suite.

"Tell him we leave tomorrow, and I intend to move Quin if
she'll allow it."

"What about the ring?"

"Take it from the fornicating bastard's hand—by force if
necessary. I'm inclined to grant Quin's wish in this. Carry it back to your
brother the King with my best wishes."

"I will see it done." Justis jerked his head and
shut the door behind him.

* * *

"Beatris is ill, Amlis, and Quin lies injured in Kaldill's
suite. How do you suggest I approach him to ask Quin to save my lady wife? The
headache she had has become something far worse." Rodrik raked fingers
through his hair in fear and frustration as he spoke to the Prince.

"I hoped that Lironis wouldn't fall to the poison. I see
that it has overwhelmed everything at last," Amlis buried his head in his
arms. Rodrik sighed as he looked past the Prince and through the window in the
meeting room, while Amlis sat dejectedly at the table.

"You know that arrow came from one of ours—Mother couldn't
keep her mouth closed or her words quiet," Amlis looked up again at
Rodrik.

"Then send the people away and let her and my father stay
here to rot," Rodrik tossed out a hand. "Just don't let Beatris die."

"I don't intend to allow your wife to die, Rod, but I
hesitate to approach the King of the Elves. While he is courteous and
well-spoken much of the time, I can't imagine that there isn't the hardness of
a diamond in him, should someone break his laws or harm those he loves."

"Then allow me to send for a litter to carry Beatris to
his door. Surely he cannot refuse her."

"We will go after dinner—they will wake Quin to eat."
Amlis jerked his head up at the knock on his door. Rodrik moved away to open
it. Both were surprised to find Justis on the other side.

* * *

"You'll agree to send the people away and allow me to
take the ring from your father's hand, in exchange for Quin's healing of the
lady Beatris?" Justis' eyes narrowed.

"If Quin feels well enough and agrees," Amlis held
up a hand. Justis looked angry enough to throttle him, and he doubted Rodrik
and he together could fight off the determined Avii Commander.

"Then I agree. I will fly back to the research building.
Bring the lady and meet me there at your earliest convenience." Justis
turned swiftly and walked out the door, leaving Amlis staring at Rodrik in
near-shock.

* * *

Quin

"Quin?" Kaldill's voice was soft. Coaxing.

"Hmmm?" I responded, still half asleep.

"Amlis and Rodrik are here. Beatris is sick. They say
they'll allow the move if you'll heal Beatris."

He and I both knew I'd heal her anyway, but if Amlis wanted an
excuse to do the proper thing, then I would keep my part of the bargain.

"Where?" I sat up, blinking in the dim light inside
my bedroom.

"Outside—in the sitting area. Fluff your wings,
deah-mul
,
you look as if you've slept in them."

"Because I have," I mumbled and stood unsteadily for
a moment before balance returned. I realized I was dressed in nightclothes, but
it didn't matter—Beatris needed my help.

"How did this happen?" Were my first words on seeing
Beatris on a litter inside Kaldill's suite. "Why wasn't she brought to me
before?" The poison had invaded her brain. If I didn't move quickly, she'd
die.

"My mother," Amlis ducked his head, ashamed of the
truth.

"I see. I heard what your mother had to say about me."
I knelt beside Beatris and drew a deep breath. Amlis' cursing was the last
thing I heard before I put my hands on Beatris and began to heal her of the
poison sickness.

* * *

"The ring." Justis set it on the table before taking
a seat across from me and accepting a plate of food from a kitchen worker. He
and Kaldill had waited until I was awake to have dinner, so we could eat
together.

I wanted to hug both of them for it. "When will the people
be moved?" I asked.

"Tomorrow morning. It'll be easier to sort out the ones
who don't wish to stay at their new location and bring them back, rather than
attempt to notify all of them that they're leaving," Reah walked in and
sat beside Kaldill. "I think once they see where we're taking them, they'll
choose to stay there. We have health workers lined up to give mistjections to
those experiencing radiation poisoning—the drug will help them heal from it."

"Good," I sighed. "Justis, what about us?"
I asked. I worried about returning to Avii Castle, especially since I wasn't
Avii.

"The choice is yours," he shrugged. "I want you
there, but you must consider what you may have to deal with when you arrive. I
haven't spoken to Jurris, as you know, so I can't say what his reaction will
be, either."

"Berel will return to Kondar," I pointed out. I knew
I was a citizen and welcome there.

"What do you really want, Quin?" Kaldill asked.

"I want a cure for the poison. I want to know who I am
and who my parents are—or were. I want to read the old physician's
journal—perhaps he wrote about me and the metal box in it. I want to read the
Ordinance, to see what it says."

"Jurris will have to give permission for you to read the
Ordinance," Justis said. I watched as he tore a piece of bread and dipped
it in the meat broth served with the fowl he ate.

I turned back to my meal of lentil stew and vegetables. "Then
Jurris' decision will determine whether I stay at Avii Castle or go to Kondar
with Berel," I said. "I want to stay with you, Kaldill and Daragar,
but that may not be an option."

"I suggest we serve as Kondar's ambassadors to Avii
Castle," Berel walked in as if he'd been called. Perhaps he had; Kaldill's
lips curled in a half-smile. "You're a citizen in good standing, and I
have no doubt Father will name you ambassador. You've served Kondar well
already."

Berel took the chair next to Reah's and smiled at her. Was he
only sixteen? He acted so much older—was so mature for his age.

"I will take you both to Kondar tomorrow morning,"
Kaldill offered. "Daragar will go with Justis to Avii Castle. If Jurris
agrees to allow you and Berel as ambassadors in his castle, then I will take
you both there, and stay on as your advisor. If Jurris doesn't want you there,
then I will do the same in Kondar." Kaldill's smile became a full grin.

"Father will be glad to have your advice," Berel
laughed. "He likes you very much."

"Is that to your satisfaction, dearest?" Kaldill
asked.

"That sounds wonderful," I agreed.

* * *

"If Jurris doesn't agree, I ask you to bear a message to
your father," Justis informed Berel after the meal was finished and
everything cleared away. I walked with both toward Kaldill's suite—Kaldill had
stayed behind to speak with Reah.

"What message?" Berel asked, curious.

"I ask to be allowed to visit as time and duty allows,"
Justis replied. "Wherever Quin goes, I know she will be helping the sick
and doing what she can to hold back the spread of poison, but I wish to visit
her occasionally."

I was surprised. Yes, he'd become closer, but I worried that
if he returned to Avii Castle and I did not, that whatever he felt would die
quickly. "What do you think Jurris will say?" I asked.

"I care not what my brother thinks," Justis
muttered. "He is King, yes. He cannot control my heart."

"Quinnie," Berel said, his gaze earnest as he took
my hands, "I hope we get to stay with the Avii."

Justis laughed.

* * *

Berel and I stayed up half the night talking and poring over
his tab-vid. Kaldill laughed, told us not to stay up too long and went to bed
ahead of us. Justis did too, as he had a long flight to Avii Castle in the
morning. Berel offered an airchopper ride; Justis refused, saying his wings
needed stretching.