Free Keeper: First Ordinance, Book 2 by Connie Suttle Page A

could be tested if we carried him back. Is this what you wish,
Cheah-mul?"
    "Yes," I shrugged, although the unusual language he
employed at the end evaded my interpretation skills.
    "Then it shall be thus."
    "I will take him," Daragar offered. "I'll leave
the others to you." He nodded to Kaldill.
    "Very good. Remember to add air in his sphere—with the
way he's howling, he'll run out quickly."
    "The weapon managed to cauterize the wound, so he needs
little care," Daragar leaned down and examined Yevil in a clinical
fashion.
    "Guards are coming," Justis pointed out.
    "Then we should leave," Kaldill replied. In a burst
of brightness, we were inside Amlis' suite in Lironis. Amlis, shocked beyond
comprehension, shouted when we arrived. Rodrik slipped on the stone floor,
rushing to defend the Prince. He landed on his knees, finding himself
face-to-face with Yevil's sphere, his nose pressed against the solid
transparency.
    It was then I noticed that Daragar had left Yevil's severed leg
behind in Vhrist—as food for the rats.
    * * *
    Le-Ath Veronis
    "Kaldill said he was only attempting to protect all
involved. It merely happened that the weapon fired and severed the murderer's
leg while he was shielded."
    "Where's the leg now?" Lissa asked Kooper.
    "I believe it was consumed by rats, but I can double
check if you'd like."
    "No, thank you," Lissa held up a hand.
    * * *
    Lironis
    Quin
    "Do they have any more of these weapons?" Amlis
asked.
    "Not now," Daragar replied. "The two Yevil carried
are deactivated—I saw to it myself. The others still in Vhrist will no longer
operate, either. When someone chooses to target Quin, they will be treated to
the same."
    "How is Rath?" Wolter asked.
    "Recovering well—after Quin tended him. That healing could
have gotten her killed," Kaldill replied. "Omina is with Rath and
they are discussing Tamblin's plans."
    "Can we remove this—whatever it is? I wish to see Yevil's
back," Amlis studied the sphere around the one-legged enemy.
    "Deeds and I will hold him for you," Wolter
volunteered.
    "No. Ardis and I will handle this—he meant to kill more
Avii, and would have without the help of Kaldill and Daragar," Justis
nodded his thanks to both.
    I went still—he'd called me Avii. My breath stopped for a
moment.
    Kaldill smiled grimly as he released Yevil from his
transparent cage. The moment he was free, Yevil attempted to stand and fight.
    He should have known better.
    Amlis ripped the shirt from his shoulders after Yevil dropped
to his knees with a yelp of pain. I peered at Yevil's back as he snarled his
hate.
    There, on his shoulder blades, were nubs. At the base of those
nubs, next to his skin, grew the smallest, downy feathers.
    They were red.
    Yevil was half-brother to Jurris. Justis jerked Yevil about
and punched him senseless with a single blow.
    * * *
    "How old would he be?" Ardis asked. I was weary but
refused to leave while Justis, Ordin, Gurnil and the others discussed this
half-blood child of Treven's.
    "Old by Fyrian standards," Gurnil replied. "Treven
went through the gate fifty turns past, and I imagine this one was old enough
to understand that Treven wanted his bloodline on the Avii throne instead of
Camryn's."
    "Then he has enough Avii blood to stay young for an
extended period," Ordin said. He'd remained quiet through most of the
conversation, but chose to speak now. As a healer, he'd seen the sickness about
him the moment he'd stepped onto Fyrian soil. I knew it pained and angered him
in ways only a healer might feel.
    "He has to be near seventy turns, at least," Justis
said. "Treven was watched carefully his last ten turns and he made no
flights to Fyris during that time—Camryn forbade it."
    "The question now is what are we to do with him?"
Gurnil asked.
    "I know what I want to do with him," Justis snorted.
    "My question is what will Tamblin do now?" I
blurted.
    "He has a choice, doesn't he?" Dena offered. She sat
next to me, quietly attending to the conversation. "He either