Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(55)

"I'm glad we're out here," I said. "Do you mind if I stretch my wings? They feel cramped."

"Not at all," he laughed. "Anytime."

My wings pulled away from my back and extended outward—it felt wonderful to get the kinks out of my muscles. I'd become used to flying short distances every day, and I hadn't gotten that exercise in the last two.

"Perfect," the journalist shouted as he held up a tab-vid.

"You're not allowed here," Berel rose angrily and stalked toward the intruder.

"He was just leaving. Weren't you?" Melis had the journalist by the collar quickly. "I could have you jailed, you know."

Berel and I watched as Melis was joined by two other guards, who took charge of the offender and escorted him toward the palace gate.

"That image will be broadcast in minutes," Melis said as he walked toward us. "I hope you don't mind," he apologized.

"I was seen earlier—in the meeting," I shrugged. Journalists had been there, too.

"But not with your wings extended," Melis said. "They're merely curious. So many of them dream of having wings, young Quin. This will only feed that desire."

"Do you wish for wings?" I turned to Berel, who took his place on the grass again.

"I do," he grinned. "White ones, with gold, silver and copper bands."

*

"You will go to the Avii tomorrow—with Berel and those four who call themselves your guards," Edden informed me after the meal in his garden was over.

"I will go with you," Kaldill said. "Daragar is already there, combing through the library. I think you should request those books you want from the King's treasury, while he is feeling generous."

"I will," I promised, although the thought of approaching Jurris frightened me. When I'd seen him the first time, he'd ordered my death. Yes, I'd saved his life. I'd have to see the changes in him for myself before I asked for anything.

"Will Sector Two see reason?" I asked.

"That is my hope," Edden replied. "The war machines still sit at Sector Three's border, but they haven't moved forward, yet. We've done our best to ensure that the news-vids reach the citizens of Sector Two, but we can't say for sure."

"Quin," Queen Lissa came forward and smiled at me. "You will always have a place on Le-Ath Veronis if you want it. Send mindspeech—I will hear."

"Thank you," I said, surprise causing my voice to squeak. Her smile widened. "Don't forget—I will always hear you."

"I won't forget."

I barely had time to wave before she was gone.

*

Le-Ath Veronis

"It won't be long before the scientists at the research facility reach the same conclusions we have," Lissa said as she stalked into her private study. Merrill, who walked behind her, agreed.

"What shall we do when they make that discovery?" he asked.

"Go round up my Inner Circle. We need to discuss this."

*

Harifa Edus

"It cooks things so quickly—the contraption they call a stove," the master cook complained to Rodrik. "I've burned three batches of bread already."

"The instructions are there—have you bothered to read them? They took the trouble to translate it into our language," Rodrik glared at the cook.

"No. I was never good at reading," the cook hung his head.

"Send for someone who can read and put him or her at the cook's disposal," Rodrik called out. "I curse the day Tamblin decreed that education wasn't necessary. Let me know when you have edible food for the Prince," Rodrik snapped and stalked out of the kitchen.

*

"We have an illiterate cook," Rodrik flung himself into a chair inside Amlis' suite. "That's why we're getting raw vegetables right now, and no bread."

"I went out yesterday—an older couple invited me to share their midday meal," Beatris smiled. "They could read, and the lady loved the stove—she said it did nearly everything for her."

"Can you convince her to cook for us?" Amlis asked. "We have an abundance provided for us, yet we sit here, hungry."

"I've sent for someone who can read to help the cook," Rodrik grumbled.

"This place is beautiful," Beatris walked to the window and peered out at the city surrounding the castle. "Fyris hasn't looked like this in sun-turns. Are horses available? Might we ride to the farms outside?"

"Our horses are here, but there are also vehicles we must ask someone else to drive," Amlis pointed out. "The vehicles can take us anywhere we wish to go in very little time. It will take a horse nearly half a day to reach the outskirts of the city."

"The technology here—this is how it should have been, isn't it?" Rodrik asked.

"I think so. So many things held Fyris back, the shield being one of them. We thought only savages lived beyond our borders, when they'd surpassed us long ago. Here we are, attempting to decipher what we should have known already."

"Is there an inn outside the castle? Perhaps we should look," Amlis said. "I want a cup of wine and a different view."