Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(75)
He was right—I was so much younger than he and inexperienced. Berel, like me, was young and we would fumble. Kaldill, Justis and likely Daragar, would know exactly what was to come.
"I will get there," I said before opening my bedroom door. "I promise."
*
"This," Kaldill set the bottle before Justis, "is one-thousand-year-old brandy, made by those of my people most talented for such. Would you have a glass with me?"
He'd found Justis on a terrace facing the bowl of Avii Castle. It was a bar, tended by Yellow Wings and reserved for the Black Wing guards.
"Is it better than this ale?" Justis lifted his cup, his dark eyes focused on Kaldill.
"Most assuredly," Kaldill replied before holding out his hand. Justis watched as two small glasses appeared there. Each was delicate, cut crystal such as the elves could make. "One glass of this," Kaldill said as he poured, "would cost three thousand Alliance credits."
"Is that a lot?"
"The ale you're drinking would cost one credit. Something similar is served in most bars across the Reth Alliance. The shelf life and preservation of it is of little concern, as it is so common."
"It achieves its purpose," Justis rustled his feathers.
"Ah, but that is before you try this," Kaldill handed a glass of brandy to Justis. "Don't worry, I'll help you back to your suite if necessary."
"Are you saying I can't hold my alcohol?"
"I'm saying you may not where this is concerned. Come now, share a drink with me." Kaldill lifted his glass. "To Quin. May the next three years pass rapidly."
"Three years?" Justis sounded confused.
"It may take that long before she is ready for us."
Justis cursed before tipping the glass to his lips and swallowing his portion of elvish brandy in one swallow.
*
Quin
"Elf, I know not what was in that brandy, but I'll consider taking longer to drink it next time," Justis told Kaldill at breakfast the following morning.
"Was it not effective?" Kaldill lifted an eyebrow, although his eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Most effective. So effective the castle about me could have melted and I would have slept through it."
"Then the goal was achieved," Kaldill laughed.
"What are they talking about?" Berel whispered next to my ear.
"Drinking, I assume," I replied. "Although they smell better than most who've spent a night in their cups," I added.
"And how would you know?" Justis turned to me.
"Because she saw more than her share of Fyris' nobles, intoxicated and unconscious, when she cleaned their fireplaces every morning." Wolter arrived, followed by Fen, Yann, Orik and Deeds. "Thought we'd check in and have breakfast with you, this morning," Wolter grinned.
"I like it when you smile," I said. I knew, just by looking at him and the others, that they'd been honing their blade skills with Justis' guard. I imagined that the Black Wings were teaching them things they never thought to learn.
"You won't be cleaning fireplaces again," Justis growled and turned back to his food.
"Don't concern yourself—back then, she kept herself dirty so as not to draw attention," Wolter said, taking a seat at the table. "She was only Finder, the mute kitchen girl," he continued. "None thought to look past that, or considered dallying with her."
"Because Wolter would have hit them with a wooden spoon," I said.
"I wanted to throttle the Prince when he came for you," Wolter told me.
"I know."
"Commander Justis?" a Black Wing captain stepped up to our table.
"Yes?" Justis said.
"The King wishes to see you."
"I'm on my way." Justis scooted his chair back and stood.
*
"I'll take no chances with my child," Jurris paced while Justis watched. "Our tenure as guardians for Fyris is long over—they're gone and those responsible for Elabeth, Camryn and Lirin's deaths are now dead. We leave when we have transport. While I regret leaving the castle, I want my child to live and be healthy."
"Kaldill says that the ones providing transport can move the castle to suitable waters elsewhere," Justis broke in.
"What?" Jurris stopped in mid-step to stare at his black-winged brother.
"That's what I understand—that there'll be no need to pack anything—the entire castle and its inhabitants will be moved as one."
"How can that be?" Jurris shook his head. "It confounds my senses."
"I think we can petition to have the Avii as a separate land, apart from the host planet. While we will be subjects of the Alliance, it is my understanding that we will not be unduly burdened by it."
"I recall Kaldill saying as much. It is Wimla's wish that she be attended by Master Ordin and Quin during her pregnancy," Jurris went on. "To ensure the health of our child."
"I think both will be pleased to do so," Justis agreed. "When do you intend to make the announcement to the others?"
"Soon. Perhaps in an eight-day. Until then, the information stays with us."