Page 70 of The King of Koraha
There were mutters about foolish caravan drivers as they all descended into the monastery. A few monks stood guard at the bottom of the steps. Walkur removed his veil, exposing kind brown eyes and a thin black mustache. She guessed he was close to her age, maybe a few circuits older. Walkur then played host, showing Shyla around before escorting her to the guest wing.
“No one is here now, but most of the rooms are taken. However, there’s at least two open. Third meal will start soon. Come join us and I’ll introduce you to Neda. She’s our leader and I’m sure she’ll want to hear the news from Zirdai.”
“Thank you.” Shyla found an empty room at the end of the hallway. The small space held a cushion, a fur, a trunk, a sand clock, and a druk. Memories of her childhood rose. She’d grown up in a room just like this. She placed her sun cloak and pack into the trunk and then locked it before removing the small key. Then she searched for the dining area.
It didn’t take her long to find it. She followed the scent of roasted gamelu meat and the buzz of voices. The monks might be considered different orders, but the layout of their homes was similar. And they all worshiped the Sun Goddess.
Walkur spotted her and gestured for her to join him at his table. He’d taken off his turban, revealing an explosion of black hair. She glanced around before joining him. The Monks of Lyons wore light blue tunics so the dark green of the Callow monks stood out. She noted the Callow monks didn’t all sit together; instead each one sat at a separate table. They noticed her too and their gazes tracked her as she wove through the dining area. She hoped they hadn’t heard from Lonato yet. If Lonato trusted Xerxes, he wouldn’t send a message until the commander informed him of Shyla and Rendor’s escape.
When she arrived, Walkur introduced her to Neda and three other monks. They were between sixty to seventy circuits old and the elders of the monastery. Neda appeared to be around fifty-eight circuits old. Shyla decided to give the leader the benefit of the doubt and not use The Eyes on her. Not unless something the woman said or did triggered suspicion.
“Welcome to Lyons,” Neda said. “We are blessed by your presence.”
“I’m blessed to be welcomed to your monastery,” she said, remembering the proper response.
They exchanged pleasant small talk during the meal, but as soon as Shyla finished eating, Neda leaned close and asked, “What news do you have from Zirdai?”
Interesting how she didn’t ask about the Parzival monks. Shyla couldn’t think of any reason not to tell Neda about the defeat so she reported what had happened from the perspective of a monk that was not directly involved.
“Hanif arrested!” She barked a laugh. “Bet that took some of the puff out of his chest.”
It wasn’t a question, so Shyla ignored it and continued with her story.
“We heard about a sun-kissed who took down the Water Prince and Heliacal Priestess. You say she was part of an organization called the Invisible Sword?” Neda asked.
“Yes.”
“What’s your take on them? Are they like those mercenaries we’ve been hearing about?”
Shyla decided to go for ignorance. “What mercenaries? Aren’t they outlawed?”
“Yes, they are. But they’re forming in some cities, offering their services for hire.”
“The Invisible Sword wasn’t hired. They stopped the atrocities because no one else would or could.”
Neda studied her and Shyla regretted her heated tone. If she’d been as uninvolved as she claimed, she wouldn’t be defending the Invisible Sword.
“It’s rather an odd time for you to leave your home, considering all the recent upheavals in your city,” Neda said.
“That’s why I left. I needed peace to reconnect with the Sun Goddess.”
Neda glanced over to the Callow monks and frowned before returning her attention to Shyla. “You’re welcome to stay, of course.” Then she lowered her voice.
“I just don’t know how peaceful it will be here.”
“Is Apanji having troubles?”
“No. It’s an internal matter. A disagreement over what our role is in society. If you want to avoid conflict, I suggest you travel to Catronia.”
“Has our role changed?” Shyla asked, hoping for more information and wanting to confirm that Neda hadn’t been converted yet.
“No. And until I hear otherwise from the King, our role will remain the same for this monastery.”
“That is good to hear. I’ll stay for a little while. If it gets too contentious, I’ll leave.”
Neda stood and the other three, who’d been quiet the entire time, rose as well. “In that case,” Neda said, “prayers are in the chapel at angles zero, eighty, one-sixty, and two-forty. There’s a chore chart in the common room. We’d appreciate it if you could help out once a sun jump.”
“Of course.”
