Page 97 of The King of Koraha
“Do you know what you did to me and my guards?” Mahira asked. Her voice was tight and pitched low. She strained against the men.
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
“Sorry! You’re sorry! Oh no, that’s not enough. That’llneverbe enough.”
“Calm down, Captain,” Mojag said. “We don’t have time for this. Unless youdon’twant the rest of your guards freed from the compulsion?”
Mahira glared at Mojag. “And who the hell are you?”
Mojag straightened to his full height, which was a few centimeters taller than Shyla remembered. His normally jovial expression hardened. “I’m Mojag, a member of the Invisible Sword. We’re here to help you. Unless you’d rather Xerxes keep control of your city and your prince?”
The captain studied him. The tension in her shoulders eased. “And can you?”
“We already have.” He gestured to Shyla. “Freeing our leader has freed your city. Now it’s just a matter of cleaning up.”
Pride swelled over how well Mojag handled the situation. Even Nard and Balin appeared impressed.
Mahira stepped back from the men. “All right.” She smoothed her uniform. “Do you have a plan?”
“Yes.” Shyla explained what they intended to do. “Now you know we really don’t have much time.”
“You’re cutting it close. Come on, let’s go free my people.”
They raced through the city, finding Mahira’s guards. Unfortunately, they couldn’t reach everyone as a few were working with the mercs or on duty in the prince’s residence. Shyla promised to get to them when the opportunity arose, however the captain needed to be there as well. All the guards had wanted to kill Shyla as soon as they could and Mahira’s presence had been the only thing stopping them. Shyla couldn’t blame them.
It was close to angle two-twenty when Shyla found Gurice and Dayana in the market. The soldier appeared tired and cranky. Shyla used thelook awaycommand to switch places with Gurice.
“You owe me big time,” Gurice said. “Shopping for almost a hundred angles just about killed me.” She handed Shyla a number of packages, then grinned evilly. “I picked you up some skimpy undergarments to wear for Rendor.”
“I…er…” She blushed with embarrassment. She’d never considered wearing something like that. All this relationship stuff was so new. And he might not forgive her for trapping him.
“Just say thank you, Gurice.” Her friend smirked.
“Thank you for meddling in my love life, Gurice.”
“You’re welcome. Although I’d have preferred it without the snark.” Then she sobered. “You be careful. This thing is not over yet.”
“I will. You, too.”
When Gurice disappeared into the crowd, Shyla stopped thelook awaycommand.
“Are you done?” Dayana asked. “The commander isn’t going to be pleased that we’ve been gone so long.”
Shyla relished the fact that she no longer cared if Xerxes was pleased or not. “I am. Thanks for coming with me.”
Dayana grunted. “Good thing you were right that the grilled gamelu from Tockies was the best in the city.”
As Shyla followed Dayana back to the prince’s residence, she made eye contact with all the Invisible Swords. Each gave her an encouraging nod as if they knew the next hundred and forty angles would be difficult for her. She kept them close to her heart.
When they arrived, Xerxes was not happy.
“I was about to send Vilma out to find you,” he said. “Why did it take you so long?” he demanded.
“She’s a hard size to fit, Commander,” Dayana said. “And she’s picky.”
Shyla sensed this was important. “I just wanted to find the perfect garment for you, Commander.” Ugh.
He relaxed. “You must be exhausted. Go on. I’ll join you later.”
