Page 24 of The King of Koraha
“Are you mad I didn’t follow your lead?” she asked.
“No.”
Was it the truth? This would be easier if she could read him. “When that arrogant bastard accused you without cause, I couldn’t keep quiet. No one calls you a traitor.”
He stopped and turned to her. “But I am one.” His tone was matter-of-fact.
Oh no, this had to stop right now. Shyla got right in his face. Well, as close as she could on her tiptoes. “You. Are. Not. Doing the right thing is not being a traitor. Saving lives is not being a traitor. Freeing the people of Zirdai from fear and oppression is not being a traitor. Do. You. Understand?”
“I understand that your definition of being a traitor is different than mine.”
Argh. The man could be so stubborn. “The Water Prince was the traitor. He swore to protect the people of Zirdai and instead he betrayed their trust. He exploited them, tortured them, and killed them.”
“And I helped him,” Rendor said.
She rocked back on her heels. He wasn’t wrong. “By switching sides, you went from a traitor to a hero. So my original statement stands. You arenota traitor.”
Rendor didn’t say anything else. He continued down the tunnel in long strides. Shyla had to hurry to keep up. What else could she say to make him understand? Except, deep down, she knew he had to believe it in his soul. Nothing she said would change his mind until then.
Instead of going to the black market, Rendor took her to the surface. Technically they didn’t have an appointment with the King. He’d wanted a reply before angle seventy, but after their encounter with Captain Kilab, Shyla and Rendor knew they’d be followed. They arrived at the grand entrance at angle fifty. Najib was fetched. They watched the guards watching them as they waited. Rendor remained closed off.
Najib arrived and escorted them down to his office. It was exactly the same size as the King’s but without the guards.
“The King has asked me to take charge of this investigation. That is, if you agree and there is one,” Najib said after he poured them all some tea. “If you have questions for him about the theft, he will make himself available for an interview.”
“Are you able to negotiate terms?” Rendor asked.
Najib’s left eyebrow rose. “It depends on the terms. What do you want, Captain?”
“If we agree to investigate, we want access to the vault, cooperation from the guards, and the ability to come and go from the castle as we see fit.”
“I can arrange all that. However, ordering the guards to cooperate doesn’t mean they won’t lie to you.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Shyla said.
“Ah, yes.” He gave her a long speculative look. “What else do you require?”
“We’ll need an account of your prior investigation. Also details about how the security in the castle is run,” Rendor said.
“Yes, of course, I can get you all the information you need.”
“We’ll need a local guide, someone who can be assigned to us and doesn’t have any other commitments. Someone who blends in and will follow our orders.”
Mojag. That was who they really needed. The boy had begged to come along, but he needed to learn how to wield his magic. And he needed his family close, including Jayden, who he’d eventually realize was still a part of his family. She hoped.
“All right,” Najib said.
“If we agree to this,” Shyla said, “once the investigation is finished, so are we. We’ve plans to travel to the other cities.”
“Understood,” Najib said. He glanced between them. “Will you take the job?”
They’d already decided to do it. Having their terms met just sweetened the deal. “Yes.”
“Wonderful! Do you need a list of what we’ll provide in writing?”
Shyla leaned forward. “Not if you allow me to read your intentions.”
His brow furrowed. “Haven’t you been…ah…reading me all along?”
