Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2

by Suttle, Connie

  Chapter 13

  What I was about to do was foolish—the most foolish thing I'd ever done or dreamed of doing. Whether I had the strength or capacity to accomplish this task remained to be seen.

  Berel was terrified; I hoped he didn't attempt to hold me back—this was my bit of foolishness and if I died, it would be from a decision I'd made for myself.

  "Quin, are you sure?" Berel pleaded as the visitor's hatch opened slowly before us. Siriaa's sun gleamed on metal steps as the door yawned wide and I looked at the sky beyond. Airchoppers could be heard in the distance—they and the weapons they carried would be in range of the wartanks very soon.

  "The rest of you, clip your safety belts," the Commander ordered, his voice terse, his body tense. I handed Berel's safety belt to him, my fingers brushing his. Giving him a shaky smile, I nodded. He had no idea what I planned, and truthfully, neither did I.

  Yes, I had wings and could fly, although that hadn't been for long. Justis and his guards had drilled at tucking in wings and rolling in midair to avoid projectiles. My flight would be awkward at best—I had little experience, no evasive techniques and less guile.

  With a trembling breath and shaking limbs, I nodded to Berel and the Commander, took three steps and leapt through the visitor's hatch, snapping out my wings and catching the winds that rushed about the airship.

  * * *

  Kondar

  Personal Report to the High President

  From: Berel Charkisul, Ambassador to the Avii

  Father, I wish I could write this report without emotion as I've seen Melis do in the past, but that I cannot do and I am sorry.

  My terror increased the moment Quin left the airship behind—the appearance of such a large, alien ship did nothing to stop the battle going on at the border below.

  As you know, Sector Three has been an enemy of the Sector Two leadership for some time—their disagreements in Council meetings have often been remarked upon in the newsvids. Therefore, once they were engaged in this battle, neither were willing to back down and call their troops away, although that would have been the prudent thing to do.

  The airchoppers were very close and almost within firing range—with the planned attack, all inside the wartanks and any around them would be killed when the weapons deployed.

  The worst things, of course, was the number of Sector Three civilians caught in the crossfire—so few of them were able to get safely away before the battle began. I know many hoped it was merely a show of force, but that, as we both know, was foolish.

  The airship Commander, once Quin left his ship, had no way of effectively communicating with me and we were reduced to a pantomime of sorts to make ourselves understood.

  How I wished for the mind communication that Quin had with others. I know that no Kondari has ever had such, and that left me hopelessly isolated aboard the ship.

  Nevertheless, the Commander motioned me toward a nearby monitor, where I could view Quin's progress as she flew just above the wartank projectiles firing between both sides.

  What she intended to do I had no idea—until I saw her begin to shine—she projects a golden haze when she heals anyone. Was this an attempt to heal everyone engaged in the battle?

  I know not—although after a few moments, the flying projectiles became less, and then less than that as time passed until they'd almost stopped completely. The Commander, who now stood at my shoulder, drew in a breath as Quin, believing the battle over, began to descend.

  One last projectile fired, and while it didn't make a direct hit, it burst nearby, hurling Quin far away, like a wild bird struck by an airchopper.

  When her body stopped tumbling through the air, it dropped to the ground and lay still in a pile of feathers.

  Father, I wept.

  * * *

  Kondar

  Sector Three

  Wartank after wartank opened its hatch and their inhabitants peered out at the ten tall, blue men who gathered about the dead, winged girl. None ever admitted firing the shot that killed her—most of them, feeling peace and contentment like they'd never known, had already stopped firing.

  It had only taken one projectile to destroy the beautiful, flying creature. Some men and women wept openly when they exited their wartank, but the appearance of the strange, blue men held them back from approaching the winged creature's body.

  When the light began to form about the ten and the soothing hum started, all combatants relaxed with a sigh and waited for an outcome they couldn't comprehend.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  "If you'd gone and taken those Black Wing guards with you, this could have been avoided," Kaldill glared at Justis. Justis, angry enough that Quin had taken the situation into her own hands, glared back.

  "The Wise Ones have done what they could; she is breathing and her heart beats again, but she won't wake," Daragar sounded frightened. "Berel refuses to leave her side. I know not what to do."

  "At least the idiots stopped firing on each other, although I hear nearly two thousand civilians are either dead or wounded," Kaldill snapped. "It is times like these that I curse the non-interference rules. We are allowed to protect our mates, but when they involve themselves directly in a conflict such as this, the mate protection rules become murky."

  Kaldill then began to curse in his native language. Justis didn't understand, although his name was mentioned several times. Daragar did understand and nodded upon occasion as Kaldill's rant continued.

  * * *

  Le-Ath Veronis

  Queen Lissa's Private Journal

  I was and wasn't surprised that Kaldill appeared in my study, and less surprised that he was cursing rapidly when he arrived.

  "Kaldill, calm down," I said, rising from my chair and moving cautiously toward him. He wanted to blast something, and I wasn't sure what he might target if he were startled.

  Regardless, I kept a very strong shield up as I approached. The moment I put my arms around him, however, he broke down.

  * * *

  "What if she doesn't want to wake? The Wise Ones changed What Was to bring her back, but she's not waking."

  "Kaldill, perhaps she is dreamwalking," I suggested. "You know that can happen."

  "Reah didn't," he pointed out. "When they made the attempt to wake her, she woke."

  "Look at my sister," I countered. "It took days."

  "Yes, but that's different," he huffed and turned away.

  In all the time I'd known Kaldill, I'd never seen him weep like this—not even after losing three of his four sons. It made me want to weep, too; I felt Quin had a part to play in all that now threatened the worlds, but Kaldill would likely think that just as I did.

  "I'm hoping that time will take care of this," I said. "But let me know if you want me to come."

  "Yes. I should get back—Berel isn't having an easy time of it, while Gurnil and Ordin are at a loss. I care not what Justis thinks—he could have avoided this altogether if he'd just said yes. Daragar says the Wise Ones saw no loss of life among his guards if he'd agreed to Quin's plan."

  "This is what makes me think she is very important to any solution we may find to our poison problem," I sighed. "We need her. All of us do. The Wise Ones believe that, too."

  "It would seem that way, and I'm more than grateful. The combatants will never forget their first sight of the Larentii, with all five Wise Ones and their Protectors arriving as they did and performing a miracle, by their standards."

  "What idiot fired that last shot?" I asked.

  "Somebody who was so entranced by what he saw—Quin flying above him, as she was—that his finger slipped. At least that's the story I hear. All would have gone perfectly had that not happened."

  "You can't always predict the human element, even when they're witnessing something amazing," I agreed. "Poor Quin, pouring out her healing ability to keep people from fighting."

  "I believe she only recently realized she might do it," Kaldill shook his head. "Desperati
on drives strange decisions, at times."

  "I can attest to that—more than once," I agreed.

  "I should get back and see about Berel—poor child, he's caught up in her and will always be. It's unusual—to find the one you want so early in your life." I watched as he folded away with a sad, confused expression on his face. If Quin were destined to wake again, she needed to do it soon. The King of the Elves needed her.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  I woke in Ordin's healing suite, three days after the battle. I was surprised to wake at all; the last things I remembered were brief visions as I fell, numb with pain and unable to move wings or limbs. Whatever had been fired toward me had badly battered my body.

  "Thank Liron," Ordin breathed. Berel, who sat on a chair beside my bed, shouted with joy when my eyes turned toward him. I could see what he'd known after I'd been injured—that the repercussions of the blast near me had shattered my bones, rendering me helpless.

  I'd been dead after I'd fallen to the ground. Now, that was no longer true, thanks to the many Larentii who'd come. I had no recollection as to where I'd been after my life was restored; I only had memories before my injuries until now, when I woke after three days of unconsciousness.

  Kaldill and Daragar appeared almost simultaneously, both smiling broadly at me. The missing one?

  Justis.

  I wasn't sure what to make of that absence. "What," I croaked.

  "Water," Ordin handed a glass to me. My hand shook too much for me to take it; Berel helped me, although Kaldill and Daragar moved closer. Berel held the glass, my shaking hand covered his and I drank.

  "Father was really worried," Berel said softly, handing the empty glass to Ordin with a nod.

  "What about the war?" I asked, my voice as unsteady as my hand.

  "Not yet sorted completely, but at least they're not firing at each other after what happened," Kaldill supplied. "The situation with the leaders is still tense, but the troops want no part of further battle. They saw my dearest one fall," he added. "After you gave your healing to them, they were horrified."

  "I want to get up," I said.

  "Take this slow, Quin," Ordin instructed. "You've been down for three days, and severely injured prior to that. Your suitors may help you stand and walk for a while, but don't tire yourself. You've only just awakened, after all."

  "All right, but I want to stand. I feel as if I've slept on my wings the whole time and they're cramping."

  Kaldill and Berel pulled me to my feet, where I rocked unsteadily for a moment before gaining my balance. Taking the first few steps was frightening but I did it, then both held my hands as they stood before me so I could stretch my wings.

  * * *

  "Commander Justis, Quin's awake," Dena said, squinting into the early fall sunlight as Justis lifted the heavy, round stone, flipped it over and then bent to lift it again. It was a strengthening exercise, but he'd been doing it constantly for three days.

  "I know." The huge stone fell with a ground-shaking thump.

  "Aren't you going to see her?"

  "Do you think she wants to see me? I almost got her killed."

  "You act as if that's the first time it's happened." Dena shaded her eyes with a hand so she could see Justis better. "Jurris told Ardis to kill her when she first arrived. If the Orb hadn't intervened, she'd have died then. Somebody put an arrow through her wing in Fyris," she went on.

  "And I still want to kill the one responsible." Justis heaved the stone up, his muscles bulging with the effort as he pushed it over again. Dena almost jumped when the stone hammered the ground near her feet.

  "I think you should talk to her. She understands what a difficult thing she was asking—you'd have had to go without the King's permission—everybody knows that."

  "Does everybody have such a poor opinion of my brother?" Justis stopped for a moment and studied Dena's face.

  "I think they measured him by Halthea's actions," Dena muttered.

  Justis cursed softly, flung sweat out of his eyes and nodded. "Yes, I'll see Quin. After dinner."

  * * *

  Quin

  Justis walked in quietly while I was having dinner with Berel and Kaldill in the healer's suite. He'd recently had a shower—his hair was still damp. That wasn't the only thing I noticed, however.

  You look like you've beaten yourself, I sent to him. Why?

  "Don't you think I deserve it?" he asked aloud, pulling an empty chair closer and nodding to Berel and Kaldill.

  "Why? I know it was an unfair and foolish request to ask of you, and even more foolish of me to put all of it on you," I said.

  "Ardis and I should have gone with you," he replied. "We could have made that decision for ourselves," he added.

  "I don't know that it would have made much difference," I sighed, staring at my plate. They'd provided me with soft foods to eat—mashed carrots, lentils and such. "Have you eaten?" I lifted my eyes to gaze into his. They were dark and troubled—that was easy enough to see.

  "I'll get something later," he shrugged.

  "I'll go to the kitchens," Kaldill offered. "She forgives you, therefore I will as well." Justis shook his head in confusion as Kaldill disappeared.

  "You didn't see her get hit," Berel snapped and stood to leave. "I'll be back, Quin," he flung over a shoulder and walked through the door.

  "I have some ground to make up with that one," Justis sighed. "He's right, though. I didn't see it. A part of me is glad. It keeps me from hunting the one responsible and killing him with my bare hands."

  "I think it was an accident," I said.

  "That's what I heard. Still difficult for me to believe."

  "I don't think we can stay here long, Justis," I said.

  "Here? In the healer's suite?"

  "No. Here—on Siriaa. When I woke—it was as if the poison had multiplied a hundred times since I boarded that ship for Kondar. If the High President doesn't know it yet, he will soon. Relocating Fyris' population was one thing—there weren't many there. Relocating those still here? I don't even know if it's possible."

  "Some will refuse to go, I think," Justis looked away. He meant the Avii, as well as Kondari and Yokarun.

  "We have to have a place, first," I said. "And then do our best to convince them in a very short amount of time. We may have a moon-turn, Justis."

  "The laws in Kondar say it will have to be by a vote of the people," Justis said. "Yokaru has an emperor, so he will have to be convinced. Are you sure about this?"

  "As sure as I was the last time."

  I watched his face go pale before he nodded. "I believe you," he said finally. "But that doesn't mean the people of Kondar or Yokaru will believe you, and I have no idea what Jurris will say."

  I didn't tell him of the growing dread I'd felt since the moment I'd wakened—that I felt as if we stood on a narrow edge of a precipice, where a strong breeze might push us past saving.

  * * *

  Le-Ath Veronis

  Queen Lissa's Private Journal

  "Kooper, did you release discreet notices that Marid was dead?" I asked. "I still see those bounty offers pop up on occasion."

  "I put it out there," he said, "And paid a few informants to spread the news. Even passed along a few images of him after he offed himself."

  Kooper had stopped by my private study for a cup of coffee. He sat on the other side of my desk, his long legs pushed out comfortably in front of him as he sipped from the mug of coffee Renée brought. "Still no news of Bree?" he lifted an eyebrow hopefully.

  "Nothing," I shook my head. "I've sent out mindspeech several times, but nothing has been sent back."

  "It's been two years," he sighed. "I know they don't pay attention to time, but since we have mundane jobs to do, we have to pay attention."

  "I hear that," I agreed. "I've been in contact with the worlds where we know Marid dumped that poison. They're noticing a rise in radiation around the burial sites. There's nothing they can do—it's like tr
ying to hold water in a sieve. A few have attempted complete containment of the area—but those creatures, whatever they are, manage to find a way through every material they've tried."

  "I can't begin to tell you how fucked up that is," Kooper grumbled.

  "We've had reports from three worlds that we didn't know about before, sending information on the rise in radiation on their planets—so we have more coming. If Marid weren't dead already, I'd kill him myself."

  "Only if you got to him first." Kooper sipped more coffee. "Did you notice who put up the biggest bounty on Marid?" he asked.

  "I only saw two smaller crime thugs," I said.

  "Vardil Cayetes offered twenty million," Kooper said. "I still regret that we didn't get him when his brother Hordace died. He stayed inactive just long enough to make us think the Cayetes crime conglomerate was dead, before picking up where his brother left off. I imagine he's been poisoned by what Marid sold."

  "You're joking? You think Cayetes is sick, now?"

  "I imagine he bought a lot of that filth from Marid, so yes, I think he is. Why else would he offer that much? The second highest bid was for a million credits."

  "So Marid built the shield around Fyris to begin with. Why is that? Who hired him? I really need to talk to Bree," I muttered.

  "There's a long line for that," Kooper reminded me. "Trajan says everybody on Avendor is getting fidgety because Ashe has been gone so long, too."

  "When they get back, we need a conference with all three. There should be a signal or something that they'll pay attention to, no matter where or when they are. I suppose we can put a huge light on top of my palace that'll send a beacon through space and blind all the pilots landing at the space station," I joked.

  "That only works for mythical Earth heroes," Kooper pointed out with a grin.

  "Hey, I'll have you know I read comic books when I was in high school," I said, pointing a finger at Kooper.

  "I studied herpetology," Kooper countered with a grin.

  "So, when people called you a snake lover, you took it as a compliment, didn't you?"

  "I've never loved a snake in the—what do you call it—the biblical sense?"

  "You know, it must have been interesting around your household growing up," I said.