Page 12 of The Eyes of Tamburah
He gazed at her for a moment as if stunned. Did he think she’d escaped?
“Uh, how does your head feel?” he finally asked.
She sat up and fingered the bandage on her temple. Pain answered her touch, but the deeper throb had disappeared. “Better.”
“Good.” He dropped the fur and strode to the door.
Two guards straightened at his approach, and he said something to them that was too low for Shyla to understand. The Water Prince wore a form-fitting green silk tunic tucked into black trousers. His dusty black ankle boots appeared to be crafted from a soft leather. The two times she’d seen him, from a distance, he’d worn formal silk robes and a golden crown.
He returned and pointed to a door on the other side of the fountain. “Feel free to use the water closet to freshen up.”
A closet full of water? Confused, she glanced at the door.
He chuckled. “Sorry, I forgot there are no water closets above level eighty. Come.”
She followed him. He entered the small room and twisted a knob on the equally small lantern fixed to the wall next to a mirror. It flared to life.
“Turn the faucet on to let the water flow.” He demonstrated, creating a small fountain. The water splashed into a bowl and disappeared. “When you’re done, turn it the opposite way to shut it off.” He noticed her amazed expression. “There are metal pipes throughout the deep levels. We’ve plenty of water down here.” Then he swept an arm out, indicating the two seats along the opposite wall. “I assume you know what to do there. Liquids on the left. What do they call them in the upper levels?”
Heat rushed through her. “Collection stations.”
“Ah, yes. No need to be embarrassed, they’re very important for our survival.” He left.
True. The wastes from the citizens of Zirdai were collected each sun jump and used to fertilize and “water” the crops. The plants grew in spacious caverns on level six and were tended by the deacons. Mirror pipes brought in the sunlight. Technically people could survive on velbloud, snake, and gamelu meat alone, but it wasn’t ideal.
Shyla “freshened up” and then washed her hands and face using the cleanser provided. When it didn’t dry soon after, she realized she had to rinse it from her skin with water, which explained the mini fountain and basin. While vegetables and fruit were important to their world, this water was vital. And to just let it pour through her fingers was such decadence! She hoped it was collected, cleaned, and reused—like almost everything in Zirdai.
When she exited the water closet, the Water Prince gestured for her to join him at a low marble table. Two plates of scrambled velbloud eggs had been set out along with two cups of steaming mint tea. Shyla settled on the cushion opposite him.
“Go on, eat. You must be starving.” He dug into his pile with gusto.
She picked at her food.
He paused. “What’s wrong?”
The words burst from her before she could stop them. “I’m having first meal with the Water Prince!”
“And I’m eating with a sun-kissed.” He pressed a hand to his chest in mock horror. “Don’t tell the wealthy elites.” Then he sobered. “Look, I usually eat alone because of the…awkwardness from everyone. I’d hoped you’d be more relaxed.” He leaned forward. “How about this? Let’s pretend we’re ordinary citizens having first meal together. We’ll make small talk, discuss the tasks we have planned for this sun jump. Can you do that, Shyla?”
It was the first time he hadn’t called her sun-kissed. She sipped her tea to settle her nerves. Nothing wrong with small talk. “Yes. Er…what do you have planned for this sun jump?”
“I’ve a history lesson scheduled with the visiting professor from Catronia University.” He spooned a large heap of eggs into his mouth.
“I didn’t know you still attended lessons.”
He flashed her that brilliant smile. The sun had nothing on him. Nothing at all.
“I’m taking advantage of Professor Emeline’s visit. I believe that you should never stop learning. Those that do are making a big mistake. While history isn’t my favorite subject and she can be rather dull, I still might learn something.”
“I agree with you. I almost stayed at the monastery just to have access to all those Rooms of Knowledge.”
“Why didn’t you?”
The question seemed innocent, but he had accused her of stealing The Eyes in an attempt to overthrow him. She chose her words with care. “I wanted to explore our world and visit the grand cities of Koraha. Plus I’m helping Banqui and others find lost temples and palaces. We’re unearthing our history and learning new things. Unlike the monks who are isolated in their monasteries. What good is all that knowledge if you can’tdoanything with it?”
“I agree. I think they should do more, and the Heliacal Priestess would love to be admitted into those rooms. But they’re protected by the King and the Sun Goddess. And no one is crazy enough to upset either one.”
Despite being raised by the monks, Shyla wasn’t convinced of the Sun Goddess’s existence. The monks prayed and prayed, but as far as Shyla could tell, none of their prayers were answered. But she wouldn’t say that aloud. The Heliacal Priestess was equally as powerful as the Water Prince, and her deacons kept a close eye on her flock. Shyla paid her tithe and attended services without fail to avoid being accused of lacking the proper devotion.
