Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(63)

"The rest of you, clip your safety belts," the Commander ordered, his voice terse, his body tense. I handed Berel's safety belt to him, my fingers brushing his. Giving him a shaky smile, I nodded. He had no idea what I planned, and truthfully, neither did I.

Yes, I had wings and could fly, although that hadn't been for long. Justis and his guards had drilled at tucking in wings and rolling in midair to avoid projectiles. My flight would be awkward at best—I had little experience, no evasive techniques and less guile.

With a trembling breath and shaking limbs, I nodded to Berel and the Commander, took three steps and leapt through the visitor's hatch, snapping out my wings and catching the winds that rushed about the airship.

*

Kondar

Personal Report to the High President

From: Berel Charkisul, Ambassador to the Avii

Father, I wish I could write this report without emotion as I've seen Melis do in the past, but that I cannot do and I am sorry.

My terror increased the moment Quin left the airship behind—the appearance of such a large, alien ship did nothing to stop the battle going on at the border below.

As you know, Sector Three has been an enemy of the Sector Two leadership for some time—their disagreements in Council meetings have often been remarked upon in the newsvids. Therefore, once they were engaged in this battle, neither were willing to back down and call their troops away, although that would have been the prudent thing to do.

The airchoppers were very close and almost within firing range—with the planned attack, all inside the wartanks and any around them would be killed when the weapons deployed.

The worst things, of course, was the number of Sector Three civilians caught in the crossfire—so few of them were able to get safely away before the battle began. I know many hoped it was merely a show of force, but that, as we both know, was foolish.

The airship Commander, once Quin left his ship, had no way of effectively communicating with me and we were reduced to a pantomime of sorts to make ourselves understood.

How I wished for the mind communication that Quin had with others. I know that no Kondari has ever had such, and that left me hopelessly isolated aboard the ship.

Nevertheless, the Commander motioned me toward a nearby monitor, where I could view Quin's progress as she flew just above the wartank projectiles firing between both sides.

What she intended to do I had no idea—until I saw her begin to shine—she projects a golden haze when she heals anyone. Was this an attempt to heal everyone engaged in the battle?

I know not—although after a few moments, the flying projectiles became less, and then less than that as time passed until they'd almost stopped completely. The Commander, who now stood at my shoulder, drew in a breath as Quin, believing the battle over, began to descend.

One last projectile fired, and while it didn't make a direct hit, it burst nearby, hurling Quin far away, like a wild bird struck by an airchopper.

When her body stopped tumbling through the air, it dropped to the ground and lay still in a pile of feathers.

Father, I wept.

*

Kondar

Sector Three

Wartank after wartank opened its hatch and their inhabitants peered out at the ten tall, blue men who gathered about the dead, winged girl. None ever admitted firing the shot that killed her—most of them, feeling peace and contentment like they'd never known, had already stopped firing.

It had only taken one projectile to destroy the beautiful, flying creature. Some men and women wept openly when they exited their wartank, but the appearance of the strange, blue men held them back from approaching the winged creature's body.

When the light began to form about the ten and the soothing hum started, all combatants relaxed with a sigh and waited for an outcome they couldn't comprehend.

*

Avii Castle

"If you'd gone and taken those Black Wing guards with you, this could have been avoided," Kaldill glared at Justis. Justis, angry enough that Quin had taken the situation into her own hands, glared back.

"The Wise Ones have done what they could; she is breathing and her heart beats again, but she won't wake," Daragar sounded frightened. "Berel refuses to leave her side. I know not what to do."

"At least the idiots stopped firing on each other, although I hear nearly two thousand civilians are either dead or wounded," Kaldill snapped. "It is times like these that I curse the non-interference rules. We are allowed to protect our mates, but when they involve themselves directly in a conflict such as this, the mate protection rules become murky."

Kaldill then began to curse in his native language. Justis didn't understand, although his name was mentioned several times. Daragar did understand and nodded upon occasion as Kaldill's rant continued.

*

Le-Ath Veronis

Queen Lissa's Private Journal

I was and wasn't surprised that Kaldill appeared in my study, and less surprised that he was cursing rapidly when he arrived.

"Kaldill, calm down," I said, rising from my chair and moving cautiously toward him. He wanted to blast something, and I wasn't sure what he might target if he were startled.

Regardless, I kept a very strong shield up as I approached. The moment I put my arms around him, however, he broke down.

*

"What if she doesn't want to wake? The Wise Ones changed What Was to bring her back, but she's not waking."