Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2

by Suttle, Connie

  "Our horses are here, but there are also vehicles we must ask someone else to drive," Amlis pointed out. "The vehicles can take us anywhere we wish to go in very little time. It will take a horse nearly half a day to reach the outskirts of the city."

  "The technology here—this is how it should have been, isn't it?" Rodrik asked.

  "I think so. So many things held Fyris back, the shield being one of them. We thought only savages lived beyond our borders, when they'd surpassed us long ago. Here we are, attempting to decipher what we should have known already."

  "Is there an inn outside the castle? Perhaps we should look," Amlis said. "I want a cup of wine and a different view."

  "Prince Amlis?" A health worker knocked softly on the door.

  "Yes?" Amlis stood and nodded at his guest.

  "I've received word—my condolences, Prince Amlis. Your mother and uncle are dead. They were consumed quickly by the poison in your native lands."

  Amlis cursed.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  "I think I'd feel better if Quin were here," Gurnil said, stabbing at the potatoes on his plate.

  "You've voiced what many feel, I fear," Ordin said. He'd chosen to have dinner with Gurnil in the Library. Even Dena had left, going with Ardis to share his quarters. Ordin suspected it would happen, it merely surprised him that it happened so soon. "Justis wants to snap at everyone, I think."

  "What's this about me snapping at everyone?" Justis set his plate on the library table and scooted a chair out to sit.

  "We were merely remarking on the weather—and Quin's absence," Gurnil said, placing the whole, small potato in his mouth and chewing.

  "I flew near the research building earlier," Justis said, cutting into the lamb he'd been served. "The ships from Kondar's Sector Two want to back away from those airships that appeared, but they don't know how without appearing cowardly."

  "You didn't get close enough for them to see you?" Ordin asked.

  "Probably not. I was just a flying speck to them. I think they're more worried about those huge airships hanging in the air. Jurris received word—Quin will arrive here tomorrow."

  "Thank Liron," Gurnil muttered. "Why didn't you say that first?"

  "I like to see a Blue Wing break a sweat now and then," Justis grinned.

  "Perhaps you find it humorous," Gurnil complained and went back to his plate. "Where is that metal box, now? The one Quin is so worried about?"

  "It's in my quarters. I'd like to move it here. If I ask Jurris, it'll disappear inside his treasury and we'll never see it again. I just don't want it to upset Quin more than it has already."

  "I'll find a place for it," Gurnil agreed. "I'd like to study it anyway. I believe Daragar would as well."

  "That is my desire." Daragar appeared, made himself shorter and joined them at the table. "I will take the information I gather to Nefrigar—perhaps he can help us with the mystery of it."

  "Will Kaldill arrive with Quin and Berel?" Ordin asked.

  "Most likely. He doesn't like it if he isn't near her," Justis said.

  "He showed me a star map, and indicated where his planet is. His people share the same world as the Founder of the Reth Alliance."

  "Reth Alliance?" Justis asked.

  "The one who approached the High President recently. The same one who likely provided those airships you ogled earlier. Kaldill offered information and images."

  "You have been busy," Ordin observed. "And there I imagined you were lounging somewhere, reading a book while Quin and I healed the sick in Fyris."

  "While I can't claim to have done anything nearly as important, I did ask many questions. Kaldill was happy to provide information. He even gave me a comp-vid; one similar to Kondari tab-vids, except their reception is better. If I could read Alliance common, I might know even more than I do now."

  "Quin can probably read it," Justis bit into a generous chunk of bread.

  "That's true—I haven't seen anything she couldn't read or decipher yet," Ordin agreed. "You should see those medical reports she translated from the original Kondari for me. They're wonderful."

  "I have a question," Daragar said. "Has anyone seen the Orb in Quin's absence?"

  * * *

  Kondar

  Quin

  "Are you ready?" Kaldill asked. He, Berel, Wolter, Deeds, Orik, Fen and I stood together in the High President's study. Kaldill had sent our bags ahead already—I wondered what Gurnil would think when all of it landed unannounced in his Library.

  "I am," I nodded.

  "Ready," Berel said.

  Kaldill moved us to Avii Castle in a moment.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  "You're to have dinner with the King tonight," Gurnil informed me the moment we landed in his Library. "You, Berel and Kaldill. Justis is expected also."

  The widening of my eyes betrayed my dismay—I was hoping to put off that meeting as long as possible. With my wings clamped tightly to my back, I walked past Gurnil and went to sort out my belongings.

  "Don't let it unnerve you," Gurnil sighed. "I should have let that wait until later. Justis wants you to join him for the midday meal in the guard's mess," he added.

  "What?" Holding my lower lip in my teeth to keep it from trembling, I blinked hopelessly at Gurnil.

  "He says it's time to face those who mistreated you."

  "I will come," Kaldill's hand dropped on my shoulder.

  "As will I," Berel nodded.

  I wanted to pitch a tantrum in Gurnil's Library like a small, spoiled child.

  I didn't. "Very well," I jerked up the first bag I'd determined was mine. "Where am I to sleep?"

  * * *

  "Quin?" Dena knocked on my bedroom door. At the castle, I was back in Justis' suite while Kaldill and Berel's suites were down the hall. At least they had windows—my small bedroom had nothing of the kind. Justis had the wide windows in his bedroom and sitting room.

  "Come," I said. I had to work to keep the anger from my voice. Why was Justis doing this to me? He knew I'd been miserable in the kitchen, serving the Black Wing guards.

  "Gurnil says you're upset." Dena opened the door wide enough to enter, then closed it quietly behind her.

  "I am," I admitted. Just when the ground beneath my feet felt solid around Justis, he managed to unsettle it again. "Why is he forcing me to have a midday meal in the guard's mess?" I asked.

  "I thought he wanted to show you off."

  "What?" I jerked my head up at Dena's words. "No. I don't believe that for a moment."

  "Then I hope it's not too difficult for you," Dena said. "Tell me what happened in Kondar. I really want to know and Ardis couldn't get anything from Justis."

  I spent the next hour explaining the events in Kondar, most of it still unresolved. "I wanted to fly out to see the ships," she said, "but Ardis almost had a fit."

  "He's just afraid for you—I can't say whether those people on the Sector Two ships are safe to be around."

  "But surely when they hear that the wizard lied to them," Dena scoffed.

  "Some people want to believe the lie," I said. "It feeds their beliefs at times, or their desires for a conspiracy, when there isn't one. Either way, it's self-serving of Sector Two's politicians to mislead their people, rather than to focus on the real danger. Fyris did the same, under Tamblin's rule."

  "He's dead, isn't he?"

  "He is," I nodded. "As is Yevil, if what Justis tells me is true."

  "It's true—that's all anyone talks about at mealtimes. Nobody had been sent through the gate since Treven, so I suppose it's fitting that his half-blood son followed in his steps."

  "I hope you know not to judge all half-bloods by Yevil's standards," I said. "I'm sure most of them would be just like anyone else, if they'd been given a chance to survive."

  "I know." Dena studied her hands for a moment. We'd chosen to sit on my bed to have our conversation; I watched Dena's chest rise and fall with the deep breath she took. "Ard
is asked me to share his quarters."

  "Do you want that?"

  "Yes."

  "Then there's no problem. Is there?"

  "No. I just hope he doesn't tire of a plain Yellow Wing and look for something better."

  "Why would you call yourself a plain Yellow Wing?" I asked. "There is nothing plain about you, and your wings are lovely. Black and Yellow look quite fine together."

  "Shall I wear black clothing, then, to say I am his?"

  "If you want," I said. "The color you wear should be your choice, don't you think?"

  "You make things sound so simple," Dena sighed. "I told my mother about Ardis, and, well."

  "She put that notion in your head—that he may look for something else?"

  "She can't help it. She has brown wings. My father has yellow."

  "Why do people think they're better than anyone else? It makes no sense to me," I flung out a hand. "Your deeds will always speak louder than any wing color you may wear," I said. "Look at Halthea. Most know she acted no different when she wore yellow wings. She was exactly the same—mean, greedy and vicious. It would be the same if she'd worn black or green wings."

  "She was favored consort to the King," Dena said.

  "He was blinded by her wing color, too, never forget that. I understood what she was the moment I saw her."

  "You can't say those things within the King's hearing," Dena whispered.

  "I know. Politics and monarchs will always be the same, no matter what. Look, what shall I wear to this midday meal? Bear in mind they'll likely dump the food on my head rather than serve it properly."

  * * *

  "You look nice," Justis said. So far, I hadn't spoken to him. He hadn't asked me about going to the Guard's mess. If he had, I'd have said no. He'd been drilling his guards when I arrived, so I wasn't upset about that. He had work to do, just as most others did.

  "Dena dressed me," I mumbled, refusing to look at him.

  She had, choosing one of the tunics and matching trouser sets that Queen Lissa had provided. It wasn't overly dressy, but it was raw silk, in a pale blue. For a midday meal, it was suitable—if I were dining with nobles or the High President.

  "Is something wrong?" he asked.

  "No."

  "There is." His hand touched my cheek. I jerked away.

  "Quin—I know you're upset—Gurnil told me. I think I know why. Come with me this once, all right? You don't have to go back again unless you want to."

  He lifted my shaking hands to his lips and kissed them. I sniffled once, forced myself straight and nodded.

  * * *

  Moments later, after a short flight over the Castle and then down to the flight balcony outside the Guard's mess, I followed Justis into the castle, entering the same way that guards uncounted had arrived through the years.

  Boisterous conversation stopped immediately the moment I arrived and struggled to keep up with Justis' long steps. Just as I feared would happen—all of them stared. Wanting to weep, I kept my eyes on Justis' black wings and looked neither right nor left until we arrived at our table.

  Chapter 12

  I was grateful that Kaldill, Berel, Ardis and Dena were already there and seated. At least I wouldn't have to sit at a table with Black Wings who'd ridiculed me in the past. I had no idea whether I could force food past my lips, I felt so ill.

  "Dearest, you look pale," Kaldill said as I sat beside him. Justis, looking somewhat grim, sat across from me. A Black Wing Captain stood at the center of the room and called for everyone's attention.

  "Today, I am pleased to announce a promotion," he began. "Ardis, former Captain of the Black Wing Guard, has now been restored to his rank. Welcome to the guard, Captain Ardis."

  Ardis stood and beamed as cheers sounded throughout the dining hall. I breathed a sigh. Perhaps this was why Justis asked me to be present—so I could see Dena's joy at Ardis' elevation. Reaching across the table, I took her hand and smiled. Her return smile was tempered with tears of happiness.

  When the cheers and shouts abated, I thought the meal would be served when Ardis took his seat. The Captain at the center, however, was still standing. "All the guards know that when the life of a Black Wing is saved, then our highest honor is bestowed upon the one who saved the life," he said.

  "I have an Order of the Black Feather with me today." He lifted an object in the air. I blinked—it was made of fragile glass in the form of a large black feather with a gold quill. The skill required to make it must have been wondrous, and I wished I could have observed its making.

  "Commander Justis, this is your honor to bestow," the Captain held the glass feather out. Justis rose and walked toward the Captain, accepted the delicate object with a nod and backed away. The Captain took his seat.

  "Only a few of these have been given," Justis announced. "I was not among the ones who nominated or voted upon its recipient. Nevertheless, it is with great honor, and my blessing, to present the Order of the Black Feather to Quin, who saved Captain Ardis' life."

  The dining hall erupted.

  I fainted.

  * * *

  "I don't believe any recipient has ever fainted before," Justis' face came into view when I opened my eyes and blinked to clear my vision. At least he was smiling and didn't look embarrassed.

  "I'm sorry," my hand went to my head. "It wasn't intentional."

  "We know. Sit up and drink this," Justis held out a cup. Kaldill helped me sit up, and then lifted me to my feet, keeping me steady when I wobbled. I took the cup from Justis and drank, discovering the liquid was wine.

  With a great deal of embarrassment, I was seated at the table again while a host of Black Wing guards looked on in curiosity. "Um—thank you," I said, as loudly as I could. A few guards laughed. It wasn't a bad sound, and I was grateful. The glass feather was set before me, with room left for a plate of food.

  Servers began their routes between tables, setting plates before Black Wings. I was relieved when they turned to their meal and stopped watching me. My dizziness returned when I saw the one who brought our plates on a heavy tray—Jadin.

  He served everyone else first. When he set my plate in front of me last, he set another object beside it.

  It was a long, wooden spoon. "You have my apologies," he mumbled, his face darkening with embarrassment. "I saw the one who did the murders, when he was forced through the gate. You may hit me with this anytime you wish." He jerked his head at the spoon.

  "I don't wish to hit anyone," I said. "But thank you for the spoon. If Justis will cut a notch in it, I can reach the high hangers in my closet."

  "That's a wonderful idea," Dena said. "Why didn't I think of that?"

  "Is that what you do, Lady? Find the true purpose in everything?" Jadin asked.

  "I don't know—it just came to me."

  "Back to work," someone called out. Jadin nodded to me and walked away.

  "Why did he call me Lady?" I asked the moment he was gone.

  "Because you're an ambassador of Kondar, and you have this," Kaldill tapped the glass feather lightly.

  "The Black Wings will stand with you always," Justis said. "Because of that glass feather."

  "Justis, I'm afraid," I blurted.

  "Of what?" I thought he'd come out of his chair when I made my admission. Kaldill gripped my hand under the table.

  "I don't know that we can save Siriaa," I said. "While the poison hasn't taken Kondar or Yokaru as it did Fyris as yet, it will. I worry that you'll have to leave your home unless you want to die like Omina and Rath."

  "This is a conversation best saved for later, dearest," Kaldill whispered against my hair before dropping a kiss on my temple. "These here believe otherwise at the moment. We should proceed with caution."

  "I know."

  "We will discuss this later—in the Library after our dinner with the King," Justis nodded. "Try not to worry, although I realize it troubles you. I do see some things, Quin."

  "I know that, too."

  * * *


  Kondar

  "The news isn't good, Edden." Hadris Jem and Firth Quel, Chiefs of Medical Science and Science, brought a report to the High President. They'd worked with the research facility staff, reviewing records and experiments.

  "What is it? What about the standoff with the Sector Two ships?"

  "The ships' crews want to leave, but the stubborn Second Vice Presidents refuse to allow it. The crews want nothing to do with those hovering airships above the facility."

  "Very well. What's the bad news?"

  "We can't kill the creature that produces the poison. If we starve it, it goes dormant. The moment an energy source is provided, it wakes again. When we cut into them with micro-lasers, the creature splits and becomes two or more creatures."

  "This is more frightening that I imagined it could be. What do you suggest?"

  "The planet will die," Firth shook his head. "It's merely a matter of how long it will take the creatures to kill it."

  * * *

  Le-Ath Veronis

  "Morid, if this doesn't work, there's nothing we can do for you except send you to Siriaa," Lissa said. "The poison and the creatures are already there—so you won't harm another world when you die."

  Morid, lying in a quarantine unit at a nearby hospital, wheezed and nodded.

  "Adjust the oxygen," Karzac suggested to the masked and gowned attending physician. "He's having difficulty breathing. Are you sure you want to try this, Lissa?" Karzac turned to her.

  "What else do we have? I hope I can leave the creatures behind when I turn him to mist. Just get that second bed ready for him when I let him go, and be prepared to send this bed to the ocean outside Fyris. I can't imagine that a hospital bed and a few more creatures will make any difference there in the long run."

  "I'm ready," Karzac nodded.

  Lissa, one of the few vampires with misting ability, became mist and then pulled Morid into her mist. Karzac, employing only a bit of the vast power he held, sent Morid's bed straight to the bottom of the sea surrounding Fyris, a thousand light-years away.

  * * *

  "Did it work?" Renée looked up from her comp-vid when the Queen walked into her office.

  "It looks good—Morid is now creature-free, as am I. You understand this is a last resort, though. I had no desire to chase those tiny bastards around Le-Ath Veronis, once Morid was dead."