Blinking my eyes open, I found Farzi and Nenzi staring up at me in complete mystification. I hadn't fainted and merely felt tired, not completely exhausted as I had the times before. How could this be? I forced the turn back to myself and Nenzi ran to get clothing for me—the night had gone cool and moist around us.
"What happened?" Nenzi and Farzi both wanted to know.
"It's done—the core is healed," I said, slipping into trousers and a shirt that Nenzi held out for me. Socks and boots came next, even as I tried to discover what had been different. "Kifirin," I finally sighed.
"Kifirin? He do this?" Farzi blinked at me quizzically.
"He must have," I muttered. "This would have caused me to faint, otherwise."
"What he do?" Nenzi asked as I walked toward our tent. I was thirsty and hungry, but that was all.
"I don't know, sweet man," I hugged Nenzi to me. Never one to pass up an opportunity, he hugged me back—hard. He and Farzi had been worried to death over this. Now, they were both showing signs of intense relief. "Come on, let's eat," I said, flopping down next to the food basket and digging through it for the least offensive of available meals.
* * *
Edan was stepping off the bus when it felt as if a heavy load had been lifted from his shoulders. Others behind him were feeling the same, he saw. Sighs came from several and some even laughed or giggled for no reason. Something has happened, Eden thought. Something momentous, but none of them were ever likely to find what it might be. Edan pulled the strap of his small bag up and squared his shoulders, walking toward Desh's number one and a meeting with his father.
* * *
"You'll start at the bottom," Addah snapped. "With appropriate pay. And I've already filed the writ of detachment—your mother won't be coming here again. You've both embarrassed the family, but she's the worst. Do you know what your daughter has done? Do you?"
"The last I heard, she was wanted for drakus seed crimes." Edan shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he watched his father's face go pink.
"Faugh. That was just a cover-up. She was transferred to the ASD, you idiot. Reah was working undercover for them at the time. And that isn't what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"She's intended to the King of Karathia," Addah's face almost went purple. "He brought her here and I blew up. Now, the Star Gazer is running ads showing Wylend Arden thanking that fool Worden for cooking a fine meal for him and his intended."
"That's not like you, Addah, to hurt the business in that way," Edan said quietly.
"I know." Addah looked at Edan as if he were seeing him for the first time. From where had that insight come? Addah had never seen it before.
"Did Reah look well? How did the Karathian King treat her?"
"Like royalty," Addah muttered angrily. "Why would you care anyway? You beat her. Broke her bones. I was forced to look at those reports by that ill-mannered Vice-Director of the ASD."
"Things have changed somewhat, father."
Addah snorted his derision. "You change? Not likely."
"I can't explain this in any way you'll understand, Father. When would you like for me to start work? I warn you, I'll be rusty at first. I'm glad you're starting me at the bottom so I can relearn all of it. Perhaps I'll be better, this time. And if you hear anything at all from Reah, I'd appreciate it if you'd pass that information along."
"Don't go after her—that Vice-Director will be watching you like a lion watches a gazelle unless I miss my guess. One step out of line and you'll be living inside prison walls again."
"Trust me; I have no wish to harm her."
* * *
"Reah, when you make cookies again?" Nenzi lay back on the sleeping bag, staring up at the roof of our small tent. Thankfully, it was waterproof. The three of us watched as raindrops pattered on the synthetic cloth, dripping down the sides and into the trench I'd dug as a precaution. I'd had training through the ASD on how to live in the wild if it became necessary. Farzi and Nenzi, as lion snakes, could do it by instinct.
"Nenzi, if I can find a kitchen sometime soon, I'll cook. All right?" I turned my head to look at him. We ended up rubbing noses. Nenzi loves that. Farzi, too, so I turned to him and did the same.
"Where we go after this?" Farzi asked, smiling at me.
"I don't know, honey snake," I lay on my back and stared at the ceiling again. "We have to follow Nidris, but who knows where he's going or how much damage he's done already? We may have to guess, Farzi."
"Reah sleep here," Farzi pulled my head onto his shoulder. I tucked in against him, content to do as he asked.
* * *
Nidris had contacts. Good contacts. He'd worked for several of them, under Zellar. He was prepared to offer his services again, if they had any need for him. The strongest criminal faction hadn't been thrilled with the idea of the Campiaan Alliance—in fact, they'd hired three warlocks already, all trained by Zellar, in an attempt to kill Teeg San Gerxon and the Alliance at the same time. Somehow, the Starr brothers, working with Teeg San Gerxon had managed to thwart the assassination attempts.
Nidris' former employers were infuriated by the failed efforts. It provided the perfect opportunity for Nidris, who was willing to work for them again—at the right price. They'd hire him; he knew they would. Perhaps Nidris could do what the others couldn't, bringing that portion of the universe back to lawlessness and rule by the powerful. It would guarantee his safety, working with the ones who sought to take over.
* * *
"Aren't you suspicious that they're playing along?" Dee looked up at Gavril.
"Of course—but we need to keep them where we can watch them. Contact Wylend—ask if he'll lend us a few of his warlocks," Gavril sighed. "Lersen Strand and his cousins will destroy the Alliance before it ever becomes official if they have their way."
"It will require your death to be successful," Dee pointed out.
"They're welcome to try."
"You can't ignore that possibility, Teeg. You're powerful in your own right, but they have plenty of support."
"Paid support."
"But support, nonetheless. Don't disregard that threat. I beg you."
"I'm not disregarding it, Papa Dee."
Dormas sighed as he closed the application on his comp-vid—he'd been going over the attendees for the meeting. "Too bad we don't have Reah; I think she could force all of them into submission with food alone. I miss those meals." Teeg had sneaked food to Dee on many occasions—food that Reah had prepared. Dee had gotten quite addicted to it.