Until it stopped, and the images about it exploded into seeming life.
"Cloudsong," Caylon muttered softly at my back. "Fucking, forsaken Cloudsong."
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"There are concealment spells all about the old castle," Kooper barked as he strode angrily through the halls of my palace. As vampire, I could easily keep up with him. Others, not vampire, had a difficult time keeping pace with the angry Director of the ASD.
"The Orb is in charge, now," I reminded him as we made our way toward my study. "It could kill all of them and set those machines free to prey on anything."
"Don't remind me," he hissed and made the turn into my study.
Poor Renée, who stood beside Grant and Heathe outside my study door, remained silent but wore an expression of fear.
I sent mindspeech to Montrose; she'd need his steady hand through this, I imagined. My concern was that Kooper, in the interest of the greater good, would be tempted to blast the whole planet apart—with Quin still on it.
The Orb could shield the machines and still get away with them.
"We can't do anything to Cloudsong without the permission of its Queen," Merrill appeared and spoke level-headed truth.
"Reah," I breathed and slumped bonelessly onto my desk chair.
Chapter 16
Karathia—Past
Zaria
I watched Horel and Brill, waiting for any sign of Hegatt's impending attack upon the palace.
I could see in both that they'd visited Hegatt for the past three nights in a row, when they imagined everyone else to be asleep or otherwise occupied.
Marid had completed the ring Hegatt requested, and it was the same one I'd seen in the base of the coffin in Lissa's dungeon.
Essentially, it was a poorly constructed piece of jewelry, but to someone who held power, it was designed as a weapon. Yes, Grey House had been the first to perfect protection spells for objects worn by royalty. Anyone who wasn't authorized would be killed if another took the object and attempted to wear it.
Many crowns across both Alliances were protected in that way.
Marid didn't have the skill or the level of talent Grey House's K'Shoufa jewelers and craftsmen held. This ring could kill anyone who wore it.
Of course, Marid wasn't even aware of the flaws in his design. He'd handed it to Hegatt with a smile while Horel, Brill and Helsa looked on.
Hegatt's plan was to let Helsa wear it first, as Deris' Regent.
The fog surrounding the actual events of the coup was clearing away, revealing painful truths none had recorded.
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
"Quin could die, and you'd still be no better off," Reah pointed a finger at Kooper. "We don't know what the Orb has planned. Admit that, at least."
Nefrigar, who'd come to support his mate, nodded at Reah's words.
"Look," Kooper attempted to reason with her. "Quin's life—against hundreds and hundreds of millions?"
"It goes deeper than that," Nefrigar interrupted.
"In what way?" Kooper snapped, turning on the Larentii Archivist.
I understood Kooper's concern, but the lesson he hadn't learned yet was, never get involved in an argument with a Larentii.
"All worlds lie in Quin's hands," Nefrigar's blue skin darkened and took on the hue of a stormy day. "It was written in that infernal book—the one Liron left at Avii Castle and Halthea destroyed. The Larentii have the only other copy. In it, it explains the method used to save Siriaa from the poison. The same method can be safely employed on all worlds infected with those foul creatures, but it can only be performed by one approved by Liron. In the beginning, the Avii Queen held the ability. She was murdered. Quin remained, although she wasn't allowed to read the book. We understood all along that the Orb had another motive and was far from benign. It holds Quin's life in its clutches. Kill her while destroying those machines and you kill everything else anyway."
No, that hadn't occurred to me. Nefrigar had kept this a secret—and for good reason. Now I understood why the Wise Ones had come to give her life back when it was lost on Siriaa. There was one missing piece, however.
"What does the Orb have that controls her?" I breathed.
Nefrigar grimaced and dropped his gaze. "Something that cannot be removed, lest she die permanently. Together, the Wise Ones brought her body and mind back to life, but they could not remove the device locked in her brain."
"This just gets better and better," Kooper tossed out a hand in angry frustration. "Are you telling me we can't do anything?"
"It is our guess that the Orb will follow Deris and Daris' plan to go to Karathia," Nefrigar replied. "It may set up its base of operations there. I suggest that you warn the King and his allies; war is coming to his doorstep, whether he realizes it or not."
"That's my son on the throne," I frowned at Nefrigar. "What, in your opinion, should we do to prepare for the onslaught?"
"Whatever you wish," Nefrigar shook his head. "Things are moving toward an inevitable conclusion, I believe. What we do from now on may not matter in the least."
* * *
Karathia
Morid
"He isn't taking us to Cloudsong—for logical reasons," Norn whispered as a bowl of stew was handed to me. "I doubt they'll be gone long. Last night, Kend had a breakthrough, and with the ability Deris and his crowd of allied witches and warlocks hold, I believe they can create the changes in the machines and have them ready for battle in two days."
"Did you say Cloudsong?" I whispered, my food forgotten for a moment. The demise of the House of Belancour had begun the moment Father attempted to manipulate the events surrounding a former King of Cloudsong.
Norn's next words shocked me further. "When they're gone, we're going to get you out of this cage," he added, "and take you to a safe place—or as safe a place as we can find for you."
"You mean I'll be able to stand straight and walk?" I felt tears prick my eyes. My cage wasn't tall enough for me to stand.
"Yes. I hope you've been exercising your legs and arms—they tend to atrophy when kept inactive like this."
"I've done my best," I hung my head.
"My father and I intend to stand with the Royal House of Karathia, after we take you to safety," Norn added.
"Who—Gale is your father?"
"Yes. I was born to him and my mother when he was young," Norn grinned. "Since our ages are not that far apart, many suspect we are brothers." He chuckled, then, and his flash of humor surprised me.
"In a few hours, when Deris and his followers leave, we will come for you."
My mumbled thanks were spoken to his back; Norn had already slipped through the hidden door.
* * *
Cloudsong
Quin
Ruther Kend may have looked better if he'd passed through Janis' meat grinder. The poor man had worked night and day to deliver what Deris wanted, and had recently found the final problem with the designs he'd been given.
Time was slipping by too fast; I had things to do and no idea how to accomplish all of them.
One thing weighed in my favor, however; Dorgus was occupied in a meeting with Deris, Daris, the Orb and several others, before work began on upgrading the N'il Mo'erti.
Yark's key was a lost cause—he was in the meeting. I had to heal Vardil Cayetes—the spanner in the works, as Queen Lissa would say.
The moment I was away from prying eyes, I began to run toward Dorgus and Vardil's shared suite.
* * *
Karathia—Past
Zaria
One more day remained. I watched Horel as he casually conversed with Wellend and Warlend at the breakfast table, as if he hadn't been given orders to kill them the following day.
I also saw in him that Wallend had been sent to Hegatt's stronghold with the twins while his wife remained at Helsa's palace.
Ilya had already received his orders and le
ft to do Wellend's bidding—spy on his brother and ensure that he was kept safe. This came after Horel told Wellend the lie that Wallend feared for his life and that of his children—brother, nephew and niece to the King as they were.
Neither Ilya nor I failed to notice that Wylend, who'd sent a gift to his older brother as the new King, expressed no such fears. He was happy enough to occupy the summer palace with Lord Morphis and his guards and servants.
Things would change quickly for him within the next two weeks.
I couldn't help thinking of the future, though, and what surely waited to be launched against King Rylend and Prince Bel Erland.
So many loose ends needed tying, and I'd been told not to interfere with the coup.
* * *
Cloudsong
Quin
For several moments, I watched Vardil Cayetes, whose head drooped onto his breast. He was asleep in the chair in which Dorgus and I had strapped him. At least I knew I could still heal—I'd healed Daris' Sirenali.
They'd likely die when the rest did—I couldn't see that any of them would be useful to Deris on Karathia. That's why I had to do what I'd never have chosen to do before.
Light formed about me as I took a step toward Vardil Cayetes, my known enemy, so I could make him whole again.
* * *
Karathia—Past
Ilya
Wallend was little more than a pig dressed in a courtier's clothing. I'd only watched him and his children for one full day before coming to that inevitable conclusion. Weakling that he was, Wallend allowed Deris to do whatever he wanted, with Daris looking on in approval.
Together, should the twins be allowed to rule Karathia, they would destroy what they could and then watch Karathia's citizens war among themselves—as long as they didn't make an attempt to take the throne.
I had nothing but contempt for any of them, but still, I watched them from a distance. Perhaps not to keep them safe—I was beginning to see a little of what Zaria could easily understand.
These could not be allowed anywhere near the throne. I think I decided then that if Zaria chose to go against our instructions not to interfere, I would stand with her. Some things were worth giving your life.
This was one of them.
Glad to hear it, a voice sounded in my head. It wasn't Zaria's—it was male. I swallowed with difficulty and began to form my own plan.
* * *
BlackWing IX
Kellik
Rigo and I had joined Kaldill and the others; he meant to spy on those who'd taken up residence in the old castle on Cloudsong.
Rigo and I could mist in and do a preliminary scout before sending information back to Kaldill. My vampire child and I were ready to go. It had been a very long time since we'd done this sort of reconnaissance; the clothing and equipment had vastly improved in the past several centuries.
Dressed in skin-hugging black leather, we carried ranos pistols, a thin coil of rope capable of holding several times our weight, a grappling hook that folded and a tiny, bright-beamed light. He and I wouldn't need the light to see—we carried it to blind someone should we find it necessary.
"You look like you're prepared for a fight with a ninja," Sal grinned at Rigo, who secured his pistol in its thigh holster.
"Lissa uses that same word at times. I understand it is her native language, but," Rigo began.
"Actually, it's not her native language, although it is one of the languages of old Earth."
"What language?" I asked, curious.
"Japanese," Sal shrugged. "I can get books translated into Alliance common that will explain the Japanese language and culture if you like."
"Of course I would," I said.
"Just get him everything available on old Earth," Rigo said, giving Sal a nod. "He'll have it read and memorized in very little time."
"Shall we?" I deliberately lifted an eyebrow at Rigo.
"Of course, Lord Abenott."
He only used my title when he wanted to laugh at me. "Then we shall go, King Rigo," I replied.
He chuckled, which is what I intended.
* * *
Cloudsong
Quin
I will never forget the moment Vardil Cayetes' eyes mirrored a functional mind. That's when V'ili, the Sirenali hunted by the ASD, appeared as if called.
I was elbowed out of the way, as if I presented no threat to each; they were correct—I merely had no idea what their plan would be once V'ili freed Vardil from his chair restraints.
"They're in a meeting," V'ili hissed. "With Dorgus." I blinked—I'd never heard a Sirenali speak aloud before.
This one could place obsession.
I shrank back as quietly as I could; I had no desire to draw this Sirenali's attention.
"How long?" Vardil's voice was little more than a croak, he hadn't employed it for months.
V'ili echoed my estimation. "We have to get you out of here," V'ili went on. "They want the words to open that coffin."
"They don't work," Vardil hissed, rubbing his wrists where the restraints had chafed. "I've tried. That fool Marid created the spell so only he can open it."
"Perhaps he withheld some of it?"
"It's possible. With that piece of filth, anything is possible. At least he's dead."
"We have his son on Karathia," V'ili muttered. "Come, we must leave before they find you recovered."
"What about Dorgus?"
"You, my friend, can find a valet anywhere. Your life is the one that matters now."
Sinking to my knees in a corner, I realized how things were.
V'ili, originally employed by Cayetes, was merely biding his time with the Arden twins, waiting for Vardil to recover.
I'll admit, if given the choice to serve one or the other, I'd choose Vardil over the twins.
Since the Orb had taken up with them, they'd become doubly dangerous.
Yes, I'd already realized the flaw in my plan. I'd just healed one of the worst criminals the Alliances had ever seen, just to watch him escape with the Sirenali who named himself King of all Sirenali.
He was descended from royalty—yes I saw that in him.
I also saw something else.
Terrett and his brothers didn't know, but V'ili had fathered them. Even V'ili didn't realize he had sons. He'd dallied with Erithia, never knowing she intended to conceive. Each time, she'd sold their progeny, because she secretly despised V'ili.
I wanted to weep for Terrett and his brothers, none of whom had followed in their parents' footsteps.
Yes, I'd wanted Vardil to cause a stir with Daris and Deris. The tears fell when V'ili folded space, taking Vardil Cayetes away before anyone else was aware.
* * *
Kellik
Rigo and I—it was as if the universe shifted about us, flinging us from one place to another in as little time as it took to blink.
Whatever had effected the move, it had taken everything inside the ancient castle with it, including two former vampires who were mist.
Disorientation ensued; when finally we got our bearings, we found we'd traveled from one castle to another.
I know this place, Rigo sent mindspeech, his sending thoughtful. It is the Queen's palace on Karathia. No Queen has stayed here since Helsa Blackmantle-Arden's death.
Child, I warned.
Bearing down on us were Deris and Daris Arden, and over their heads, a pulsing Orb floated. If I'd been corporeal, my skin would have shivered.
That blazing light knew we were there.
Without my asking, Rigo employed his ability to fold space and flung us far away.
* * *
Karathia—Present
Quin
Morid, Gale and Norn were gone, in addition to V'ili and Vardil.
Deris had already expressed his fury by destroying an empty wing of the massive Blackmantle home.
Daris was angry enough to destroy another wing, but held back once Deris leveled a nasty look in her direction.
She both
worshipped and was afraid of her brother, who held more power.
* * *
Palace of the King
Karathia
Lissa
The moment Rigo and Kell arrived unannounced at the gates of Ry's palace, we knew something had gone wrong.
Kaldill and his crew arrived shortly after, to hear what Rigo had to say.
"I'm sure she was there, we didn't have time to get to her." Rigo held a glass of wine in his hand; only a reserve of steel kept his hand from shaking.
Rylend had seen to his and Kell's needs the moment they were ushered into his study. "The Orb knew we were there—I don't understand how, but it did. It moved everybody from Cloudsong to Karathia. What we didn't see was where the N'il Mo'erti were sent."
"So they're holed up in the Queen's Palace," Erland growled. "Things are happening faster than we anticipated."
"I suggest you call upon your allies, honey," I told Ry. "Do it now. We have no idea how much time we have before they release the N'il Mo'erti on Karathia, and then send them across the Alliances."
* * *
Karathia—Past
Zaria
My hands shook only a little as I set the tray of food in front of Wellend. This was the last time he'd sit in his study as King of Karathia.
With the right people about him, he would have been a good King.
A just King.
His own family had plotted his death.
His and Warlend's deaths would be recorded in Karathia's history. I wanted to weep for the circumstances that brought us to this point.
I wanted to murder several afterward, for their parts in it.
Only time would tell if anything I'd done would have an impact on the future, and who would eventually sit the throne as the rightful Heir.
Time.
To the Mighty, it could be nothing more than a blink. An irritation. For those of us involved in its everyday workings, it held both hope and disaster.
Even Schrödinger couldn't put time in a box—it was as ethereal as the emptiness between stars and as substantial as the weight of all worlds combined.
So many things depended upon my small nudges and the offering of ideas. Like arranging pieces into a puzzle, it would never become whole unless all were fit into the proper places.
Ilya, I love you, I sent as I nodded to Wellend. More than you will ever know.
SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 Page 22
