Page 41 of The King of Koraha
“In Qulsary?”
“Yes, or in the castle. Maybe one of the guards or staff?”
“His sister is in charge of ensuring we have enough food and water.”
That seemed too easy. “We need to talk to her.”
“All right,” Najib said.
“What do you know about the Water Princess of Nintri?” Rendor asked.
“Not much. Her people love her, and we’ve had no official complaints. The monks haven’t reported any problems since she gained the throne about ten circuits ago.”
“How did she come into power?”
“Peacefully. The old Water Prince of Nintri died and she’d been one of his advisors. The people pretty much decided she should take the throne and that was that. No one challenged her. It was refreshing.”
No wonder Banqui, Shyla’s friend and an archeologist, wanted to move to Nintri. After all the trouble with the former Water Prince, Banqui deserved a nice peaceful city to retire in. However, Jayden had asked Banqui to stay in Zirdai and help organize the artifact displays in the new museum.
But now that she was thinking about Nintri, she remembered the mercenaries. She wondered if the city wasn’t reporting problems to the King. Perhaps they’d tried and the old king ignored them.
“Have you gotten any requests for help from Nintri?” Shyla asked.
“Not according to the records.” Najib drummed his fingers on the table. “To be honest, the records were rather…incomplete when I finally had access to them.”
“Incomplete how?” Rendor asked.
“Over the last five circuits, there are gaps and inconsistencies. I believe it was due to Yiesha’s age and her failing eyesight. It’s the advisor’s duty to record everything.”
“Everything?”
“Yes, everything. An account of the taxes, all the decisions that are made, any new laws that are enacted, the requests from the cities, changes in personnel…everything.” He splayed the fingers of his right hand, showing them the ink stains on his skin. “It takes a great deal of time.”
Hakana arrived with an assortment of fruit slices and toasted bread for them. Before the page could relax, Najib sent her to fetch Commander Xerxes’ sister.
After Hakana left, Rendor asked the advisor about the mercenaries in Nintri. “Do you know when they appeared? Is it in the records?”
Najib sighed. “I’ve heard the rumors but haven’t gotten any reports from the monks in Nintri. I’m not sure if they exist or not.”
“They exist,” Shyla said, explaining what happened to them out in the desert.
The advisor cursed. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
“I didn’t think it was relevant.”
“And now?”
“I suspect something is going on in Nintri.”
Commander Xerxes’ sister’s name was Izusa. She hovered in the doorway as if reluctant to enter. Najib waved her to join them around the table.
He introduced her to Shyla and Rendor. “You just need to answer a few questions. Shouldn’t take long.” Najib sent Hakana to get a pot of hot water for tea while he mixed a blend of special tea leaves.
Shyla hid her grin when Hakana huffed and muttered about the thankless job of a page.
Izusa sat, but her spine remained stiff and she avoided meeting anyone’s gaze. Shyla wondered if the woman had learned about The Eyes and was purposely avoiding looking at her. It depended on how quick gossip spread in the castle.
Rendor leaned forward. “Izusa, you’re acting guilty. Do you have something to confess?”
