Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (29 page)

"Of course, but they are in a minority, you
understand."

"Berel, how many do you think we can save?" I asked.
"Your best guess."

"That depends on whether Yokaru's Emperor decides to
leave or not. His people will go or stay, depending upon his decision. That's
nearly one hundred million people. As for Kondar, it's down to a vote. If the
majority votes to leave, then all should leave. If the majority votes no, it's
the same. Everything hinges on those things."

I watched Berel—his jaw worked as he considered whether Siriaa
would live or die. I understood that no matter what Kondar decided, Edden
Charkisul expected Berel to leave Siriaa with me.

I worried that we'd have to plead with the peoples of Siriaa
in order to convince them of their imminent danger, so they'd leave their dying
world behind. "Father is sending three journalists—ones who have already
delved into the mystery of the poison and reported what they knew to the
public. These are reliable professionals who don't report what they can't
substantiate. We need that unbiased reputation so we can present the strongest
case possible."

"Perhaps I can convince Kaldill to record images of New Fyris,
where Amlis is," I said. "Or of the place where Queen Lissa suggests
that the people of Kondar and Yokaru will go. That may help to convince
them."

"Again, we'll have to deal with the mentality of Sector
Two, who will refuse to believe it or say that this is merely image
tampering."

"I never thought of that," I shook my head. "Do
people do that?"

"All the time. We'll have to do our best to prove the
images we have are untouched and real."

"This is impossible," I mumbled, my frustration
rising.

"It is healthy to question—most of the time," Berel
pointed out. "Except in this case, where we don't have time for a debate.
Father told me this morning that the Alliance scientists at the research
facility are backing up their records and preparing to leave with the five air
destroyers. He says Ildevar Wyyld has called them away—they're not needed for a
dying world."

"What is happening?" I whispered. Once, I'd held
hope that Siriaa could be saved. That was no longer true. Now, I could only
hope to save those who lived there, and if they chose otherwise, even that
would prove impossible.

"Father says he'll stay if the people of Kondar vote to
do so," Berel hung his head.

My breath stopped. Edden intended to die with his people, if
that was their decision. "What are we going to do?" Berel lifted his
eyes to mine. They were bright with unshed tears. The High President was the
only parent Berel had left, and I understood all too well what it meant to be
an orphan.

"We have to convince them," I said. "We have
to."

Chapter 15
 

Morningsun

Queen Lissa's Private Journal

"This is fine—the Southern Continent is suitable for the
Kondari—the one farther north will do for the Yokaru." I waded through
tall grass on the plains of the Southern Continent—the soil would grow grain
enough to feed Kondar and Yokaru together.

"I'm sure Kondar will go right back to their five-Sector
plan," Merrill said. He and Gavin escorted me as I examined the continents
before visiting the continent of Cloudsong II. "They can import fruit and
nuts from Cloudsong II that won't be easily grown here," I added. "I
think all three economies can coexist. There's just one problem."

"What's that?" Gavin asked.

"The Avii. The waters surrounding this continent are too
warm, while those around the Northern Continent are too rough. Neither place is
good for the Avii. There's something more suitable around Cloudsong II, but
that's probably not an option, either."

"I have a suggestion," Gavin said. Merrill and I
both stopped in our tracks—Gavin seldom took the lead on things such as this.

"What's that?" I asked.

"You know where the Tooth used to stand—among the tall,
rocky spikes and spires far to the west of Sun City?" He'd named one of
Le-Ath Veronis' natural treasures—before its destruction on the sunny half of
Le-Ath Veronis.

"The rock spires that Gren, Zellar and Tandias destroyed?"
I asked. It still made me angry—the earthquake generated that day had killed
thousands, in addition to destroying a natural landmark.

"Yes. I believe those waters would be suitable for Avii
Castle."

"What? Bring the whole thing? I thought we'd just make a
new one."

"No, I think this one is important," Gavin said.
"I can't say why. You said yourself that it was fired upon and didn't show
a crack or chip afterward."

"So we move the whole, damn thing," I shook my head.
"Yeah. You're right. That's a good location for it, too. The waters are
deep enough and the proper temperature."

"It will place Quin close—I know you like her,"
Gavin's arms went about me. "They'll make dark curtains," he added.
"To block the constant sunlight."

"Everybody has a problem," I shrugged and tilted my
head up for a kiss.

* * *

Avii Castle

Quin

Ordin arrived at midday to call a halt to our planning
session. Berel had two screens filled with small images that we'd selected—he
intended to send the lists to his father for final approval before handing them
to the journalists. We'd written the best descriptions we could for each image,
so they'd be readily understood.

We'd sat on the grass eventually to be comfortable while we
worked, and that's where Ordin found us. "You should rest this
afternoon," he said as Berel helped me up, then took my arm to escort me
to the Library and the meal waiting there.

"I will."
We'll work again after dinner
, I
informed Berel silently. I caught the barest of nods and a curving of his
mouth.

* * *

Morningsun

Queen Lissa's Private Journal

Brandelin II welcomed me as was proper. His grandfather had
ruled Cloudsong II when it was first founded, and I'd worked with him, his son
Jenderlin I and now his grandson, Brandelin II.

"It may be several more generations before the damage
Zellar did to my grandfather's world is completely gone from our race and our
bloodline," Cloudsong II's king nodded as we walked through his private
garden. At least his world was a member of the Reth Alliance in good standing. His
great-great-grandfather had allowed a rogue warlock to destroy Cloudsong I,
even as he attempted to join the Alliance. Ildevar, wise Founder that he was,
refused the application.

"If you bring a population here that is fighting many of
the things Cloudsong I did in the past, who am I to say no? You brought my
grandfather and my great-uncle here in the beginning, to get them away from
Zellar's poison," the King sighed.

"Your grandfather and great-uncle were good men," I
shrugged. "It was the least I could do."

"Do you have information—on the ones coming?" he
asked.

"I do. One continent—the Southern one—will hold a
technically advanced race, with equipment and discoveries only slightly less
than what is accepted in the Alliance. The other is behind them, somewhat. The
first has five Sectors, each with a president and several vice presidents, plus
one high president who rules over all five Sectors. The other is a monarchy,
with an Emperor. He is benign and fair for the most part, has seventy wives and
the stamina of a warship, if I understand correctly."

"I imagine he'd need it," Brandelin chuckled.

"The Alliance will be watching closely—they will be
allowed to live here as long as the general laws are observed and peace is
maintained," I continued. "If that changes, then they may find
themselves outside the Alliance without friends."

"When will they arrive?" Brandelin asked.

"Well, that's still up in the air," I said.
"There's no doubt their world is dying, but everything hinges on a vote of
the people in Kondar and the decision of the Emperor in Yokaru. I'm sure that's
what their continents will be named, should they accept Morningsun as their new
home."

"Then I will study the information you've brought most
diligently. I hope these rulers will accept an invitation to dinner?"

"I'll look into it," I said with a nod. "Is
Willow here at the palace?"

"He is at his farm outside the city—he doesn't come
often, unless he's needed," Brandelin shrugged.

"Then I'll visit him," I said.

* * *

"I heard." Willow, if anything, was a Green Fae of
few words. I'd found him in his barn, kneeling to tend a new calf and her
mother.

"Corent sends his regards," I said.

"I return mine," Willow grunted as he stood and
stretched. "You worry that nobody may show up, don't you?" He offered
his full attention, then.

"Yes. They'd be fools not to leave, but yes."

"Why do you need me?"

"Because you're Green Fae, and in your lifetime, you've
moved many times. Granted, your race was persecuted by superstitious humans and
that resulted in the moves, but these people will be terrified of the unknown.
You know this world. I'm asking you to be an ambassador."

"Think they'll listen to me?" Willow walked out of
the stall, closed the gate behind him and nodded toward the barn's wide opening
and sunlight beyond that.

"I'd be willing to do hand puppets if I thought they'd
pay attention," I muttered, walking beside him.

"Sounds demeaning," Willow shrugged. "For a
Queen, anyway."

"Are you teasing me?" I lifted an eyebrow.

"I suspect you'd be the best judge of that." I
caught the hint of a smile, however, so my question was answered. "What do
you want me to say?" he asked. "To these people?"

"Tell them that Morningsun is waiting. That it will have
everything they need. Anything else you can think of," I said.

"I'll think on it, then. When do you want me to go?"

"Tomorrow?"

"I'll be ready."

* * *

Avii Castle

Quin

"Dearest?" Kaldill found me, sitting with Berel on
his bed after dinner. I had a stack of parchment before me, where words had
been written and then marked through many times. I'd never had trouble writing
my thoughts before, but then the fate of Siriaa's inhabitants had never rested
on them, either.

The soft mattress gave under Kaldill's weight as he settled on
the edge, watching as I wrote Berel's and my latest attempt at catching the
interest of newsvid viewers. "Kaldill?" I lifted my head after
writing the last word. Already it felt useless and inappropriate.

"Queen Lissa is sending someone tomorrow, who lives on
Morningsun. He will answer questions about the world chosen for Siriaa's
people. She also has information as to where Avii Castle will be placed—the
intention is to take the entire thing and set it in the waters outside Sun City
on Le-Ath Veronis.

"I thought it was dark there. All the time," I
responded.

"The planet rotates on its side. Half is in constant
darkness, half is in constant light. Sun City is on the border of both, and due
to a wobble in the planet's rotation, the light dims at times but never
completely goes away. They're considering dark curtains or heavy shutters, so
the castle's inhabitants can sleep."

"What about the castle's bowl—and the animals
there?" I asked. "They need sleep, too."

"Sheds and additional trees?" Kaldill smiled.
"Better than death, don't you think? Lissa chose that particular spot
because of the depth of water, water temperature and the sea itself—it closely
matches what Avii Castle has now."

"Yes," I lowered my eyes. We had to convince
everyone to move, first, and that looked to be daunting enough. Sleeping
animals could be dealt with later.

"Our visitor's name is Willow, and he will arrive before midday
tomorrow. You may ask any questions you wish—Willow knows much about
Morningsun, its animals and people. He is advisor to the current King, and to
his father and grandfather when they were kings."

"How old is he?" I asked.

"Willow keeps his age to himself, but I believe he is
quite old, indeed. No one knows more about animals and growing things than he
does. Like you, he eats no meat, although he raises cows for milk and
cheese."

"What about the others—do they consume meat?" Berel
asked.

"Oh, yes. The King has extended an invitation for your father
and the Emperor of Yokaru to join him for dinner, but perhaps that should be
put off for a bit, until a decision is made."

"Does the King not want us to come?" Berel asked.
"And I don't like the idea of Quin being on another world."

"Ah—I knew you'd say that," Kaldill laughed.
"There is no worry—I or one of mine can transport you anytime, and I
expect your father wishes you to retain your ambassador status to the
Avii."

"Good—ah—thank you," Berel dipped his head
respectfully before grasping my fingers in his.

"Now, should you not consider resting?" Kaldill
turned his focus on me. "I understand that this troubles you, but sleep
can often bring fresh ideas. Shall I escort you to Commander Justis' suite, or
would you prefer that Berel take you?"

"I'll come with you—Berel needs rest just as much as I
do."

"Quinnie, I'll see you at breakfast," Berel nodded
to me before letting my fingers go.

"All right." Kaldill took my arm and led me from
Berel's suite.

* * *

"There are days—most of them, in fact—when my body wishes
you were older," Kaldill smiled as we stopped right outside my bedroom
door. "Nevertheless, I will be patient." He leaned in to place a
swift kiss on my mouth.

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.