Page 83 of The Eyes of Tamburah
All dreams of travel fled. She rubbed her arm, considering. The Invisible Sword’s plan to exchange the fake eyes for Banqui had depended on Rendor, which meant they were unaware of the change in captains. Now Rendor couldn’t protect her in Zirdai and, with the bounty on her head, it would be rather difficult moving through the city. Regardless, she needed to get to the prince. Would the guards believe her and escort her to him? She asked Rendor.
“Depends on who you find,” he said. “A few know what’s been going on and will take you down so they gain the prince’s favor. A few will think you’re crazy and either ignore you or arrest you. But a few will decide to keep The Eyes for themselves and leave to sell them in another city.”
“So I have a thirty percent chance of finding the one honest guard?”
He smiled. “Actually it’s lower than that. The guards assigned to the upper levels are usually new and not privy to what’s going on.”
Great. “What can I do to reach the prince?”
“If you still had his sigil it’d be easy. Otherwise the guards won’t let you get close to him even if you made it down to his entrance.”
More reasons to hate the deacons. Too bad the scars on her left wrist hadn’t disappeared like her Invisible Sword mark.
“I don’t suppose you have another one?” she asked.
He made a show of patting his pockets. “Sorry, sunbeam, fresh out.”
Ah sarcasm. She ignored the sunbeam crack because she knew he wanted to provoke a reaction. Why, she’d no idea. But it did give her another idea. “What’s the sigil made of?”
“Gold and silver.”
Two precious metals that she didn’t own. And even if she did, she would have to risk capture to get to her secret stash. Which made her wonder… She glanced at Rendor.
“What?”
“How are you going to afford moving to another city?” she asked.
“Are you hoping I have some gold and silver to lend you?”
“No. It just occurred to me.”
“Captains are paid very well, and because of the inherent danger of our job we tend to splurge and spend all our money. No need to save for the future.”
That was sad, no wonder he was always grumpy.
“But on the flip side, we don’t have much free time. I’ve a nice stockpile hidden, but that’s down on level ninety-seven. Good thing I also had my last pay with me.” He dug into his pocket and drew out a large handful of osees. “I’ll give most of these to the monks to pay for their…kindness. The rest will cover the travel fee. Once I’m there, I’ll find a job.”
He didn’t sound concerned at all. So easy for those not sun-kissed.
“If I had the choice, I’d go to Apanji,” she said. “They have these pink marble columns that are massive and emit the purest white light in all of Koraha. They also have a river of water that falls nine levels and splashes down in this huge pool. I’d love to see that.”
Rendor regarded her with an odd expression. “You don’t have to give The Eyes to the prince. You could sell them and have enough coins to travel all over Koraha.”
“I could.”
“But you won’t.” He paused. “Your dedication is admirable. Banqui must mean a lot to you.”
Was he jealous? “If you had a true friend, then you’d understand.”
Rendor didn’t respond. Sighing, Shyla pulled her attention back to the problem at hand. Unfortunately, she had no way to contact the Invisible Sword. Except Jayden, but that meant getting down to level sixty-two. From her explorations, she’d learned that her map of Zirdai was useless and she didn’t know the city as well as she’d thought. She doubted anyone did. Which meant trying to sneak down to the deeper levels without being seen. Impossible for her. She either needed a guide or a fake sigil or a better map to reach the Water Prince.
Shyla wondered if the monks would help her. Guess she’d have to swallow her pride and ask.
Although he didn’t look happy—then again when did he ever appear happy?—Rendor helped her to her feet and followed her out into the hall. She slung her pack over her good shoulder. The floor dipped underneath her and she leaned against the wall to keep upright. Druk lanterns hung every ten meters, which meant they were below the public levels.
She turned to him. “They let you down here?”
He lifted his left elbow, indicating the sling. “I’m hardly a threat and they understand my connection to the prince has been severed and I need to lay low. But I’m limited to only a few locations, and I’ve been told once I’m recovered I’m no longer welcome.”
