Page 137 of The King of Koraha
“Shyla can explain it. I’ve work to do.” He nodded to them and then went up the ramp. The water followed, blocking the passage.
Mojag walked over to the wall of water. He poked a finger into it and jumped back as if it would collapse and flood the room. “I wonder if I can move water, too.” He rolled his shoulders as if loosening up.
“Before Mojag manages to drown us, what do you need us to do?” Gurice asked.
Shyla explained about the scrolls as she led them to the Room of Knowledge. After she opened the mural, she showed them the words they were seeking. They were no longer searching for information on the pendants but on the mural and its construction. Also for anything referring to where the sunfire and blackfire were found.
After twenty angles, Gurice groaned. “I hate to say this, but I think I’d prefer hauling buckets of sand. At least then I can see my progress as I clear a room. This…ugh.”
Shyla pointed to a tall pile of scrolls in the corner. “That’s our progress. Seventeen sun jumps’ worth.”
Gurice groaned again. She stretched her arms and then scratched idly at her shoulder, a gesture she and Mojag had been doing off and on since they reunited. Shyla was about to ask if the siblings had picked up sand fleas when Mojag hopped up and handed Shyla a scroll. “There’s that funny word with that weird-looking K.”
He referred to the ancient spelling of sunfire. Shyla scanned the document and sat up straighter. This might explain exactly how the sunfire worked.
“A good one?” Mojag asked.
“Yes.”
“What does it say?”
“I need to translate it first.”
Mojag sprawled on the rug. “Wake me when you do.”
“Oh no, rat. You keep on working until Shyla says stop,” Gurice ordered.
Shyla ignored them. The passage had her full attention. It reported about the original sunfire being much larger than the one in the pendant. It was found while digging the first underground city of Koraha. And when they cracked it open, they found a blackfire at its core. The blackfire had been surrounded by—
“Stop,” Rendor said. “It’s almost time for Najib’s meeting.”
It about killed her to put the scroll down, but she wouldn’t risk the only advantage they had. Reluctantly, she left the room and settled in the hallway with Rendor, Gurice and Mojag.
When the sloshing sounds of the water echoed, Mojag leaned to get a peek around the corner. Gurice yanked him back with a scowl. He crossed his arms and pouted.
The King and Najib’s voices soon reached them. Najib claimed he’d launched a full investigation of the stolen taxes.
“Commander Xerxes is back in Qulsary,” Najib said. “He’d like an audience with you to discuss reforming the elite squads.”
Shyla hoped the King would delay the meeting as long as possible.
“You know we don’t have any coins to pay him or his soldiers,” the King said.
“I made him aware of the situation and he offered to help us recover the taxes. He also mentioned he’s been doing freelance work in other cities and that has kept his people employed. That must be what Shyla meant by ‘taking over’ the cities.” Disgust dripped from Najib’s voice.
“It can’t hurt to talk to the man,” the King said.
“That’s what I thought. I’ll schedule him for angle twenty.”
No. Shyla exchanged worried glances with Rendor and the others. They weren’t ready.
“I’d rather wait and meet with him in a few sun jumps, Najib,” the King said.
“Why? The longer we wait, the smaller the chances of finding the stolen taxes.”
Seven hells. Najib had him there.
“Yes, of course, you’re right. I’m just tired.”
