SpellBreaker: First Ordinance, Book 4 (24 page)

Biting into the sandwich first, I chewed and contemplated the effect a coup would have on the planet and the Campiaan Alliance, because Karathia was one of the most important member planets of that Alliance.

If it were taken over by recognizable criminals, I anticipated that Campiaa would close Karathia's membership immediately, leaving it to Deris and Daris' lawless machinations.

That meant they'd likely allow warlocks and witches to hire out to whomever paid the most while charging stiff fees for the privilege of working offworld.

On the other hand, all legal imports would cease, seriously limiting the food supply until the black market extended its hand and offered whatever Karathia wanted—again for a premium price. I wasn't sure the twins had thought this through well enough to realize what sort of weight the throne brought with it.

One cannot rule a planet if that planet starves its citizens, levies taxes too heavy for them to bear and drives them to flee elsewhere; I'd seen it happen before, when lives were threatened after they refused to cooperate.

I'd lived on too many lawless worlds not to know better; Father could never house his family on an Alliance world because of his willingness to associate with criminals.

Bite. Chew. Bite. Chew.

My life had dwindled to the constant hunger for food and small comforts.

* * *

Goor-Phin

Quin

Every day, I helped Dorgus lift Vardil from the water of his bath. Dorgus insisted on bathing Vardil himself; he only needed help getting the man in and out of the tub. Once Vardil was dressed, exercised and the suite cleaned, I carried food and other necessities for them.

Aside from that, Dorgus dismissed me. I used my extra time to help Janis, where I had a new task each day—carrying food to the Sirenali in the large shed.

Each time I made my way to the shed, I searched for tools or anything else casually left behind by those who tended the fields or repaired equipment. Whatever might get those chains off the Sirenali would be welcome.

So far, I'd found nothing.

Still, I was determined to do something to get them away; I couldn't leave them behind to die as Daris intended.

* * *

Karathia—Past

Zaria

Warlend has been in a meeting most of the afternoon with Wellend
, I informed Ilya when he asked.
The others are restless—Deris has set furniture on fire in the library
, I added.

I'm worried
, Ilya admitted.
Wellend's wives are out for a ride and haven't returned yet; I sent two stable boys with them, just in case
.

Is that unusual?
I asked.

Probably not, but something isn't right—even I can feel it
.

I'd felt that way for days. I suppose I could be forgiven for wanting his arms about me. Too many things were beyond control, once Warlend arrived.

Where's Wylend?
Ilya asked.

Last I heard, he was cleaning up Deris' mess in the library
, I said.
He hasn't reprimanded the boy, but he wants to—I can see it clearly in his face
.

I wouldn't just reprimand—I'd lock him up and see to it he couldn't use his talent again until he'd gone through extensive therapy and proved himself safe to walk free again
, Ilya returned.
If that never happened, then I'd burn the talent out of him.

You can do that?

It takes a majority of the King's Council to do it, but it can be done—as a last resort, you understand
.

Yes, but has it ever been done to a member of the royal family?

Not to my knowledge
.
I'm surprised you haven't heard of this—you know everything else
, Ilya said.

I guess I've never seen it in someone, or read it anywhere
, I replied.

Ah. That makes sense. Don't let it worry you, cabbage. Keep me informed.

I will
.

"Not worry," Bekzi gave me a swift hug. "We get through."

An announcement will be made at dinner
, Gerrett's mindspeech interrupted us.

"Honey," I turned to Bekzi, who placed the finishing touches on the King's birthday dessert, "I hope they eat that, it looks delicious."

He leaned in to kiss me. It was a good kiss and I'll admit, it left me wanting more.

"You get more," he grinned. "Later."

* * *

I saw Wallend shortly before dinner. He was angry that he'd been left out of the meeting between his father and older brother. Wylend, who'd dropped by the kitchen for a glass of wine, was curious but not angry about being left out of the meeting.

I could see he'd resigned himself to things of that nature and, as he lived in the King's summer palace most of the time, the doings of the King and Prince-heir didn't affect him that much.

He missed Erland; I did see that. He'd asked Erland to come with him, but Erland despised Hegatt, Helsa and the twins, so he'd refused the invitation. I sympathized with Lord Erland Morphis completely; those people should have been related to me and I despised them, too.

"The food has been lovely," Wylend turned back to tell us before he carried his full wineglass out of the kitchen.

"Thank you, Prince Wylend," Bekzi and I dipped our heads to him.

* * *

Goor-Phin

Quin

"One dead from snake bite," Janis whispered as I helped her slice a roast for the evening meal. "Not one of ours," she added. "Died fast, from what I heard."

I shrugged indifferently. I didn't care that Vardil's or Daris' criminals died. All of them had innocent blood on their hands. If this kept up, however, Daris would have to bring in more of Vardil's scum to fill in for those lost.

Should Daris keep killing off innocent servants, I imagined she'd have to search for more of those, too.

It occurred to me, then.

One of Vardil's criminals likely had a key to the Sirenali's chains.

If he died of what appeared to be natural causes in his sleep and the keys were borrowed and then replaced, who would be the wiser?

"Alys says you speak—when necessary," Janis whispered as she laid slices of roast carefully on a platter.

I nodded and cut another slice off the carefully prepared roast. Janis was an exceptional cook. I hoped she and I survived; I knew of many who'd hire her in moments on my recommendation alone.

"Who has the keys—to the chains on those in the shed?" I mumbled my question.

"I can find out for you," Janis nodded and laid the last slice of roast. "There, hand that platter to Felk to take to her majesty's table."

* * *

Karathia—Past

Zaria

At least Warlend waited until the meal was eaten and dessert served and devoured before making his announcement.

What surprised me is that he called in all the servants to witness it, and included one or two members of his Council that he'd invited to dinner.

What's this about?
Ilya's eyes met mine as all servants who weren't already in the dining hall to serve the family, gathered in the hall outside the kitchen. We'd go in together, as requested, lining the walls of the dining hall while we witnessed whatever Warlend was about to say.

I have no idea
, I replied to Ilya's silent question.

Whatever the announcement was, it was Warlend's way of saying that there were too many witnesses; therefore, there would be no argument from family concerning his announcement.

Spelled globes of light floated above the table, bathing the long room in soft light. The table still looked pristine—except for the space around Deris.

He'd taken up burning the tablecloth again. The boy thought he'd gotten away with it, but I saw in Wellend's eyes that he'd been watching his nephew the whole time.

What else I saw in Wellend's eyes made me smother a gasp. It made me afraid to see what was in Warlend's determined gaze.

Honey
, I sent to Ilya.
I think we're about to hear what instigated the coup
.

Bekzi, who stood beside me, grasped my hand in his; he'd overheard our silent exchange. He was worried, too.

* * *

Goor-Phin

Quin

Tall, sturdy Morth was the key holder. I didn't mind taking him—he was one of the rapists I'd kept from harming others after my arrival.

He'd killed or raped too often for me to feel any sympathy for him; his death would be an easier one than he deserved, too.

It would be simple enough to pass his death off as a difficulty of the heart, as he'd neglected to visit the med unit once his cock refused to rise. I suspected that nobody would miss him, either—he was a difficulty for all on the plantation. Why Daris brought him with her remained a mystery.

* * *

Karathia—Past

Zaria

As required whenever the King pronounced law or judgment, all others stood while he sat.

Hegatt didn't like it at all, while Deris cooked up more deviltry behind hooded eyes. "Say it so we can have drinks in the library," Helsa demanded. Warlend turned toward her.

"You will wish back those words," he began. "My decree is thus; today, upon my birthday, I wish to give a gift rather than receiving one. I, Warlend, King of Karathia, am abdicating my throne in favor of my son and heir, Wellend Arden, Crown Prince of Karathia. It has already been recorded in both our books. All that remains is for Wellend to remove the Heir's ring, as it will select his successor."

Deris, who'd been ignoring everyone in favor of devising his next set of torturous plans, perked up immediately.

"My King," Warlend rose and dipped his head to Wellend, who smiled genuinely at his father. Helsa's eyes grew round and greedy as they settled on the Heir's ring on Wellend's right hand.

Hegatt blinked in anticipation as Wellend pulled the ring from his finger and set it down in a clear space before him on the table.

They knew the ring would go to Deris. It would choose the designated heir of the prophecy.

All along the walls of the dining hall, servants held their breath—not in anticipation like Deris' family—no. They held their breath in dread, because the Heir would be someone who could and probably would destroy Karathia.

The ring, pale gold with a Tiralian crystal setting surrounded by smaller black diamonds, set on the table for only a moment before rising on its own in the air.

Deris' mouth formed an O, he expected the ring to fly in his direction. He held out his hand for it to come to him.

At eye-level to most at the table, the ring turned three times, as if it were taking stock of all present.

Helsa shrieked when the ring disappeared in a sudden flash of light.

* * *

"This is as I expected," Warlend snapped at Helsa as he watched his trunk being readied. He didn't want to spend the night under Helsa's roof. Wellend, named King before all in attendance, had already taken his two wives and left for the Palace.

"That ring belongs to Deris," Helsa hissed.

"No, wife, it does not. There is more to the prophecy than even you know, and Deris does not fit the full description. Take care from now on; you have a new King who has no illusions as to what your grandchildren are. In my mind, it will not be difficult to convince the Council that their power needs to be removed."

I saw and heard all this through Gerrett, who helped pack Warlend's things. Wylend had left Helsa's palace with his brother, although I'd seen disappointment in his eyes that the ring hadn't come to him.

He had to be a suitable choice—after all, he'd sat the throne after those who'd instigated the coup had been disposed of. What concerned me most about Wylend was why he hadn't told anyone this part of the story—that his father had abdicated in favor of Wellend, or that Wellend was King when the coup happened.

There was more to this story, and I waited to see how it would unfold.

"There is one more thing," Warlend said before turning to leave. "I'm taking both head cooks with me to the Palace—at the King's insistence."

* * *

Goor-Phin

Quin

Morth was dead and I was halfway to the shed housing the Sirenali when the drakus seed fields exploded around us. I saw the Orb as it flashed briefly before my sight. Not only was it responsible for the drakus plants' destruction; it flung everyone on the plantation to another world in the blink of an eye.

Chapter 14

Quin

Daris wasn't happy, of that I was certain. Half the night, the Orb hovered over her head, issuing orders in mindspeech as the rest of us scurried to make our new surroundings comfortable for the angry, Fourth-level witch.

An abandoned palace was our new home, and I hoped with all my might that it would be temporary.

I was finally beginning to understand the Orb's motives, however, and they frightened me.

Yes, it had appeared to serve good, as long as it searched for the one responsible for Siriaa's destruction. The Orb, connected to Liron the god, was set to protect Siriaa or avenge it if it were harmed.

Vardil Cayetes was no longer a threat; therefore, the Orb considered him dealt with. Its real objective had come to the fore and it had found the likeliest of servants to effect that goal.

It intended to destroy the Alliance—if not all living worlds
.

The poison wasn't working fast enough, I suppose. Scientists were desperately searching for a cure for the foul creatures every moment, which could spoil the Orb's plans.

The Arden twins, with their N'il Mo'erti and penchant for causing pain and death, were a better method of killing everything. Not only was I a servant to the Orb's whims, the Arden twins had become its pawns, too.

Perhaps the Orb hadn't realized that I opposed its objectives. I imagined it might kill me easily if I made that fact clear.