"We must put a stop to these murders. I cannot approach Wolter, to convey my condolences. Whoever killed Chen may target him, next."
"That is also my concern."
* * *
"Quin, this is Charlis, of the High Council," Hadris Jem, the High President's medical advisor, informed me as Justis, Ordin, Halthea and I were led into Charlis' hospital room.
"Charlis has," he began.
"I know what she has." I did—the wasting disease had first settled in her lungs, then began to spread to other organs. Charlis was of middle age and still young enough to warrant the healing. At that moment, I wanted several things. I wanted to ask Ordin to protect me. He couldn't. I wanted to ask Justis to take me elsewhere. He wouldn't. I was forced to allow Halthea to watch as I healed Charlis of a disease that would ordinarily take her life in a matter of moon-turns.
* * *
"I will have the tests done in a few days, and send the results to you," Hadris agreed.
Gurnil handed the samples from Quin and the half-blood to Hadris with a nod. "I appreciate this," Gurnil said. "We cannot determine Quin's parentage, as she is an orphan. I hope you will be able to tell something from these samples, as to whether they are connected or not."
"We'll run all tests, never fear," Hadris nodded. "The information will be sent to you directly. When will your party be ready to leave Kondar?"
"I don't know," Gurnil sighed. "Halthea wishes to visit the shops."
"Ah."
* * *
"We can't do this, with the Princess here and glaring at Quin as often as not," Edden Charkisul tossed the chip onto his desk with a troubled sigh.
"We were fools, to think we could gift citizenship, I suppose," Melis shook his head. "They have an archaic government, where the monarchy rules absolutely. Yes, they have a Council, but the King can overrule most anything. I fear for the girl."
"As do I."
* * *
"I heard you were here."
I knew him. Had healed him. His renewed health had added flesh to his frame and color to his cheeks. Berel, the High President's son, had come looking for me.
I'd been placed in a suite with an adjoining walled garden, where I'd gone to sit in the early-morning sunlight the day after Charlis' healing. That's where he'd found me.
"Where are your guards?" I asked.
"Outside your door. I asked them to wait there. My father trusts you, when he doesn't trust many others."
"Your father works to be fair to all. I have not met many like him who were placed so highly."
"Kondar elects High Presidents for ten sun-turns. Presidents in the four principalities are elected for shorter terms—half that, actually, with the option of reelection once. High Presidents can only serve one term. My father's term ends in three sun-turns."
"Kondar should weep when he walks away from his office," I said.
"His opponents on the Council would be happy to disagree."
"Fools are everywhere," I responded with a shrug. He laughed. It was a good sound to hear.
I'd only seen him in a bed before, where he'd been thin and wasted. This Berel had curiosity in his blue eyes, combined with a hint of mischief. His hair was quite short and dark brown—the disease had caused it to fall out before; now it was growing back as it should.
"Tell me about Avii castle," he begged. "I've only seen images of it, and most of those from the outside."
"I haven't seen much of it, either. I didn't grow up there," I hedged. It was truth, and I worried about how much truth to give him.
"That's all right," he said. "Have you seen their library? I heard it's filled with paper and parchment books, instead of vid-files."
"It is. I was hoping to find more books available in your language," I blinked at him. "I'm reading two books on anatomy, now, and making notes for Master Ordin."
"Where did you study? You're smart, if you can make notes on anatomy texts."
"I didn't," I said. "Somehow, I know those things without the teaching. Master Gurnil is much surprised, too."
"You learned how to read and write on your own?"
"Yes. It just happened," I said.
For the first time, I felt it. I'd moved my wings in agitation, much like I'd seen the others do. I stopped still for a moment, savoring the act, as if a miracle had occurred. For me, it felt just the same. Sadly, my feathers weren't present enough to rustle as most others were, but perhaps someday soon, that might transpire.
"I'd like to learn how to read the Avii language. Father says I must finish my required studies first, before moving on to another language."
"Are you behind—because of your illness?" I worked to steer the conversation away from the Avii and me.
"Yes. A half-turn, at least. I must begin again, next week. The physicians say I'll be strong enough, then."
"Do you like your studies?"
"Some of them. Others are tedious."
"What do you find tedious?"
"Science and mathematics. I prefer history and social sciences."
"I like geography and history," I said. "I'd really like to see books on those subjects."
"Paper books?"
"Yes. I don't have any other means to read."
"I might be able to fix that."
"How?"
"Let me speak to my father."
* * *
"It recharges in the sun," Berel explained barely two hours later. "It has an entire library of books on it, all you have to do is tap a word into the search line, and it will offer all sorts of choices."
"What is this?" I accepted the thin, metal tablet gingerly, as if I might break such a precious thing in clumsy fingers.
"It's a tab-vid, with the library available to those in the higher learning classes. That means that anything we can use to learn is available to you. There are maps, too, in addition to the texts on geography."
"This is the greatest gift ever," I held the tab-vid against my chest, as if I were afraid someone might take it from me. More than thankful that I'd received it while the others were engaged elsewhere, I contemplated where I might put it so it would remain my secret.
"Most people I know would consider it work and not a gift," Berel grinned. "I'm glad I could do this for you, after what you did for me."
"I was happy to do it, for you and your father." I didn't add that it shamed me that others had demanded so much in return for my services.
"That's all my physicians can talk about—that you healed a disease that would have killed me and they couldn't stop it."
"I can't explain how I can do it," I said. "It just comes."
"Those who know say it's an amazing gift."
I blinked at his words, then using the talent I had, discovered more that he was unwilling to say—that some members of his father's Council might consider my healing gift as something unnatural or evil, and would work to see it banned or destroyed. Therefore, only a few were trusted enough to know of Berel's recovery, and how it was accomplished.
I should not have been surprised. In Fyris, which was much smaller than Kondar, there was always dissent, although those who thought to oppose the King were continually wary. Yevil would kill because of an unguarded frown aimed in Tamblin's direction.
While I had no problem with disagreement, I found it abhorrent if disagreement resulted in unnecessary deaths. As for superstitions, I had no use for them at all. Why would anyone consider the healing gift an evil? It made no sense to me. If something were an evil, then it would have evil intentions. I had none.
"What do you think might happen to me—if word of my ability became public?" I asked.
Berel didn't want to say. For a sixteen-year-old, he was well educated and savvy in the ways of Kondar's politics. Hunching his shoulders, he turned away from me before he answered.
"You could die," he admitted. "Or be used by the wealthy who are striving to cure the illness of old age, and that shouldn't be. Father wants to protect you by offering citizenship, but
the arrival of Princess Halthea put a stop to that."
"Did she know?" I began.
"No. Father didn't wish to interfere with you or the Avii form of government, so he withheld the offer."
"I thank him for it, anyway," I sighed. "It was a good thought, as none have sought to protect me like that before." I worried that Gurnil and Ordin's protection might come to an end soon, but didn't explain that to Berel. He was barely recovered from an illness that was taking his life, and had more than enough worries as it was.
"Can we be friends, at least? I wish I had more political power than I do, as I see that something troubles you."
"I wish I had the power and confidence to tell you all those things, but I don't," I responded. "I marvel at your maturity. I've worked with others near your age, and they have displayed mostly juvenile behavior."
"When you grow up in the political system here in Kondar, you grow up fast," Berel shrugged. "A careless word can cost more than most are willing to pay. Foolish words or acts are often blown out of proportion and the vid images are broadcast throughout Kondar."
"I understand that, more than you know," I agreed. For seventeen turns, I'd remained silent for exactly that reason.
"Quin?" Master Gurnil's voice arrived before he did. "Are you ready to go? Halthea wishes to leave immediately."
"I am ready, Master Gurnil," I nodded. Did he know, as I did, that my life would change again, once we arrived at Avii castle?
Probably not.
Berel took my hand in a steady grip before I left him to join Gurnil. I turned to wave as we walked away. He lifted a hand in return, and it pained me to see the concern in his eyes.
* * *
"She will serve as one of my maids, and when the Kondari ask for her assistance, those messages will be brought directly to me," Halthea waved imperiously. She'd demanded that our party join her in meeting King Jurris after the trip to Avii castle.
Jurris seemed surprised by Halthea's announcement, but didn't say anything. Gurnil and Ordin, however, were angry immediately. "She needs to learn more about traditional medicine, in order to work better with the Kondari physicians," Ordin sputtered.
"She was allowed to stay in the suites surrounding the Library, and I wish that to continue," Gurnil said. He wanted so badly to point out that neither Jurris nor Halthea wanted anything to do with me before.
All that was before they could command four million Kondari credits for my ability to heal. Between filling the Avii coffers, I would be allowed to serve as one of Halthea's maids. Had I functioning wings at that moment, I would have flown away from Aviia and never looked back.
"She may continue her studies with you, Ordin, and continue to sleep in the bed you've given her—after she has performed her duties for my Halthea," Jurris dropped his hand, ending the matter. "No more than six hour's work from her, my darling," He turned to Halthea. "The messages from Kondar requesting her services will be delivered to you, as you desire."
To placate Halthea, who wanted to monopolize my time, he lifted her hand and kissed it, then offered her a smile. Halthea smiled back, and in that forced expression lay peril for me.
* * *
"Say what you're thinking—it will go no further," Justis nodded to Gurnil. He, Ordin and Gurnil had gathered in Gurnil's private study, to have their conversation.
"That bitch," Gurnil hissed. "She intends to ask as much as possible for Quin's services, and offer them to any and every Kondari who has the money to pay. Not all Kondari are well meaning, as the High President is. I heard rumors of dissent among the Council, from Kondari who thought I didn't understand their language."
"Her life could be in danger, and Halthea doesn't care," Ordin snapped. "She has no care or understanding of the politics involved. Do you know how it angers me that Quin is to serve as her maid? This is her way of pinning Quin down and keeping her subservient."
"I know." Justis rustled his wings. "Halthea isn't the kindest person to her maids, and this concerns me."
"Our laws protect any Avii from assault and murder, but those laws don't apply to the half-bloods or Red Wings, do they?" Gurnil's anger increased. "Quin has been mistreated enough, in my opinion, yet Halthea promises more of the same, if not worse, while taking every credit that comes from Quin's talents."
"Let me talk to my brother," Justis shook his head. "I didn't see this coming, but I should have. Halthea is a greedy bitch; she spent half the payment from Quin's healing this time before we ever left Kondar."
"On jewelry, shoes and fabrics," Ordin grumbled. "That money could be better spent elsewhere, yet Halthea uses it for personal gain. You don't see Jurris' other wives getting anything from this, do you?"
"They won't," Justis shook his head. "They're wise enough not to ask."
"All because she has red wings, and is fortunate enough to be the only female with red wings." Gurnil shook his head. "Elabeth was right in refusing to name her heir."
"Elabeth saw her for what she was, instead of the red wings she bears," Justis growled. "My brother only sees red wings."
"Convenient, too, that both her Red-Wing parents are deceased."
"They walked through the gate together," Gurnil nodded at Ordin's words.
"Halthea used that to play on Jurris' sympathy for weeks," Justis said. "And found her way into his bed shortly after."
"All this would be moot if Elabeth and Camryn were alive. Or had Lirin survived," Gurnil said.
"I couldn't stop her from taking the baby," Justis rumbled. "Elabeth seemed concerned about something, but wouldn't say what it was. I didn't press her, as time was short before she and Camryn had to leave for Fyris."
"Perhaps it was an omen, and she misread it," Gurnil suggested.
"Perhaps."
* * *
"This is Quin's report. This one is Gurnil's, and this is the third sample," Chief of Medical Sciences, Hadris Jem, handed the information chips to Melis Norwal.
"What did you find?" Melis asked.
"There is some connection between Gurnil and the third sample, as if they had a common ancestor. There is no connection between them and Quin."
"No connection at all? I find that unusual. Did you verify the reports?"
"We ran the samples several times, and even cross-referenced them with samples we secretly gathered from Ordin and Justis. There is no connection between any of them and young Quin. I have no idea where she came from, Melis, but it doesn't appear to be from Siriaa."
"Are you going to give that information to Gurnil?"
"That's what I wanted to discuss with you and the High President."
Chapter 13
"Then let's say there's no connection between Quin and the third sample, and that the other results were inconclusive," Edden Charkisul shook his head at Hadris Jem. "This is disconcerting, to say the least, and if word of this gets out, you know what my opponents are likely to say."
"Or do," Melis agreed. "I'm concerned about the Princess' visit. She's greedy, there's no doubt about that, and had half the credits we paid her spent before she left. If she attempts to go around us and offer Quin's services to anyone willing to pay, it will place the girl in danger."
"Quin is in enough danger as it is, in my estimation," Hadris concurred. "Where she is, she seems little more than a slave."
"It makes me wonder where she came from and how they found her, if she isn't connected to any of them," Melis said.
"This information stays with us," Edden shook his head. "Unless we want her dead."
"Are your enemies that dangerous?" Hadris frowned.
"They're that dangerous," Melis replied. "My team is kept busy, containing threats. So many are spreading rumors that the poison infecting Siriaa is retribution from the gods for supporting the High President."
"Unless their gods are of the mundane and mortal kind, I find no verifiable correlation," Hadris observed.
* * *
Dorthil Crasz nodded to a servant, who poured wine into a delicate, handc
rafted glass made by the Avii. Dorthil had spent many credits acquiring a full set of the delicate, red-tinted flutes.
"I could have used your help, when I ran for the Presidency against that soft-hearted bastard, Charkisul," Dorthil muttered.
"What's to keep you from taking it away from him?" his visitor asked, sipping the wine and nodding approval.
"I'd certainly need appropriate resources. More credits, too, to pay those I'd need to command."
"What if I can offer all those things to you?"
Dorthil studied his visitor. He appeared to be middle-aged, but Dorthil suspected he might be much older. Centuries older, actually. Dorthil had thought to turn him away when he'd first arrived. The visitor only had to lift a hand and a blast of power was released, rendering Dorthil's bodyguard unconscious.
Dorthil had shown immediate interest, after that.
"You say you're a wizard?" Dorthil asked. "Why would you help me gain the Presidency? What do you want in return?"
Marid of Belancour studied Dorthil thoughtfully, before carefully wording his answer. "I am a wizard—from Yokaru. I know Kondar holds the rights to the volcano fields to the south. I merely wish to mine the sands below the volcano fields. Charkisul will never agree to it. I want your permission as High President to do so, unhindered."
"For how long?"
"Not long. I imagine a few weeks will suffice. The credits will be paid to you shortly after, and we will all have what we want."
"I want proof, first."
"Very well. I can provide spells and weapons that will place you where you wish to be. After that, I only need some time in the volcano fields."
"If you can do as you say, then we have an agreement," Dorthil held out his hand. Marid accepted.
* * *
"How did it go?" Morid, Marid's eldest son, asked when Marid folded into his private study.
"Very well. Better than expected. The fool thinks I'm from Yokaru. He has no idea that other worlds exist outside his own. We'll have access to Fyris, never fear. Not only will the collection of the poison bring us the funds we are lacking, it will provide an opportunity to strike back at Glendes Grey and Grey House. Imagine what a bit of that toxin will do if we manage to slip it through to Grey Planet?"
Finder: First Ordinance, Book One Page 17