"None that I ever heard tales of," Rodrik replied. "Is Garth sure of his information?"
"He saw the body."
"Was it not savaged, somehow, before it reached the stables?"
"He supervised the removal. Unless the savagery occurred immediately after Brin's death, there was no time for such."
"What was done with the body?" Rodrik turned to Amlis in curiosity.
"Likely in the boneyard, where thieves and murderers are buried."
"How difficult would it be," Amlis began.
"I'll have it done tonight." Rodrik turned abruptly and strode out of Amlis' study.
* * *
"Information requested by the Master Scholar," Justis set the fat, sealed envelope on Ordin's desk.
"You were right to bring it here; he plans to have tea with me at midmorning," Ordin nodded to Justis. "I thank you for this swift response."
* * *
I was surprised to find Justis in Master Ordin's study when I arrived for my first lesson in anatomy. His black wings shone nearly blue in the early morning light from Ordin's window.
That window was open to the day, while sunlight filtered in with abandon and played about the papers and objects on Ordin's desk.
"Ah, Quin," Ordin greeted me with a smile. "Ready for your lessons to begin?"
"I am, Master Ordin," I nodded.
"I will speak with you later," Justis dipped his head to Ordin and turned to walk away. Something troubled him, I could tell, but I refused to use my gift to determine what it was.
He brushed past me on his way to the door and a tiny, black feather floated in his wake. I waited until he was through the door before reaching out to catch it in my hand.
"That is a down feather," Ordin explained as I cradled the fluff in my hand. "Probably loosened somehow in flight. He's not scheduled to molt again for four turns."
"May I keep it, or should I return it?" I asked, blinking at Ordin.
"You may keep it. Children make a game of collecting colored feathers they find. The black ones are much prized, but red are the rarest, as you might imagine."
"I saw a child learning to fly with his parents," I said.
"Those are good days and usually make good memories," Ordin replied. "Here. I have books for you. While these first two are in the Kondari language, the images are accurate for bones and organs.
"I can read them," I accepted two heavy books from Ordin.
"You can read their language?" Ordin stared at me in shock.
"Yes. I read all the numbers and signs at the hospital when we arrived there," I said.
"And you speak and understand their language. This is unprecedented," Ordin rubbed his forehead. "I have never heard of such."
"I don't know how it is that I know these things. I just do," I shrugged, hoping I wasn't buying trouble for myself by revealing hidden talents.
"Then go through those books as best you can. Make notes in our language from their text and I will review your work. Write down any questions you have, and I will answer as best I can. Understand, Quin, that their technology far exceeds ours."
"I know," I said. "May I read on your terrace?"
"Of course. Tables and benches are there, for that purpose."
"Do we have other texts from them—the Kondari? For learning purposes?"
"Much of their information is on small chips that are displayed through the use of machines. We have none such here. I will ask, however, when I see them next."
"Thank you, Master Ordin. For these, and for teaching me." I indicated the books in my arms.
"It is no trouble, young one."
* * *
"I have this," Melis held up a small, transparent bag. "Found in her room."
"That's a pin feather," Hadris Jem, High President Charkisul's Chief of Medical Sciences, said, accepting the sample and examining the contents. "We'll run DNA, and see how it matches with the DNA we have from the others."
"There's something there, and I want to know what it is," Melis agreed. "I know their children grow wings at age nine. By the time they're her age, they have fully-grown wings and know how to fly rings around anything. That girl was only getting hers—they're not long enough for her condition to be an exaggerated molting."
"I examined the images from the security cameras," Hadris agreed. "The wing hinge is not fully realized, so your assumptions are correct. We continue to run tests on Berel, but the disease has been eradicated and the boy is weary of our poking and prodding."
"The Avii royals have already spent half the money," Melis huffed. "On jewelry, furniture and solar-powered machinery. Nothing for the girl, as far as I can tell." Melis hadn't forgotten the slave remarks in the recorded conversations, either.
"I may have a suggestion, then," Hadris offered.
* * *
"Unprecedented, but certainly worth consideration," Charkisul nodded to Hadris. "Naming her a citizen of Kondar will afford her the rights given to any of ours. I listened to that recorded conversation, had it translated into text afterward and then read it, several times. I didn't like what they said concerning the girl."
"I worry that granting her citizenship will create a rift between us," Melis pointed out judiciously. "We may be placing her life in danger, after all."
"They thought we would buy her? Preposterous. Slavery and the selling of sentient beings has been outlawed for hundreds of turns."
"Their customs are not ours, and their laws are certainly not the same," Hadris observed. "Can we not make her an honorary citizen, at least? They will think it an empty gift, when it will be, according to our records, citizenship."
"Perhaps," the High President agreed. "Let me think on it. Meanwhile, are there other illnesses that might need her attention? I realize we'll have to pay, but it will get her here."
"I'll do research," Melis replied.
* * *
When I returned to the Library after reading medical texts from Kondar most of the day and making notes, I found Dena dusting books. I stared. She turned and offered me a brilliant smile.
"Master Gurnil asked for me," she almost danced with excitement. "I get to live in the Library quarters. With you."
I blinked—nobody had ever been excited to be near me before. "I hope this means you get to read if you want," I said.
"Master Gurnil says so, after my cleaning chores are done for the day. I like reading about the Queen's Guard—there are so many stories about them."
I knew she wanted black wings more than anything, but I wisely didn't remark on the subject, choosing to nod my understanding instead. In my mind, it would harm none if she trained with the young Black Wings. The thought made me sigh.
"My bedroom is next to yours," Dena said. "I hope you don't mind."
"Why would I mind? I am more than happy you're here," I said. "You can teach me the everyday things that I can't find in books."
"And we can be friends," she added, a note of hopefulness in her voice.
"Yes. Friends. Most certainly." I didn't tell her that I'd never had any, before. Instead, I helped her finish the dusting, then we went to collect dinner trays for us and Master Gurnil from the guild dining hall.
* * *
Garth pulled back the edge of the tarp for Amlis to see. "It's not pretty, my Prince," Garth explained.
"Nor would it be," Amlis replied as he studied Brin's decomposing corpse. As Garth reported, a large, gaping hole lay near the center of Brin's chest. Amlis steeled himself—worms worked their way through exposed, putrid flesh and buried themselves in rotting, exposed organs.
"We've seen enough," Rodrik waved away the stench while Garth flipped the thick, canvas tarp over the body. "Take it back and let no one see you do it."
"It will be done."
* * *
"Chen, what have you heard?" Amlis sat before the fire in his suite, sharing a bottle of wine with Wolter's assistant cook and Rodrick.
"The guardsman outside the door reported a sharp noise, such as h
e hadn't heard before, then Yevil stalked out of the King's suite, telling him to call for the stable master and any healer that might be found."
"A sharp noise?"
"Like a metal pot dropping or such. He had nothing to compare it to. When others rushed in, they found the King kneeling next to Timblor, who was bleeding from a knife wound. Brin was already dead. Timblor didn't live long." Chen shook his head before sipping his wine. "That is all I heard, and that was shortly after. Lately, all seem afraid of Yevil and the King's wrath, so gossip has dwindled."
"At least we have this information," Amlis said. "Is there anything else to report?"
"Just this," Chen said. "One of the recruits coming in from the south recognized Yevil's name. He made the sign of warding upon hearing it."
"He made Liron's ward? Any idea why?"
"I couldn't find him after that, and discreet inquiries have gotten no results."
"Interesting." Rodrick stood, emptied his cup and nodded to the Prince. "I'll make my way to the barracks tomorrow."
"I'll get back to the kitchen—tomorrow's bread will be set to rise, soon." Chen stood and bowed informally to Amlis before walking toward the Prince's door.
* * *
"The reports say Yevil is from Meede, here," Amlis tapped the place on his map, indicating a principality south and east of Lironis. "He became Father's man-at-arms a turn before Tandelis was killed."
"Meede is bordered by Warrel and Rondes," Rodrick said. Warrel was always Tandelis' ally, while Rondes seldom supported him. Warrel no longer sends anyone to court, while we are overrun with those from Rondes."
"Do you think the recruit in question may have been from Warrel?"
"Possibly. Perhaps you should ask the field marshal for recruit records. I'd like to speak with anyone from Warrel. Privately, of course."
"Of course."
* * *
"Is the dough set out to rise?" Chen asked the moment he walked into the kitchen. He never saw who clamped a hand over his mouth, and once the long blade sliced his throat, he no longer had the ability to shout for help.
* * *
Chen's death woke me from a dream. It had been troubling, that dream, but the waking reality was worse. Chen had breathed his last in a bubbling of blood, and I wept for his loss.
* * *
"Is Master Ordin in?" Justis landed on Ordin's terrace, not far from where I studied a Kondari anatomy book at a table. The day had started out fine, but became cloudy and I was about to go inside before rain fell.
"He is," I said, closing the book after marking my place.
"I hear you have one of my feathers," he said as he followed me inside.
"I do. Do you want it back?" Ordin said he didn't, but then one can never predict another's decisions where I was concerned.
"No. I just thought it odd that you'd want it."
"Ordin called it a down feather. I find it amazing that something so soft might come from someone so hard."
Justis stopped still for a moment before continuing to follow me toward Ordin's study.
"You find me hard?" he asked, reaching for the handle to Ordin's study door before I could do so myself.
"You seem that way. The High President's guard thinks you're dangerous."
"Does he, now?" Justis smiled for the first time since I'd known him.
"Master Ordin, Commander Justis is here to see you," I said when we walked into Ordin's study. He looked up from the paper he was writing and invited Justis to sit. I turned to leave.
"Stay," Justis held out a hand. "This involves you."
* * *
Before the meeting was over, Master Gurnil had been summoned and tea was served. My talents were required a second time in Kondar, for the promise of payment. The issue of no payment coming to me was skirted—skillfully—by Justis, who refused to go against his brother on the issue.
"Do we know what the illness is?" Ordin set his cup down as he asked the question.
"Much like the one before, I believe. Jurris received the message; I only have secondhand information."
"When?" Gurnil asked.
"Two days. They're sending another airchopper."
"Is that what they call them?" I asked.
"Has no one explained that to you?" Justis asked.
"No." I huddled in the chair I'd been given, fearing any reprimand that might come.
"What do you think of that name?" he asked instead.
"It is appropriate, I think, although a bit blunt."
Gurnil laughed. Ordin coughed after swallowing a mouthful of tea. The corner of Justis' mouth threatened an upward turn.
* * *
"What does Kondar look like?" Dena asked when I returned to the Library later.
"It has cities filled with tall buildings, some of them made of glass," I replied. "Those are surrounded by fields of crops and trees. Vehicles fly or roll everywhere, without the aid of horses or any other animal."
"I can't imagine how big it is. I've always been here," Dena sighed.
"I thought I would never leave Fyris," I said. "You cannot say where you might be from one day to the next."
"Do you miss it?"
"I cannot miss what has never treated me kindly," I said. "I was an orphan. Orphans are considered less than animals, much of the time. I was never paid for my work, or given a kind word. I was beaten for mistakes, real or imagined, and never treated as one would expect to be treated. At least here, Master Gurnil and Master Ordin treat me kindly and allow me to read and learn."
"I have only heard of Fyris through the cursing of others. I was small when Elabeth and Camryn died, and don't remember them at all."
"Will you help me pack a few things?" I asked. "Master Gurnil said to take enough for three days, although he doesn't expect to stay that long."
I wanted to direct Dena's attention away from Fyris and the happenings there. I felt increasingly concerned, not only about Tamblin's intended attack upon a land he knew nothing of, but of the poison that continued to spread across the planet. Eventually, it would kill everything, including the Avii.
Chapter 12
Had I known that Halthea would join us on our journey to Kondar, I would have been more reluctant to go. Two Yellow Wings and an extra black-winged guard accompanied her, while I was escorted by Gurnil, Ordin and Justis, as before.
Halthea monopolized Justis' time, chattering away while he pretended interest. I knew she wanted him; wanted to take him as a lover or a second mate, she cared not which. Justis wanted nothing to do with her, and I imagined that he knew, just as I did, how shallow, empty and cruel she was.
Her yellow-winged maids cowered about her, and I recognized their demeanor—Halthea didn't hold back her blows if she were angry. I felt disgusted by that; those in power should protect the vulnerable, instead of abusing them.
Perhaps my sense of fairness was finally waking—it had remained buried while I lived in Fyris. There, it was even worse. The laws against murder and theft were only created to protect the privileged and not those considered inferior to them.
"Quin, you're frowning," Gurnil said softly beside me. He'd taken the seat next to mine on the flight to Kondar, and allowed me my thoughts until now.
"I was thinking, Master Gurnil. My apologies."
"No need to apologize. You must be concentrating quite hard on your thoughts," he offered a smile.
"I was. Will we request more books while we're there?" I asked, betraying my hope that more might be supplied.
"We will ask. Ordin and I intend to speak with their Master Healer concerning more books on medicine and such, so you might learn from them."
"Thank you, Master Gurnil."
"Master Ordin says your feathers are peeking out, and your wings are longer. Have you attempted to flex them, yet?"
"No. I'm afraid to. Afraid they won't move," I mumbled. I was terrified that they'd never be useful as wings—that they were merely a decoration I'd accidentally received from one of my parents, whoeve
r they were.
"I think they will. Ordin will go into detail about the muscles connected, and how they work. Young ones generally spend hours before a mirror, flapping away and getting used to the exercise."
"How long do you think it will take before they are fully-grown?" I asked.
"Usually it takes the better part of eight moon-turns, but yours are growing quite rapidly."
"I have much time to make up," I said.
"Very true," Gurnil agreed.
* * *
Our first destination was the hospital, just as before. High President Charkisul didn't meet us; his Chief of Security, Melis Norwal did. I blinked at him as he greeted Halthea in a solicitous manner—he wasn't expecting her arrival, just as I'd not known that she planned to make the trip with us.
Perhaps I should have made the attempt to read her intentions sooner, but I didn't. She meant to watch the healing, with more nefarious plans in mind for the future.
* * *
"This is the price paid for supporting me," Amlis said softly, shaking his head. Chen's body had been loaded onto a wagon brought by his brother, to bury outside Lironis. Rodrik stood beside Amlis outside the stables, where the body had been kept until it could be collected.
Weak sunlight shone in the early afternoon hours as thick canvas was laid over the wrapped corpse. Chen's brother had given Amlis the briefest bow out of duty, reminding Amlis of what he already knew—that Chen's faithfulness had resulted in his death.
Amlis let out a breath as Chen's brother climbed onto the driver's seat and clucked to his horse. The wagon creaked and its wheels crunched on the stones of the courtyard as it was driven away.
"I never thought an assistant cook could become a target," Rodrik agreed. "I will be more watchful from now on."
"Rod, we can't watch everybody; that will raise more suspicion," Amlis muttered. "You know what happened to Finder. This time, it was Chen. Who will be next? Garth? I haven't taken another page for the obvious reasons—my brother's turned against him, and Finder was sent to her death."
"I've located two recruits who came from Warrel," Rodrik said, attempting to turn the conversation away from death. "I will wait a day or two before seeking them out. It is my hope they are willing to tell me what they know, if anything. We need information, my Prince, and there is little to be had while time grows short."
Finder: First Ordinance, Book One Page 16
