Page 101 of The King of Koraha
“If they’re not caught by Captain Mahira, maybe Xerxes will ransom him to us,” Gurice said. “We have the taxes.”
Which they needed to deliver to the King. Another wave of fatigue hit her. Add that to the oppressive heat and painful sunlight, she longed for shade and a nap. They all needed to go underground before the sun reached the danger zone.
“Mojag, can you move the chests to a better hiding spot in the sand? Or are you too tired?” If Shyla had moved a dune, she’d be unconscious by now.
“Nope. I can bury them where no one will find them.” He smirked. “Except me.”
Shyla organized the rest of the Invisible Swords. They took care of their injured, the gamelus, and the wagons.
“What about the monks whose clothing you stole?” she asked Gurice.
“We left them in the travel shelter. We timed it so by the time they woke up, they wouldn’t be able to get here before the killing zone.” She grinned. “They’ll be here by darkness, though. And looking for a fight.”
“I’ll send a message to Neda. Her monks can intercept them.” Before they headed to the city, Shyla searched for her leather pouch that she’d hidden beneath the sands. Spotting it, she used the sand to bring it to her. She added the new pendant and her broken one to the bag but kept the necklace with Gurice’s and Mojag’s names on it—a reminder of her new family, which included Rendor. She’d free him if it was the last thing she did. Xerxes didn’t get to keep him.
After she sent the pouch deep under the nearest dune, she re-joined Mojag and Gurice. The three of them returned to the city. Once they reached the cooler underground levels, Mojag began to lag behind. By the time they arrived at the entrance to the prince’s residence, he could barely stand. Gurice lectured him on exhausting his magic as she half carried him.
The guards stationed outside glared at her. She didn’t have the energy for this, but she didn’t have a choice.
Shyla approached them. “I’m going to free you from the compulsion to obey Commander Xerxes. I know you want to kill me, but if you do, then I can’t release the Water Prince, his advisors, and the rest of your colleagues. Do you understand?”
Tight nods.
“Maybe we should wait for Captain Mahira,” Jaft said.
“No. They’ve suffered long enough.” She released them and braced for an attack.
They considered it, but then they opened the doors and led Shyla and the rest of the Invisible Swords to the guest quarters where the prince and his advisors were staying. While the task to free them all was easy, it drained what remained of her energy. She plopped into a cushion. Mojag had already fallen asleep on another.
The Water Prince quickly resumed control of the situation. He asked a number of questions about Xerxes’ whereabouts and Captain Mahira. Gurice answered as best she could since none of them knew where anyone had gone.
“You should station guards at all the city’s exits, including the escape tunnels just in case the mercs get past the captain,” Gurice suggested.
The prince frowned at them. “I’ve no idea if you’re telling me the truth.” Then he gestured to his guards. “Arrest them all.”
Gurice glanced at Shyla, questioning if they should fight. Shyla shook her head. Once Mahira returned, she’d sort it all out. Besides, they were in no condition to resist.
“Relinquish your weapons,” Shyla said. “We’ll cooperate.”
“Smart,” the prince said. “Take them to the holding cells.”
The guards quickly surrounded them. Poor Mojag didn’t even wake up. They had to carry him. The Invisible Swords were then escorted a few levels below and into a tunnel that led to the holding cells. They were obviously used for temporary stays. At least they were clean, well lit, and included sleeping cushions. Shyla was shoved into the first cell along with Gurice and Rae.
“I always knew you’d land me in jail,” Gurice said, checking the lock and rattling the bars. “The surprise is that it took you this long.”
“Ha, ha. At least I didn’t disappoint you.” Shyla collapsed onto the cushion. “Check in with everyone, make sure they’re okay and that they don’t need a physician. Wake me if anything exciting happens.”
“Aren’t we going to escape?” Rae asked Shyla. “There are three guards nearby—it’d be easy.”
“No. The prince is understandably unbalanced right now. Once he gains his footing and consults with his captain, he’ll release us. Plus we need his help and escaping will just anger him and exhaust us further.”
“Best case scenario,” Gurice said, “is that they’ll kick us out of here to make room for Xerxes and his soldiers.”
But Gurice’s sour expression matched Shyla’s thoughts. They both knew Xerxes wouldn’t be captured. He and the majority of his soldiers would escape, taking Rendor with them.
It took the Water Prince of Apanji two full sun jumps before he sent for Shyla at angle one-ten. The rest of her companions were left in the holding cells. That didn’t bode well for their future. At least the delay had given everyone time to recover from their injuries. Mojag had roused briefly at the end of the first sun jump and, according to Jaft, ate an entire gamelu before returning to an exhausted sleep.
When Shyla was brought before the Water Prince, she noted the increased number of guards around him. Captain Mahira stood on his right. However, the prince refused to face her, keeping his back turned. Mahira relayed the prince’s questions. Shyla debated if she should tell him that once she had made eye contact with a person, she formed a permanent connection. Deciding it wouldn’t help their relationship and would probably ruin any trust she might have gained, she remained quiet.
