Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(5)

Perhaps only the Orb had those answers and I dared not ask it. "Come then, we will test your wings a second time," Justis nodded to me. "Gurnil and Ordin will also come."

That's when I knew the King's Council had been summoned. I would have to face all of them.

*

I think I would have been lost in the pleasure of flight if I hadn't been summoned by the King of the Avii. Instead, the short flight was plagued by my fears as to what the King planned to do with me.

Justis had told him only that morning that Halthea was his half-sister. It was a secret perhaps Jurris shouldn't have heard. Justis had his reasons, but as I knew it, too, that placed me in danger. I wished then that I'd never bothered to speak in the first place. None ever worried that I'd spill secrets, then.

*

Kondar

"What is this?" Edden stared through the airchopper's window.

"Your escort, High President," Jhak replied.

At least fifty airchoppers surrounded them and now flew in a protective formation. "We need this much of an escort? I believed we'd be escaping in secret. Or at least I hoped as much," Melis grumbled. "What if we're attacked?"

"I'm getting information now," one of the pilots tapped his headset and turned to reassure Edden. "The military is now refusing to obey Dorthil's orders. Two newsvid facilities were destroyed and employees died while transmitting information. The moment the people realized Dorthil intended to kill them, they took to the streets. Word is that Dorthil is now fleeing toward Sector Two, which offered asylum. Welcome back, High President."

"Where are we going, then?" Edden asked.

"To the Council," the pilot replied. "It seems they've already sent for the fleet outside Yokaru; it will arrive in three days."

"Will you relay a message, then?" Edden asked.

"Of course, High President."

"Ask that three ships remain outside Avii Castle. I know ours attacked them last night. I need to repair that damage if I can. Tell them to send messages that the coup is over and there will be no further attacks."

"Yes, High President."

"Father, may I go? I wish to see Quin," Berel asked.

"I believe I can send someone with him," Melis offered. "Jhak, perhaps?"

"Yes," Edden nodded. "Jhak and two others will travel with Berel to Avii Castle, to make amends."

*

Shaaliveer

"Father," Morid set a comp-vid at Marid's elbow. "There's another communication from Cayetes."

"I have nothing further to discuss. He was told how to handle the containment spheres. He was also warned that what they contained was dangerous. He ignored those instructions and deserves anything he gets." Marid shoved his journal into a drawer at his son's sudden appearance in his study.

"You may be placing yourself in danger from two sources. You run the risk of being crushed between them," Morid pointed out.

"You think those buffoons will be able to reach me? I have a plan. That fool on Siriaa didn't know we'd already collected much of what we needed; I only wanted him as a backup. With a brainless politician in control of the planet, and with me in charge of him, we can effectively shut out any interference by the Alliance. Eventually, even Cayetes may come to us when we offer asylum—for the right price, you understand."

"Father, that's insane. Surely you realize that. These criminals, if you offer them a place, will begin to fight for control. You'll lose, as will the inhabitants of that planet. Look at Vogeffa I. Non-Alliance and ruled by a corrupt government, it did the same thing you propose; offering space to known criminals and crime syndicates, for a fee. Cayetes moved in and took the others out. He has all their holdings, now, and the government is only a puppet covering his hand."

"Their government wasn't run by a talented family of wizards," Marid snapped. "We will hold them in check."

"I have no desire to hold criminals in check with my talents, Father." Morid stalked from his father's study.

"You'll do it if I tell you," Marid huffed.

*

"Fly faster, you fools," Dorthil snapped. The aircraft he traveled in belonged to the High President. It, and the title, should be his. Who knew that killing a few foolish journalists would arouse such anger in the population? He'd done the people a favor—journalists always spoke ill of everything.

Even his allies on the Council turned quickly against him—although three of them would no longer have a Sector to call home if he had any say in the matter.

"None have been sent against us as yet," the pilot responded.

"All the better," Dorthil snapped.

*

"Son, tell them they have nothing to fear from us—the coward has run away," Edden dropped a hand on Berel's shoulder before entering the Council chambers. "Never forget that Kondar is still in danger from the poison. Find out anything you can—if you can—while you're there. I've instructed Jhak to bring you back in three days."

"I will, Father," Berel nodded.

*

Avii Castle

Quin

The soft rumble of muted conversation greeted us as we walked into the King's presence; I was surrounded by Justis, Gurnil and Ordin. Ordin had beamed at my appearance moments earlier and nodded his approval at my green clothing.