Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(16)

"Why would they be here, then?" Yevil demanded.

Rath, even in the dim light of the dungeon, saw the spittle fly from Yevil's mouth as he spoke.

"Just because your ships plan an invasion doesn't mean that anyone else might possess such an insane notion," Rath observed.

"What other reason would there be?" Yevil hissed, his voice harsh and accusing. "You and the filth you call your sister planned this, somehow."

"We planned nothing," Rath snapped.

"No? What is this, then?" Yevil jerked a message from an inner pocket of his jacket and tossed it through the bars.

Rath didn't need to pick it up—he knew what it was. Hirill had been instrumental in this bit of treachery. The message he'd sent to the winged guardians had never left Fyris. "I hope I live long enough to witness your deaths," Rath hissed.

*

Lironis

Quin

Rodrik took his usual quarters in Amlis' suite. I think he wanted me to stay with the Prince, too, but Justis insisted that I stay with him—he'd been given a suite next to Amlis'. Ardis and Dena took a suite next to Omina's, while Kaldill and Daragar had temporary rooms at the top of the castle.

I resolved to visit them when I could—I'd never been to the upper levels of the castle, after all; Tamblin kept them closed off to all. Berel chose to stay with his guards on the flagship; Wolter and Deeds went with the Queen to provide a guard for her.

Sophie and Yissy had also gone with the Queen; I had a feeling that Sophie would find herself named as dressmaker to the Queen and maid-in-waiting before two days had passed.

I had no idea who was running the kitchens now that Wolter had taken another position, but food was provided according to a regular plan. A delivery of food and supplies had already come from the Kondari ships—the castle cooks had never seen packaged food before and had to be shown what to do with it.

The Kondari language also escaped the kitchen staff; therefore, three Kondari were dispatched with the supplies to assist in food preparations. I doubted they'd ever seen such archaic methods of cooking, but they mimed much to make themselves understood by the kitchen help.

I knew, too, that things were deteriorating in Vhrist, but dithered over whom to approach first with the news. Rath was still alive but that wouldn't be true for much longer. "The airchoppers are flying toward Avii Castle, with Orik and three others aboard," Berel said after he arrived and flopped onto a settee near the window.

I'd stared, unseeing, through a suite window while considering the problems facing us. If Tamblin were a rational man, and were Yevil even half as evil as he was, we could come together and discuss the greater problems facing Siriaa.

As it was, neither of those things were true. While Rath might be a womanizing noble at times, he still recognized the danger Fyris was in and knew that sending an invading fleet toward an unknown country was more than foolish.

"The Queen's brother is in a dungeon in Vhrist—on the northern border of Fyris," I turned to Berel, then. "Yevil and the King promised him thirty days while they awaited a response from Amlis. I fear they may void their promise and execute him anyway."

"Does the Queen know?" Berel sat up straighter and studied me with interest.

"No. Neither does Amlis or Rodrik. Rath is Rodrik's father, and I worry that if I tell any of them, they'll race toward Vhrist, only to get caught in Yevil's net."

"What's this?" Justis stalked in. He'd overheard part of my conversation with Berel. Hoping he'd react in a rational manner, I explained what I knew.





Chapter 4

Lironis

Quin

"Airchoppers will make too much noise," Berel pointed out. "They'll know we're coming. My concern, of course, is that innocents may die attacking Kondari troops, who have body armor and advanced weapons. I want no deaths," he added.

"I want Yevil's death," Amlis hissed. Rodrik kept his silence as he sat next to the Prince, but his face revealed a terrible anger. As much as he and his father disagreed, he still loved him.

"Riding horseback will get us there far too late," Deeds offered. Amlis nodded his agreement.

"The waters surrounding Vhrist are very shallow," Daragar offered. "A ship cannot get close enough to facilitate an escape. You'd be dependent upon the airchoppers again, and that, as young Berel has so aptly pointed out, will result in unnecessary deaths."

"Fly in," Dena suggested. "We have six black-wing guards, a Yellow Wing, a Green Wing, a Blue Wing and the White Wing. Surely we can get in and out silently enough and carry away one man."

"Black Wings only," Justis began.

"You will waste time searching for the proper cell," I said. "I will go as a guide."

Kaldill and Daragar exchanged glances when I spoke, but neither offered comment. "How long will it take to fly from here?" Ardis asked.

"Less than two hours," Justis replied. I knew then that he'd made this journey before.

Gurnil, who sat at the meeting table writing notes swiftly across parchment, glanced up and nodded to Justis. "I will expect a report upon your return, Commander," Gurnil said.

"You will have it," Justis agreed. "Come—Black Wings and Quin with me. We leave at nightfall."