Page 71 of The King of Koraha
When the monks left, Walkur beamed at her. “That went well, don’t you think?”
“It did. How long are the Callow monks expected to remain?”
His good humor died. “They didn’t say.” Then he hopped to his feet. “Since you’re my stray”—a grin flashed—“you’re my responsibility, which means if you need anything or have any questions, come find me.
I work in the kitchen during first meal and help in the growing caverns from angle sixty to one-twenty, then I’m on patrol until darkness. You’re also welcome to help out any of those times. I might as well benefit from finding a stray, don’t you think?”
“I do. Which of the three chores is your favorite?”
“The growing cavern. I just love tending the plants. Our world is so dry and hot and scratchy. And they are so smooth and moist and soft. It does smell bad at times, but if you get close to a leaf…” He pulled in a deep breath as if transported. “It smells divine.” Then he blushed. “Sorry, I… It sounds… I’m…”
“Sounds fun. I’ll see you there.”
He shot her a grateful smile before bolting. As she debated her next move, one of the Callow monks came over to her table.
“Mind if I sit?” he asked.
“Not at all.” She met his gaze as he folded his long legs underneath him. Unlike Neda, she wasn’t giving this man the benefit of the doubt. Curiosity dominated his emotions, followed closely by suspicion.
“I’m Fellan Callow,” he said.
“Shasta Parzival.”
“Lots of crazy stories have been coming out of Zirdai. Are any of them true?”
“Depends on what you’ve been hearing.” Shyla was going to make him work for the information.
He gave her a sly smile. “How about the one saying a sun-kissed overthrew the Water Prince and Heliacal Priestess?”
“Yes, that’s true.” Again, she opted not to expand. Fellan acted as if he was gifting her with his presence and she should be honored by his regard.
“Any relation to you?”
“No.”
He considered her, then changed the subject. “How are the Monks of Parzival handling the upheaval in Zirdai’s leadership? Is Hanif still in charge?”
Ah. He wished to know how difficult it would be to convert the Parzival monks.
“We’re as strong as ever. Hanif has been a blessing. Everyone loves him so.”In other words, good luck, you’re going to need it. Then she asked him about his pilgrimage.
“We’re actually on a mission. The Monks of Callow have refocused our efforts. We believe the monks should be doing more to help the citizens and we should be sharing knowledge with everyone.” He launched into the hard sell.
Shyla had to admit it sounded reasonable. All good ideas that she hoped the King would consider for the future. What bothered her was Fellan’s utter belief that if things didn’t change, he had every right to force it. And if a few old, useless monks died, so be it.
She searched deeper into his soul but the conviction remained strong, as if it had erased everything else. Odd. She hesitated to alter it with the power of The Eyes, afraid there would be nothing of him left. She wondered if the other Callow monks would be the same or if this was unique to Fellan.
Not wanting to tip her hand, she pretended to agree with his rhetoric. But when he asked her to start preaching to the Lyons monks, she shook her head.
“I’m here to reconnect with the goddess.”
“What about when you’re back in Zirdai? Can we count on you to help us out there?”
“If Hanif asks us to assist the citizens, I’ll be happy to do whatever he decides.”
Fellan rubbed a hand over his face as uncomplimentary thoughts about her intelligence swirled. She clamped down on the urge to slug him.
He stood. “May the goddess guide you.” He bowed slightly and walked away to join another table.
