Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(50)

"Then, with Kaldill's permission, we'll accompany you and Berel. And we have eaten already," Wolter added.

"Good. Do you have anything you wish to transport? Kaldill says not to worry about packing—somehow, he can will our clothing there."

"Our things are outside," Orik grinned. "Not to worry."

"Fen, are you sure?" I asked him, searching his eyes. They were as dark as his brother Chen's had been. "Yann?" He nodded immediately. "Deeds?" I turned to him. He had a daughter my age—he'd told me that himself.

"Most sure," he agreed. "We talked it out last night. We go with you."

"Gathering guards, dearest?" Kaldill walked in and smiled at the five who'd come.

"I wasn't aware I needed guards," I said. "At least Wolter can cook." Deeds laughed and pounded Wolter on the back.

*

"I hope to see you soon," Justis said as we stood on the balcony a short time later. He, Ardis, Dena and the four Black Wing guards were preparing to fly from Lironis. Gurnil and Ordin, who'd gathered books and things from the palace, accepted Berel's offer of an airchopper to fly them back to Avii Castle.

The city was already deserted, except for a few who'd chosen to stay behind. "What about Tamblin?" I asked.

"Found dead in his cell this morning—Ordin says the poison sickness took his life. As I could see no marks on the body, I'm inclined to agree with that diagnosis."

"Then Omina won't have to worry that he'll come after her. I hope she realizes she won't live another three days by staying here."

"I saw the fear in her eyes this morning, but she's too stubborn to admit she's wrong."

"Then so be it," I hunched my shoulders.

"Quin, you can't save what doesn't want to be saved. Remember that." With that, Justis leaned in to place a gentle kiss on my mouth. "I promise to see you soon," he said before taking three long strides toward the railing and leaping over it.

I watched his wings spread and beat a steady rhythm as he flew northward. In moments, Dena, Ardis and the others followed his lead.

"Quin, it is time," Kaldill beckoned from the doorway.

I turned once more to gaze upon the abandoned city of Lironis. "I'm ready," I sighed and turned to walk toward him.

*

"Welcome," the High President greeted us when we arrived at his palace. "Rooms are ready, and these five," he gestured toward my self-appointed guards, "are welcome to stay in the wing that houses my personal guards."

"I figure that will be better than what we're used to," Deeds said. "Thank you, sir."

"You're here with Quin. No thanks are necessary," Edden waved a hand. "Come, let's sit and have tea first, before we turn our attention to the problems of Siriaa."

*

Le-Ath Veronis

"They're moving the research facility to a point south of Avii Castle," Reah said, sliding onto a cushioned sofa in Lissa's library. Torevik, Garde, Kifirin and Korde had all arrived with her. Lissa asked for a meeting after the last of the people from Fyris were transported to Harifa Edus.

"Do Kaldill and Daragar still have the building shielded against radiation?" Lissa asked.

"They do. I wish I could say the same about the rest of the planet, but it's just not feasible. The poison is bubbling up from the core, so there's not much we can do about it."

"I got the sample of the creatures that create the poison. The ones the Kondari scientists believe are dead."

"What do you mean, believe are dead?"

"They're not dead. They're in hibernation. Whoever created them made them immortal. They don't die. They're so small that were you to blow the planet to bits, they could ride on space dust to other solar systems and infect them, too."

"Even the cold of space wouldn't destroy them?"

"We've tested them. At first, we exposed them to energy, similar to that of a planet's core. They perked right up. We ran more tests—and bent time to do it. They don't die. Remove their food source, they hibernate. Open the core, they yell yippee and go into a feeding frenzy. Siriaa is doomed unless we can find something to stop the cycle. And no, do not even attempt to seal the core, Reah," Lissa held up a hand. "It's too dangerous. Karzac says you don't need them in your system."

"Who made these things?" Reah breathed. "This is horrible."

"I have a feeling that if Liron, whoever he was, were still alive, he might tell us something. As it is, he's dead with the other Hidden and we may never know enough about this stuff to stop it."

"And who knows how many other worlds are infected because Marid was a difik?"

"There's something else," Lissa said. "Karzac checked Morid. He has those creatures in his system. He's been quarantined and we're checking the rest of the family, but so far we've found nothing. Morid helped Marid collect the samples from Fyris. I'm sure that's how he was infected."

"Burning doesn't kill the creatures?"

"They have an outer shell that will withstand anything you can throw at it. This was Acrimus' plan, I think, to destroy everything if he and the other rogues fell."