Finder: First Ordinance, Book One by Connie Suttle

Author:Connie Suttle [Connie Suttle]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: SubtleDemon Publishing
Published: 2014-03-24T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

"We are expected to stay while the tests are run," Ordin informed me when I woke. A tray of fruit and other food was waiting, along with fruit juice and water. Consuming the fruit juice first, I drank thirstily while Ordin watched. He and the others had already eaten; I discovered that as I bit into an apple. So seldom had I gotten fruit, even after coming to the Avii, that I relished every bite, right down to the core.

"Try this," Ordin partially peeled a long, yellow fruit and handed it to me. I almost went into raptures at the taste, it was so good. I was too full to try the rest after that, and wanted to sleep again. Ordin nodded and closed the door of the private suite I'd been given, allowing me the sleep my body demanded.

* * *

"How's the boy?" Justis asked when Gurnil entered their assigned apartment.

"So far, all tests indicate the disease has disappeared. Their technicians don't know what to make of this. The President placed guards outside Quin's room, however, and that concerns me. Gurnil is asking to see the President, and they keep putting him off."

"I'm not surprised. My brother asked for an exorbitant amount. Perhaps Charkisul is protecting his investment, until he learns his son is healthy."

"How much did Jurris ask for the healing?" Ordin narrowed his eyes at Justis.

"Four million. Do not say where that information came from. He'll know." Justis rustled his wings. "A parent will pay most any price to save a child. Jurris was counting on that."

"Jurris is still angry that Halthea hasn't conceived," Ordin grunted. "You think he'll ask Quin to fix that, too, then keep her in the kitchens?"

"I'd prefer that didn't happen," Justis turned his back on Ordin to stare out the window in the main room of their shared apartment. "He still has Wimla and Vorina. Either would be happy to provide a child."

"But the odds aren't as good that the children will be Red-Winged," Ordin snorted. "He wants a Red-Winged heir."

"Perhaps there is a good reason Halthea hasn't conceived, then. Few are getting children, even here in Kondar. The President is fortunate to have a child. Doubly fortunate that Quin was able to heal him." Justis shook his head.

"How much of that money will go to Quin?" Ordin asked softly.

Justis snorted his answer.

* * *

"Message from my father." Rodrik handed the sealed parchment to Amlis, who sat next to a window in Timblor's old suite, staring at low clouds hanging over the courtyard and walls surrounding the castle.

Amlis accepted the message absently and broke the seal before turning his eyes away from the gray skies outside. "It's as if the rain is poison, as well as the ground it falls upon," Amlis unrolled the message with a sigh. "Three ships built. Father wants six, plus the conscription of all larger vessels. Not much time left, Rod, before we have to devise a plan to curtail this madness."

"Have you seen the recruits coming in? Less than half what your father wants, and half of those look sickly.

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