Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(7)

If I'd fired Yevil's ancient weapon inside Nina's kitchen, it might have caused less of a stir. Regardless, I found myself sitting in the Library minutes later, Berel listening raptly as I told him what I knew of Fyris and why it was hidden.

*

"Father, they don't know the origin of the poison any better than we do," Berel explained. He sat on the Library terrace, his tab-vid in his hand while he spoke with the High President.

"The King says the people who came last night from that hidden land have to leave in three days. Quin, Commander Justis and several others are going with them, but first they need a ship. None of the fishing vessels the Avii have are large enough to carry that many people. The Chief Librarian thinks they should take several small boats, instead. I find that dangerous—those boats are too small to make a long journey."

"You think to find the source of this poison, don't you?" Edden said.

"Yes. This may be our chance. I heard, too, that the Avii think a magic spell hides this country from the rest of us. I can't believe that is true. It has to be some sort of shield we haven't dreamed of yet."

"That would be my thought as well," Edden agreed. "Offer them the three ships I'm sending. I'll make sure our best science teams are on board. I hope we can unravel this mystery before it kills us."

"Commander Justis says that one of the residents or one of the Avii must be aboard the ships to get through what he referred to as the straits. I don't know what that means, but we'll have to carry some on each ship to pacify their beliefs."

"Make sure Quin is with you on the flagship, then," Edden said. "Stay close to her. She will ensure that you do not fall ill again."

"I intend to do so, Father," Berel said. "I believe Commander Justis is thinking the same thing."

"What happened to their Princess?" Edden thought to ask.

"More of their magical thinking," Berel explained. "There is this thing—they call it the Orb, I think, and they attribute magical properties to it. It is reported to have changed Princess Halthea's wing colors to a servant's yellow, and when she attacked the King because of that, she was killed for making an attempt on his life."

"This is almost too much to think about," Edden breathed. "Son, I must go—Dorthil is stirring up trouble in Sector Two. We must see to this new threat. Keep me advised whenever possible."

"I will."

*

"The High President is offering three ships?" Jurris studied Justis curiously. "I care not that he knows about Fyris," the King waved a hand in dismissal. "Perhaps the burden of the Ordinance can be lifted from Avii shoulders and placed upon the Kondari, instead."

"You know that is not what the commands are," Justis said.

"Whose fault is it that the poison spreads?" Jurris snapped.

"Tamblin's, and if Quin is correct, his right hand, Yevil Orklis."

"Yevil? I have not heard of him before. I care not. Let them send ships if they want. It matters not to me."

"You are tired, my King. Shall I send for your dinner so you might sleep after?"

"Yes."

*

Quin

"I want to come with you." Dena's arms were crossed stubbornly over her chest.

"I would say yes, but Master Gurnil must approve," I pointed out. "If you want to walk into that quagmire of intrigue, mistreatment and poison, you're more than welcome to it."

"I'll go ask him now," she declared and almost ran from my bedroom.

Squaring my shoulders, I surveyed the piles of clothing on my bed. Gurnil said to pack as much as possible, as he had no idea how long we might stay in Fyris.

The plan, of course, was to travel to Lironis. Omina hoped to rally the people behind Amlis and herself, forcing Tamblin to come running back in an effort to reclaim his throne.

Any way you looked upon this ill-conceived plan, it involved death and civil war. To me, that could not be a good thing, as the poison would only spread farther while people fought and died for a land already in its death throes.

"He asked me to come." Dena was back, clapping her hands in excitement. I wanted to tell her what she would find upon the shores of Fyris. I couldn't—this could be the last happiness she experienced for a very long time.

*

"Ardis?" Justis called.

Ardis, formerly a captain under Justis' command, woke from a light sleep. That's all he could do, now—eat the meals brought to him and sleep in between. His days were winding down, too; he no longer counted them. He'd be shoved through the gate for listening to a vindictive, Red-Wing Princess.

"I'm sure you know Halthea is dead," Justis began as he unlocked the door to Ardis' cell. "My brother, who was saved from death after Halthea tried to kill him, has granted the request of the one who healed him of what should have been fatal injuries."

"What?" Ardis stood, confusion crossing his features. "Then tell Master Ordin I will be forever grateful," he added after a moment.

"You do not owe Ordin thanks. You owe Quin," Justis snapped. "I wouldn't have carried this request to the King had it come from Ordin, because he would not have made it. You nearly killed Gurnil, you thoughtless oaf."