Page 91 of The King of Koraha
Stop the enslavement of my people.
Again with the stop!How?
By doing what you do best.
But I’m the reason many of your people are enslaved. I’m weak and will continue to exploit the power of The Eyes. I’m—
Not Tamburah. You aremychampion, the goddess said, as if that settled the matter beyond all doubt.
It didn’t. Shyla almost growled at her.But—
Wake up, Shyla Sun-Kissed. Your friends are working hard to get you back.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” Gurice asked. She was straddling Shyla and had her hands pressing down on her chest. “She’s not responding.”
“That’s what Zhek said to do. Keep the pressure even and don’t slow down. One and two and three and four,” Mojag said, chanting the rhythm. His fingers were pinching Shyla’s nose closed. His other hand was pushing her jaw up, tipping her head back.
A bruising pain ringed Shyla’s heart and chest. Her ribs creaked alarmingly and pain radiated out with every compression. Her mouth was dry and her throat raw. Mojag leaned over like he was going to kiss her.
He met her gaze and jerked back. “Stop! Stop! She’s awake!”
“Thank the goddess,” Gurice said, rolling off Shyla and sprawling on the floor as if exhausted.
He checked her pulse. “What’s your name?” Mojag waved two fingers in front of her. “How many fingers am I holding up?”
“Shyla, two, and what’s going on?”
Mojag sagged with relief. “I think we just saved your life.”
Memories of her conversation with the Sun Goddess rose unbidden. Was this what the goddess meant about working hard? “How?”
“Zhek taught me.” He waved a hand. “Thought I needed to learn since I always seem to be in the thick of trouble.” Then he smirked at his sister. “See? I told you that you needed me.”
“I apologize for yelling at you for stowing away,” Gurice said.
He’d stowed away? She bet it would be a good story for later. She pushed up to her elbows with a groan. Her entire torso hurt. “I think you might have cracked my ribs.”
“Zhek said that can happen,” Mojag said. “Better than dead.”
True. “How long was I…dead?”
“An angle. Maybe less,” Mojag said. “Zhek told me that I couldn’t hesitate. I only had a limited time.”
“What about Fareed?”
“Who?”
“The guard.” Shyla pointed to the door.
“Oh, I have him. He didn’t hear a thing.” He shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
Shyla glanced at Gurice. Her friend mouthed the wordlater. Oh yes, they had lots to discuss. But for now… Water. She had a horrible taste in her mouth. In fact, all three of them drank deeply from their water skins. Too bad every swallow hurt.
Wiping her mouth on her sleeve, Gurice asked, “What’s going on, Shyla?”
She explained about Xerxes and Lonato’s plans to take over all the cities and monasteries in Koraha.
“And they’re using these pendants to coerce people?” Gurice asked in disgust.
