Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(48)

*

Quin

"Quin?" Kaldill's voice was soft. Coaxing.

"Hmmm?" I responded, still half asleep.

"Amlis and Rodrik are here. Beatris is sick. They say they'll allow the move if you'll heal Beatris."

He and I both knew I'd heal her anyway, but if Amlis wanted an excuse to do the proper thing, then I would keep my part of the bargain.

"Where?" I sat up, blinking in the dim light inside my bedroom.

"Outside—in the sitting area. Fluff your wings, deah-mul, you look as if you've slept in them."

"Because I have," I mumbled and stood unsteadily for a moment before balance returned. I realized I was dressed in nightclothes, but it didn't matter—Beatris needed my help.

"How did this happen?" Were my first words on seeing Beatris on a litter inside Kaldill's suite. "Why wasn't she brought to me before?" The poison had invaded her brain. If I didn't move quickly, she'd die.

"My mother," Amlis ducked his head, ashamed of the truth.

"I see. I heard what your mother had to say about me." I knelt beside Beatris and drew a deep breath. Amlis' cursing was the last thing I heard before I put my hands on Beatris and began to heal her of the poison sickness.

*

"The ring." Justis set it on the table before taking a seat across from me and accepting a plate of food from a kitchen worker. He and Kaldill had waited until I was awake to have dinner, so we could eat together.

I wanted to hug both of them for it. "When will the people be moved?" I asked.

"Tomorrow morning. It'll be easier to sort out the ones who don't wish to stay at their new location and bring them back, rather than attempt to notify all of them that they're leaving," Reah walked in and sat beside Kaldill. "I think once they see where we're taking them, they'll choose to stay there. We have health workers lined up to give mistjections to those experiencing radiation poisoning—the drug will help them heal from it."

"Good," I sighed. "Justis, what about us?" I asked. I worried about returning to Avii Castle, especially since I wasn't Avii.

"The choice is yours," he shrugged. "I want you there, but you must consider what you may have to deal with when you arrive. I haven't spoken to Jurris, as you know, so I can't say what his reaction will be, either."

"Berel will return to Kondar," I pointed out. I knew I was a citizen and welcome there.

"What do you really want, Quin?" Kaldill asked.

"I want a cure for the poison. I want to know who I am and who my parents are—or were. I want to read the old physician's journal—perhaps he wrote about me and the metal box in it. I want to read the Ordinance, to see what it says."

"Jurris will have to give permission for you to read the Ordinance," Justis said. I watched as he tore a piece of bread and dipped it in the meat broth served with the fowl he ate.

I turned back to my meal of lentil stew and vegetables. "Then Jurris' decision will determine whether I stay at Avii Castle or go to Kondar with Berel," I said. "I want to stay with you, Kaldill and Daragar, but that may not be an option."

"I suggest we serve as Kondar's ambassadors to Avii Castle," Berel walked in as if he'd been called. Perhaps he had; Kaldill's lips curled in a half-smile. "You're a citizen in good standing, and I have no doubt Father will name you ambassador. You've served Kondar well already."

Berel took the chair next to Reah's and smiled at her. Was he only sixteen? He acted so much older—was so mature for his age.

"I will take you both to Kondar tomorrow morning," Kaldill offered. "Daragar will go with Justis to Avii Castle. If Jurris agrees to allow you and Berel as ambassadors in his castle, then I will take you both there, and stay on as your advisor. If Jurris doesn't want you there, then I will do the same in Kondar." Kaldill's smile became a full grin.

"Father will be glad to have your advice," Berel laughed. "He likes you very much."

"Is that to your satisfaction, dearest?" Kaldill asked.

"That sounds wonderful," I agreed.

*

"If Jurris doesn't agree, I ask you to bear a message to your father," Justis informed Berel after the meal was finished and everything cleared away. I walked with both toward Kaldill's suite—Kaldill had stayed behind to speak with Reah.

"What message?" Berel asked, curious.

"I ask to be allowed to visit as time and duty allows," Justis replied. "Wherever Quin goes, I know she will be helping the sick and doing what she can to hold back the spread of poison, but I wish to visit her occasionally."

I was surprised. Yes, he'd become closer, but I worried that if he returned to Avii Castle and I did not, that whatever he felt would die quickly. "What do you think Jurris will say?" I asked.

"I care not what my brother thinks," Justis muttered. "He is King, yes. He cannot control my heart."

"Quinnie," Berel said, his gaze earnest as he took my hands, "I hope we get to stay with the Avii."

Justis laughed.

*

Berel and I stayed up half the night talking and poring over his tab-vid. Kaldill laughed, told us not to stay up too long and went to bed ahead of us. Justis did too, as he had a long flight to Avii Castle in the morning. Berel offered an airchopper ride; Justis refused, saying his wings needed stretching.