Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 Page 2

  Rath refused to cower before the King. "That was her plan, my King," Rath lied. "If she does not arrive in Lironis in three days, I suspect treason."

  "I suspect treason already," Tamblin snapped. "My son went with her, did he not?"

  "She did not wish to travel without him. She trusts none of the guards—not after that filth," Rath jerked his head toward Yevil, "attempted to murder her." Yevil, released from prison, stood at the King's right hand. Tamblin held up a hand to keep Yevil from speaking.

  "Remember you are in the presence of the King," Tamblin thundered. "Yevil is my trusted advisor."

  "And the one who arranged to kill your firstborn," Rath hissed. "Everyone knows it—except you. Timblor died for nothing, because Yevil wanted it thus. He desires all our deaths—do you not realize that?"

  "What could he gain from such a desire?" Tamblin's voice became cold. "He is a citizen of Fyris, just as you are."

  "Yet murders happen in Fyris every day—for no good reason," Rath replied.

  "I weary of this conversation," Tamblin waved a hand. "I will imprison you for a moon-turn—long enough for Omina to reach Lironis and send word of her arrival back to me. If Amlis does not return with that message, I will declare him an enemy to the crown. If my son fails to return, I will see you die and launch my ships on the same day."

  "As you will it, my King," Rath offered an insincere bow. Two guards came forward and escorted him from the King's presence.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  Quin

  "At least you're looking me in the eye, now," Amlis said as I approached him.

  "You have no standing, here," I said evenly. "Neither do I, as far as the King is concerned. If you harm me, however, you will be most sorry, I assure you."

  The Orb floated behind me, which troubled Amlis, I could tell. Rodrik stood not far away, wishing for the sword he always carried. Justis had it, now.

  Both men stood on the terrace outside the Library—the others were bathing or sleeping in the rooms they'd been assigned. "What is that thing?" Rodrik whispered. He'd never seen such—the Orb floated on its own—with a will of its own.

  "They call it the Orb, but it lives in some way, I think," I shrugged. "It is the reason I survived my first few moments here."

  "They wanted to kill you, didn't they?" Amlis asked.

  "They tried twice. The Orb threw them back both times. In the past, it gave counsel to their King and Queen—the ones your father murdered—with Yevil's help and the weapon he carried."

  "Why do we have no writings on it?" Amlis went on, watching the Orb closely.

  "Would you believe such?" I shrugged.

  "Unlikely—without seeing the truth of it. Just as seeing the blue giant last night convinced me."

  "He doesn't live on Siriaa," I said. "I do not know where his home is—we've never discussed it."

  "What do you mean?" Rodrik exploded. "Siriaa is all there is."

  "I've heard tales of many worlds outside our own," Gurnil responded as he walked up beside me. "I have no proof—except the Larentii, of course. Daragar is not the first of that race to visit us. They only come to Aviaa, too, which I find puzzling. Quin, the King wishes to see you this morning. These others he will deal with later."

  "I should change," I sighed, brushing a hand over the yellow top and trousers I wore.

  "Wear green," Gurnil urged. "Justis will arrive shortly to escort you."

  * * *

  I knew Gurnil—and Ordin—had the idea that dressing me in green might convince the King to place me in the Healer's Guild. It was a good plan, except I had no green wings. Jurris was consistent in his prejudices—I understood that easily enough.

  I had no idea why Jurris wanted to see me, except to absently pat my head and send me back to cleaning Justis' quarters. Surprisingly enough, the Orb followed as I dressed and waited for Justis to collect me.

  * * *

  "What will they do with us?" Rodrik whispered after Gurnil and Quin disappeared inside the Library.

  "I doubt they'll kill us," Amlis snorted. "They could have done that before—when Camryn and Elabeth died."

  "That doesn't keep them from tossing us into an airless dungeon," Rodrik pointed out. "Or from keeping us there until we die."

  "How is Beatris taking this?" Amlis asked.

  "She's sleeping," Rodrik mumbled. "I won't disturb her with this worry, yet."

  "Mother, too," Amlis agreed. "Although I can barely see the faintest of scars after Quin healed her, she is tired—likely from blood loss."

  "Fen, too. I wish we'd known these things while Finder—Quin—was still in Lironis."

  "Would we have been any better than we were?" Amlis asked.

  "I know not," Rodrik shook his head. "We'd be dead without her intervention—several times over. You heard her—she said she has no standing here; we share the same circumstances."

  "We are exiles, Rod. My father will make sure of that," Amlis replied.

  "We are homeless," Wolter nodded as he and Deeds approached. "That makes you no less a Prince," he lowered his head briefly to Amlis. "I worry greatly for those we left behind."

  * * *

  Quin

  "Do you wish to fly to my brother's terrace?" Justis asked. He'd knocked on my door after having a brief conversation with Gurnil in Gurnil's study.

  "If that is what you want," I agreed. "I have only flown once—when the Orb instructed me to do so last night."

  "The Orb did much instructing last evening," Justis agreed. He wanted to smile; he didn't. I knew then that the Orb had directed him to deliver Halthea's death. He had no idea what his brother might do as a result, which left both of us in confusion.

  So many questions bubbled up—questions I refused to ask. Why had the Orb spoken to Justis and not Jurris? It could easily have warned Jurris away from Halthea's attack. Gurnil and Ordin had also received messages.

  Perhaps only the Orb had those answers and I dared not ask it. "Come then, we will test your wings a second time," Justis nodded to me. "Gurnil and Ordin will also come."

  That's when I knew the King's Council had been summoned. I would have to face all of them.

  * * *

  I think I would have been lost in the pleasure of flight if I hadn't been summoned by the King of the Avii. Instead, the short flight was plagued by my fears as to what the King planned to do with me.

  Justis had told him only that morning that Halthea was his half-sister. It was a secret perhaps Jurris shouldn't have heard. Justis had his reasons, but as I knew it, too, that placed me in danger. I wished then that I'd never bothered to speak in the first place. None ever worried that I'd spill secrets, then.

  * * *

  Kondar

  "What is this?" Edden stared through the airchopper's window.

  "Your escort, High President," Jhak replied.

  At least fifty airchoppers surrounded them and now flew in a protective formation. "We need this much of an escort? I believed we'd be escaping in secret. Or at least I hoped as much," Melis grumbled. "What if we're attacked?"

  "I'm getting information now," one of the pilots tapped his headset and turned to reassure Edden. "The military is now refusing to obey Dorthil's orders. Two newsvid facilities were destroyed and employees died while transmitting information. The moment the people realized Dorthil intended to kill them, they took to the streets. Word is that Dorthil is now fleeing toward Sector Two, which offered asylum. Welcome back, High President."

  "Where are we going, then?" Edden asked.

  "To the Council," the pilot replied. "It seems they've already sent for the fleet outside Yokaru; it will arrive in three days."

  "Will you relay a message, then?" Edden asked.

  "Of course, High President."

  "Ask that three ships remain outside Avii Castle. I know ours attacked them last night. I need to repair that damage if I can. Tell them to send messages that the coup is over and there will be no further attacks."


  "Yes, High President."

  "Father, may I go? I wish to see Quin," Berel asked.

  "I believe I can send someone with him," Melis offered. "Jhak, perhaps?"

  "Yes," Edden nodded. "Jhak and two others will travel with Berel to Avii Castle, to make amends."

  * * *

  Shaaliveer

  "Father," Morid set a comp-vid at Marid's elbow. "There's another communication from Cayetes."

  "I have nothing further to discuss. He was told how to handle the containment spheres. He was also warned that what they contained was dangerous. He ignored those instructions and deserves anything he gets." Marid shoved his journal into a drawer at his son's sudden appearance in his study.

  "You may be placing yourself in danger from two sources. You run the risk of being crushed between them," Morid pointed out.

  "You think those buffoons will be able to reach me? I have a plan. That fool on Siriaa didn't know we'd already collected much of what we needed; I only wanted him as a backup. With a brainless politician in control of the planet, and with me in charge of him, we can effectively shut out any interference by the Alliance. Eventually, even Cayetes may come to us when we offer asylum—for the right price, you understand."

  "Father, that's insane. Surely you realize that. These criminals, if you offer them a place, will begin to fight for control. You'll lose, as will the inhabitants of that planet. Look at Vogeffa I. Non-Alliance and ruled by a corrupt government, it did the same thing you propose; offering space to known criminals and crime syndicates, for a fee. Cayetes moved in and took the others out. He has all their holdings, now, and the government is only a puppet covering his hand."

  "Their government wasn't run by a talented family of wizards," Marid snapped. "We will hold them in check."

  "I have no desire to hold criminals in check with my talents, Father." Morid stalked from his father's study.

  "You'll do it if I tell you," Marid huffed.

  * * *

  "Fly faster, you fools," Dorthil snapped. The aircraft he traveled in belonged to the High President. It, and the title, should be his. Who knew that killing a few foolish journalists would arouse such anger in the population? He'd done the people a favor—journalists always spoke ill of everything.

  Even his allies on the Council turned quickly against him—although three of them would no longer have a Sector to call home if he had any say in the matter.

  "None have been sent against us as yet," the pilot responded.

  "All the better," Dorthil snapped.

  * * *

  "Son, tell them they have nothing to fear from us—the coward has run away," Edden dropped a hand on Berel's shoulder before entering the Council chambers. "Never forget that Kondar is still in danger from the poison. Find out anything you can—if you can—while you're there. I've instructed Jhak to bring you back in three days."

  "I will, Father," Berel nodded.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  Quin

  The soft rumble of muted conversation greeted us as we walked into the King's presence; I was surrounded by Justis, Gurnil and Ordin. Ordin had beamed at my appearance moments earlier and nodded his approval at my green clothing.

  One cannot expect sudden acceptance, however, from those who'd previously despised you. I knew this was so and had I used my gift, could have seen it in the faces we passed on our way to the King's throne.

  Jurris, a cup of juice at his elbow, watched as we approached. The Orb, floating above our heads, silenced more than a few in the crowd. Jurris still wasn't strong—he'd nearly died the night before.

  I—and those around me—knew it, but few on the Council did. They only knew that Halthea had attacked the King and died at Justis' hand as a result. None faulted Justis; Halthea wasn't liked by any of them. I wondered whether Jurris realized that.

  "I have made a decision," Jurris announced once we'd come to a stop before him. "In three days, those from Fyris must return there—they have no place with us."

  Shocked, I could only stare at the King while he held up a hand to quell the immediate murmurs among the Council. "I know what the Ordinance says. That is why I will do now what should have been done eighteen turns past. I will send my brother and some of his troops with the Prince, who will wrest the throne from his murderous father. I have decreed it; thus shall it be."

  Jurris' hand dropped, indicating the finality of his words.

  Chapter 2

  Avii Castle

  Quin

  "You are to go with me," Justis informed me later, as Gurnil, Ordin and I sat inside Justis' quarters, still stunned by Jurris' decisions.

  "I wish to go as well, to record the events," Gurnil snapped.

  "I doubt Jurris will stop you," Justis ruffled his wings in an agitated fashion. "I have no real desire to stand upon the stones where Elabeth died, but that is greatly outweighed by my intention to avenge her death."

  "The poison is seeping into everything there," I said, standing abruptly and voicing my concern. "We may all perish. What does the King hope to accomplish from all this?"

  "Quin, perhaps it will keep that filth who wears Tandelis' ring from leaving Fyris and revealing it to all," Gurnil offered quietly.

  "Master Gurnil, perhaps that is where we err," I sighed. "Have you ever thought that Kondar or Yokaru might help us with the conundrum of the poison? Perhaps their technology can at least define it before it kills us all."

  "The First Ordinance commands that we keep Fyris hidden from all others," Ordin began.

  "I believe that became moot the moment Queen Elabeth died," Justis interjected. "Her saving of Fyris is also in the First Ordinance."

  At that moment, I had a terrible desire to race into Jurris' quarters and seize what he kept hidden from all. I was desperate to read what was written in that book.

  "You think the First Ordinance is no longer a command from Liron himself, then?" Gurnil asked.

  "Nobody has seen Liron in a very long time," Justis replied. "Surely he would have come when Elabeth and Camryn fell."

  "You're saying he's never coming again, is that it?"

  "I am saying that," Justis said, rising from his seat and gazing out the clear glass window of his suite. I realized he gazed toward Fyris. And Liron? A god that never appeared to exact vengeance against those who cursed his name daily?

  I doubted very much whether he was likely to appear again, as Justis said.

  "Then I shall come. Perhaps physicians from Kondar," Ordin began.

  "You forget the coup," Justis pointed out.

  "The coup has been overturned."

  Berel stood in Justis' doorway, accompanied by three Kondari soldiers and five black-wing guards. As he spoke in Kondari, I relayed Berel's message to the others present while I trembled with relief.

  * * *

  "I am grateful; I worried for your safety," I said as Berel consumed a dessert in Master Nina's kitchen.

  "I was terrified," he said, his eyes meeting mine. Justis, Gurnil, Ordin and the guards—Avii and Kondari—sat and listened to Berel's tale of the coup while I translated. "Father is sending three ships from the fleet to guard Avii Castle," he added. "He extends his apologies for the attack."

  "It availed him naught," Justis pointed out. "The castle is impervious to attack, although three outside the walls died in the assault."

  "I am sorry for that—more than I can say," Berel admitted, his shoulders drooping.

  "It was not your fault or your command that resulted in those deaths," Ordin said. "Do not take responsibility for another's crimes."

  "I am my father's representative here," Berel said. "He will be saddened by this news, just as I am."

  "I will convey your condolences," I offered. "To those closest to the ones lost."

  "We must find a ship," Gurnil stood and stretched. "If we are to leave in three days." He turned to walk toward the nearest terrace; he intended to fly to the Library.

  "You're leaving?" Berel blinked at me
.

  Justis opened his mouth to make excuses to the High President's son. I held up a hand. "Commander Justis, I have never read the Ordinance and do not feel bound by it. It is time they knew—they already know of the poison, and unless I miss my guess, they know of the wood ships that come occasionally from Fyris' shores."

  If I'd fired Yevil's ancient weapon inside Nina's kitchen, it might have caused less of a stir. Regardless, I found myself sitting in the Library minutes later, Berel listening raptly as I told him what I knew of Fyris and why it was hidden.

  * * *

  "Father, they don't know the origin of the poison any better than we do," Berel explained. He sat on the Library terrace, his tab-vid in his hand while he spoke with the High President.

  "The King says the people who came last night from that hidden land have to leave in three days. Quin, Commander Justis and several others are going with them, but first they need a ship. None of the fishing vessels the Avii have are large enough to carry that many people. The Chief Librarian thinks they should take several small boats, instead. I find that dangerous—those boats are too small to make a long journey."

  "You think to find the source of this poison, don't you?" Edden said.

  "Yes. This may be our chance. I heard, too, that the Avii think a magic spell hides this country from the rest of us. I can't believe that is true. It has to be some sort of shield we haven't dreamed of yet."

  "That would be my thought as well," Edden agreed. "Offer them the three ships I'm sending. I'll make sure our best science teams are on board. I hope we can unravel this mystery before it kills us."

  "Commander Justis says that one of the residents or one of the Avii must be aboard the ships to get through what he referred to as the straits. I don't know what that means, but we'll have to carry some on each ship to pacify their beliefs."

  "Make sure Quin is with you on the flagship, then," Edden said. "Stay close to her. She will ensure that you do not fall ill again."

  "I intend to do so, Father," Berel said. "I believe Commander Justis is thinking the same thing."

  "What happened to their Princess?" Edden thought to ask.

  "More of their magical thinking," Berel explained. "There is this thing—they call it the Orb, I think, and they attribute magical properties to it. It is reported to have changed Princess Halthea's wing colors to a servant's yellow, and when she attacked the King because of that, she was killed for making an attempt on his life."