Kooper had been prepared to give advice. Rigo told him what I wished to say—that I'd been doing this for millennia already.
The misting and mindspeech talents given to me by the Queen would only enhance what I already had.
"Then hear this," Kooper said to both of us. "A spell can't land on dispersed mist. Protect yourselves at all times."
"I thank you," I nodded to Director Griff. "The misting talent is new and much appreciated, I assure you."
"Send mindspeech to me or Lissa at any time," he grinned. "Rigo, always a pleasure," he turned to my eldest vampire child. "Kell, good to meet you," Griff added. "Get us intel as fast as you can. Rigo, do you want to transport, or shall I?"
"I will," Rigo agreed.
Until then, I didn't know that Rigo had the ability to fold space. We landed inside a safe house in Brepha, Goor-Phin's capital and largest city.
"The plantation is five hundred clicks from here," Rigo said, lifting a comp-vid from a drawer and pulling up a three-dimensional map of the planet. "They're supposed to be growing nannas, but as you know, they've likely uprooted trees to grow drakus seed."
"Where do you think they'll have set the perimeter?" I asked. "A Fifth-level will be able to place a larger perimeter than a Fourth-level."
"The plantation is quite large," Rigo observed. "Do you suppose Deris Arden could protect that much land? After all, he'll have to place a spell to fool the sat-bots orbiting the planet."
"Pull up that image," I said. "Perhaps we will be able to tell by making a comparison—from before the kidnapping of Wem Jordeh."
Rigo tapped dates into the comp-vid and soon two images were displayed side-by-side. Both showed well-tended nanna trees covering most of the plantation, except for one corner of the property.
"Look," Rigo breathed, pointing toward that corner on the current sat-bot map. "This area looks overgrown. I can't imagine the employees would allow that to happen, especially since they were tended before." He drew a line with his finger between both maps.
"I would imagine," I said, "that this may be an indication of the extent of Deris' power. However," I studied the corner of the Jordeh farm opposite that of the neglected nanna trees, "Does that mean that he's protecting something else all the more fiercely here?" I pointed to the corner in question. "You see the other corners are equally protected, I believe."
"You're right. I suppose we should thank Wem Jordeh for leasing property that comprises a huge square," Rigo observed.
"It's the permits and laws of Goor-Phin," I said. "They determine which land and how much may be leased to anyone wishing to grow crops, in order to regulate the cutting of native trees and plants. Goor-Phin's Council is partial to squares and rectangles."
"That protected corner is covered in nanna trees—in both images," Rigo frowned. "Might there be something else there, besides nanna trees or drakus plants?"
"Curing sheds, perhaps, for the drakus seed?" I asked.
"Possibly—the seed is more valuable than plants, and to have much of it concentrated in one place, perhaps," I agreed.
"If we go, we should remain mist," Rigo said. "I say we check the overgrown corner first, and then follow the outside perimeter to the opposite side, perhaps?"
"Agreed. Take us there, child. I wish to see this with my own eyes."
Chapter 12
Goor-Phin
Quin
Two eight-days until harvest. Something about that amount of time troubled me. As if a terrible day of destiny loomed, and I had no idea what would come or how to prepare for it.
Dorgus ordered Vardil's employees about, although three were in the plantation infirmary suffering from snakebites. These snakes, native to Goor-Phin, weren't the most poisonous, but untreated bites could lead to death.
I doubted the plantation medi-unit had treated this many snakebites in fifteen sun-turns. I hoped the snakes had gotten away afterward; I had no sympathy for Daris' or Vardil's scum. At times, I was grateful I wore another face—it kept me at a safe distance from several, who'd already forced themselves upon some of the plantation workers.
Those rapists could no longer function properly and likely wondered what had happened. I'd made sure of it, employing the least amount of ability I had. I considered removing certain parts by starving the blood supply, but felt that could lead to trouble if Daris got involved and went searching for a cause.
In the interim, I was resolved to do whatever I could against these usurpers, while they looked in every direction but mine.
* * *
"I need someone to go with Alys to the big sheds," Janis sighed as she placed containers of food into a hovercart. The device worked much like a small wagon, except it hovered above the ground and was much easier to pull. Janis wanted me to help feed the captives in the sheds.
That meant Sirenali. I was worried immediately—I had no idea whether they'd been mistreated or needed healing, and wondered if I could get away with doing something for them if it were needed.
Alys, the assistant who'd given me clothing, would go with me. I felt I could trust her and Janis, but considered that others could be present, which would prevent me from acting.
I'd already done my duties for Vardil and Dorgus' midday meal and, as usual, Dorgus dismissed me because he didn't want to see my face. I offered my services to Janis until Dorgus called for me again.
Janis was relieved that someone was available to go with Alys. The other kitchen helpers were serving Daris and her crew on the back patio by the massive swimming pool.
"They don't eat much—I don't think they can," Alys explained as we drew the hovercart behind us.
The path to the big sheds was a long one; half a click at least and took some time to walk the distance. Paved with decorative brick, it was a comfortable walk, at least, with flowering shrubs growing alongside.
If I'd still had my wings, I would have flown over the plantation to take stock of how large it was and the size of the drakus seed harvest, so I might pass that information to someone else if given the chance.
"I don't know what all those machines are for," Alys whispered as we walked through a side door into the largest shed. "But they have thousands of them."
My breath stopped as if I'd run into a wall the moment we were inside the shed. Where equipment, crates and vehicles were once stored in anticipation of nanna harvests, the floor was now covered by cylindrical machines, their four legs tucked against a central core and folded much like a grasshopper's would be.
A conical sort of head, with sensors all around the base, sat atop each machine, and they frightened me—I envisioned electronic eyes opening to stare at anything that approached.
Each leg was equipped with sharp, finger-like grippers, capable of carrying it over any sort of terrain.
I imagined they could fly, too, similar to the hovercart Alys and I pulled behind us. These things held death in their sleeping eyes; I could only tiptoe past them, afraid that too much noise could wake them and the Alliances would be doomed by my carelessness.
"I sometimes think of turning one on, just to see what it will do," Alys sighed.
I broke my self-imposed silence, then.
"Never, ever, wake one of these, unless you want your planet to die," I whispered, shaking my head at Alys. "They are made for one purpose only, and that is to kill."
Alys' eyes grew round as she gaped at me—not because I spoke, but because of the dire warning in my words.
"Is that what they came for, and not just the drakus seed?"
I motioned for Alys to move along, worried that these silent machines could be listening. "Yes," I whispered, making myself smaller and moving alongside the wall as I followed Alys' lead. "The drakus seed is just a distraction, I think. These—Vardil and the others mean to destroy worlds or take them over, with these machines as their soldiers."
"Can't the ASD do something?"
"The ASD has no idea where they are," I mumbled. "Don't say that again—anyone could be listen
ing."
"I was scared already," Alys muttered. "Now it's worse."
"Where are they—the ones waiting for food?"
"Inside the supervisor's office," Alys said and led me toward the opposite corner of the massive shed.
Inside, we found no supervisor. Instead, there were four Sirenali, mute, sick and pitifully malnourished.
"Say nothing of what you are about to see," I said after checking the room for cameras or listening devices.
Each Sirenali was manacled and chained by his neck, arms and ankles to a metal bar on the wall.
Perhaps a vampire could escape these shackles by pulling them apart, but the Sirenali had no chance.
"What are you going to do?" Alys whispered as we set containers of food into eager, waiting hands.
Janis was feeding these well, but they had much ground to make up. Who knew where these poor souls had been before coming to Goor-Phin?
"I will not harm you," I said, placing my hands on the Sirenali who was worst off. Terrible sores covered his neck, wrists and ankles where the shackles chafed.
"Watch the door and let me know if anyone comes," I said as I set about healing the first of my four patients.
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis
Kell
"There are thousands of those machines in the sheds here," Rigo pointed at the three-dimensional map in Kooper Griff's private office. Lissa, her mates Gavin, Winkler, Drake and Drew were also present, to hear what Rigo and I had to say concerning our visit to Goor-Phin.
"And no idea what kind of spells Deris has placed around them. They could scatter and destroy the population, or be flung elsewhere, and we'd be hunting them again," Lissa snorted.
"Deris is not there, Tiessa. Only Daris. If we move in, he will be warned and they may have more of those terrible devices elsewhere. This is a trap, no matter how you view it," Rigo spoke to Lissa.
"Yeah, I get that," Lissa rubbed her forehead. "Was there any sign of—you know."
"We did not see anything of her, but we only misted quickly through the main house and the largest shed. We left many things unchecked, as we worried that something could be triggered the longer we stayed."
They searched for the winged girl, I knew, except she no longer had wings. The moment I had time to myself, I intended to do research and ask many questions. I imagined the werewolf or Lissa's Falchani mates would be more easily approached; Gavin's hooded eyes and stone face told me he would not be as cooperative.
Ask Justis, King of the Avii, too, Rigo sent mindspeech. He knew the expression I wore; the one that said I did not have sufficient information. Lissa can tell you much; the girl is mated to her grandson.
You know me well, child, I returned. I must be properly informed if I am to be at my best in this.
We will find her—we must.
* * *
Goor-Phin
Quin
I wished mightily for the return of my own mindspeech, so I could communicate with the Sirenali I'd just healed. They'd cleaned their plates after the healing; the sores were all but gone and the malady keeping them ill and incapable of mindspeech had been eliminated.
The youngest was probably less than eleven turns in age, and all hope had died in his eyes before I'd come. Now, there was a slight gleam, as if he dared dream of a life other than the one he presently had.
"We must go," I nodded to them as Alys and I gathered containers and placed them in the hovercart. "I will ask that you be fed even more so you will regain your strength," I added. "Be safe. If you are ever unchained and can safely get away, run. The snakes will not harm you."
Alys, her eyes revealing her growing terror at the mention of snakes, shivered as she closed the hovercart for the journey back to the plantation house kitchen. I had less than two eight-days to devise a plan to save many, and my fear was that I couldn't even save myself.
* * *
Avii Castle
Kell
"My King, this is Kellik of Abenott," the Blue-winged librarian introduced me to Justis, Red-Winged King of the Avii.
Justis stood at a large window in his suite, his face toward the light and his back, stiff and uncomfortable, turned toward me.
I read his troubled stance easily. His love—the winged young woman called Quin, was missing. He was terrified we wouldn't find her alive—if we found her.
I'd already studied many images, including those of her with long, blonde hair interspersed with streaks of gold, copper and silver, and wings to match.
Then, I'd studied the images of her with dark hair, eyes and wings. Both images were striking, and, unless one looked carefully at facial features, they appeared to be two different people.
I will say this much; the blonde looked somewhat younger and coltish, as if she were unsure of her place in the world. The other showed someone in charge of herself and of the place she occupied.
"What do you wish to know?" Justis' back was still turned toward me.
"I want to know her familiar gestures. What she prefers to eat or wear. The way she moves—when she walks and works. These things might help me identify someone who may have gone through another change in appearance."
I saw him stiffen; he hadn't considered that Quin could not be easily recognized by those who knew her best, unless they watched carefully.
"I can help you." A Larentii appeared from nothing. This was something I hadn't considered—that Quin was mated to this one, as she was to several others.
"I am Daragar," the Larentii's bright-blue eyes half closed as he gave a slight bow. "I can recreate visual images of Quin—eating, sleeping or any other activity you think may be important. Should you find her, you will have the favor of the Larentii from now on."
It isn't often that I am astonished by anything. Daragar's promise rendered me speechless with wonder.
* * *
Karathia—Past
Zaria
Hegatt pretended his concern was for King Warlend.
It was anything but.
He wanted to hide his machinations from the King; therefore, it was his intention to be as solicitous as possible.
I wanted to call him a two-faced, scheming bastard, even if he should have been my maternal great-grandfather. Frankly, I wanted to spit on him and Helsa, who would have been my grandmother.
Hegatt and Helsa shouted at servants and drove them before their anger as Helsa's palace was readied for the King's visit. He was scheduled to arrive the following morning on his birthday and be greeted by family, two of whom pretended to love him.
As Wallend still hadn't arrived with his wives and twins, I couldn't say how they felt, although I dreaded their arrival later in the day.
Bekzi and I marshalled our assistants in the kitchen, preparing what we could in advance while rugs were beaten, silver and gold polished until it shone, everything was dusted at least twice and crystal decanters and wineglasses were made spotless, awaiting the King's visit.
Milar, blessed with a Third-level talent, appeared here and there throughout the palace, overseeing every activity and doing some shouting of his own.
Yes, I understood that he warmed Helsa's bed on cold nights, although he did it for favors and not because he truly cared for her.
I despised him for his duplicity, and hoped that somewhere in the recesses of his mind he realized that Helsa wouldn't leave him a single copper when she died.
When she died.
While Karathia didn't have anything equivalent to a national newspaper, I did consider that I might read of her passing in the Archives with something akin to a smile.
Hegatt—well, when I considered his death, I also considered doing a celebratory dance of some kind. I looked forward to seeing Warlend, so I might understand his thinking when he took Helsa as his second wife.
Helsa and Hegatt were so overwhelmed with their particular insanity and greed that I couldn't get the full history of the marital alliance from them—not from Warlend's perspective, anyway.
/> Poor Wellend—he didn't have a clue, since his parents hadn't confided anything to him through the years.
Wallend is here, with his wife and the twins, Ilya warned. Deris has already set hay on fire as a prank and Daris is arranging her hair and asking her mother which style is better to meet with Hegatt.
Are their parents attempting to control them?
Deris is already a stronger warlock than Wallend, so nothing from him. His mother warned him not to hurt the horses, but that's it. They're coming toward the house. Get ready.
Perfect. The only thing worse than spoiled brats was powerful, spoiled brats with no parental control.
"We need extra sandwiches, tea and cake," I announced to the kitchen staff. "Prince Wallend and his family have just arrived."
* * *
The kitchen felt like a place of solitude with all the activity going on throughout the rest of Helsa's palace, until the moment Deris chose to visit.
Filth here, Bekzi announced as he chopped vegetables for the evening meal.
Deris strode in with a swagger, dressed in the finest brown velvet jacket and pants, with a cream silk shirt and knee-high, calfskin boots.
"I hated the cake you served at tea," he said, his back half-turned toward me. I could still see his face, however.
Lie.
I watched as he studied the shelves of canisters, jars and sealed containers of spices, sugar, salt and other cooking supplies near the massive cooking stove.
"You have to be punished for such shoddy work," he turned his full face on me, then. Everything on the shelf exploded as the spoiled fucking brat disappeared with a laugh.
"No, stay back," Bekzi cautioned the others as I surveyed the mess.
The mess I could fix.
Deris had fired the first volley at me. I saw what I'd expected to see in him—contempt for those he considered less than himself. The only person he had any sort of respect for was Hegatt, and only because Hegatt was currently stronger than Deris and didn't put up with any rudeness from his grandchildren.
With a sigh, I employed power to put everything back to rights in the kitchen, watching in grim satisfaction as the smallest jar of the most expensive spice dropped into place at the last.
SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 Page 16
