Free Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 by Connie Suttle

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