Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(82)
"Unless the money is really, really good," Kooper observed. "In Vardil's case, that's exactly how it'll be."
"If this happens, you'll have to look for worlds where significant numbers of people disappear, then reappear not long after, their bodies dumped and not only dead but looking ravaged for no apparent reason. Soul shifting isn't easy on either party."
"You know there are plenty of non-Alliance worlds where we can't get good information," Kooper said. "We have spies on many, but not all."
"Does Lissa have any updates on Siriaa?" Reah asked.
"Not yet—they've just started the council debates."
"I heard from Tory—after the brief uprising in New Fyris, things have smoothed out. Amlis is learning what it means to be Prince."
"That means being a diplomat, instead of the murderer his father was."
"There's always an adjustment to be made," Reah smiled.
"I should get back to Le-Ath Veronis—I have to release a bulletin on what the agents should look for," Kooper stood and stretched.
"You need help, Kooper, we go anytime," Farzi offered. Nenzi, seated beside Farzi, nodded his agreement with enthusiasm.
"I may take you up on that," Kooper grinned at both.
*
Avii Castle
Quin
My eyes are going dark, the journal read. Therefore, it is time I made my confession, in case Liron returns to Fyris one day.
I'd almost nodded off before I came to that section of the journal. Ulrin's words, however, made me push myself straighter on the bed and pull the journal closer.
"Liron went to Fyris?" I breathed, running a finger down the page. Clearly, Ulrin's eyesight was failing him—the words were larger and fewer on the page. Hastily I turned the page and gasped—the writing was like none I'd ever seen before.
It was upside down and backward, at the same time.
I will write in this manner, as neither Yevil nor the King are adept at reading and this will likely confound them, Ulrin noted. It is no wonder they burned the books in Tandelis' study, and removed pages from many others—they failed to understand their importance.
I discovered I'd been holding my breath, so I released it with a sigh before continuing.
Liron appeared to me one night, only a few moon-turns before Elabeth would arrive to perform the Saving. Yes, I knew what it was, although I'd never witnessed it and have no idea how it was accomplished.
Nevertheless, Liron came to me and laid the metal box at the foot of my bed. To say I was frightened would not be an accurate description—my fear was far beyond that of anything I'd ever experienced.
My voice trembled when I asked him why he'd come to me.
"You are in a position to help save Fyris and the lands outside Fyris," he said. I was much surprised at the softness of his voice, as if he were speaking to a friend, rather than as a god to an underling.
"How can I do this?" I questioned him. "I am only a physician."
"Your comings and goings throughout the castle are not questioned," Liron informed me. He was correct—the guards all knew me and allowed me through, whereas anyone else could be stopped at any time, by Tandelis' orders. After all, I was physician to everyone in the castle, not just the Prince.
"Your task is simple," Liron explained. "All you have to do is release the child inside this box. She is connected to the Orb that guards Avii Castle. Together, they will prevent a terrible injustice from happening, which will spell doom for all on this world."
"What must I do after the child is released?" I asked him. I admit that I was trembling by that time—Liron was predicting the end of everything if I failed to comply, and the idea of a girl in the metal box he'd brought? That was terrifying. How could a girl be kept in a box for moon-turns?
"See?" he lifted the lid and I stared—not just at the light coming from inside the box, but at the beautiful child that lay within. "When you lift the lid, she will breathe and wake. You must take her to the throne room, where Tandelis will greet Elabeth and her Avii companions. The girl is connected to the Orb. If Tamblin or any of his raise their hands against Elabeth, then the Orb will see and arrive to protect. Thus, you will have a hand in saving Fyris, just as Elabeth will."
Of course, I was prepared to do Liron's bidding.
Then.
After Liron left, I hid the box beneath my bed and resolved to keep anyone from dusting beneath it until I removed it. It is with great sorrow that I must report what came about after.
Everyone, with the exception of Tandelis, I believe, knew of the disappearances and secret murders performed or commanded by Tamblin and Yevil during that time. Nobody was safe—even the servants were too afraid to gossip concerning the evil taking place. If it were learned that they had, they also disappeared and many bodies were never found. Liron had known this was coming, but trusted me to do as he'd asked.
During that time, I continued to do my work, but my head was lowered around Tamblin or Yevil inside the castle and I scurried away the moment my work was done.
On the day that Elabeth and Camryn appeared, carrying their tiny child with them, I was too frightened of Tamblin and Yevil to do as I was bid. Shivering in my quarters, I informed servants that I was ill and remained there, the box still hidden beneath my bed.