Preserving the Ingenairii Read Online Free PDF Page A

bodies, and never came back.   The bodies lay in a coma-like state until they wasted away, just as was happening here.
                     “I’m going to go to Oyster Bay immediately, Ellison,” Alec said.   “Let’s go back to say farewell to the Duke, then I’ll go to Natha and take his fastest ship down the river.”
                     “ Your Grace,” Alec said minutes later as he and Ellison returned to the Duke’s public meeting room, “I want to go to Oyster Bay as quickly as possible to see if the ingenairii there are in good health, and see if we can find a cure for our people.   I’m going to trader Millershome’s to use his fastest boat.”
                     “I’m sorry to lose your company again, but I understand the urgency,” the Duke replied.   “We’ll wait to hear word from you.   You know, Oyster Bay is unsettled these days politically, Alec.   The Queen and Rander are having a hard time keeping the city secure with lots of jockeying going on with all the succession intrigue.   You need to be careful.”
                     “What if I announced that I intend to take the crown for myself?”   Alec asked.   “Would Goldenfields support me?”
                     The Duke’s eyes widened, then he grinned broadly.   “Alec, what would you like for me to do to help you?   The Dominion would be well served by your leadership, and we will do all we can to assist you.   Especially if it means I never have to worry about chasing the crown myself; at my age I just want to rule Goldenfields and prepare my son to be a good ruler after me.   We haven’t done anything to aid Bethany only because we haven’t been asked.”
                     “I am the grandson of King Gildevny,” Alec said.   “I don’t know if I want to spend the rest of my life being king, but if Bethany is queen already, and if the Dominion needs me to take charge and provide peace, I will do it.”   He wondered again, as he had often done in recent weeks, why she had chosen to step into the throne.   Whatever her reason had been, he knew it must have been sound, supported by Rander as it was.
                     “I can have a battalion of our Guard ready to send to you within days,” the Duke told him earnestly.
                     “I’ll send you a message if I think I need them,” Alec replied, placing his hand in the Duke’s.
                     “I’ll wait to hear from you,” the Duke said.   “I know you’re anxious to go,” the Duke looked towards Ellison, and the two were moving out of the palace minutes later.
                     As they began to cross the bridge a group of horsemen came onto the bridge from the other end.   “Those look like Bondell riders,” Alec said as he observed the blue coats.   A sudden question entered his mind, but before he could ask it, the leader of the horsemen recognized him.
                     “Alec?   Alec!” Rashrew shouted.   “Thank God you’re alive!   It’s so good to see you.   How did you come to be here?” questions came rushing one after another.
                     “This is perfect!   We need a healer,” he stepped back among his men as they gently cradled a bundle off the back of a horse.   “Imelda fainted several days ago and we haven’t been able to revive her.   We thought your healers here in Goldenfields would be able to help her,” Rashrew said with deep emotion in his voice, and evident relief to find Alec.
                     “Was she trying to heal someone when she fainted?” Alec asked, again fearing that the illness could have spread to Bethany and the others in far off Oyster Bay.
                     “Yes she was,” Rashrew told him.
                     “All the ingenairii have