Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(71)
"Are these what you are?" Rodrik stuttered the question.
"No—these are Falchani," Tory shook his head. "Trust me, they're all more deadly than I am with their blades."
"You need horses," Amlis said.
"A horse will only hinder me," one of the Falchani stepped forward. "I am Dragon, former Warlord of Falchan. If any wish to impede my progress, they will regret it, I assure you. Queen Lissa says get your house in order or Alliance troops will arrive to do it for you. You are guests here, remember? As yet, you have done little to show appreciation to your hosts."
Amlis swallowed with difficulty before nodding. "Lead the way," he said. "We follow you."
*
Avii Castle
Quin
I woke in my bedroom, after hearing Justis shuffle about in his room preparing to go to work. With an effort, I pushed my wings back, sat up and allowed my feet to slide to the stone floor.
"Justis?" I called out while walking unsteadily toward the door.
"Quin?" He was at my door and holding it open quickly.
"I just wanted to make sure I wasn't dreaming," I held out a hand. "How did I get here?" I added.
"Daragar brought you," Justis said, his eyes going over every inch of me to make sure I was all right.
"I'm fine," I held out a hand and ended up gripping the doorjamb when the brief wave of dizziness hit. Justis reached out to steady me and pull me away from my temporary prop.
"Do you want breakfast?" he asked, folding my body against his. "I was about to fly down to eat with the guard, but I can have it delivered here, instead."
"Can we go to the Library and eat with Gurnil and the others?" I asked peering up at his face.
"Of course." He almost smiled at my request before asking his next question. "Do you want help to dress?"
"Oh. Yes, I suppose." I looked down to see I was dressed in my nightclothes. I couldn't recall this particular set and wondered where they came from. Fingering the fabric, I determined it was silk.
"I believe Daragar thinks you look good in white," Justis did smile this time.
"That makes sense, now," I nodded. "I couldn't remember these nightclothes and I didn't own anything that was white."
"You do, now. He's right, by the way. You look good in white. What would you like to wear to breakfast?"
*
"Quinnie!" Berel was happy to see me; Justis carried me into the Library after flying to the terrace outside it.
"Berel," I offered him a trembling smile and a nod.
"Please sit—breakfast—and Ordin—will arrive shortly," Gurnil beamed at me. "How do you feel?"
"Shaky," I answered honestly. "But nothing hurts and I feel better today than I did yesterday." I didn't want to explain that I'd been at such an emotional low the day before I wasn't sure I'd climb out of that chasm.
"Father says perhaps we should do the interview together," Berel said, pulling out a chair so I could sit between him and Justis. "He says that we can use the images I recorded in Fyris to help convince the people, as well as pleading with them to choose their lives over a dying planet."
"That would be good. Very good," I agreed, holding out my hand. Berel took it and squeezed lightly. "Where is Kaldill this morning?"
"I just had a conference with Queen Lissa," Kaldill appeared nearby in a flash of light. "She says there was some trouble in New Fyris, but with the assistance of a few troops, the Prince now has the situation in hand."
I could see in Kaldill's face what the trouble was—those used to having authority over a small population thought to expand that authority, regardless of what others might think of it.
I also saw that Amlis had been forced to sober up quickly in order to make an appearance before the people and assert his authority. He'd been wallowing in depression, just as I had. Not for the same reasons, obviously, but wallowing nonetheless.
"Sometimes those things cannot be helped, dearest. We all feel it, from time to time." Kaldill had seen the emotions crossing my face and had read them accurately, just as he always did. "Queen Lissa sends her greetings, and reminds you that you are welcome on Le-Ath Veronis at any time, for as long as you wish."
"I would love to go there again," I agreed. "But we have to see to the people of Siriaa, first."
"I'd like more of those chocolate-covered redberries," Justis agreed.
"We may make a world traveler out of you yet," Kaldill chuckled.
"Berel, I suppose we should work on what we want to say in the interview," I said, changing the subject.
"I'll bring my tab-vid; you can sit on the terrace and we'll work on it, with help from Father and his staff."
*
Harifa Edus
New Fyris
"I wish I'd had some warning that he could actually become a dragon," Amlis brushed a hand over his face. He wanted a drink but didn't think it was appropriate, considering the circumstances.
He and Rodrik now had more than a hundred mayors in the council chamber, waiting for Amlis, Rodrik and their guards to appear. Many of them had been prepared to fight the Prince.
One of the strange men accompanying Amlis had become a huge, red dragon and roared at the seething crowd, his breath fiery and fierce when he bellowed. Most of the mob had screamed and scattered, their plans of a coup forgotten immediately.