Page 78 of The King of Koraha
Xerxes turned to his men—five in all. “We’ve time to return to Apanji before darkness. Let’s go. Double time.”
They climbed to the surface and took off at a fast pace. Shyla kept up with everyone for a while. But then her head pounded in rhythm with her boots and she couldn’t fill her lungs fast enough. She worried about disappointing Xerxes but was unable to push her body faster without fainting.
He noticed her lagging behind and slowed until she caught up to him. When she reached his side, he stopped.
“Rest a moment,” he said.
Grateful, she wiped her brow. Her sun cloak was back at the monastery along with all her other possessions. No coins, though. She’d left them…behind…with…someone. But there was no need to worry, the goddess would provide.
“I forgot you were injured. Do you think that blow to your head has affected your ability to…what do you call it? Wield magic?”
Confused, she said, “It’s a gift from the goddess. She has allowed me to work miracles. And if she decided to take away my abilities, it would be her right.”
Xerxes sighed. “You’re with me now. I’m going to call your ability to work miracles wielding magic. And I want to know if it’s been affected by your injury.”
“I don’t know if the concussion has changed anything.”
“Can you do something with your magic that doesn’t involve influencing me?” he asked.
“Of course.” She wanted to please him so she concentrated on creating an arrow made of sand. Then she had it fly around their heads and slam into the side of a dune.
“That is amazing.” He grinned.
Return. The starburst impact pattern on the dune disappeared.
“How many people can wield magic like this?” he asked.
“I don’t know.”
He focused on her. “You cannot lie to me, Little One.”
She rushed to assure him. “I’m not. There are many new magic wielders and I don’t know how many of them are able to move the sand.”
Xerxes glanced at the sun. It hovered about five degrees above the horizon. “Feeling better?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Good. We’ve enough time to walk the rest of the way to Apanji.” He headed toward the city.
Shyla hurried to keep up, needing two steps for every one of his long-legged strides.
“Tell me about magic. How does it work?”
She explained the three techniques of magic.
“Anyone can do them?” he asked.
“Anyone with the power inside them. It has to be opened.” Then she told him about those who were cracked and those whose full potential was open, filling their entire bodies with the glow.
“Can you test my soldiers for cracks?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And teach them how to wield magic?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Ah.” He was silent for a while. When they were within sight of the great sky pillars, he asked, “This magic is different than the power of The Eyes of Tamburah, which you also possess?”
