Page 105 of The King of Koraha
Shyla settled in and translated the document. It had been circuits since she’d read the scribes’ formal text. Certain words were easier than others so she pieced it together. Soon she forgot all about her pain. Her entire world shrank to the faded words on the velbloud parchment. A tingle of excitement danced on her skin. As Neda had said, the text referred to the King’s gifts.
The first king of Koraha was given four boons: the power to command the water, sixty circuits of health and vitality, and two magical artifacts to aid him in his rule. Shyla would bet all her coins those two artifacts were The Eyes and those pendants.
With her heart jumping in her chest, she continued to read. There was no mention of how exactly his power worked other than the nebulous magic. There was also no information on how to counter his power, which was a relief, or any explanation on how to block the sunfire’s influence, which was not.
The scribe had detailed the King’s water magic, but not the other three gifts. Well, not in this report. Perhaps there were more of his scrolls in another Room of Knowledge. This one detailed that when the water level had sunk too far underground, the King had been able to bring the water closer to the surface. Then, when the other cities were dug, he had manipulated the water so it flowed to the new cities, eventually linking them all together.
Huh. That explained why most of the cities were spread out in a somewhat circular shape. The layout had to make it easier for the King. She wondered if he had to consciously use his magic for the water to flow, or if it was instinctual. The scribe hadn’t said, but he had warned that if— Shyla’s blood drained. Suddenly dizzy, she plopped into a cushion.
If the King died, then the water would stop flowing and eventually sink deep into the earth. Too far for the citizens to reach in time. She took a deep breath as she remembered that there was always a king-in-training who would take over immediately. Since the King’s magic kept him healthy for the first sixty circuits of his life, there was plenty of time for the king-in-training to learn what needed to be done.
Except if the King was assassinated while his replacement was still a baby…
In that case, everyone on Koraha would die.
Fourteen
Shyla reread the text, ensuring she had translated it correctly. The facts remained the same. If Xerxes assassinated the King, they wouldalldie. The commander must not know the consequences of his plan or perhaps he wasn’t going to kill the King, just influence him and rule Koraha through him. That wouldn’t appeal to Xerxes. Maybe he thought he’d gain the King’s powers when he died.
Panic surged up her throat, but she swallowed it down. How difficult would it be to assassinate the King? He not only resisted magic, but he could drown people and shrivel them. And Apanji’s Water Prince had sent him a warning about Xerxes. Still, she needed to get back to Qulsary, fast.
Rae returned with the monk’s physician. The older woman tortured Shyla by squeezing every centimeter of her injured forearm. By the time she was done with her “exam,” tears ran down Shyla’s face.
“It’s not broken,” the physician said. “But one of the bones is probably bruised.” She wrapped Shyla’s arm up to her elbow and tucked it into a sling. “Keep it still and don’t use it for the next ten sun jumps.”
“So not happening,” Rae muttered.
Shyla ignored her. “Do you have anything for the pain?” she asked the physician, thinking about Zhek’s soothing red medicine.
“Yes. Don’t move or use your arm and it won’t hurt.” She packed up her supplies and left.
“Wow, she’s grumpier than Zhek,” Shyla said. “I didn’t think that was possible.” Plus Zhek would have given her some pain relief—after he lectured her, of course.
“I’m surprised he hasn’t just given you a lifetime supply of the medicine,” Rae said.
Shyla glanced at the scroll she’d been reading. If she was right about Xerxes’ plans, her lifetime might be cut tragically short.
Neda arrived a few angles later. “Success. Twenty monks will be ready to go at angle zero.” Then she tilted her head to the scroll. “Was that helpful?”
“Yes.”
They waited for her to continue. Shyla grappled with how to tell them. As the silence stretched, Rae crossed her arms. “Are you going to tell us what caused you to pale three shades?”
“You don’t want to know.” But she explained what she’d learned about the King’s magic anyway.
Neda’s hand pressed to her chest as she gaped at Shyla. Stunned, Rae stared at her.
Finally, Neda shuddered and shook her head. “Do you need more monks to protect the King?” Her voice was thin and weak.
Did she? The Monks of Quirin could be called on to increase the number of his guards. As long as they hadn’t been converted. Would Xerxes send a message to Lonato and ask him to meet him in Qulsary? It all depended on whether Xerxes was heading straight for the King with only the soldiers with him or if he planned to take his time setting up, which would require him to stop for supplies. He also had a two sun jump head start.
She should assume the worst-case scenario. Xerxes was heading for the King in double time.
“Yes. Can you send everyone you can spare to the Quirin monastery?” Shyla asked.
“When?”
“As soon as possible.”
