Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 Read online

  "I can send for an airchopper," Melis nodded.

  "Ask them to come tomorrow morning—after breakfast."

  "As you say," Melis replied. "By all the gods, I hope this is enough to convince the people."

  "I hope it's as she says—that this is their way of protecting us," Edden agreed.

  * * *

  Quin

  If the journalists knew that Daragar appeared in my bedroom the moment Berel and I were alone, they'd have run back to speak with him.

  I doubted he'd answer any of their questions. He was only interested in making the tears stop and between his and Berel's efforts, they eventually did. Afterward, he sat cross-legged on the floor with Berel opposite, while I was held comfortably on Daragar's lap.

  That's where I ate my meal—with Daragar's arms wrapped about me and Berel doing his best to make me smile.

  * * *

  Le-Ath Veronis

  Queen Lissa's Private Journal

  "This is all you found? A note?" I held the note in question in my fingers and waved it in front of Trajan.

  "He does that sometimes. Usually he leaves notes for his past self, but this, well, it's written to you and me."

  "I needed Terrett? What the hell is that supposed to mean? Now there's a Sirenali out there—where we have no idea—because Ashe said he needed him?"

  "I'm guessing it's a good thing he's not here right now," Trajan ducked his head to hide a smile. Too late—I'd already seen it.

  "Look, I realize Quin thought Terrett was all right, but what if he falls into the hands of another criminal—or another idiot, like Marid? He was only at SouthStar for three days," I wailed.

  "Let's hope Ashe knows what he's doing," Trajan shrugged. He was still grinning, too.

  The schmuck.

  * * *

  Kondar

  Quin

  I sent mindspeech to Kaldill, telling him that Daragar would transport Berel and me to Avii Castle, but Daragar had already told him. Melis Norwal offered an airchopper, but Daragar had things well in hand.

  Melis couldn't help staring at the tall, blue Larentii as he escorted Berel and me to breakfast, then sat there, smiling and answering a minimum of questions for the High President.

  "The Larentii never reveal the location of our homeworld," Daragar's voice was solemn as he nodded at Edden's question. "That has always been the way of things. There was a race, once, who found their way and attempted a takeover. They learned how powerful the Larentii were—and how resistant we were to their powers of suggestion."

  "Were you there? When that happened?" Melis asked.

  "No. That was long before I was born. Thousands of your years, actually."

  "How old are you? If it's not rude to ask."

  "Larentii value age and wisdom," Daragar replied. "I am young, according to my race. I am barely one thousand years old."

  "One thousand years? That's incredible," Edden breathed.

  "Yes. Kaldill has been King of the Elves far longer than that. Many older Larentii recall conversations with Kaldill, far in the past."

  While Melis might have wished for a lengthy conversation as to whether immortality was a blessing or curse, Daragar whisked Berel and me away the moment our meals were finished, depositing us in Gurnil's Library and causing Dena to laugh in delight.

  She stood with a bird-feather duster in her hand, smiling widely when the three of us appeared not far away. "Have you eaten?" she asked, first thing.

  "Yes, thank you," Berel smiled at her. "We just had breakfast."

  "Quin, you look tired," she said.

  "Quin had a trying day, yesterday," Berel said.

  "I am tired. I'm thinking of reading more in Ulrin's journal, and perhaps making a few notes for Gurnil—I haven't done that as yet."

  "I'll bring a midday meal when it's time," Dena promised. "Are you reading in the Library or in your bedroom? It's raining outside, or I'd say the terrace."

  "I'll read in my bedroom," I said. There was a chance Justis might appear somewhere in public, but he wouldn't walk into Kaldill's suite without an invitation.

  "There's my dearest," Kaldill appeared with a smile. He pulled me into a hug before letting me go with a nod. "By all means, read in your bedroom until midday. Sleep if you want. Daragar tells me you're exhausted after yesterday's ordeal."

  I did feel exhausted but was too worried about the debates, which were just beginning in Kondar. No word had come from the Yokarun Emperor, but perhaps he waited to see what Kondar's decision would be. After all, Yokaru now depended heavily upon trade with Kondar, and that would disappear along with the people of Kondar if their decision were to leave Siriaa behind.

  "I see many things trouble you," Kaldill smiled. "Read the physician's journal and take your mind away from these things."

  Dena brought me a cup of tea while I settled on the bed and pulled Ulrin's journal into my hand. "Let me know if you need anything else," she said. "I believe Justis would like to grovel, but whether you let him or not is your decision."

  "I don't know what to do about that," I hunched my shoulders uncomfortably. "Perhaps soon, but not now. His words hurt too much."

  "The people you love can hurt the most, can't they?" Dena said softly. I knew she was thinking about her mother, who'd belittled her many times for having yellow wings.

  "Yes," I agreed. "Sometimes I think they fail to realize how much harm they've done."

  "Ardis says hello," she said.

  "How is he? Doing well?"

  "He appreciates being Captain Ardis again," she smiled. "He and Justis are drilling the Black Wings this morning."

  The thought of it made me sigh. Justis—drilling his troops for a war that might never come. I'd offered him the opportunity to make a difference in the border war. He'd refused.

  "I'll just get to this, then," I held up the journal. "Gurnil may be quite bored when he reads the report, but the births, deaths and lineage records may be of interest to Amlis. I'll make separate reports for him."

  "I'd rather dust the entire Library at once than do that," Dena frowned. "I'll see you at midday."

  She closed my bedroom door behind her, tucking her wings closer so they wouldn't catch between door and jamb. Shoving away thoughts of Justis, which still pervaded my mind, I opened the journal where I'd left it last and began to read.

  * * *

  Avendor

  EastStar

  "There are two ways to shift into another body," Reah handed a cup of coffee to Kooper, then sat at the kitchen island across from the tall, lion snake shapeshifter. Both Farzi and Nenzi, Reah's lion snake shifter mates, had come to see Kooper, whom they admired.

  "You've seen both, or so I've heard," Kooper sipped his coffee. "This is excellent—what did you put in it?"

  "Vanilla, milk, cinnamon and sugar," Reah smiled. "And I frothed the milk."

  "You think grz-gitch Vardil Cayetes do this?" Farzi asked. "Steal bodies?" He and his brothers eliminated unnecessary words when they spoke—a habit they'd acquired early in their lives.

  "Vardil has enough money to convince a surgeon to do the work. I understand if a warlock is involved, the stolen body begins to die quickly so a continuous supply of fresh bodies has to be found."

  "Either way," Reah shrugged. "As a criminal, if he got a warlock involved, it would be impossible for the ASD to track him, because the image could change every few days."

  "Vardil is wealthy enough—and nasty enough—to do either," Kooper shook his head. "Even Karzac can't predict what could happen if Vardil's brain is affected already with the poison, and then is transferred to another body."

  "Have you kept an eye on the black market employment listings? Anybody looking to hire a powerful warlock?"

  "Nothing so far. Look, what do you think would happen if the brain transfer was performed first, before he went looking for a warlock?"

  "No idea. I've never heard of anybody stupid enough to try that. After all, you have to keep the warlock with you at all
times once the first transfer is done, just to make sure he's available when the new body fails. It makes an unholy alliance, and somebody is going to tire quickly of their partner, I think."

  "Unless the money is really, really good," Kooper observed. "In Vardil's case, that's exactly how it'll be."

  "If this happens, you'll have to look for worlds where significant numbers of people disappear, then reappear not long after, their bodies dumped and not only dead but looking ravaged for no apparent reason. Soul shifting isn't easy on either party."

  "You know there are plenty of non-Alliance worlds where we can't get good information," Kooper said. "We have spies on many, but not all."

  "Does Lissa have any updates on Siriaa?" Reah asked.

  "Not yet—they've just started the council debates."

  "I heard from Tory—after the brief uprising in New Fyris, things have smoothed out. Amlis is learning what it means to be Prince."

  "That means being a diplomat, instead of the murderer his father was."

  "There's always an adjustment to be made," Reah smiled.

  "I should get back to Le-Ath Veronis—I have to release a bulletin on what the agents should look for," Kooper stood and stretched.

  "You need help, Kooper, we go anytime," Farzi offered. Nenzi, seated beside Farzi, nodded his agreement with enthusiasm.

  "I may take you up on that," Kooper grinned at both.

  * * *

  Avii Castle

  Quin

  My eyes are going dark, the journal read. Therefore, it is time I made my confession, in case Liron returns to Fyris one day.

  I'd almost nodded off before I came to that section of the journal. Ulrin's words, however, made me push myself straighter on the bed and pull the journal closer.

  "Liron went to Fyris?" I breathed, running a finger down the page. Clearly, Ulrin's eyesight was failing him—the words were larger and fewer on the page. Hastily I turned the page and gasped—the writing was like none I'd ever seen before.

  It was upside down and backward, at the same time.

  I will write in this manner, as neither Yevil nor the King are adept at reading and this will likely confound them, Ulrin noted. It is no wonder they burned the books in Tandelis' study, and removed pages from many others—they failed to understand their importance.

  I discovered I'd been holding my breath, so I released it with a sigh before continuing.

  Liron appeared to me one night, only a few moon-turns before Elabeth would arrive to perform the Saving. Yes, I knew what it was, although I'd never witnessed it and have no idea how it was accomplished.

  Nevertheless, Liron came to me and laid the metal box at the foot of my bed. To say I was frightened would not be an accurate description—my fear was far beyond that of anything I'd ever experienced.

  My voice trembled when I asked him why he'd come to me.

  "You are in a position to help save Fyris and the lands outside Fyris," he said. I was much surprised at the softness of his voice, as if he were speaking to a friend, rather than as a god to an underling.

  "How can I do this?" I questioned him. "I am only a physician."

  "Your comings and goings throughout the castle are not questioned," Liron informed me. He was correct—the guards all knew me and allowed me through, whereas anyone else could be stopped at any time, by Tandelis' orders. After all, I was physician to everyone in the castle, not just the Prince.

  "Your task is simple," Liron explained. "All you have to do is release the child inside this box. She is connected to the Orb that guards Avii Castle. Together, they will prevent a terrible injustice from happening, which will spell doom for all on this world."

  "What must I do after the child is released?" I asked him. I admit that I was trembling by that time—Liron was predicting the end of everything if I failed to comply, and the idea of a girl in the metal box he'd brought? That was terrifying. How could a girl be kept in a box for moon-turns?

  "See?" he lifted the lid and I stared—not just at the light coming from inside the box, but at the beautiful child that lay within. "When you lift the lid, she will breathe and wake. You must take her to the throne room, where Tandelis will greet Elabeth and her Avii companions. The girl is connected to the Orb. If Tamblin or any of his raise their hands against Elabeth, then the Orb will see and arrive to protect. Thus, you will have a hand in saving Fyris, just as Elabeth will."

  Of course, I was prepared to do Liron's bidding.

  Then.

  After Liron left, I hid the box beneath my bed and resolved to keep anyone from dusting beneath it until I removed it. It is with great sorrow that I must report what came about after.

  Everyone, with the exception of Tandelis, I believe, knew of the disappearances and secret murders performed or commanded by Tamblin and Yevil during that time. Nobody was safe—even the servants were too afraid to gossip concerning the evil taking place. If it were learned that they had, they also disappeared and many bodies were never found. Liron had known this was coming, but trusted me to do as he'd asked.

  During that time, I continued to do my work, but my head was lowered around Tamblin or Yevil inside the castle and I scurried away the moment my work was done.

  On the day that Elabeth and Camryn appeared, carrying their tiny child with them, I was too frightened of Tamblin and Yevil to do as I was bid. Shivering in my quarters, I informed servants that I was ill and remained there, the box still hidden beneath my bed.

  Afterward, Lady Rinda's severely wounded child was brought to me by a servant, who asked that I keep her survival secret. He feared that Tamblin, who'd murdered Tandelis and the Avii Queen and King, would also kill the last survivor of the throne room massacre. The poor girl died before I could do anything to help her.

  I pretended this was not so and several days later, I released the girl from the metal box. Just as Liron said, she breathed and woke. For a day I dithered, feeding her and asking her questions.

  She was curiously silent, and that I could not explain. Perhaps that was the way she was meant to be, connected to the Orb at Avii Castle as she was.

  Regardless, eventually I cut away her hair, called the servant and placed the child in his arms, asking him to hand her to someone willing to take her.

  He carried her to the kitchens and that is where she stayed, working as a drudge from a very early age.

  After sun-turns had passed, I learned from Wolter, the chief cook, that something was wrong with Finder's back.

  Yes, they called the girl Finder, because that was her talent. I looked at her back and knew exactly what I was seeing—the girl was growing wings.

  I knew Tamblin would kill her immediately if he learned what the nubs actually were, so I did the only thing I could and asked the stablemaster to cut them away with hoof nippers.

  Every sun-turn afterward, I ordered him to do the same. The girl suffered great pain because of it, but it was the only way to keep her alive. I hoped, even when Fyris began to die about us, that somehow, she and the Orb could still find a way to save all of us.

  I worry, however, that due to my cowardice, I'd killed Fyris just as effectively as Tamblin and Yevil did.

  Liron, I am sorry I failed you.

  Your humble servant,

  Ulrin.

  Chapter 17

  Avii Castle

  Quin

  Sheep and goats bleated far below as I sat on the edge of a terrace facing the bowl of Avii Castle. The owner of the attached suite was working elsewhere—she was one of the glassworkers and a part of me wondered if she'd had a hand in forming my glass feather.

  It didn't matter. Liron had placed his faith in a humble physician, who'd failed to keep his promise. Somehow, had Ulrin performed his duty, my connection to the Orb would inform it that Elabeth was in danger.

  I imagined that it would appear in the throne room of Tandelis' castle, saving those there much as it had appeared and saved me when I was dumped at Avii Castle.

  The images of such
played through my mind. Had those things occurred, then Siriaa would be healthy instead of facing evacuation to save its people. The people of Fyris, whom Liron had been most anxious to protect, were already gone.

  Was that my purpose, now? It did seem that I was driven to save Siriaa. Had Liron given me instructions, just as he had Ulrin?

  If he had, I didn't recall them.

  Ulrin's journal still hadn't explained my origin—where I'd come from before Liron chose me as his instrument. Perhaps he believed that a child would be less of a target for Tamblin and Yevil, or easily overlooked.

  The Orb would have blasted those two back, I know that much—it had rendered Ardis unconscious with its force. I hugged myself. So much had depended upon a simple action, yet that action had not been performed.

  It left all of us where we were—with a fate we'd never imagined. I couldn't curse or blame Ulrin—he had no idea what his inaction would eventually cost Siriaa. He'd been too afraid of the evil that was Tamblin and Yevil.

  Spreading my wings, I allowed myself to drop off the railing and glide toward the animals below. This time, when I landed, the shepherd boy offered a curt nod and no insults. Lambs and ewes alike bumped and jostled as they came forward for a touch of my hands. I offered them as much of my attention as I could, preoccupied as I was with Ulrin's words.

  That's where Justis found me.

  "Quin," he began while tucking in his wings and attempting to wade through the entire flock surrounding me. By the time he reached my side, I was already weeping. Without a word, I was pulled to him and comforted while I sobbed against his chest.

  * * *

  "It was written upside down and backward." I slid the journal toward Daragar. He'd arrived as I wearily attempted to explain my findings to Justis, Gurnil, Ordin, Berel and Kaldill.

  That's when Daragar added to the mystery. "Nefrigar tells me that when things are connected as I suspect you and the Orb are, that both have to be constructed at the same time."

  My breath stopped again. The Orb was ancient—Gurnil said so. He said there were records of its appearance when Avii Castle was created by Liron far in the past.

  "The Orb could only appear in one place in Fyris," Justis said. "The site of the Saving. Elabeth told me long ago—that the Orb was prevented somehow from going anywhere else on that continent. I suppose this was Liron's way of getting around that. I'm sure Yevil knew it, too—through Treven. That's likely why he and Tamblin chose the throne room to do their murders."