"Who is it?" I asked. "Who wants war with us?"
"Weir, that sniveling bastard," Vardil replied. "I want to watch while he is cut into strips in front of me."
"That can be arranged. What does he have in the way of an army and ships?"
"He's taken everything on Paricos II—according to his messages. That gives him a substantial fleet and more than enough resources."
"How long will it take to gather an army and send them to Paricos II? I think we should teach him a lesson. We had a contract in place for those bones and clones—as the sole purchaser."
"The contract requires courts to enforce," Vardil's laugh contained no humor. "Even the legislative system, such as it was on Paricos II, was destroyed when Weir killed his fellow bosses."
"What about Skyf? Has he heard anything on the device?"
"Nothing yet, but it takes time to build trust—or so he says. He does not have your talents for forcing information from those who have it. Until that happens, I want you to assess all my superior officers. We will choose one to lead our army against Paricos II."
"I'll do that immediately."
* * *
Paricos II
Ilya
Zaria says that a war is brewing, I sent to King Rylend. One of the bosses killed the others—except for Tamp—and she says the new megaboss now wants Vardil's empire.
Just what we need—two assholes instead of one to worry about, Ry's sending was grim.
Those two will leave the Alliances covered in their excrement, if something isn't done, I said.
You and Zaria could likely handle the situation on Paricos II, Rylend began.
She says we have to hold back for now; I think she hopes that Weir's gamble for power will draw Cayetes' attention away from other things—like stealing the saving spheres.
True enough, Rylend appeared thoughtful. Although I doubt he'll let his desire for Quin go.
He may be more than obsessed with his health and continued existence, since someone is blatantly threatening him now, I observed.
Yes—that would make sense. Quin is safe on Avendor for the moment—all the Avii are in mourning after so many of theirs were killed.
I'd like it if she stayed there, I confessed. Keep her as far away from this mess as possible. I'm hoping Zaria will find a solution to all this; I'm out of ideas after Tamp's compound was destroyed around us.
What about the containment spheres Tamp collected?
Zaria says she sent them to Nefrigar in the archives. He will make sure they are kept safe, there.
Good. I'm having breakfast with my mother tomorrow, Rylend said. I'm hoping she knows something, or has some advice to offer after I give her this information. A war between two master criminals could destroy many innocents caught between them.
Any suggestions or advice from your mother will be most welcome, I assure you.
* * *
Avii Castle, Avendor
Quin
Justis stood on the wide edge of the glass castle, at the very top. I stood beside him. Guild Masters spread out on either side, followed by multitudes of family members, friends and others as we said good-bye to those we'd lost.
It was tradition to pluck a feather and place it with the body.
There were no bodies.
Therefore, Justis decreed that we would loose our feathers onto the winds surrounding Avii Castle, to fly where they would in remembrance of those who'd perished.
Those among us without wings stood on the narrow strip of sand at the base of the castle below us, to cast flowers and wreaths into the waters on Justis' command.
"We will remember," Justis spoke and lifted the red feather he held. "Always," he added, and released the feather.
Hundreds of feathers followed his as the wind carried them away. Those below us released their flowers and wreaths.
And that's when the petals flew past us. I watched them while blinking tears from my eyes; there were black rose petals. Yellow rose petals. Blue. Green. Brown. Gray. All the colors of the Avii wings flew past us, leaving their sweet scent behind as they flurried and swept in eddies to follow our feathers.
The Mighty were grieving with us. I knew it as surely as I knew anything. I turned to Justis and buried my head against his shoulder to weep. He wrapped his arms and wings about me as the petals continued to pass us, their journey continuing and leaving us behind.
* * *
Paricos II
Revis' Rock
Zaria
"Do you know others who might join us? Tamp thinks we're in a war with Weir, now," Nyarr said as we sat at a table in the kitchen, having dinner.
"Weir thinks we're vulnerable, I can guarantee it," Bleek pointed his fork at Nyarr. "He imagines he can come in and take us whenever he wants, although he worries that you five," he grinned at Nyarr and his brothers, "are still alive."
"There are at least thirty other warlocks on this planet—provided they didn't abandon it the moment Weir seized power," Loor said.
"Yes, but do they have the power you do?" Ilya asked.
"There are at least three Fourth-levels—that we know of," Nyarr said. "Besides, Weir now has the combined wealth of all the bosses except one. That gives him unlimited buying power, if he's in the market for power wielders or weapons."
"My worry is what Arna may be telling him," Kear, one of the warlock brothers, observed. "She knows too much about us—Tamp included."
"I hope Weir is good in bed," Loor huffed.
"Oh, his money makes him attractive," I said. "For now, he holds enough power and wealth to keep her happy. If I were him, I'd watch his supply of sharp knives. She intended to kill all of us. What's to keep her from doing the same to him?"
"The answer, of course, is nothing," Tamp walked into the kitchen and pulled out a chair at the table. "I thought I'd have dinner with my friends tonight," he said.
I floated a plate and utensils to the table and let them settle in front of him. He chuckled and accepted the glass of wine I floated to him next.
Turtle placed a bowl of noodles in front of him as the first course and Tamp began to eat and listen as the rest of us talked.
"Master Smith," Tamp said when Flyer placed a sizzling filet in front of him.
"Yes?" Ilya asked.
"Might you know more suitable employees to hire? It seems our numbers are small and not enough to worry Weir—or Arna."
"I may be able to find a few," Ilya shrugged. "Give me time to make connections. Perhaps I'll have an answer in a few days."
"This is very good," Tamp said after tasting the filet. "I should have hired Falchani cooks long ago."
* * *
Carek Prime
Arna
Weir and I wanted more devices. I'd learned from Mayyab where Tamp had gotten his.
Hulce, Carek Prime's chief scientist and inventor, had secretly sold one to Tamp.
With Weir's warlock at my back, we'd convinced Hulce to sell us another—after we'd threatened to reveal his duplicity to his king.
Weir now wanted more. He and I had plans to take over Cayetes' empire, just as we'd taken Paricos II.
It didn't concern me that Tamp still lived; Mayyab and most of those he'd employed died when the Rock came down. Tamp was weak and inconsequential, now. Weir and I planned to allow him to feel safe—before we destroyed him and what little he had left.
"You will do this, or you face the consequences," Laan, Weir's Fourth-level warlock, warned as he turned up the heating spell surrounding Hulce.
"All right, all right," Hulce held up a hand before wiping sweat from his face with a sleeve. "I'll have them ready in an eight-day."
"See that you do," Laan snapped. "We will return. Here are funds for supplies," he tossed a bag at Hulce, who missed catching it before it dropped to the floor with a chink of metal. Laan zapped him with a needling spell when Hulce bent to lift the bag.
"I swear, I will have them ready," Hulce was close to tears as he straightened up.
/> I laughed at his discomfort. Cayetes' empire would be mine—and soon.
* * *
Paricos II
Revis' Rock
Zaria
"What are you doing?" Bleek settled beside me on the bed and wrapped all four arms about me.
I'd been staring into space—at least that's what he thought.
"Recalling everything from those last few moments at Zarbec's compound," I said. "Going over every inch of everything and everybody."
"Sounds tiring," he dropped his head and kissed my shoulder.
"Somebody blew the place apart—from the inside and right in the middle of it," I said. "I can see through a warlock's shields, so it wasn't that."
"My love, you look tired," he said.
"I am, but this is bothering me."
"What do you think it was?" Bleek asked.
"I think they sent out hidden bombing squads, which included at least one warlock or witch, to get them out after the explosives were delivered," I said. "Was there anything unusual happening just before the Rock came down?"
"The trans-vator doors opened, but nobody was there," Bleek said.
"Let me guess—Tamp no longer has his device, does he?"
"Not sure—you could ask Nyarr."
"Want to come with me?"
"Sure. And then I want to bring you back here and go to bed. I think I can tire you out enough that you can sleep."
"Really?"
"I do."
"Let's go find Nyarr."
* * *
"Want a glass?" We found Nyarr at one end of the new compound, in what should have been a library and wasn't. He and his brothers were sharing a bottle of Revis' wine that someone had forgotten—probably because their arms were full of other loot.
"No, although it looks good," I said. "I have a question. Did Tamp's device survive the destruction?"
"No," Nyarr said.
"I think it did," I said. "I think Mayyab and Arna handed it to some traitors, and that's how the Rock was destroyed."
"Come with me," Nyarr set his glass down and strode toward Bleek and me. "Tamp will want this information right away."
He did want the information.
"You think Weir has two devices, now?" Tamp paced inside his suite while Bleek, Nyarr and I watched.
"Yes, and I think Arna knows where to get them," I said. "She stole yours and acquired another. That means Weir now has that knowledge. I imagine that someone, somewhere, has been threatened if they don't produce a lot more for those two."
"This is untenable," Tamp hissed. "I should have known not to trust Mayyab."
"Too bad Arna let him die with everybody else," Nyarr grumbled. "Still doesn't discharge his debt for this betrayal."
"Gubb paid the same price," I said. "Neither understood the depths of her ambition, I think."
"I have a question," Bleek said.
"Go on," Tamp nodded to him.
"How do we circumvent these devices? If we can't, what's to keep the enemy from showing up at our door and killing everyone here?"
* * *
"Here's the problem," I said. I was tired, but the device and its abilities had bothered me for a while. After all, we'd walked through some of the best security systems money could buy in two places, to get containment spheres for Tamp.
The device could get past anything, including a warlock's shields, if my estimations were correct. That's why the Rock fell, even with five Fifth-level warlocks' shields around it.
"How does it work?" I said, naming my main concern. "How does it get past all these things without anybody knowing? I think this is more dangerous than anybody thought up until now."
"We need one, to study it," Hal offered.
"I don't want to play our hand with the one who makes them, if I can help it," I said. "That's why I want to get one of Weir's."
"Get the one Arna stole from Tamp. It wasn't hers to take," Nyarr suggested.
"Sounds reasonable to me, but how do we do it?" Bleek asked.
"Maybe somebody who can get past anything by natural means should go in and look for it," Hal said.
Ilya lifted an eyebrow. That would take either my ability or Hal's and he knew that. "What are you talking about?" Loor asked.
"I'm a misting vampire," Hal said calmly, as if he were talking about the weather. "I can get in and out without causing a stir."
"A vampire in daylight?" Nyarr blinked at Hal.
"A few have the talent and the ability," Hal said.
"The Vampire Queen," Tamp walked through the door, shaking raindrops off his shoulders. He was naked from the waist up; he'd been standing outside in the rain as a tree for a while.
"I'm surprised you know that," Hal said.
"It is evident at times; I've watched her since she took the throne on Le-Ath Veronis. Are you truly a vampire? No wonder our Bladesmith was anxious to hire you."
"I think we work well together," Ilya said.
"Then bring me more wonders, Bladesmith, and you will be rewarded for your efforts."
* * *
Ilya
I'm looking for a small army of volunteers, I sent to King Rylend. I believe the situation here places us in a strategic position—one that could enable us to take down two criminals at the same time.
You think to get rid of Cayetes, V'ili and Weir, don't you?
And Arna—don't forget her. She's the one who instigated Weir's rush for power. I think he'd have waited another year or two before making his move if she hadn't defected.
Do you think she's the one who's most power hungry?
I do. I've met her—she's used to getting her own way.
I'll discuss this with my mother, and see what she suggests, Rylend replied.
I appreciate that.
How soon?
I'd say an eight-day or less.
Done.
* * *
Queen's Palace, Le-Ath Veronis
Lissa
Ry and I were having breakfast when Trajan appeared inside the arboretum. "Quin sends this," he said, setting a comp-vid beside my place at the table.
"She took time to make notes?" I blinked up at Trajan.
"Yes. She thinks this is important, as do I. She went through all three shifts for you."
"Send her my thanks and my love," I said.
"Bel Erland is still with her," Trajan said. "I imagine he is relaying both those sentiments." The tall werewolf grinned at me, making me smile in return. Ry snickered his response; I kicked him under the table.
"Want to sit down?" Ry asked, ignoring the contact between my shoe and his shin. "I think we have enough food here—even for a werewolf."
"Don't mind if I do," Trajan laughed and took a seat.
"So, what's up with Ilya and Zaria?" I asked. Ry had been updating me on current events surrounding Paricos II when Trajan arrived.
"Ilya thinks that being with Tamp places him and the others in a unique position—between two criminal factions about to go to war. On one hand, we have Weir of Paricos II and his newly-formed alliance with Arna, who is more than power hungry. On the other side, we have Vardil Cayetes and V'ili, who won't take kindly to someone invading their turf."
"So, when those two start lobbing bombs and armies at one another, Tamp and his bunch of volunteers can drive a wedge in and take both sides down?" Trajan asked.
"That's the idea."
"Sounds interesting. How many is he asking for?"
"Not more than fifty, I think."
"Small but effective, huh?"
"Something like that. He's asking for cooks and a kitchen staff, too."
"Armies do have a tendency to look forward to a good meal," Trajan agreed.
"I'll put the word out, to see if anybody's interested," I said.
"Ashe says that he gives his permission, if somebody's worried about the interference rules."
"Wisdom gives his permission," Charles appeared from nothing and took the fourth chair at the table.
"Well,
look who we have here," I said. "What does my sister say?"
"She's commandeering a few that she wants to put in this fight," Charles shrugged. "I take that as confirmation."
"Are we leaving Ilya in charge?" I asked Charles.
"I believe Zaria is in charge," Charles grinned. "As it should be."
* * *
Paricos II
Ilya
When the Mighty Heart sends a message—even while you are in deep sleep—you sit up and listen carefully.
"We have four who have agreed to come," I informed Tamp and the others at breakfast.
"When will they arrive?" Tamp asked. He was happy with what he'd been served for breakfast and was eating with good appetite.
"In a day or two. I'm still waiting for answers to other messages."
"How many do you think will come? As an estimate," Tamp used his knife to coax more sauce and eggs onto his fork.
"I'd say perhaps thirty or forty," I said. "I think that will be enough," I held up a hand.
"We're a talented bunch," Zaria smiled at Tamp. He blinked at her, placed food in his mouth and nodded as he chewed.
"Are the shops still open for business in Fendala?" Turtle asked as he and Flyer took seats at the table to eat. "We need eggs, cheese, meats—that sort of thing."
"They are—Loor and I went in this morning to get a few things. I feel Weir has his spies in place, but I doubt he's ready for a direct confrontation yet."
"He wants to size us up to see what it will take to destroy us," Tamp agreed. "It's what I would do."
"So the smugglers are still in business—they just have new management," Zaria observed.
"I would offer a slight increase, to buy their loyalty," Tamp said. "After all, Weir can afford it, now."
"And they don't have to search for new territory or risk getting arrested if they take off with Weir's new fleet of ships," Hal said.
"Wise words," Tamp said.
"Want to go grocery shopping?" Flyer grinned at Zaria.
"Sure," she said.
"Don't be gone long; I dislike worry," Tamp said.
* * *
Zaria
Who is coming tomorrow? I asked Ilya. He, Bleek and Hal insisted on coming with Turtle, Flyer and me to buy groceries. The shopping trip was a ruse, mostly, to size up our competition and see how widespread Weir's spy network ran.
Although we did need eggs and cheese.
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