Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(66)

"Only if you got to him first." Kooper sipped more coffee. "Did you notice who put up the biggest bounty on Marid?" he asked.

"I only saw two smaller crime thugs," I said.

"Vardil Cayetes offered twenty million," Kooper said. "I still regret that we didn't get him when his brother Hordace died. He stayed inactive just long enough to make us think the Cayetes crime conglomerate was dead, before picking up where his brother left off. I imagine he's been poisoned by what Marid sold."

"You're joking? You think Cayetes is sick, now?"

"I imagine he bought a lot of that filth from Marid, so yes, I think he is. Why else would he offer that much? The second highest bid was for a million credits."

"So Marid built the shield around Fyris to begin with. Why is that? Who hired him? I really need to talk to Bree," I muttered.

"There's a long line for that," Kooper reminded me. "Trajan says everybody on Avendor is getting fidgety because Ashe has been gone so long, too."

"When they get back, we need a conference with all three. There should be a signal or something that they'll pay attention to, no matter where or when they are. I suppose we can put a huge light on top of my palace that'll send a beacon through space and blind all the pilots landing at the space station," I joked.

"That only works for mythical Earth heroes," Kooper pointed out with a grin.

"Hey, I'll have you know I read comic books when I was in high school," I said, pointing a finger at Kooper.

"I studied herpetology," Kooper countered with a grin.

"So, when people called you a snake lover, you took it as a compliment, didn't you?"

"I've never loved a snake in the—what do you call it—the biblical sense?"

"You know, it must have been interesting around your household growing up," I said.

"Mom always made a cake at the full moon, because we were hungry after the change."

"Dessert—after rats and mice?"

"We-ell," he tried to smother a chuckle. "Our neighbors never complained about the lack of vermin."

"Koop, stop making me laugh," I said. "I almost snorted coffee."

*

Avii Castle

Quin

"Quinnie, I hear you have worries." Kaldill handed a plate of food to Justis and took a chair nearby.

"I think Siriaa's end is coming sooner than we think," I said. "I can't say exactly why that is—I only feel it coming."

"Willem sent mindspeech earlier, telling me he feels some sort of shift," Kaldill nodded. "He can't say what it is, either, and that worries both of us. Willem is the best seer among my elves, and when he says something isn't right, then everyone should listen. When my Quinnie says the same thing, then we really ought to pay attention."

"She says we may have a moon-turn," Justis said before biting into a piece of bread he'd coated with butter.

"Willem also says time is short, although he cannot say how long," Kaldill sighed. "I fear Kondar will feel it necessary to take a vote, and that will devour time."

"I don't know what to do—where is Berel?" I asked.

"Berel is not happy with me," Justis said.

"Berel is young," Kaldill said. "Although I am still angry, I understand Quin's view on this."

"I'm going to find Berel," I said, pushing my legs toward the side of the bed.

"I'll take you," Kaldill offered. "Stay here and finish your meal, I'll bring her back," Kaldill motioned for Justis to sit after he half-rose to follow us. Placing an arm around my shoulders, Kaldill transported me to the Library.

*

"Quinn, are you sure you should be out of bed?" Gurnil hovered the moment Kaldill made me comfortable on a chair at our usual table. Berel sat on the opposite side, watching me closely. Until my arrival, he'd been toying with his tab-vid. "What did you learn?" I asked, speaking to Berel instead of acknowledging Gurnil's worry.

"I've connected with the research facility—they say the poison creatures are multiplying at a rate comparable to that of a virus, but by their calculations, we should still have three of your moon-turns before the population is in real danger."

"I worry that we are all in terrible danger," I dropped my eyes. "I can't describe it, Berel, but something gnaws at me."

"Willem feels the same," Kaldill held up a hand to prevent Berel from protesting. "I learned long ago to listen carefully when Willem voices a warning, and when Quin verifies it, then we should all take heed."

"I'll speak with Father," Berel sounded stiff.

"Berel, please," I held out my hand to him. "I care for you. I care for your father. I don't want anything to happen to either of you. Or the people of Kondar and Yokaru."

"I've sent a message to Queen Lissa already, and to the Larentii," Kaldill said. "But we can't do anything without the permission of Kondar or Yokaru. I beg you to speak with your father now," Kaldill said. "I promise to do what I can, as long as you and your father promise to do the same."

Berel blinked at me. I held out my hand to him still, but it became shaky as I waited. With a sigh, his fingers gripped mine, keeping them from trembling. "Wait," he said, letting my hand go. I must have made some noise, because he moved around the table quickly, took the empty seat next to me and placed both arms around my shoulders.