Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (4 page)

"What were you intending toward Quin?" Justis
hissed. "I fail to find reason in her request to spare your life.
Nevertheless, the King has seen fit to let you go, if you agree to stand beside
me when I travel to Fyris in three days. We may be fighting Tamblin before this
is over, and you may as well pay Quin back by acting as a proper guard."

"Fyris?" Hope lit Ardis' eyes for the first time in
years. "I would be grateful for the chance to kill that bastard."

"I am ahead in that line," Justis said. "You
will be without rank—you lost your captain's privileges when you followed
Halthea to the Library instead of coming to me, first."

"It will not happen again, I swear it," Ardis
slapped a fist on his chest.

"Not for Halthea, anyway," Justis huffed. "Come.
There is much to do."

* * *

Shaaliveer

"How much do we have left?" Marid asked.

"Father, we have hundreds of spelled spheres filled with
it," Morid replied. "More than enough to destroy millions."
Morid was glad that Marid had temporarily backed away from his scheme of ruling
Siriaa. The fact that Cayetes stopped sending threatening communications helped
a great deal.

"Millions is exactly what I intend to make off it, too,"
Marid smiled. "Our first endeavors have gone well, don't you think?"

"People are dead because of it," Morid pointed out. "I
never thought you to involve yourself so readily in murder. Cayetes is sick
from it, too. I'm just glad he isn't still trying to get back at us for
mishandling the poison."

"Cayetes knows better than to come against an entire
family of powerful wizards. Besides, do you think your protection spells do not
cause deaths?" Marid snapped. "Think again."

"If someone attacks one equipped with protection spells,
then they get what they deserve. These were unsuspecting and potentially
innocent."

"Faugh. You think too much," Marid waved a hand. "Get
your equipment packed. We leave Shaaliveer in three days."

* * *

Grey House

"Grandfather, I have news," Nissa said as she slid
onto the chair before Glendes Grey's desk. All her life, her grandfather had
never changed his private study. The spelled desk with clawed feet stood upon a
priceless Serendaan carpet, also spelled against signs of wear.

Glendes, too, looked no different than he ever had. The Greys
were nearly immortal, after all.

"What news?" Glendes looked up from his
comp-vid—Grey House had just reported a profitable year and paid taxes to the Reth
Alliance.

"I heard the Belancours are moving away from Shaaliveer."

"Marid, that old dinosaur, is finally leaving? The local
government is likely cheering him on."

"I heard it from Mom," Nissa reported. "She
says there are other things going on, too. She wants all of us to be wary."

"Queen Lissa said that?" Glendes' interest increased
immediately. "Did she tell your father as well?"

"Daddy knows," Nissa nodded. "We had lunch with
her yesterday."

"Why should we be wary?" Glendes asked.

"She says there's a poison out there that appears to be radiation
poisoning connected to nuclear waste, only she says she's never seen anything
like it before," Nissa said. "It's showing up in dead bodies, on
planets that have nothing nuclear about them. There's a rumor, too, that the
Hidden may have been involved in this before they died."

"So there's an unknown poison and the Belancours are
moving. Anything else?"

"No, only that the Belancours suddenly seem to have
plenty of money, and six months ago, I'd have said they were nearly bankrupt."

"I'll have someone investigate that. I don't know what to
do about the poison, except limit visitors to Grey Planet."

"That's what I was going to suggest, Grampa," Nissa
sighed.

* * *

Avii Castle

Quin

Dena and Berel had become friends quickly, and both were
overjoyed to be going to Fyris. Amlis was happy enough to be returning, although
Rodrik looked grim and Beatris unhappy.

Omina was determined, however, once she learned that three
huge ships the size of small cities would be carrying her back to Fyris. I went
in search of Wolter. I could find him and any other, after all.

Wolter, Sofi, Deeds, Orik, Yissy and Fen stood against the
balustrade of the Library terrace, watching the sea. There, the water was clean
and blue—no litter or slop from fishing boats had been callously dropped into
it. It smelled of sunlight and salt instead of fish guts and garbage, as the
harbor in Vhrist did.

"Which way will the boats come?" Yissy turned to me,
her voice high-pitched and happy.

"From that way, where Yokaru lies," I answered,
pointing westward. "They should be here before the morning sun."

"Do they travel fast?" Orik asked.

"I assume they do. The airchoppers the Kondari build are
quite fast indeed. I can only imagine that their ships are also fast."

"They travel by air?" Deeds asked.

"They do, only machines must serve as their wings."

"Have you flown in one of those machines?" Wolter
asked.

"Yes. I have been to Kondar," I nodded. "Twice."

"What about the other—what did you call it?" Wolter
asked.

"No. I have only read about Yokaru."

"So those notes were indeed yours," Wolter shook his
head.

"They are," I agreed. He'd found my old hiding
place, beneath my bed. I no longer feared for my life if those were discovered,
however. I feared for my life for other reasons instead.

"Marisa is dead," Deeds informed me.

"I know." I came to stand next to Wolter at the
balustrade. "I do not mourn her."

"Neither does anyone else," Orik cackled.

"Who is running the castle in Tamblin's absence?" I
asked.

"Old Varnell," Wolter replied. "Too old to take
to the road. Too old to put up much of a fight, either, once we get back."

He'd named the eldest of Tamblin's inner circle. I'd seldom
seen him, actually, and had no idea what he might do when Omina and Amlis
appeared to claim the throne and dispense with his authority.

"How many guards?" Orik asked.

"Probably two dozen at most. Tamblin thinks the people
are meeker than sheep. While most of the nobles and their sons have gone to
Vhrist with the King, there are enough left to create difficulties for Varnell."

"Or to stand with him," Deeds muttered. "Those
who think to gain Tamblin's favor by siding with Varnell."

"It will be our job to convince them otherwise,"
Rodrik joined us, with Amlis and Omina not far behind.

"Prince Amlis, the ships will come from there,"
Yissy piped while pointing to the west.

"Will they, now?" Amlis smiled at her.

"Finder said so."

"Yissy, her name is Quin," Sofi corrected.

"She may call me Finder if she wants," I shrugged. "Yissy
and I know one another, after all." I smiled at the small girl.

"I have never been here. It really is glass, as Tandelis
always said," Omina observed while gripping the smooth edges of the
protective railing. Three Avii flew swiftly past, causing Yissy to squeal in
delight. These were Brown Wings, likely curious about the ones from Fyris. I
imagined that word had spread quickly of their presence.

I hoped they weren't in danger as a result. I shouldn't have
worried; Justis and three Black Wings arrived in moments. I recognized one of
them easily enough—he'd tried to kill me twice and then plucked at least one
primary feather from my wings.

"Jurris granted you this," Justis nodded toward
Ardis, a former captain in his guard.

"Then I thank the King," I said, nodding
respectfully to Justis.

"Ardis will travel with us as an extra guard with no
rank. He will have to earn his way back to my trust," Justis informed me.

"I hope that happens," I said, nodding to him and to
Ardis beyond. What occurred next surprised me greatly.

Ardis dropped to his knees. "Thank you, Lady," he
breathed, his head bowed.

* * *

Wyyld II

"It took many centuries to make Gaelar N'Seith as we knew
it," Kaldill Schaff, King of the Elves, said as he touched the leaves of
the gishi tree growing outside his window. "We were never successful in
our attempts to grow gishi fruit before. This soil seems suitable, don't you
think?"

"I'll wait to taste the fruit," Lendill Schaff,
Prince-Heir and Kaldill's only remaining son, replied.

"Cynic," Kaldill laughed.

"I miss the old place," Lendill sighed.

"As do I. One cannot be choosy when one's planet is
reduced to rubble by rogue gods and a ranos cannon," Kaldill responded
philosophically.

"They were aiming for Ildevar. They had no idea that the elves
and Gaelar N'Seith would fall as well. You hid us from everyone too
successfully." Lendill's voice held regret.

"We would have been overrun long ago, had that
information been available to many."

"My King, someone is here to see you," a servant
arrived and bowed to Kaldill.

"I had no idea I should expect guests," Kaldill
replied.

"I'm glad you're not cursing," Lendill smiled.

"I can, if you wish to hear it."

"No, thank you. Who is it, Hillen?"

"A Larentii, my Prince. He says he has questions for the
King."

"Why did you keep a Larentii waiting?" Kaldill
lifted an eyebrow.

"I did not wish to interrupt your time with the Prince."

"I see the Prince every day. I only see the Larentii once
in a while," Kaldill waved an arm. "Send him in. Immediately."

"Daragar," Kaldill crowed as the Larentii appeared
before him. "I haven't seen you in years."

"I have questions and important information,"
Daragar replied. "Shall we find a private place to converse?"

* * *

Avii Castle

Quin

The ships arrived before sunrise, their gray hulls blending
with the water so early in the morning. Berel and I watched them approach,
thankful the air was warm enough as we stood on the terrace outside the
Library.

The others—all of them—were still sleeping. Jurris informed
them of what they'd already guessed the day before; they'd return to Fyris with
three Kondari ships, their crew and a few Avii.

It was my hope that Omina wouldn't become an insufferable
monarch—I'd not appreciated her haughty attitude in Vhrist. I also hoped she'd
realize that the crew on the ships would answer ultimately to Berel, who would
represent the High President while in Fyris.

"Will you have your guards about you in Fyris?" I
turned to Berel.

"I hadn't thought about that yet. Do you think I need
them?"

"Yes," I nodded. "No life will be safe in Fyris
when Tamblin learns of your arrival."

"Then I will arrange for Jhak and the others to be with
me," Berel shrugged. "Do you believe the communication devices will
work from there? I wish to remain in contact with my father and Melis, his
Chief of Security."

"I don't know—they have nothing of the sort there,"
I shook my head. "They are backward in comparison to Kondari standards.
They ride horses and drive wagons made of wood. They have no refrigeration.
When the day is hot, their only option is to open a window."

"You think they failed to evolve—to make the steps toward
technology?"

"They have little there. Fyris doesn't have deep mines of
copper, iron or other metals. What little they find is either made into pots,
handmade tools or weapons. Before I became aware, they traded with the Avii;
they make no glass in Fyris, either."

"What can you tell me about Tandelis?"

"Nothing. He was dead before I can remember. All records
of his rule in Fyris were systematically removed from books, carvings and any
other archive. Gurnil will have to supply information—he is the Chief
Librarian, after all."

"We have little time," Berel sighed. "Tomorrow
we leave and I have preparations to make, as well as vid-meetings with Melis
and Father."

"Ask for books, then. I can read them to you if you wish."

"That would be wonderful," he nodded his acceptance.

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

"A message from Kaldill Schaff," Renée handed the
envelope to Queen Lissa.

"Why didn't he send mindspeech?" Lissa asked,
examining the envelope before extending a vampiric claw and slitting it open.

"I don't know," Renée shrugged.

Lissa pulled the single note card from the envelope and stood
abruptly. "I have to go," she snapped and disappeared.

Renée knew the disappearing feat was called folding space. The
Queen could do it, as could several others of her acquaintance. It still
unnerved her, however, whenever she witnessed it.

Shaking her head, Renée lifted the card to read. It contained
three words—
Marid
,
Poison
,
Revenge
.

* * *

Shaaliveer

"Hurry," Marid shouted. "I've sent the spheres
where we can find them later. We can't be caught with the evidence!"

Morid stared at the images, placed side-by-side, on Marid's
comp-vid. One was a bulletin placed by the ASD, naming Marid as a suspect in
the poisoning of many people. The other—that was the one that frightened Morid
the most.

It was an offer of a reward—ten million Alliance credits for
Marid's head, Twenty million if he were delivered alive to Vardil Cayetes.

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

"Kooper, arrest Marid of Belancour. Immediately if not
sooner," Lissa hissed as she stood beside his desk at ASD Headquarters.
The Alliance Security Detail hadn't thought to watch Marid in a while—he'd been
sinking quietly into ruin with botched spells and poor standards.

Shaaliveer had been removed many times from the lists of
candidates for Reth Alliance membership because of the Belancour Clan.