Page 143 of The King of Koraha
“Who could have killed me by then,” the King muttered.
“Not a chance, sire.” Jaft’s tone was slightly insulted. “Rae, one of the Invisible Swords, spotted Mojag and Gurice at the market with Shyla and Rendor.” Jaft tapped his hand on his chest. “Seeing them alive was a jolt of joy for all of us.” He pulled in a deep breath. “Rae followed them to the castle. We assumed they were protecting you and we trusted the four of them to keep you safe. Also things moved quickly after that. Mojag’s disappearance forced Xerxes to enact his plans right away. He needed those taxes and he figured he could force Mojag to give them to him.”
Mojag huffed. “Not a chance.”
“No? You wouldn’t have handed them over even if he threatened to kill Gurice?”
“Not even.” A stubborn determination stiffened his posture. “Shyla only.”
Gurice grunted. “Love you, too, rat.”
Shyla smiled. She’d been right to entrust the coins to Mojag.
“Will you deliver them to me?” the King asked Mojag. Amusement sparked in his gaze.
“No. Shyla only. She can decide what to do with them.”
He laughed. “Now that’s loyalty.” Glancing around the room, his good mood faded when he studied Xerxes. “It appears the commander’s loyalty was to Najib. I’m tempted to drown him, but I’ll interrogate him first.” He met Shyla’s gaze. “Will you assist me?”
“I’d be happy to, sire.”
While the King followed Jaft to check on his people, Shyla helped Rendor clean and bandage his wounds. Then they escorted Xerxes to the King’s office. Actually, she ordered the commander to follow her and he obeyed. Fun.
Also fun was when the rest of the Invisible Swords caught up to them in the corridor. Shyla and Rendor were immediately surrounded by happy, smiling faces. Breathless explanations were exchanged. When the news of their union was revealed, Rae squealed and hugged Rendor while Vashi swept Shyla off her feet. Balin and Nard slapped Rendor on the back and congratulatory handshakes abounded. Shyla met Rendor’s stunned gaze and gave him an I-told-you-they-are-your-family look.
He nodded in acknowledgment before telling Rae she had done a good job of following them. “I never spotted you.”
She smirked. “I know.”
After everyone settled down, the Invisible Swords went to sample the cook’s famous gamelu sausages while Shyla and Rendor took Xerxes into the King’s office.
“You have two choices,” the King said to Xerxes after the traitor knelt in front of him. “We can compel you to answer my questions, or you can volunteer the information. Which will it be?”
“Does it matter?” Xerxes asked in a rough voice.
“Yes. If you cooperate, I might not drown you.”
Xerxes glanced at Shyla.
“Your choice,” she said. “Just remember, I’ll know if you’re lying.”
The big man deflated. “Ask your questions.”
With Shyla monitoring his emotions—a mix of anger, disbelief, and fear—Xerxes explained the plot to assassinate the King. Najib had discovered information about the power of the original pendants in the King’s Room of Knowledge. The old king had been fond of the curious boy and encouraged his studies. Seemed Najib was a talented researcher and his efforts often helped the old king while also helping himself.
Najib searched for sunfire and blackfire stones that had been stored as artifacts in the various monasteries. He collected them all. As the old king became increasingly erratic, Najib recruited Xerxes, who brought on Lonato—who was currently waiting at the Qulsary monastery for news of the assassination.
The three of them had the magical stones cut and made into pendants. The plan was to take over all the cities of Koraha and the monasteries, then assassinate the King. Najib wanted complete loyalty from all the people in Koraha before the assassination. Therefore no one would protest his ascension and he wouldn’t have to worry about being killed in turn.
“Wait,” Shyla said to Xerxes. “If you weren’t going to become the next king, why did you say I could have been queen?”
“Najib wanted you as his queen. You’re the second most powerful person in Koraha.” He pointed to her hand. “You were supposed to swear that oath to him.”
That seemed worse than being enslaved by the sunfire. She met Rendor’s gaze. His fierce expression agreed that outcome would have been horrific. And by the way he fisted his hands, she’d bet he’d like to punch Xerxes just for uttering those words.
“What other schemes did Najib have once he became king?” the King asked.
“Najib planned to kill the new king-in-waiting so his magical protection would last longer.” Disgust sharpened Xerxes’ tone. “I refused to be a part of it, but he believed he’d find someone to carry out his orders.”
