Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(25)

"I will place that report in the Larentii Archives. May I attach your name to the assessment?" Daragar asked.

"Of course. It will please me to know that the Larentii trust my judgment."

"We do."

*

Quin

I wanted to keep working on the old physician's quarters, as that would take my mind off Tamblin's decision to attack Lironis. The moment Justis said the one who called himself King was preparing to ride for Lironis, I understood his intentions. If he had his way, Omina and Amlis would die.

I wondered to whom he'd assign the task of their killings—Yevil was no longer at his side and thirsty for blood.

I'd spent a long night, either sleepless or experiencing disturbing dreams that I couldn't recall upon waking. All of it left me unsettled and grateful for the dawn. The prospect of hard work would hold my fears at bay—at least I hoped it would.

Breakfast occurred in the kitchen, just like dinner the night before. Amlis had ordered the large table in Tamblin's suite brought down and the old table that wasn't nearly large enough was removed from the kitchen and stored in my old sleeping quarters.

Wolter and Reah had put their heads together and food appeared—I had no idea where the eggs had come from but I cared not—they were prepared in such a way that I savored the taste with much pleasure.

"We brought supplies from Le-Ath Veronis," Reah smiled at me as I gaped at the plate of fruit set near my elbow. "The Queen sends her regards."

"The Queen of Le-Ath Veronis is my mother," Torevik grinned. He sat across the table from me and then turned his smile on Reah.

Someday, I wanted to meet her, I think; she cared enough to send fruit and eggs for a lowly vegetarian. "Thank you," I nodded respectfully to Reah and Torevik. "I've never had food I liked so much."

"You should have food you like every day," Kaldill arrived and took a seat beside me. "Our prisoner on the roof tried to refuse his plate this morning, but the scent of eggs and ham finally convinced him otherwise."

"What about those in the dungeon?" I asked. In my mind, Varnell, on his very worst day, wasn't half as bad as Yevil on his best.

"They are receiving food and care—Varnell suffers from joint disease. Ordin has already provided medicines to relieve the pain. They also have clean blankets and pallets, plus a change of clothing every other day," Gurnil informed me.

"The whole palace is gossiping about us," I said, spearing a fat, red berry and stuffing it in my mouth. The flavor of it burst across my tongue and brought forth an unexpected smile.

"Many have never seen Avii—either too young or conscripted to work in the palace after Tamblin killed half the servants in the purge following Elabeth's death," Wolter muttered. He set a plate of ham on the table, in case anyone else wanted more before he took a seat at the end to eat with us.

"That's when you came, isn't it?" I asked.

"It is. My home was in Vhrist—the same as Chen and Fen's," he nodded. "I knew them before. Chen came with me; Fen followed quickly, at Rath's request."

"I couldn't stop Chen's death," I hunched my shoulders. "I barely sent mindspeech in time to save you and the Prince."

"That came from you." Wolter stilled for a moment. "Thank you. I had no idea."

"You thought me dead—and mute before that," I shrugged. "I'm sorry you ruined a good knife taking Hirill down. I knew he was dangerous, but couldn't tell anyone when I was here."

"The message you watched us write never left Fyris," Rath hobbled into the kitchen, helped along by Omina and Sophie. "I hear you're well-spoken as well as able to read and write."

"Any language," Berel, who sat across from me, nodded. In some way, Daragar had given Berel access to the Fyrian language. I had no idea how that was accomplished, but it made me glad—he would understand all conversations about him, which enabled him to relay swift information to his father.

"You're the one—the son? From the land Tamblin thinks to attack?"

"Yes, but Commander Justis says he has changed his mind and is now riding this way to reclaim the throne."

"Has a plan of attack been drawn up?" Rath dropped into an empty chair. Wolter rose to find plates for him, Omina, Sophie and Yissy, who appeared from behind Sophie's skirts with a mischievous smile.

"He should think twice before attacking ours," Torevik said, spreading butter over a thick slice of bread. "We're here to provide protection, no matter what type is needed."

"Troops from the ships will also fight," Berel agreed. "Does this Tamblin understand what he may be facing if he attacks?"

"No," Omina snorted. "He hasn't understood anything for a while. One moment he's ordering my death; in the next breath he's telling me to come to Lironis and hold the throne for him. He's mad and getting worse, I think. Have we gotten any useful information from Yevil?"

"Nothing we don't already know," Kaldill replied. "Daragar and I wish to set up a laboratory to study the poison consuming your lands. It is our hope to find a way to keep it from spreading too heavily to Siriaa's other continents. Is there a place that might be suitable for such?"

"You may have the area between the castle and the docks—it will provide easy access to those on the ships—they wish to help," Omina said. "I grant access to any ground you wish to excavate as well."