Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(56)

"Prince Amlis?" A health worker knocked softly on the door.

"Yes?" Amlis stood and nodded at his guest.

"I've received word—my condolences, Prince Amlis. Your mother and uncle are dead. They were consumed quickly by the poison in your native lands."

Amlis cursed.

*

Avii Castle

"I think I'd feel better if Quin were here," Gurnil said, stabbing at the potatoes on his plate.

"You've voiced what many feel, I fear," Ordin said. He'd chosen to have dinner with Gurnil in the Library. Even Dena had left, going with Ardis to share his quarters. Ordin suspected it would happen, it merely surprised him that it happened so soon. "Justis wants to snap at everyone, I think."

"What's this about me snapping at everyone?" Justis set his plate on the library table and scooted a chair out to sit.

"We were merely remarking on the weather—and Quin's absence," Gurnil said, placing the whole, small potato in his mouth and chewing.

"I flew near the research building earlier," Justis said, cutting into the lamb he'd been served. "The ships from Kondar's Sector Two want to back away from those airships that appeared, but they don't know how without appearing cowardly."

"You didn't get close enough for them to see you?" Ordin asked.

"Probably not. I was just a flying speck to them. I think they're more worried about those huge airships hanging in the air. Jurris received word—Quin will arrive here tomorrow."

"Thank Liron," Gurnil muttered. "Why didn't you say that first?"

"I like to see a Blue Wing break a sweat now and then," Justis grinned.

"Perhaps you find it humorous," Gurnil complained and went back to his plate. "Where is that metal box, now? The one Quin is so worried about?"

"It's in my quarters. I'd like to move it here. If I ask Jurris, it'll disappear inside his treasury and we'll never see it again. I just don't want it to upset Quin more than it has already."

"I'll find a place for it," Gurnil agreed. "I'd like to study it anyway. I believe Daragar would as well."

"That is my desire." Daragar appeared, made himself shorter and joined them at the table. "I will take the information I gather to Nefrigar—perhaps he can help us with the mystery of it."

"Will Kaldill arrive with Quin and Berel?" Ordin asked.

"Most likely. He doesn't like it if he isn't near her," Justis said.

"He showed me a star map, and indicated where his planet is. His people share the same world as the Founder of the Reth Alliance."

"Reth Alliance?" Justis asked.

"The one who approached the High President recently. The same one who likely provided those airships you ogled earlier. Kaldill offered information and images."

"You have been busy," Ordin observed. "And there I imagined you were lounging somewhere, reading a book while Quin and I healed the sick in Fyris."

"While I can't claim to have done anything nearly as important, I did ask many questions. Kaldill was happy to provide information. He even gave me a comp-vid; one similar to Kondari tab-vids, except their reception is better. If I could read Alliance common, I might know even more than I do now."

"Quin can probably read it," Justis bit into a generous chunk of bread.

"That's true—I haven't seen anything she couldn't read or decipher yet," Ordin agreed. "You should see those medical reports she translated from the original Kondari for me. They're wonderful."

"I have a question," Daragar said. "Has anyone seen the Orb in Quin's absence?"

*

Kondar

Quin

"Are you ready?" Kaldill asked. He, Berel, Wolter, Deeds, Orik, Fen and I stood together in the High President's study. Kaldill had sent our bags ahead already—I wondered what Gurnil would think when all of it landed unannounced in his Library.

"I am," I nodded.

"Ready," Berel said.

Kaldill moved us to Avii Castle in a moment.

*

Avii Castle

"You're to have dinner with the King tonight," Gurnil informed me the moment we landed in his Library. "You, Berel and Kaldill. Justis is expected also."

The widening of my eyes betrayed my dismay—I was hoping to put off that meeting as long as possible. With my wings clamped tightly to my back, I walked past Gurnil and went to sort out my belongings.

"Don't let it unnerve you," Gurnil sighed. "I should have let that wait until later. Justis wants you to join him for the midday meal in the guard's mess," he added.

"What?" Holding my lower lip in my teeth to keep it from trembling, I blinked hopelessly at Gurnil.

"He says it's time to face those who mistreated you."

"I will come," Kaldill's hand dropped on my shoulder.

"As will I," Berel nodded.

I wanted to pitch a tantrum in Gurnil's Library like a small, spoiled child.

I didn't. "Very well," I jerked up the first bag I'd determined was mine. "Where am I to sleep?"

*

"Quin?" Dena knocked on my bedroom door. At the castle, I was back in Justis' suite while Kaldill and Berel's suites were down the hall. At least they had windows—my small bedroom had nothing of the kind. Justis had the wide windows in his bedroom and sitting room.