Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(58)

Chapter 12

I was grateful that Kaldill, Berel, Ardis and Dena were already there and seated. At least I wouldn't have to sit at a table with Black Wings who'd ridiculed me in the past. I had no idea whether I could force food past my lips, I felt so ill.

"Dearest, you look pale," Kaldill said as I sat beside him. Justis, looking somewhat grim, sat across from me. A Black Wing Captain stood at the center of the room and called for everyone's attention.

"Today, I am pleased to announce a promotion," he began. "Ardis, former Captain of the Black Wing Guard, has now been restored to his rank. Welcome to the guard, Captain Ardis."

Ardis stood and beamed as cheers sounded throughout the dining hall. I breathed a sigh. Perhaps this was why Justis asked me to be present—so I could see Dena's joy at Ardis' elevation. Reaching across the table, I took her hand and smiled. Her return smile was tempered with tears of happiness.

When the cheers and shouts abated, I thought the meal would be served when Ardis took his seat. The Captain at the center, however, was still standing. "All the guards know that when the life of a Black Wing is saved, then our highest honor is bestowed upon the one who saved the life," he said.

"I have an Order of the Black Feather with me today." He lifted an object in the air. I blinked—it was made of fragile glass in the form of a large black feather with a gold quill. The skill required to make it must have been wondrous, and I wished I could have observed its making.

"Commander Justis, this is your honor to bestow," the Captain held the glass feather out. Justis rose and walked toward the Captain, accepted the delicate object with a nod and backed away. The Captain took his seat.

"Only a few of these have been given," Justis announced. "I was not among the ones who nominated or voted upon its recipient. Nevertheless, it is with great honor, and my blessing, to present the Order of the Black Feather to Quin, who saved Captain Ardis' life."

The dining hall erupted.

I fainted.

*

"I don't believe any recipient has ever fainted before," Justis' face came into view when I opened my eyes and blinked to clear my vision. At least he was smiling and didn't look embarrassed.

"I'm sorry," my hand went to my head. "It wasn't intentional."

"We know. Sit up and drink this," Justis held out a cup. Kaldill helped me sit up, and then lifted me to my feet, keeping me steady when I wobbled. I took the cup from Justis and drank, discovering the liquid was wine.

With a great deal of embarrassment, I was seated at the table again while a host of Black Wing guards looked on in curiosity. "Um—thank you," I said, as loudly as I could. A few guards laughed. It wasn't a bad sound, and I was grateful. The glass feather was set before me, with room left for a plate of food.

Servers began their routes between tables, setting plates before Black Wings. I was relieved when they turned to their meal and stopped watching me. My dizziness returned when I saw the one who brought our plates on a heavy tray—Jadin.

He served everyone else first. When he set my plate in front of me last, he set another object beside it.

It was a long, wooden spoon. "You have my apologies," he mumbled, his face darkening with embarrassment. "I saw the one who did the murders, when he was forced through the gate. You may hit me with this anytime you wish." He jerked his head at the spoon.

"I don't wish to hit anyone," I said. "But thank you for the spoon. If Justis will cut a notch in it, I can reach the high hangers in my closet."

"That's a wonderful idea," Dena said. "Why didn't I think of that?"

"Is that what you do, Lady? Find the true purpose in everything?" Jadin asked.

"I don't know—it just came to me."

"Back to work," someone called out. Jadin nodded to me and walked away.

"Why did he call me Lady?" I asked the moment he was gone.

"Because you're an ambassador of Kondar, and you have this," Kaldill tapped the glass feather lightly.

"The Black Wings will stand with you always," Justis said. "Because of that glass feather."

"Justis, I'm afraid," I blurted.

"Of what?" I thought he'd come out of his chair when I made my admission. Kaldill gripped my hand under the table.

"I don't know that we can save Siriaa," I said. "While the poison hasn't taken Kondar or Yokaru as it did Fyris as yet, it will. I worry that you'll have to leave your home unless you want to die like Omina and Rath."

"This is a conversation best saved for later, dearest," Kaldill whispered against my hair before dropping a kiss on my temple. "These here believe otherwise at the moment. We should proceed with caution."

"I know."

"We will discuss this later—in the Library after our dinner with the King," Justis nodded. "Try not to worry, although I realize it troubles you. I do see some things, Quin."

"I know that, too."

*

Kondar

"The news isn't good, Edden." Hadris Jem and Firth Quel, Chiefs of Medical Science and Science, brought a report to the High President. They'd worked with the research facility staff, reviewing records and experiments.