Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 (8 page)

"He's a bona-fide difik," Gardevik Rath appeared
beside Kooper.

"How do you know about this?" Lissa's hands went to
her hips and her eyes narrowed at her High Demon mate.

"Our son, Torevik, has apparently had a conversation with
Salidar, who spoke with Trajan."

"Of course he did," Lissa tossed up a hand in
resignation. "Is there anybody who doesn't know by now?"

"The information is kept among the powerful," Garde
defended himself.

"Except that King Jayd knows it, Queen Glinda knows it
and likely half the High Demon population on Kifirin knows it. Are you trying
to panic everybody in the Alliance?"

"Not intentionally. You know High Demons are impervious
to poison. That makes us a logical choice to visit this planet—I've never heard
of it before."

"Siriaa, and it's almost at the space travel stage. If
this weren't happening, Ildevar would likely approach them for membership in
the Reth Alliance."

"That's an interesting offer though—if that's what it is,"
Kooper interrupted thoughtfully. "A few High Demons as guards—they can
protect anyone within a few feet by the natural shields they have. We can dig
for this poison and take samples, but I hesitate to take it off the planet. Can
we build a facility there, to study it?"

"That sounds logical," Lissa blew out a breath. "Will
Daragar consent to construct something with Kaldill's help, or should we send
someone else? How many High Demons want to go?"

"I do. Tory wants to go. Reah, perhaps, and Kordevik Weth."

"Don't you think we need more than four?" One of
Lissa's eyebrows rose as she asked the question.

"Kifirin. Kifirin wishes to come." Garde hung his
head.

"Fine. Is this your way of trying to get back in my good
graces?"

"I—yes."

"We'll talk if things go well on Siriaa."

"Really?" Garde's head jerked up and a smile tugged
at his lips. "I'll make sure of it."

* * *

Fyris

Ardis moved to fly above me as we approached Vhrist. Pulling
in my wings, I dropped until he caught and held my body against his while his
wings continued to work above us.

I could tell Justis and the black-wing guard had practiced
this maneuver many times. It was a method of collecting a wounded comrade in
midair and I couldn't fault Ardis' execution of the tactic.

Perhaps a mile to the north under a half-moon's light, I could
see Vhrist and the sea beyond. It was time to tell Justis where we were going.

The dungeon is near the docks—the one where drunken sailors
are often held
, I sent to the Commander. I knew Justis imagined Rath would
be held in the palace dungeons, but Yevil, in an attempt to keep Rath's loyal troops
from fighting to free him, had moved the prisoner under cover of darkness to
the new location.

I also knew this dungeon had its share of water-covered floors
and rats that swam in and out with the rise and fall of tides. Rath, who'd
fought with Yevil's troops, had received a damaging blow to his head and now
lay unconscious on a stone floor with filthy water rising about him.

Yevil hoped Rath would die of the head wound or drown while
unconscious. I hoped we'd arrive in time to prevent either.

"Tell Ardis where to fly—we'll follow," Justis
hissed as he flew close.

I will
, I responded silently. I'd been compelled to
tell Justis before we flew away from Lironis that I could send mental messages.
He'd promised to have a discussion with me later concerning withheld
information.

You could attempt to speak to me, mind to mind
, I
added. He hadn't tried before, but the Orb had spoken to him—not Jurris.

What?
Immediately inserted itself into my brain.

You have mindspeech
, I said.
I heard you easily
.

Several curse words lodged inside my head, few of them aimed
at me. I was grateful.

When Justis took the lead after I explained how to get to the
sailor's lockup in a mental conversation, we wheeled far to the west and came
in low over the water, instead of risking flight past the palace guards. Justis
and his Black Wings flew silently as we made our way into Vhrist.

* * *

Three of the five weapons Yevil still possessed wouldn't fire.

Two, though—he smiled at the deep holes he'd made in the
castle's outside walls. These two operated more silently than the other he'd
used. Who knew where it was now? Yevil didn't care, as long as he had weapons
that would work.

"My Lord, we suspect an escape attempt—a guard reported a
shadow between him and the moonlight overhead," one of Yevil's guards
reported breathlessly. He'd run all the way from the docks to deliver his
message.

"Get horses," Yevil snapped. "I look forward to
killing another winged devil."

* * *

Quin

I was terrified. Yevil was on the way and we had just gotten
past the guards at the entrance. All four lay unconscious after Justis and his
Black Wings delivered head blows. More guards stood along corridors barring the
way, waiting to attack anyone who might attempt a rescue.

I learned that night how ineffective Tamblin's guards were
against the Avii. Justis, Ardis and the others were faster and better trained
than any in Fyris. I also discovered that each Black Wing carried two knives
that proved deadly to those who chose to come against them.

Still, Yevil was on the way and the weapon he carried didn't
require hand-to-hand combat. My breaths trembling in my chest when we reached
Rath's cell, I informed Justis of what was coming.

* * *

Lironis

"Is it time?" Kaldill drained a cup of wine. It was
Fyrian and substandard, but he disregarded the taste.

"If you like," Daragar shrugged. "What is your
intention?"

"Benign, for the moment," Kaldill replied. "That
could change if Quin is attacked."

"Then I will allow you to handle this," Daragar
inclined his head. "Your reaction is likely to be less destructive than
mine, should that happen."

"I applaud the restraint you have shown thus far,"
Kaldill agreed. "Yes, I will handle this."

* * *

Vhrist

Quin

After fighting our way through the last six guards, I took the
lead and the others followed. Water was halfway to my knees and sloshing
noisily against stone walls as I waded through it, terrified that Rath would
drown before we reached him.

Rats squeaked and swam or skittered about us, making me
grateful that Justis and the others wore tall, black boots to prevent bites.
The rats, like every living creature in Fyris, were starving. Me they wouldn't
touch—I'd already warned them away from my feet and legs, but Justis and the
others had no such talent.

Rath's head bobbed upon swirling waters when we reached his
cell. I wanted to cry out—metal bars stood between us and a dying man. Years of
saltwater had taken a toll on the metal, however, and when six Black Wings
placed their hands upon the bars and pulled, they bounced backward as the metal
gave way with a sickening screech.

Ardis almost dropped into the water, but was pulled back by a
hand from Justis. Rushing around Justis' bulk, I ran inside the cell and knelt
beside Rath, pulling his head up so he wouldn't breathe putrid, salty water.

I had to deliver a warning before I could offer Rath any
healing, however. Yevil arrived at the outer gate and was making his way
through the sailor's dungeon, a weapon capable of killing any living thing held
in his hand. We still had to get out again; Yevil and the weapon he carried would
be blocking our path.

* * *

Wyyld II

Father, I could handle this for you
, Lendill sent
mindspeech.

I know you still handle special projects for the ASD, but I
am not without resources
, Kaldill pointed out.
See?
He sent the
mental image.
The buffoon has no idea we're following him
.

Pap, that's a ranos pistol he has in his hand
, Lendill
pointed out.

I have shields
, Kaldill replied.
Quin, on the other
hand, does not.

Quin?

I'll bring her soon for introductions.

Not if that weapon hits her. Unless I miss my guess, that
one is ancient and has no safety measures
.

Then I hope it blows up in this miscreant's face
,
Kaldill said.

You can't count on that.

I count on few things. Besides, Daragar is with me, and he
is eyeing this device with skepticism.

You have the Larentii with you? Pap, what do you have up
your sleeve?

My arm—on both sides
.

Should I send for Kooper? He can bite the bastard and be
done with it
.

Tell him to save his venom for a more worthy adversary.
This one is mentally unstable; I can feel the warped vibrations from here
.

Pap, please be careful
, Lendill begged.

I will
.

* * *

Quin

How well can you see in the dark?
I asked Justis.

Well enough—better than those from Fyris
, he replied.

Then put out the torches
, I said. Ardis knelt next to
me, holding Rath's head up while I attempted to heal his head wound. Hoping
that Yevil couldn't see as well as Justis in the dark, I prayed any shots he fired
would fail to find a target.

Justis lifted the first torch from the wall and dropped it
into the water at his feet. It died with a hiss, leaving us in dimmer light.
Nodding to two more Black Wings to do the same, torches came down and went out
in a sizzle of smoke and fumes.

That left only one light in Rath's cell—mine. It shone golden
as I continued my healing efforts.
Move away—stand by Justis
, I
instructed Ardis mentally.
Take the evil when he arrives and aims his weapon
at me
.

Water swished about Ardis' feet as he stood and went to find
Justis. I knew Yevil would arrive very soon.

In a few moments, Rath would be healed. My light would
dissipate then, but would it be swift enough? Shoving my fears aside, I
continued my efforts.

* * *

Le-Ath Veronis

"An elf and a Larentii stalking a killer? I don't believe
this," Lissa dropped her face in her hands. "Why didn't they ask me?
I could take care of this in seconds. Neither one has experience in these
matters—what do you suppose they intend to do?" Lissa lifted her gaze to
Kooper, who'd just gotten word from Lendill Schaff.

"I can't help but think this is going to be the case of
the rabbit stalking a wolf. Not that they don't have power—we know better. They've
never handled anything like this in their lives. Kaldill has an army of trained
elves to fight his battles."

"You could go," Lissa suggested.

"Lendill offered my services. Kaldill refused."

"And it just gets better," Lissa muttered. "Keep
me posted. I want to know how this turns out."

* * *

Vhrist

Light reflected off rising water and flickered against stone
walls—the fools still had torches burning. Yevil grinned at the thought. They'd
be easy targets for his weapon. Motioning for the guards who strode ahead of him
to step back, he took the lead, his weapon poised to fire.

* * *

Only Quin's light remains inside the cell, brother
,
Daragar sent to Kaldill.

Agreed
, Kaldill responded.
I have a plan, since this
filth will aim at the one he sees first
.

Ah
, Daragar smiled as the mental image came to him.
An
elf should never be underestimated, or so Nefrigar says
, he added.

The Chief Archivist is well known and highly respected by
my people
, Kaldill said.
Now—it is time
.

* * *

Quin

Rath moaned—the first sign that he still lived. I worried that
he and I would both die, however—Yevil was poised to walk into view and Rath
still needed help. Strange, that it took only moments for Yevil to make his way
through the maze to find us.

Of course, Justis and his Black Wings had to fight their way
to Rath's cell, rather than striding swiftly in that direction. Healing, in my
experience, could not be rushed if I wanted the patient to survive.

Yevil's voice sounded and I jerked my head up to see the
weapon pointed at me. He laughed, too, while he aimed it at my head. "The
mute girl grew wings. That's too bad. You're dead."

The weapon fired.

Chapter 5
 

Vhrist

Quin

I may never see again what I witnessed that night, while Rath
woke after his wound was healed.

Yevil, as if he'd been surrounded by the glass of Avii Castle,
screamed as the blast of light emitted by his weapon bounced like lightning
inside the sphere about him, before striking his right leg below the knee and
severing it.

His screams erupted louder and higher past that point as three
guards dared to rush Justis, Ardis and four black-winged guards.

Yevil's men died quickly while Yevil dropped to the bottom of
his sphere, weeping from the pain and loss of a limb.

"I must admit, I didn't see that coming," Kaldill
muttered as he appeared and stepped around Yevil's transparent prison. Daragar
lifted an interested eyebrow at Yevil's plight before moving around him and
following Kaldill.

"I think we should take that filth with us," I
jerked my head toward Yevil, whose howls could still be heard.

"If you wish it," Kaldill shrugged. "I believe
your theory could be tested if we carried him back. Is this what you wish,
Cheah-mul?"

"Yes," I shrugged, although the unusual language he
employed at the end evaded my interpretation skills.