Keeper (First Ordinance #2)(9)
"Yes. I have been to Kondar," I nodded. "Twice."
"What about the other—what did you call it?" Wolter asked.
"No. I have only read about Yokaru."
"So those notes were indeed yours," Wolter shook his head.
"They are," I agreed. He'd found my old hiding place, beneath my bed. I no longer feared for my life if those were discovered, however. I feared for my life for other reasons instead.
"Marisa is dead," Deeds informed me.
"I know." I came to stand next to Wolter at the balustrade. "I do not mourn her."
"Neither does anyone else," Orik cackled.
"Who is running the castle in Tamblin's absence?" I asked.
"Old Varnell," Wolter replied. "Too old to take to the road. Too old to put up much of a fight, either, once we get back."
He'd named the eldest of Tamblin's inner circle. I'd seldom seen him, actually, and had no idea what he might do when Omina and Amlis appeared to claim the throne and dispense with his authority.
"How many guards?" Orik asked.
"Probably two dozen at most. Tamblin thinks the people are meeker than sheep. While most of the nobles and their sons have gone to Vhrist with the King, there are enough left to create difficulties for Varnell."
"Or to stand with him," Deeds muttered. "Those who think to gain Tamblin's favor by siding with Varnell."
"It will be our job to convince them otherwise," Rodrik joined us, with Amlis and Omina not far behind.
"Prince Amlis, the ships will come from there," Yissy piped while pointing to the west.
"Will they, now?" Amlis smiled at her.
"Finder said so."
"Yissy, her name is Quin," Sofi corrected.
"She may call me Finder if she wants," I shrugged. "Yissy and I know one another, after all." I smiled at the small girl.
"I have never been here. It really is glass, as Tandelis always said," Omina observed while gripping the smooth edges of the protective railing. Three Avii flew swiftly past, causing Yissy to squeal in delight. These were Brown Wings, likely curious about the ones from Fyris. I imagined that word had spread quickly of their presence.
I hoped they weren't in danger as a result. I shouldn't have worried; Justis and three Black Wings arrived in moments. I recognized one of them easily enough—he'd tried to kill me twice and then plucked at least one primary feather from my wings.
"Jurris granted you this," Justis nodded toward Ardis, a former captain in his guard.
"Then I thank the King," I said, nodding respectfully to Justis.
"Ardis will travel with us as an extra guard with no rank. He will have to earn his way back to my trust," Justis informed me.
"I hope that happens," I said, nodding to him and to Ardis beyond. What occurred next surprised me greatly.
Ardis dropped to his knees. "Thank you, Lady," he breathed, his head bowed.
*
Wyyld II
"It took many centuries to make Gaelar N'Seith as we knew it," Kaldill Schaff, King of the Elves, said as he touched the leaves of the gishi tree growing outside his window. "We were never successful in our attempts to grow gishi fruit before. This soil seems suitable, don't you think?"
"I'll wait to taste the fruit," Lendill Schaff, Prince-Heir and Kaldill's only remaining son, replied.
"Cynic," Kaldill laughed.
"I miss the old place," Lendill sighed.
"As do I. One cannot be choosy when one's planet is reduced to rubble by rogue gods and a ranos cannon," Kaldill responded philosophically.
"They were aiming for Ildevar. They had no idea that the elves and Gaelar N'Seith would fall as well. You hid us from everyone too successfully." Lendill's voice held regret.
"We would have been overrun long ago, had that information been available to many."
"My King, someone is here to see you," a servant arrived and bowed to Kaldill.
"I had no idea I should expect guests," Kaldill replied.
"I'm glad you're not cursing," Lendill smiled.
"I can, if you wish to hear it."
"No, thank you. Who is it, Hillen?"
"A Larentii, my Prince. He says he has questions for the King."
"Why did you keep a Larentii waiting?" Kaldill lifted an eyebrow.
"I did not wish to interrupt your time with the Prince."
"I see the Prince every day. I only see the Larentii once in a while," Kaldill waved an arm. "Send him in. Immediately."
"Daragar," Kaldill crowed as the Larentii appeared before him. "I haven't seen you in years."
"I have questions and important information," Daragar replied. "Shall we find a private place to converse?"
*
Avii Castle
Quin
The ships arrived before sunrise, their gray hulls blending with the water so early in the morning. Berel and I watched them approach, thankful the air was warm enough as we stood on the terrace outside the Library.
The others—all of them—were still sleeping. Jurris informed them of what they'd already guessed the day before; they'd return to Fyris with three Kondari ships, their crew and a few Avii.