Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(4)

"What could he gain from such a desire?" Tamblin's voice became cold. "He is a citizen of Fyris, just as you are."

"Yet murders happen in Fyris every day—for no good reason," Rath replied.

"I weary of this conversation," Tamblin waved a hand. "I will imprison you for a moon-turn—long enough for Omina to reach Lironis and send word of her arrival back to me. If Amlis does not return with that message, I will declare him an enemy to the crown. If my son fails to return, I will see you die and launch my ships on the same day."

"As you will it, my King," Rath offered an insincere bow. Two guards came forward and escorted him from the King's presence.

*

Avii Castle

Quin

"At least you're looking me in the eye, now," Amlis said as I approached him.

"You have no standing, here," I said evenly. "Neither do I, as far as the King is concerned. If you harm me, however, you will be most sorry, I assure you."

The Orb floated behind me, which troubled Amlis, I could tell. Rodrik stood not far away, wishing for the sword he always carried. Justis had it, now.

Both men stood on the terrace outside the Library—the others were bathing or sleeping in the rooms they'd been assigned. "What is that thing?" Rodrik whispered. He'd never seen such—the Orb floated on its own—with a will of its own.

"They call it the Orb, but it lives in some way, I think," I shrugged. "It is the reason I survived my first few moments here."

"They wanted to kill you, didn't they?" Amlis asked.

"They tried twice. The Orb threw them back both times. In the past, it gave counsel to their King and Queen—the ones your father murdered—with Yevil's help and the weapon he carried."

"Why do we have no writings on it?" Amlis went on, watching the Orb closely.

"Would you believe such?" I shrugged.

"Unlikely—without seeing the truth of it. Just as seeing the blue giant last night convinced me."

"He doesn't live on Siriaa," I said. "I do not know where his home is—we've never discussed it."

"What do you mean?" Rodrik exploded. "Siriaa is all there is."

"I've heard tales of many worlds outside our own," Gurnil responded as he walked up beside me. "I have no proof—except the Larentii, of course. Daragar is not the first of that race to visit us. They only come to Aviaa, too, which I find puzzling. Quin, the King wishes to see you this morning. These others he will deal with later."

"I should change," I sighed, brushing a hand over the yellow top and trousers I wore.

"Wear green," Gurnil urged. "Justis will arrive shortly to escort you."

*

I knew Gurnil—and Ordin—had the idea that dressing me in green might convince the King to place me in the Healer's Guild. It was a good plan, except I had no green wings. Jurris was consistent in his prejudices—I understood that easily enough.

I had no idea why Jurris wanted to see me, except to absently pat my head and send me back to cleaning Justis' quarters. Surprisingly enough, the Orb followed as I dressed and waited for Justis to collect me.

*

"What will they do with us?" Rodrik whispered after Gurnil and Quin disappeared inside the Library.

"I doubt they'll kill us," Amlis snorted. "They could have done that before—when Camryn and Elabeth died."

"That doesn't keep them from tossing us into an airless dungeon," Rodrik pointed out. "Or from keeping us there until we die."

"How is Beatris taking this?" Amlis asked.

"She's sleeping," Rodrik mumbled. "I won't disturb her with this worry, yet."

"Mother, too," Amlis agreed. "Although I can barely see the faintest of scars after Quin healed her, she is tired—likely from blood loss."

"Fen, too. I wish we'd known these things while Finder—Quin—was still in Lironis."

"Would we have been any better than we were?" Amlis asked.

"I know not," Rodrik shook his head. "We'd be dead without her intervention—several times over. You heard her—she said she has no standing here; we share the same circumstances."

"We are exiles, Rod. My father will make sure of that," Amlis replied.

"We are homeless," Wolter nodded as he and Deeds approached. "That makes you no less a Prince," he lowered his head briefly to Amlis. "I worry greatly for those we left behind."

*

Quin

"Do you wish to fly to my brother's terrace?" Justis asked. He'd knocked on my door after having a brief conversation with Gurnil in Gurnil's study.

"If that is what you want," I agreed. "I have only flown once—when the Orb instructed me to do so last night."

"The Orb did much instructing last evening," Justis agreed. He wanted to smile; he didn't. I knew then that the Orb had directed him to deliver Halthea's death. He had no idea what his brother might do as a result, which left both of us in confusion.

So many questions bubbled up—questions I refused to ask. Why had the Orb spoken to Justis and not Jurris? It could easily have warned Jurris away from Halthea's attack. Gurnil and Ordin had also received messages.