Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (20 page)

"If we are at Avii Castle, perhaps we can convince
Kaldill to transport us on Eight-day to Kondar to have a meal with my father
and discuss what is happening in both places," Berel suggested.

"I worry that things may deteriorate quickly; the poison
is much, much worse," I replied. "I'd look forward to many dinners
with your father, if that weren't growing beneath our feet. The people of
Kondar are already complaining about food prices and the lack of approved
seafood. Everything is being poisoned. Getting the people of Fyris to a safe
place is only the beginning. I fear our conversations may not be pleasant ones
to recall in the future."

"I know. I just want it to be," Berel shrugged. "I
want to see you at dinners with Ampah."

"Ampah?"

"It's slang—colloquial for father. Ampah means father,
Gampah means grandfather."

"What about your mother?" I asked.

"She died when I was ten," he said. "An
assassination attempt on my father went wrong. They hit her, instead."

"I'm sorry," my wings tightened at the sadness in
Berel's story.

"Ampah blames himself. It's one of the reasons he won't
consider marrying again."

"That's sad. I hope he isn't lonely."

"You know what that is, don't you?"

"Yes. Even with many around me, I was alone. Does that
make sense?"

"Of course. You didn't speak, they all treated you like a
slave—I can see that easily."

"Your Ampah carries a heavy burden. He knows what it's
like, too."

"If the people of Kondar die as they are dying here, the
burden will triple."

"What are we going to do?" I whispered.

"I don't know. I hope the scientists figure this out
soon," Berel whispered back.

* * *

Harifa Edus

"I wanted to bring you first, so you could see where your
people will live," Reah said. "There are fields outside New Fyris
where the farmers and herders can grow vegetables, grains and livestock. We
have people ready to show them how the farming equipment works so they won't
have to do so much by hand or with horses or oxen. The sea, as you can hear,
lies to the west. New Fyris' fishermen can safely fish these waters, as boats
have been supplied for such."

Amlis, Rodrik and Beatris gazed at the castle at the heart of
an enormous city. The castle had been constructed (after a fashion) like the
one in Lironis, only this one was built of a single color of stone and wasn't
crumbling away in places.

"You'll find your suites and such exactly where they were
inside your old castle," Reah explained. "We've added modern
plumbing, with written instructions. You'll also have comp-vids available to
speak with me or Queen Lissa's staff, if you have questions or need help."

"Those people are?" Rodrik nodded toward a crowd of
people, all of them dressed in green, who waited in the courtyard.

"The healer's staff. Each person who arrives will be
given medicine to combat radiation sickness, and then given the address of
their home in the city. Or, if they are a farmer or herder, they will be
transported to the farms, dairies and such outside the city. Everything is laid
out to be self-sustaining, although there are supplies in each house to keep
the inhabitants eating for several weeks."

"Whom do we owe for this miracle?" Amlis breathed.
That's what it was—a miracle.

"You owe the Larentii, Queen Lissa, several of her mates
and Quin."

"Quin?"

"She made sure you were alive to see this, or do you not
recall that, now?"

"I recall," Beatris sighed. "I wouldn't be
standing here if she hadn't healed me. Rodrik, shall we visit our new quarters
and see the whole of the miracle?"

"I think Quin healed more than poison sickness in
Beatris," Reah informed Amlis as Rodrik and Beatris walked toward the
castle. "It won't surprise me if Beatris gets the child she wants within a
year."

"Then I'm grateful that Quin has a forgiving heart,"
Amlis said. "Thank you, lady, for this. Thank the Queen I have not met,
and express my gratitude to Quin. So much would be different without her."

"If Marid hadn't tapped the core and made things so much
worse on Siriaa, she would have continued to protect Lironis. As it is, even
she can't hold the growing threat back. I worry for the whole planet."
Reah disappeared, leaving Amlis to his thoughts.

He didn't have much time to reflect, however. People from
Fyris began appearing by the dozens.

* * *

Lironis

Quin

Wolter, Yann, Deeds, Fen and Orik stood outside the door of
Kaldill's suite. "We want to stay with you," Wolter announced.

"But," I began, confused. "You'll be so much
safer with the others."

"We know. We want to help here," Wolter smiled.

"I barely recall you smiling in the kitchens," I
pointed out as I invited them in with a gesture.

"There was little to smile about," Wolter agreed. "Now,
I feel as if I'm a free man, making my own choices for the first time. I no
longer answer to a despot who thinks himself a king."

"I'm glad Yevil's gone, too," I said. "Have you
eaten? Kaldill says he's transporting Berel and me to Kondar first, until we
hear from the Avii King as to whether we're welcome there as ambassadors."

"Then, with Kaldill's permission, we'll accompany you and
Berel. And we have eaten already," Wolter added.

"Good. Do you have anything you wish to transport?
Kaldill says not to worry about packing—somehow, he can will our clothing
there."

"Our things are outside," Orik grinned. "Not to
worry."

"Fen, are you sure?" I asked him, searching his
eyes. They were as dark as his brother Chen's had been. "Yann?" He
nodded immediately. "Deeds?" I turned to him. He had a daughter my
age—he'd told me that himself.

"Most sure," he agreed. "We talked it out last
night. We go with you."

"Gathering guards, dearest?" Kaldill walked in and
smiled at the five who'd come.

"I wasn't aware I needed guards," I said. "At
least Wolter can cook." Deeds laughed and pounded Wolter on the back.

* * *

"I hope to see you soon," Justis said as we stood on
the balcony a short time later. He, Ardis, Dena and the four Black Wing guards
were preparing to fly from Lironis. Gurnil and Ordin, who'd gathered books and
things from the palace, accepted Berel's offer of an airchopper to fly them
back to Avii Castle.

The city was already deserted, except for a few who'd chosen
to stay behind. "What about Tamblin?" I asked.

"Found dead in his cell this morning—Ordin says the
poison sickness took his life. As I could see no marks on the body, I'm
inclined to agree with that diagnosis."

"Then Omina won't have to worry that he'll come after
her. I hope she realizes she won't live another three days by staying here."

"I saw the fear in her eyes this morning, but she's too
stubborn to admit she's wrong."

"Then so be it," I hunched my shoulders.

"Quin, you can't save what doesn't want to be saved.
Remember that." With that, Justis leaned in to place a gentle kiss on my
mouth. "I promise to see you soon," he said before taking three long
strides toward the railing and leaping over it.

I watched his wings spread and beat a steady rhythm as he flew
northward. In moments, Dena, Ardis and the others followed his lead.

"Quin, it is time," Kaldill beckoned from the
doorway.

I turned once more to gaze upon the abandoned city of Lironis.
"I'm ready," I sighed and turned to walk toward him.

* * *

"Welcome," the High President greeted us when we
arrived at his palace. "Rooms are ready, and these five," he gestured
toward my self-appointed guards, "are welcome to stay in the wing that
houses my personal guards."

"I figure that will be better than what we're used to,"
Deeds said. "Thank you, sir."

"You're here with Quin. No thanks are necessary,"
Edden waved a hand. "Come, let's sit and have tea first, before we turn
our attention to the problems of Siriaa."

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

"They're moving the research facility to a point south of
Avii Castle," Reah said, sliding onto a cushioned sofa in Lissa's library.
Torevik, Garde, Kifirin and Korde had all arrived with her. Lissa asked for a
meeting after the last of the people from Fyris were transported to Harifa
Edus.

"Do Kaldill and Daragar still have the building shielded
against radiation?" Lissa asked.

"They do. I wish I could say the same about the rest of
the planet, but it's just not feasible. The poison is bubbling up from the
core, so there's not much we can do about it."

"I got the sample of the creatures that create the
poison. The ones the Kondari scientists believe are dead."

"What do you mean, believe are dead?"

"They're not dead. They're in hibernation. Whoever
created them made them immortal. They don't die. They're so small that were you
to blow the planet to bits, they could ride on space dust to other solar
systems and infect them, too."

"Even the cold of space wouldn't destroy them?"

"We've tested them. At first, we exposed them to energy,
similar to that of a planet's core. They perked right up. We ran more tests—and
bent time to do it. They don't die. Remove their food source, they hibernate.
Open the core, they yell yippee and go into a feeding frenzy. Siriaa is doomed
unless we can find something to stop the cycle. And no, do not even attempt to
seal the core, Reah," Lissa held up a hand. "It's too dangerous.
Karzac says you don't need them in your system."

"Who made these things?" Reah breathed. "This
is horrible."

"I have a feeling that if Liron, whoever he was, were
still alive, he might tell us something. As it is, he's dead with the other Hidden
and we may never know enough about this stuff to stop it."

"And who knows how many other worlds are infected because
Marid was a difik?"

"There's something else," Lissa said. "Karzac
checked Morid. He has those creatures in his system. He's been quarantined and
we're checking the rest of the family, but so far we've found nothing. Morid
helped Marid collect the samples from Fyris. I'm sure that's how he was
infected."

"Burning doesn't kill the creatures?"

"They have an outer shell that will withstand anything
you can throw at it. This was Acrimus' plan, I think, to destroy everything if
he and the other rogues fell."

"You think the spread will be slow on newly-infected
worlds because the core is mostly inaccessible?" Reah asked.

"Yes. I'd give anything to know what that Avii Queen did
to hold this at bay. Otherwise, Fyris would have died long ago."

"Then perhaps we should visit my Larentii mate, to see
whether he has anything in his Archives on the subject."

"I'd like to take Quin, but I don't know whether that can
be easily accomplished."

"I like her," Reah sighed. "She's so
level-headed. They should have let her run Fyris instead of those difiks who
were in charge."

"I like her, too. Kaldill loves her. As does Daragar.
That speaks volumes, all on its own."

"I know. Lendill is still in a snit—he thinks Quin will
replace his mother's memory in Kaldill's heart."

"That's not true—he should know better," Lissa shook
her head. "If he gives Quin any grief, I promise I'll kick his ass."

"I'll help," Reah laughed and lifted her cup of tea.

* * *

Avii Castle

"I have the report, my King," Justis handed the
tab-vid to Jurris. Jurris handled it carefully—he was used to paper or
parchment, instead of mechanical devices. "See, it shows that the remains
were indeed Lirin's, and it shows that Lirin was Camryn and Elabeth's daughter."

"At least we know, now," Jurris sighed and handed
the tab-vid back to Justis. "Did you thank the Kondari for their services?
I can pay, if that's what they want."

"I believe that many things may pass freely between
Kondar and Avii Castle, if you allow Berel and Quin to act as Kondari
ambassadors. That is what the High President wishes, anyway."

"He does, does he?" Jurris leaned back in his chair
and gazed up at his brother. "What if I refuse to allow Quin to be a
Kondari ambassador?"

"Then she and Berel will likely stay in Kondar. The High
President has named her a citizen of his realm."

"No, you misunderstand me," Jurris said. "Can
the Avii not offer citizenship as well?"

"You're willing to allow this?"

"Many things have become clear since I was healed after
Halthea's treachery. Wimla may be pregnant, and that could be due to Quin's
talents."

"I am surprised by this, brother," Justis said. "Pleased,
too, but certainly surprised."

"You think I don't realize what is happening? For too
long, I did ignore it," Jurris held up a hand. "I blame Halthea for
part of it, but the fault was mine."

"It helps to know that those who killed Camryn and
Elabeth are dead, doesn't it?" Justis asked softly.

"Yes. I have been bitter during those years in between.
If some way isn't found to combat the poison, those two may have killed us all.
It is my hope that Quin will be the answer—or at least part of the answer—to
solving this riddle."

"Then I have your permission to extend an invitation to
Kondar to send ambassadors?"

"I will send it myself, under the royal seal,"
Jurris said.

* * *

"Do you mean to tell me your brother is making sense?"
Gurnil blinked at Justis.

"Yes. I've brought a bottle of wine to celebrate better
times," Justis said, holding up the bottle in question.

"Then let us hope that we find a cure for the poison,
before we all die or are forced away from Siriaa," Gurnil replied. "Let
me find cups and send for Ordin."

* * *