Page 138 of The King of Koraha
“I understand, sire. Here, I brought your favorite blend of tea.”
They discussed other business, but Shyla no longer listened. The four of them would need to be in the King’s office during that meeting. Perhaps all disguised as guards. Would Xerxes notice? They needed to devise a plan on how to stop Xerxes if he tried to kill the King.
Rendor squeezed her hand, pulling her from her panicked scheming. He pointed to his ear. She listened.
“…sorry, Najib.” The King yawned. “I don’t…know…” He slurred his next words.
“No need to apologize. Lie down, sire. I can see myself out.”
Scorching sand rats. Had Najib just poisoned the King? Or drugged him so he wouldn’t return the water to the upper chamber? That would allow anyone to just walk down and kill him!
They couldn’t remain here while the King needed them. Coming to the same conclusion, they all stood. Rendor gestured for them to wait while he retrieved his weapons. She hoped Najib had already left. Mojag could fetch the King’s physician.
The thud of heavy footsteps sounded and they all froze.
“What took you so long?” Najib demanded, still in the chamber.
“It takes time to sneak a large force into the castle,” Xerxes said. “Is he dead?”
Nineteen
The situation had turned from critical to dire in a matter of heartbeats. Perhaps she hadn’t just heard Xerxes’ deep voice. Maybe it was someone else. But, by the pained and serious expressions on her companions’ faces, she hadn’t just had a bad dream.
“No, he’s not dead,” Najib said. “His magic would neutralize any poisons. And you’ve only a couple of angles before his magic burns through the drug and wakes him.”
“Then stand aside,” Xerxes said. A ring of steel sounded.
Whether they were ready for a confrontation with Xerxes or not, that was their signal. They burst from the hidden hallway and stormed into the King’s main chamber. The King was sprawled on his sleeping cushion with Xerxes looming over him.
The commander spun and cursed. “You said they drowned,” he snarled.
“They did,” Najib insisted. “They triggered the booby trap. I—”
“Underestimated me,” Shyla said. “Step away from the King, Xerxes.”
“No.”
Rendor threw his knife at the commander. Xerxes dodged with ease. He yanked his pendant out.
“Don’t look at it,” Shyla ordered, averting her gaze.
“Why not?” Mojag asked. “It’s pretty.”
No! Fear ringed her heart.
“Are you the boy who moved the dunes?” Xerxes asked.
“I am,” Mojag said with pride.
“Come here, Dune Mover.”
Gurice grabbed her brother’s shoulders, holding him back. But Mojag knocked her hands off and dashed toward Xerxes.
“No!” Shyla shouted, grabbing for his arm.
But Mojag was fast. He darted around Rendor and was next to Xerxes in a heartbeat.
“If you value this young man’s life, you’ll put down your weapons,” Xerxes said.
