SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4

by Connie Suttle

  Not even a dusting of flour was left on the kitchen floor afterward. It would take a Fourth-level talent to do what I'd just done—to the extent I'd done it. "I hope you all know to stay quiet," I turned back to our helpers, then.

  All three nodded silently. They were just as helpless as the rest of the staff and understood their employment, as well as their lives, could hinge on that reserve.

  Going back to work on the evening meal, I considered what else I'd seen in Deris Arden before his abrupt exit.

  He thought himself special. Not because he was the son of a Prince and a potential heir to the throne.

  No.

  He thought himself heir to a prophecy—a prophecy he hadn't been allowed to read as yet.

  The strongest of tornadoes will lift trees, homes, debris and even soil into its whirling vortex, rendering it so dark you can no longer see what is churning inside it. Bekzi, Ilya, Gerrett and I were watching the storm come toward us, with no idea what it would batter us with before it swallowed us, too.

  "Go back to work," Bekzi ordered our assistants. "We make good food. Nobody else say different."

  He was angry; I could hear it in his voice.

  Our three assistants felt defeated. This was just one more insult in a long line of insults hurled at them by one who thought himself more than special. One who went out of his way to belittle those about him, even if it took lies and violence to achieve that goal.

  I wondered if Daris believed the prophecy, too, both now and in the future, and worked at her brother's side to ensure he was given his due.

  I hoped Warlend knew the prophecy; if he didn't then I had digging to do. Cooking for this family left little time to search quietly through family history to find something so small, it could be a single sentence in one of many, massive volumes in Helsa's library.

  Wellend didn't know it—I'd seen him already and there was nothing concerning a prophecy in his eyes.

  "Have you seen Deris?"

  Wallend appeared in the kitchen, making me jump.

  Turning toward him, I blinked as I read what he was in seconds.

  An angry, angry man.

  Who knew of the prophecy.

  It was written in Warlend's book, after all.

  The last living Q'elindi had given this prophecy to Warlend's father, before setting off a spell to end his life of serving Worlend.

  Your son's son will father a child who can rule Karathia better than any other who has come before, the Q'elindi said.

  Wallend had been allowed to read Warlend's book, as he'd fathered children.

  Wellend, whose wife remained barren, had not been allowed to see it.

  Hegatt and Helsa knew of it through Wallend, but Deris couldn't take the throne before he gained his majority at twenty-two.

  Perhaps Hegatt wanted to jump the gun and put Helsa on the throne first, then allow Deris to take over once he was old enough.

  Eight years would be more than enough time for Deris to refine his talent for torturing people; his father and grandparents believed that Deris was destined to be a king like no other.

  He would be—it just wouldn't be to their liking.

  Wallend didn't know about the coup; that plan had not been hatched, yet.

  I wondered why.

  Two eight-days remained before the date came as recorded in history and reported by those who'd survived.

  * * *

  Le-Ath Veronis

  Lissa

  "My father had some skill at drawing; my talent is less," Kellik informed me as he handed a comp-vid to me. On it were his renderings of the machines he and Rigo had seen on Goor-Phin.

  "Was your father a vampire too?" I asked. Rigo told me that Kellik was turned by his own grandfather, who was long dead.

  "No. My father—there are records in the Hraedan archives," Kell shook his head. "My father hated my grandfather's teachings. He loved money more than he loved his family, and often left my mother and me alone while he attended court."

  "So your mother is your grandfather's daughter?"

  "Yes. My father married into the family. I believe Mother regretted her decision to marry him many times. Eventually, my father was accused of treason and died in his cell by his own hand."

  "Treason?"

  "Selling secrets against the crown," Kell shrugged. "He was caught before he could cause a great deal of damage."

  "Do you know what secrets?" I asked. Something bothered me about that revelation, but I couldn't say what.

  "Those were never publicly disclosed; the trial was private rather than open and only a handful of the King's most trusted advisors attended, that's how sensitive the situation was."

  "I understand," I said, although I worried just the same. I would have to speak with Rigo about this, just to see when the plans for the N'il Mo'erti were removed from the King's treasury on Hraede and hidden by the Rith Naeri.

  I pitied Kell, too, if he ever learned what his father may have done. Kellik was honorable in every cell of his body. Learning that his father may have been responsible for this sort of betrayal could bring harm.

  "I see you've figured out my family secret," Kellik's smile was sad. "My father did perhaps the worst thing any Hraedan can do, and sold out not only his own people, but those of the Alliance, too."

  "Are those his drawings?" I asked, reaching for my own comp-vid in a desk drawer.

  "They are mostly his drawings, Tiessa," Kellik dipped his head. "A few things have changed, and I know those things are not my father's handiwork."

  "You've seen them already?" I blinked in surprise.

  "Rigo showed them to me. You forget, Tiessa, that we are the ultimate spies. Very little will get past us."

  "Tell me which parts are not your father's drawings," I pushed the comp-vid across my desk. "This way, perhaps we'll know what it is that Deris and Daris seek in changing those machines."

  "This," I pointed to one component in the machine's schematics. "It looks to me as if this should have been larger—as if something were left out."

  "That's the computer brain controlling the machine," I whispered.

  "And these, here," he pointed to a drawing of the power cells that kept the machine working, "These have been changed, but I cannot say how. Also, this," he indicted the weapons system. "This has also been altered in some way."

  "You know all this because you know your father's hand at drawing," I shook my head. "You have a very, very good memory, Kellik of Abenott."

  "It has served me well," he dipped his head to me. "I would give my life to see these machines destroyed forever."

  "I want those machines destroyed, too," I sighed. "But I don't want it to take your life. We need you, Kellik. Now, perhaps, more than ever."

  "Then call me Kell," he smiled. "My closest friends do, and I prefer it."

  "Thanks, Kell," I said. "Are you hungry? Might I interest you in lunch?"

  "Ah, food. I'd forgotten what a pleasure that was," he grinned. "Yes. Lunch will be good."

  * * *

  Tulgalan

  Bel Erland

  "Rigo says they didn't see Quin on Goor-Phin, but they didn't go everywhere on that plantation—it's enormous," Granddad said. "We do know that only Daris is there, likely overseeing the drakus seed operation and protecting the army of N'il Mo'erti stored there."

  "So we know Quin was on Hraede, but she could be with either Deris or Daris, now. Why would the Orb send her to those two, without letting her get rid of them, somehow?" I asked.

  "We don't know or understand the Orb's ultimate intentions," Dad said.

  We'd sneaked away from Karathia and now sat in a private room at Dees, where Mom was supposed to join us for dinner. Drinks and appetizers were set on the table for us, but we'd barely nibbled and sipped while we discussed the current status of the twins. At least we knew where Daris was, but things were pointing to the fact that Deris was the more dangerous of the two.

  Corolan, who often disguised himself as Dad, had taken
up residence in Dad's private suite so nothing would seem amiss.

  The private room here was spelled against intrusion or listening devices as we held our discussion. "We're here," Mom arrived with Farzi and Nenzi. Nenzi gave me a huge smile and a hug before sitting next to me. Farzi tousled my hair and sat on my other side so Mom could sit with Dad.

  "What's going on?" Mom asked after Dad kissed her—maybe longer than normal.

  "We know where Daris is, but not Deris," Granddad said.

  "Where's Daris?" Mom's eyes are green—she inherited them from her grandfather. Mine are deep brown; I'd inherited them from my grandfather. Her green eyes were trained on Dad and Granddad.

  It didn't matter that Uncles Farzi and Nenzi were here; they'd never give this information away.

  "On Goor-Phin," Dad said, lifting Mom's hand to kiss it. "The intel we have was gathered quickly, so we don't know whether Quin is there or if she's with Deris, wherever he is."

  "Strange that the twins split up now," Mom said, reaching for a breadstick. Nenzi pushed the basket toward her so she could reach it easier.

  "We know what Daris is doing, protecting a huge plantation filled with drakus seed plants and sheds filled with N'il Mo'erti," Granddad grimaced. "We don't know what Deris is doing, wherever he is."

  "What are Kooper's plans for the N'il Mo'erti?" Mom asked before crunching into the breadstick. "Mmm, cheese crusted—my favorite," she mumbled.

  "They're still working on that," Dad said. "Everybody's worried that this may not be the only cache, and if that location is taken, it may release chaos on the Alliances."

  "So we're watching and waiting? Is that it?" Mom shook her head.

  "That's pretty much it," Dad declared. "BlackWing VII has found six more wrecked freighters, with nobody alive on board and the cargo taken, just like before. Those ships were loaded with everything from preserved foods to comp-vid components."

  "We can't infiltrate the Goor-Phini plantation?" Mom asked.

  "There are spells to prevent unauthorized visitors, you can count on that," Granddad huffed. "It's clear enough that Deris placed a shield over the entire place; sat-bot images confirm that."

  "Both he and Daris have placed a disturbance spell on the property unless I miss my guess," Dad nodded.

  "What about snakes?" Farzi asked.

  "What?" The rest of us turned toward Farzi when he spoke.

  "Same spell for animals, or just people?" Farzi continued.

  "I would imagine that it's for people," Dad began, then stopped as the implications came to him.

  Deris and Daris were looking for humanoid infiltrators, in all likelihood. There were snakes aplenty on Goor-Phin, in addition to other animals—small and not so small.

  "Snakes get in," Farzi shrugged. "Shapeshifters too, if they look native."

  "Why didn't we think of that before?" Granddad scooted his chair back and stood. "Yes," he slapped a hand on the table while a slow smile spread across his face. "I'll be back," he said.

  "Tell Mom I said hi," Dad grinned.

  Chapter 13

  Le-Ath Veronis

  Lissa

  "I believe the reptanoids will all volunteer—except Bekzi, who's with Zaria, wherever she is," Erland said.

  Kooper, Rigo, Kell, Winkler, Gavin, Drake and Drew had come to this emergency meeting, to discuss the possibilities of sending shapeshifters onto the Goor-Phini plantation.

  "Sorry we're late," Merrill arrived with Kiarra and Adam.

  "We're discussing sending shapeshifters to the plantation on Goor-Phin," I gestured toward extra seats in my library.

  "That's a really good idea," Kiarra nodded as she took a seat between Adam and Merrill.

  Merrill winked at me as he took his seat. More than anything, I wanted to take a few days off to spend with him at NorthStar, but I dared not. Too many things needed my attention, and thousands of N'il Mo'erti, coupled with Quin's kidnapping by the Orb topped that list.

  When did drakus seed and poisoned planets take a backseat to something even worse? I sent to Merrill.

  My love, don't fret, he returned. We'll sort this out.

  Baby, stop worrying, Winkler broke in on the conversation. I just found out wolves are native to Goor-Phin.

  In the jungles? Honey, no, I responded. Wolves are much farther north. It's mostly snakes and jungle cats in that area of the planet.

  Then you'll let Caylon Black go and force me to stay home?

  I'll let you coordinate from the capital city. How's that? Rush and Rachel have volunteered to go, I added. A lot of the animals in the area are black.

  Even the lions?

  Yeah—they have black lions there. That's why those two are going.

  But what about black dogs?

  Honey, if you can look like a black dog, then blessings upon you, I said. Just keep the line of communication open, in case I need to come in as mist with Rigo and Kell.

  Did you know Kell can fight with blades? I watched him spar with Dragon this morning. Dragon nodded his approval halfway in.

  Honey, everybody is staring at us, because they know we're having a private conversation, I said.

  "Sorry," Winkler held up a hand and grinned. "Just pleading my case to go with the others."

  "You come?" Farzi asked. He'd welcome Winkler's presence, I could tell.

  "Yeah," Winkler barked a laugh.

  "When we go?" Nenzi asked. "Yanzi look for Quin."

  "We know when drakus seed ready," Farzi added. "Scout first, then make plan."

  "Two days and we go on a scouting mission," Kooper said. "That will give us enough time to coordinate everything and place a team in Brepha. Perhaps we will locate Deris during that time, enabling us to make a move on the Jordeh Plantation without fear of reprisal."

  "I wish we had Zaria here," I whispered. Kell and all my mates who were present dipped their heads in agreement.

  * * *

  Goor-Phin

  Quin

  Daris was irritated about something. Her braided hair coiled tightly atop her head, as if it were a snake preparing to strike. Two servants had been assaulted for not getting out of her way fast enough.

  Like her grandmother, her angry visage informed me. That displeased her, because she'd known that her grandmother wasn't completely sane.

  She didn't know how her grandmother died, either, so I couldn't see that in her—only that Helsa died under unusual and terrible circumstances, according to records and tales.

  Her great-grandfather—she had no records or tales that spoke of his death. Those things angered her—that they were dead and she could be turning into what they were—mad fools.

  She'd been in her late teens when they died, and her only experience was one of being rushed away by her father while her mother stayed behind at the family home to fight off those determined to kill them.

  That, in turn, had resulted in her mother's death.

  Less than six moon-turns later, their father was also dead; killed in a dispute at a bar, where he'd gone to drink.

  The twins had been on their own since they were eighteen.

  There was more, but it disgusted me. How they'd survived by hiring themselves out to the worst criminals, their only thought the money at the end so they could build an army to take what they considered theirs—Karathia.

  My small plans to throw the plantation into chaos were taking shape, but so many things could go wrong. Instead of rescuing innocent lives, I could end up killing them with poor strategy. Janis, Alys and the others could die as a result.

  Caylon and many others would know what to do—they were masters at strategy. I wished for their talents as I considered my plan and what, exactly, could go wrong once it was employed.

  "I'd better find that comp-vid," Daris shouted. By this time, the entire plantation could hear her. "I'll kill you all if I don't."

  Oh, no.

  Had one of the servants taken one?

  "Here, Lady," a servant rushed in with the comp-vid. "It fe
ll behind your night table. It is not lost, as you see."

  With trembling fingers, the poor soul held the comp-vid out to Daris.

  I stared, unmoving, as several thoughts flitted across Daris' features. Mistrust. Anger. Doubt.

  The last one was accompanied by the thought that she was becoming her grandmother at an ever-increasing rate. She should have known to have someone check behind the night table already.

  What if they stole it and are claiming it fell there, to test me?

  I heard her thoughts clearly, as if she'd spoken them aloud.

  Daris had mindspeech—it made sense that she would.

  Turning toward the servant, her face twisted in rage, Daris launched the spell before anyone could even whimper in horror.

  The servant died, burned to death in seconds by the spelled fire she'd created.

  Tears blurred my vision as I ran from the room.

  * * *

  My eyes accused Dorgus and Vardil as I delivered their evening meals; Daris had shut herself inside her suite and had dinner brought to her.

  I was grateful I wasn't the one charged with that particular task.

  Dorgus ignored me as he made Vardil comfortable before helping him eat his meal first. Perhaps that's when the idea sprouted in my mind and took root—I wasn't in a charitable mood and more than tired of watching innocents die on the whims of a witch slowly going mad.

  The more I considered the idea, the better it sounded to me.

  Yes.

  I would heal Vardil Cayetes, then watch Dorgus, Vardil and their employees fight with Daris while I called in all the snakes and attempted to get the servants out of the house.

  The only thing I didn't have planned was getting the Sirenali out of their chains so they could run away with the others.

  Without the Sirenali, Vardil and Daris would be visible to those with Looking skills. I hoped those who'd escaped would be rescued, then. I understood that the ASD could be watching, but with the illusion shields Deris and Daris had erected, they probably couldn't look past the nannas they saw on their mundane devices.

  Yes, I would heal Vardil Cayetes.

  When I found a way to release the Sirenali.

  * * *