Page 26 of The Eyes of Tamburah
“And you wish to ensure I do have him and he’s alive.”
That, too. She braced for his outburst.
“I was surprised you didn’t make this request earlier,” he said in a reasonable tone.
“Earlier I wouldn’t have known what I needed to ask him.” It was the truth.
“All right. I’ll have Rendor escort you once you’ve rested.”
“Thank you.” She sank back into the cushion in relief. No doubt Rendor would be ordered to listen in on the conversation as well, but she could work around that.
He draped a light fur over her, turned down the lanterns, and left. Shyla marveled over the complex man. One angle he was a scary and powerful ruler, who held the city’s life in his hands. And the next angle he was a teasing ordinary guy, who tucked her in and ensured she rested. If she believed Banqui, the prince would never be so nice, he’d force her to get to work, find The Eyes now and rest later if she was successful or be killed if she wasn’t.
Banqui. While happy she would see him, she hoped he was well. To see him otherwise would confuse her more.
* * *
The scent of steaming noodles and sweet gamelu meat woke her. Timin carried a tray, but he wouldn’t let her eat until he examined her. Although stiff and sore, her leg and back muscles no longer screamed in pain when she moved. Able to walk without too much difficulty, she demonstrated her range of motion for the physician. Once satisfied, he allowed her to eat.
“What time is it?” she asked between mouthfuls.
“Angle fifty-three.”
Choking on her food, she almost spit it out.
“What did you expect?” Timin asked, but he didn’t wait for an answer. “Healing takes time.” Muttering under his breath, he left.
When she finished scraping every piece into her mouth, Rendor arrived. After using the water closet, she followed him through the corridors. Without the holy water blurring her vision and clouding her mind, she glanced around the level with the sharp clarity she used when reading a map. Expensive trol chandeliers hung at every major intersection. Rugs carpeted the entire floor. Large open caverns appeared almost at random and served no particular function other than to create a sense of openness. Tiles colored the walls and decorated the floors of these spaces and a few held statues of people—probably past rulers.
A rhythmic splashing echoed long before they entered one grand grotto. Shyla slowed. Rings of colored tile from the deepest purple to the brightest yellow surrounded a massive fountain, where a column of water as thick as Rendor shot into the air. The water hit a mesh of some sort high above and then cascaded down on all sides. The water disappeared into drains, but a fine mist coated everything, including the hard stone benches along the walls.
“This is the prince’s favorite spot,” Rendor said.
“I’m not surprised.” She would have liked to linger, but Rendor continued through the cavern as if immune to such marvels.
Whenever they passed an open doorway, she stole a peek inside the rooms. Tile mosaics and sand paintings adorned the walls. Marble tables and cushioned seats were arranged in a pleasing manner.
The expanse of grottos and rooms eventually ended and they entered an area that was similar to the upper levels. Druk lanterns shone with a violet tint on the plain stone walls and floor.
Rendor noticed her expression. “This is where the prince’s guards are housed. You didn’t think we lived in luxury did you?”
Actually, she hadn’t thought about it at all. “Guess I won’t be signing up then.”
He laughed. Shyla just about tripped over her feet at the surprisingly deep rumble. The man knew how to laugh. Wonders never ceased. And the change in his demeanor enhanced his features, turning him from an attractive man to…damn fine.
They walked for more angles than she’d anticipated. Then they reached a set of stairs, going down.
Shyla paused. “I thought we were on the lowest level in Zirdai.”
“The lowestresidentiallevel,” Rendor said. “Below are the black cells where we house criminals, political prisoners, and people who’ve angered the Water Prince.”
“Oh.” Her throat suddenly dry, she swallowed. “What’s below that level?”
“Pipes for the water, then nothing but stone. Our city grows wider, not deeper.”
He descended into the darkness and she followed close behind him. The musty air turned cold and damp. A greenish mold clung to the walls.
At the first landing, he stopped and turned to her. “Prepare yourself. This will be unlike anything you’ve seen before.”
