She needs Zaria's help too, I realized. Li'Neruh had included her in his delay. The others had no real excuse for their actions—Zaria had removed the troublemakers who'd spent excessive amounts of time in the palace and became affected by Liron and Acrimus' poison.
Those were now in comfortable holding cells on Avendor—outside the boundaries of EastStar. Reah and a crew of others from NorthStar and SouthStar were tending to the prisoners' needs until Zaria could Change What Was with Li'Neruh's permission.
"Does the rape victim need medical or psychological attention?" I asked Bryan.
"Probably. She wasn't getting anything on Kifirin."
"I'll ask Karzac to send a comesuli physician and therapist, then."
"Good idea," Bryan said and stood to stretch. "I'm going to New Fangled for a drink and then go home. Maybe."
"Get some rest, you look tired," I said as he strode toward the door.
"I will. Thanks, Lissa."
"For what?"
"For being the Queen Le-Ath Veronis needs and deserves."
"Uh—you're welcome," I stuttered. Nobody had ever really thanked me for that before. Mostly I dealt with grumblings in the Council when something didn't go somebody's way.
Bryan waved and walked out the door, closing it softly behind him.
"You are the example that other rulers strive to emulate—if they have any sense at all." Breanne appeared in my study and took the seat previously occupied by Bryan.
"You trying to give me a big head?" I blinked at my sister.
"Nah—your crown wouldn't fit," she teased.
"I don't feel like somebody to emulate," I sighed. "I feel like a fool for not keeping a closer eye on Kifirin."
"Like you've had so much free time, and that it's your responsibility to rule two planets," Bree said. "The Alliance has an oversight committee. Bryan is correct. Kifirin skated through the past thirty years or so by doing exactly what was necessary to pass Alliance inspection. It would have taken a much earlier deposing of Kifirin's ruling house to avoid all this."
"Has the ruling house been deposed?" I frowned at Bree.
"Not officially. Hank is right in this; we have to see how this plays out."
Hank. Li'Neruh's other name—one of them, anyway. I doubted my sister called out Li'Neruh when those two were in bed together.
"I don't," she laughed.
"Did you come by for coffee?" I asked.
"Well, I wouldn't mind herbal tea. I really came to talk about Zaria. Corinnelar. Whatever name she wants to use," Bree told me.
"Just about her, or that Charles is her original father, or that Li'Neruh wants to jump her bones?"
"Charles is very closed-mouthed about this, and won't talk about how Wellend should have been her father, had she not gotten the Lyristolyi drug that circumvented that."
"That's interesting," I said. It was. It made sense, especially if your original father had a problem letting anyone else physically father his offspring in another incarnation.
"I think this is why Zaria can see through anybody, gods included."
I went still. Charles, as Wisdom, may have known this from the get-go. Or at least suspected it.
"But," I began.
"Zaria is an anomaly."
"But," I went on.
"Wisdom lent her power, but she doesn't need it any longer."
"What the fuck are you trying to say?" I whispered.
"I'm saying that this is how it happened for Strength, Wisdom and Love. We Became on our own. Zaria has Become on her own. Sure, we named her a guardian, but that was only an interim thing."
I closed my eyes and took a very deep breath. I'd gained what I had through Ashe, Charles and Bree. Zaria hadn't needed it. Nobody had to give her anything.
"Does Kalenegar know?" I breathed and opened my eyes. After all, he was the first mate that Zaria and Bree shared.
"He'll figure it out. She will, too."
"She doesn't know?"
"Not yet. Her mind is occupied with other things, you understand."
"I get that. What does this mean to the rest of us?"
"She's not going to take over," Bree shrugged. "If that's what you're worried about. Everything will be pretty much the same. Some things will be a little more secure, maybe?"
"What about Kifirin?"
"The planet?"
"Yeah."
"Well, you've already heard me say that Jayd may not be in charge eventually."
"I figured that out, yes."
"Glinda was right to choose Reah. With her belief in fairness to all, she's a good choice. She has an excellent support system around her, too, and a willingness to ask for help if it's needed. That won't mean she'll have an easy path in front of her, though. Plenty of damage has been done and that will have to be addressed."
Again I wondered what Li'Neruh's plan was in all this, but decided to shunt that thought aside for now.
Zaria.
If she weren't handling the mess on Earth right now—who would have to? The rest of us had our own difficulties, and the fate of Kifirin complicated everything. The rest of us were deep into handling our own affairs and those of the worlds we either governed or guarded. Earth was a lonely outpost that had drawn rogue god attention for a very long time.
Probably because the Three were born there, after sloughing away their celestial personas to deal with those same rogue gods.
Why had they chosen Earth?
It could have been Avendor, or Wyyld or Hraede. Those were all stable planets. An easier time could have been had by all.
"You're getting warmer, but still not there, yet," Bree said. "Stop worrying about it for now. Let's have tea."
* * *
B'Eradonn
Ra'Ak Prince Vantes
I watched him carefully. I hadn't seen him in a while—not since he'd come to tell me of the Library's existence. I'd chosen Morgett to hunt it, while distracting the peoples of Earth with the goals of others he'd brought with him.
This one was powerful. He paced inside the large room I'd chosen as my study. It was spacious enough to turn Ra'Ak if I wished.
There was no need for it in this meeting.
"Morgett is planning your demise, you know," he finally stopped pacing and turned to look at me. White wings rustled at his back.
"I suspected as much, although he was the best choice to search for the Library. I have many of mine poised to arrive and take it from him before his hands can grasp any part of it," I replied.
"They will search in the wrong place," he turned piercing eyes upon me. Most cannot bear to gaze upon my kind so baldly. He had no trouble doing so.
"Where should they be searching, then?" I asked, pulling the maps of Earth that were lying on my desk toward me.
"Here." He tapped a spot on the map. "It is considered a sacred space by the original inhabitants. I believe the Library intended this."
"This will present no problems to my army," I said.
"We know this. The One finds your rule pleasing to him; you must command the Library, however, to push your enemies into oblivion."
"When should we go?" I asked.
"When Morgett approaches the trap laid for him, you must move quickly," he said.
I knew he spoke truth; his white wings proclaimed him a messenger of the One. "May I know your name?" I asked. "My race will hold it in honor from now on."
"Liron," he nodded. "The One will be pleased."
He disappeared from my study, while I turned back to the designated point on the map before me.
* * *
Kent, England
Opal
"Here, you can be yourself," Kiarra told me. "The property is extensive and you can run as much and as long as you like."
We stood on the manicured lawn outside Gryphon Manor. I found it strange how things can loop into an altered timeline. I'd met Kiarra in the future, and I was meeting her now. It was disorienting for me, because I recalled both meetings. This Kiarra didn't have suc
h recollections.
She did have a very good grasp of what something like that could mean, however. She understood I was a shapeshifter, too, and offered the luxury of turning and allowing my velociraptor the freedom to run.
Or chase butterflies, if I wanted.
"I remember when I was small," I said. "Spring always meant butterflies would come. To me, as a child, I felt as if I'd been given a gift because they were so beautiful."
"I believe they are a gift. Why else would they be so lovely?" Kiarra smiled.
"Maybe I'll look into who created them," I said. "It's still too early for them to be out here, and that's unfortunate."
"They'll be present on many planets at the moment," Kiarra's eyes lost focus for seconds as she Looked for butterflies on other worlds.
"You're right, I just can't go find them, as nice as that sounds. Things feel—unsettled."
"I know what you mean. I hope there are butterflies waiting for us somewhere when this is over."
She'd voiced my concern—that not all of us might make it out alive. Zaria's fears that rogue gods could be involved almost assured us of that.
Zaria would never voice that fear unless it held weight as a possibility. No longer did we have to worry only about preserving the worthless lives of the twins and V'ili. Depending on which gods were involved, things could become so much more complicated.
"I think I'll run for half an hour, so I can think," I nodded to Kiarra. My velociraptor sprinted away immediately.
Chapter 13
Northern Reaches, Kifirin
Foth Castle; Aldavik Foth
Mayarok and Fredevik Greth had brought many of theirs with them, and were now crowded into buildings originally constructed to house troops.
"Jaydevik has lost his mind," Fredevik grumbled as he handed me the royally-sealed writ delivered to him earlier. "They're searching for you, too, or members of your family, at least."
"They know where I live," I allowed a curl of smoke to drift away with my breath.
"That's what worries us," Mayarok clung to Fred's arm. "We want no part of this invasion, but it's a death sentence to disagree. Weth has already deserted Kifirin, and I worry that they will not answer if their assistance is needed."
"I know about the charges of treason against Weth," I rumbled. My Thifilathi wanted out, and I struggled to control it. "Even some of my own sons have aligned with this ridiculous ideology, and I can't convince them otherwise."
"Mine, too," Fredevik growled. Mayarok looked as if she were ready to cry. "The humanoids are trapped in the city and can't get out. Mayarok and I are fearful for their lives. Already, many have been killed."
"I've heard that humanoids from the outlying cities and villages are marching in to help, but they'll be slaughtered," Mayarok wiped tears away. "I don't understand how this happened."
"I fail to understand, too," I admitted. "Many things have deteriorated in the past twenty turns or more. I cannot explain it. If Nedevik were here, perhaps he'd know more."
"Even Nedevik couldn't turn the King and Prime Minister away from this madness, and there are none more diplomatic than he is. He was sent to the dungeon for attempting to convince them that their plans were wrong." Mayarok sighed and leaned against Fredevik.
"He and his family escaped not long after," I nodded at her words. "They have no reason to return; they'll face a death sentence if they do."
"I heard that Li'Neruh Rath may have had a hand in getting Weth away," Fredevik said. "I wish I could believe that, as it gives the rest of us hope."
"I'd settle for Kifirin's help, if it would keep this planet from tearing itself apart," I snarled. "But you can't depend on the gods. Look what happened in the past. Kifirin slept and while he slept, the dark worlds were destroyed. Nedevik was the only one to argue their case with Lendevik, and he ignored the plea and chastised Nedevik for making it."
"I still feel I was weak in not standing with him," Fredevik admitted.
"I, too."
* * *
Kent, England
Zaria
I'd arrived just before breakfast. Things weren't going so well on Kifirin. Humanoids had died in the night, which angered me. That's why I sent mindspeech to Lexsi, waking her and Kory.
"I dreamed it," Lexsi admitted when she and Kory skipped downstairs after pulling on clothes. "Is there anything we can do?"
"I have a suggestion, but it'll piss Jayd and Garde off," I said.
"I'm willing to do anything," Kory blew smoke. "I don't care if Jayd gets pissed."
He hadn't forgotten that his father had been tossed in the palace dungeons for disagreeing with Jayd. I hadn't forgotten that, either.
"How about a tunnel?" I asked. "To get the humanoids out of Veshtul and on their way to the Northern Reaches? Foth and Greth have already met there; that's one line of defense against an invasion of crazy High Demons."
"Will you do this?" Lexsi blinked at me. "I mean, Kory and I could probably form a tunnel with fire, but it will take a while. I know people died last night on Kifirin. I don't want more to die if I can help it."
"I'll create the tunnel, and help you convince the humanoids to use it," I said. "That's why I woke you—to see if you would like to do this."
"Of course," Kory said. "Do we need any of my brothers?"
"Not yet, unless Wardevik wants to come."
"I'll send mindspeech," Kory said. "He's just like my father. If anybody can convince those people to trust us, he can."
"Send mindspeech, then. I can bend time and get us there before all this crap happened last night," I said.
"Hurry, Kory," Lexsi begged.
"Already done, onion," Kory pulled her against him.
* * *
Lexsi
Wardevik had dressed just as quickly as Kory and I had; he was still straightening his clothing when Zaria Pulled him to Gryphon Manor.
"I let Pap know," Wardevik nodded to Kory, once he'd gotten his shirt buttoned properly. "Hello, Lexsi. Good to see you again. Zaria, thank you for providing transportation."
"You wouldn't have gotten in, otherwise," Zaria smiled at him. "Ready to go to Veshtul? We have people to convince and lives to save."
"I know several Guild Masters," Wardevik said. "I'm hoping we can start with them, if they're still alive."
"We'll find out soon enough," Zaria said and moved us in a blink.
It's strange that I feel no disorientation when Zaria bends time with us. It had taken a few days to get my bearings when I was first dropped off in San Rafael. Kory and I had both been gone from our normal timeline for nearly two years.
Perhaps it was no longer disorienting because we now felt comfortable in both times and places.
When we arrived after nightfall in Veshtul, we found streetlamps either broken or disconnected from their solar power sources, leaving only moonlight to dimly illuminate the cobble-and-brick streets.
During the day, the colors of those bricks and cobbles would be wondrous, as would the colors of shops and homes—if they were still intact. Looking around me, I saw that many buildings were damaged—some beyond repair. Most were scorched or bore scars of deep burns, indicating that angry High Demon Thifilathis had come this way.
This may not be easy, I sent to Zaria.
I know.
Don't worry, Wardevik reassured us. I think they'll talk to me. They may be suspicious of anyone else, though.
Lead the way, Brother, Kory gestured to Wardevik, who strode ahead of us in a purposeful way.
* * *
Zaria
"How will this tunnel be built?" Guild Master Chett looked as if he wanted to believe. He should; if he didn't follow Wardevik out of Veshtul, he'd be dead by morning.
"Zaria," Kory nodded in my direction.
"Are you a witch or wizard?" Chett turned to me, his voice filled with skepticism.
"Mostly I'm Larentii," I said. "The tunnel is already there. You only have to trust Wardevik, Kordevik and Lexsirok to get you o
ut of the city alive."
"Some won't go," Chett said.
"I know. It's their choice. We're here to save those we can," I responded.
"Where does the tunnel end?" Chett's first assistant asked.
"Two miles from Lord Foth's castle, in the Northern Reaches," Wardevik said after I sent mindspeech to him. Chett wanted the words to come from the High Demon who'd befriended him in the past. Therefore, I was willing to let him speak for all of us.
"Will Foth welcome us, or will it be more murder waiting?" Chett asked.
"Foth and Greth are waiting, and will offer asylum," Wardevik said.
"Will the crown attack us there, once they discover us gone?" the assistant queried.
"I don't have that answer, but know this; Foth and Greth will fight them if they come. Weth will come if at all possible to help. I will stay with you, in good faith, to provide a liaison between you and the High Demons in the Northern Reaches."
"Good. It makes me uncomfortable to attempt to bargain with any of them," Chett murmured and lowered his eyes.
"I know this," Wardevik dropped a hand on Chett's shoulder. "Not all are like these that remain in the city. I beg you not to think of all of us as the same."
"I know you're not," Chett lifted his eyes. "I will follow you, Wardevik Weth. I know it will be my death if I remain."
* * *
Lexsi
I know you could have transported all of us out of Veshtul without building a tunnel, I sent to Zaria.
Yes, but these have to decide for themselves. I will leave the tunnel open for one more day, for any who choose to escape after the High Demons attack. After that, it will be closed off and filled in, as if it had never been.
Zaria and I walked behind the slowest humanoids who chose to follow Wardevik. He, Kory and Chett were at the front, leading them. Zaria, I knew, chose this place in line because she was protecting us with a shield.
Somewhere, behind us in Veshtul, Jayd and Garde had allowed members of the High Demon army to spread across the city, searching for those who were no longer there; the rape victim and her family.
I'd had few interactions with Jayd and Glinda during my lifetime. When had he become so unreasonable? Did the malevolence in the palace dungeons have such an adverse effect that Jayd lost any decency he'd ever possessed?
A Demon's Due: Latter Day Demons, Book 3 Page 17