Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(52)
"I have some. Renée?" Lissa called out. Renée appeared quickly. "Will you ask Cheedas to bring a bottle of Scotch and two glasses, please?"
"Right away," Renée nodded and hurried out of Lissa's study.
"What else has gone wrong today?" Teeg asked.
"Send for Tybus, he needs to hear it too," Lissa said. "Renée, bring three glasses," Lissa shouted.
"Yes, ma'am," Renée's voice floated back.
*
Kondar
Quin
"Quin, just smile and say, lovely to meet you," Berel grinned. "Kaldill and I will keep you out of trouble."
"But," I began.
"They'll want to see your wings. They'll be warned that it's impolite to touch," he added.
I had no idea that there was a function, as Berel called it, planned for the evening, and the High President chose to introduce Kaldill and me to the politicians attending. Kaldill had no objections, and I learned that Ildevar Wyyld, his guard and assistant would also attend.
I wanted to smile at the common titles given to Ildevar's companions—one was an elvish seer and the other was the Director of a large and far-reaching security department. The fact that he could become a huge, deadly snake when he felt it necessary only made me want to giggle.
Kooper Griff was quite well-mannered most of the time. Someday, I wanted to see the reptile he could become, but not while he was angry. I was also curious as to what Willem Drifft, the elvish seer, might see in my past. Perhaps he would allow me to ask.
"It's time—we'll stand with Father and meet the guests," Berel beckoned. I followed Berel; Kaldill offered his arm. I took it—I feared I might need his strength to remain standing before we reached our destination.
"Stop worrying, we'll be fine," Kaldill assured me with a smile. "Ildevar and I will make sure of it."
"Something isn't right," I mumbled. "I feel shaky for some reason. Like something bad is about to happen."
"You know I can get you and Berel away with a minimum of effort," he said.
"I know, and I thank you for that."
"Ildevar and Kooper have shields up already, and have included the High President," he added.
"I'm not sure it's that kind of threat—it doesn't feel close," I shivered.
"Quin, we'll get through this," Kaldill soothed. "Come with me and smile."
The Grand Hall was the chosen place to greet arriving guests, and Ildevar and his two companions were already there, speaking with Edden Charkisul as we approached. We never arrived, or so it seemed—Melis Norwal rushed in.
"Sector Two's Vice Presidents have declared war on Sector Three," he announced. "They're saying that you've sold Siriaa into slavery."
Chapter 11
Kondar
Quin
"Marid—again. Still meddling from his grave," Ildevar growled.
Edden's guests—at least some of them—were in a meeting with the High President in a room nearby while Kaldill, Berel, Ildevar, Kooper, Willem and I were in a smaller room down the hall.
"Yes—it is easy enough to see that he told those who now are at war with the High President that the Reth Alliance will take everything and force everyone to work under its yoke. It is the same lie told by criminals and politicians elsewhere, when they have no desire to change their despotic behavior."
"I felt nothing of the sort on Le-Ath Veronis," I sighed.
"You can't call back a lie, once it has been told," Ildevar nodded. "Some will choose to believe the lie, no matter how much evidence to the contrary is presented."
"Omina and Rath are dead," I whispered. I'd felt it, even amid the other fears and troubles that crowded into my mind.
"I'll send word to Amlis. I'm sure he suspected as much," Kaldill touched my face gently. "Still, it will be a blow—he loved her very much."
"I know. Why are these people doing this—preparing for a war, when the real war is happening beneath their feet?"
"At times, they are foolish enough to fight something they can see," Ildevar responded. "In order to ignore the greater threat they cannot conquer."
"Funds and resources will be diverted to this endeavor," Kaldill nodded. "The research facility is safe—for now. Sector Two has sent ships to destroy it."
"Our ships are still in the waters surrounding the facility—they arrived there earlier tonight after you moved the building," Berel's eyes widened. "We have to warn them." He rose from his seat and looked about him, as if attempting to determine how to do so.
"Shall we ask for Alliance backup?" Ildevar asked, turning to Kaldill.
"You're the Founder, that is your choice," Kaldill responded. "We can get the airships here, if you want."
"For the greater good?" Ildevar lifted an eyebrow, which confused me completely.
"Most certainly for the greater good," Kaldill said.
"We'll need five at least," Kooper pulled a tab-vid device from a pocket and tapped it with his finger. "Lissa, we need five air destroyers on Siriaa in five."
"Our goal is to protect the research facility only—everything else is off the table for now," Kaldill pulled me against him. "The fate of all worlds rests in what they may discover. It isn't only Siriaa anymore. The fool, Marid of Belancour, and other fools in Sector Two who chose to listen to him, have jeopardized every world."