Page 128 of The King of Koraha
That promise slammed into her like a physical blow. Shame followed her relief. Of course the King wouldn’t be like Xerxes. And she wassupposedto be working for the King. She’d been very selfish. The power of The Eyes wasn’t just for her to use in Zirdai, but for all of Koraha. The Invisible Sword should be in service to the King, helping everyone. Once she made her decision, peace settled on her soul.
“If I swear the oath, you won’t be able to get rid of me or the Invisible Sword. Do you understand?” Shyla asked.
The King grinned. “I wouldn’t think of it. And you’ll be compensated.”
“Let’s work out the details once we’ve stopped Xerxes. Now what do I need to do?”
“What doweneed to do,” Rendor corrected.
She glanced at him. His challenging stare said it all.
“We,” she amended.
“Come with me.” The King headed to the far left corner, which still appeared to be a regular corner until they reached it. Then the optical illusion was exposed.
A hallway led to a solid wall of stained glass. Off the hallway were two rooms, one on each side. The King stopped in front of the wall. The beautiful colored-glass panels created an intricate mural.
Shyla inspected the design closely and almost gasped. “It’s a map of Koraha.”
“Correct.” The King quirked his eyebrows as if waiting.
Tracing the pattern of the cities, she noticed another layer. “Is that the underground river?”
“Yes.”
“There’s no lock or any indication that they are doors,” Rendor said.
“Correct. Those that have permission to enter need only to press their hand on the heart of Koraha and the doors will open.”
Heart? She studied the mural, seeking the symbol until she realized it wouldn’t be that obvious. The heart of Koraha was the King. She found the castle and the symbol of the crown with water droplets instead of crenellations. She pointed to it. “That’s the heart. Because without you, we all die of thirst.”
The King’s good humor faded. “I shouldn’t be surprised that you’ve learned that. It’s been all but forgotten, which my predecessors encouraged. But the old king’s inactions have endangered me, and perhaps it’s time to remind everyone.”
“I told Xerxes, but he didn’t believe me.”
“After this, I’ll visit all the cities and introduce myself and do a little demonstration for them.”
“That’ll work,” Rendor said. “Korahans love a show.”
“Then let’s get working on getting to thatafter,” the King said. “Are you ready to take the oath?”
“Yes,” Shyla and Rendor said in unison.
“As far as oaths go, this is rather simple,” the King said. “You make a shallow cut on your palm just enough to make it bleed, then press it to the heart. Then you say, ‘I swear I will be true to the King, myself, and the people of Koraha.’” He handed her a small dagger.
The edge of the sharp blade gleamed in the trol light. Shyla cut a three-centimeter slice across her left palm. Stinging pain and blood welled. Not hesitating, she flattened her hand over the heart of the map. “I swear I will be true to the King, myself, Rendor, the Invisible Swords, and the people of Koraha.”
Heat built under her skin, burning her hand. Then the colored glass rattled and a pulse of magic slammed into her, knocking her back. She lost her balance and landed on her butt with anoof. So much for a dignified pledge.
Shyla glanced at her palm. A thin bright red scar had replaced the cut. Except it was not a straight line. The scar resembled the Invisible Sword symbol with a couple added features. Instead of two swords, four swords now crossed tips. The hilts of all the swords still connected in a line that bowed away from the top, and the arched line over it still formed an eye shape, which now held a circle and pupil to mark the new archive of the organization.
The King helped her to stand. “I liked your…edits to the oath. Very you.” He smiled. “Can I see?”
She extended her hand and he inspected her palm.
“That’s interesting,” he said. “Four swords. I wonder if that’s one for me, you, Rendor, and the people of Koraha. And the rest of the symbol is obviously for the Invisible Swords.”
“Is this…normal?”
