Page 9 of The Eyes of Tamburah
“There’s a difference?”
“Yes. I’m hired to research, study maps, transcribe ancient tablets in order to find the location of a lost temple or structure. Then I give the information to my client. I don’t go into the desert and dig.”
“I see.” He studied her. “If you’re the best, then why are you living on level three? Even the poorest Zirdai citizen can afford to live deeper.”
In other words, what was she doing with her income. It was none of his business, but she wasn’t going to anger him further. “Sunlight. I need it for my work.”
“And I’m sure it’s quieter up there. No neighbors to bother you.”
“Exactly.” She kept her expression dispassionate. Although she wanted to punch him. He’d no idea what her life was like. As a sun-kissed, she hadn’t expected to be welcomed with open arms. After all, the monks had warned her. But the lengths people went to ignore her was quite the shock. She’d been lucky to get a room at all.
“And you haven’t been tempted to retrieve these artifacts for yourself?”
Ah, finally—the real reason for this little chat. “No.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“If I was tempted, then why would I have clients? I could easily do the research for myself.”
“But not the labor to clear a site. You needed Banqui for that and once he found The Eyes, all you had to do was jump him and steal them.”
The conversation had just taken a turn for the worse. The Water Prince made an excellent point. Shyla laced her hands together to keep them from shaking. She needed to choose her words with care. “Let’s say that’s what happened. Then why am I still in Zirdai? Why am I helping Banqui to recover them?”
“The Eyes will give you the power to overthrow me.”
Unable to stop herself, she laughed. Shocked, he stared at her and she rushed to control the nervous giggles before he recovered and sent her to one of his special rooms. “I’m sorry. It’s just The Eyes do not have magical powers. There is no evidence.”
“What about King Tamburah? His accomplishments are well documented. He was a poor velbloud shearer and he became king.”
“He also was a charismatic speaker and very intelligent. He used fear, intimidation, and the claim of having magic to keep his people loyal and obedient. In his later years, he killed without mercy or reason—a sign of his insanity.” Remembering the faces carved into the walls, she shuddered. “Look, I’ve no desire to rule Zirdai. I’m happy to pay my taxes and be left alone.” Nor did she care what happened to the people in the city—they’d rejected her after all. “If I wanted power, I could have stayed with the monks and risen through the ranks. I didn’t steal The Eyes. I don’t know where they are.”
The Water Prince appeared to consider her comments. “Let’s say you are telling the truth. Then that leaves Banqui.”
“He didn’t steal them either.”
“How do you know?”
“He’s upset and has been frantically searching for them. One of his people must have figured it out and sold the information to a treasure hunter. Banqui is loyal to you.”
“That could be an act. Does Banqui believe The Eyes have magical powers?”
Not liking where this was going, she squirmed. “Yes, but—”
“Banqui is my fourth archeologist because the three before him eventually turned greedy and decided to keep the treasures for themselves, which resulted in their immediate…removal. It was just a matter of time and the right prize to turn Banqui as well.”
Shyla shook her head. “No. I don’t believe that.”
“You’re rather loyal. Are you that way for all your clients or are you friends?”
Another uncomfortable question. She’d been truthful so far, and lying well wasn’t a skill she possessed—at least that was what the monks had said. “Iconsider Banqui a friend. I don’t know how he views our relationship.”
“So you’re biased.”
“No. Like he told you, I’m skeptical. It’s the same with people. I collect…er…facts when I’m with a person and form an opinion based on those instead of sentiment. Banqui’s proven to be trustworthy.”
“Fair enough. You don’t know me, right?”
“Yes.”
