Page 51 of The City of Zirdai
Shyla considered, then decided to go with the truth. “I asked the vagrants to be on the lookout for you.”
“Why?”
“Because of your connections. I’ve some sweets to sell.”
“Ah.” Then she shook her head. “Can’t help you. I’d be caught for sure. I’m barely surviving as it is and risk being exposed every sun jump. Once I’ve saved enough osees, I’m outta here.”
Not what Shyla wanted to hear. Without coin, the Invisible Sword couldn’t afford to feed themselves let alone help others in need. “Is there anyone still selling treasures on the black market?”
Aphra gave her a sly smile. “I may have a contact you can sell to directly, but I’m having trouble remembering the name.” She scratched her head.
Cute. Shyla handed her an osee. “Maybe this will jog your memory.”
Aphra scrunched up her pudgy nose. “Sorry, still not able to recall it.”
Shyla briefly considered just taking the information from the hunter, but the woman was just trying to survive. However, she would ensure Aphra didn’t lie to her by reading the woman’s surface thoughts and emotions.
Handing her two more osees, she met Aphra’s gaze and said, “I’m sure this will do the trick.”
“Ah, yes. It’s Professor Emeline from Catronia University.”
“She’s still here?” It seemed like it was over a circuit ago that the Water Prince mentioned meeting with the visiting professor. But it was only fifty, maybe sixty, sun jumps ago.
“She’s a guest lecturer at the university, but I think she’s due to leave soon.”
Aphra was telling the truth, giving Shyla some hope. “Where is she staying?”
“In the visiting professor quarters on level forty-two. Right next to the entrance to the library. Do you know where it is?”
“Yes. What does the woman look like?”
“She’s about five centimeters taller than you and thin—skeletal thin. And she has a long narrow nose. You can’t miss that nose.”
“Great. Thank you.”
“Good luck.”
“You, too.” Hopefully everything would go well for the ex-treasure hunter. Then it hit her—perhaps Aphra would want to join them. She’d be a valuable asset to the organization. The woman had always treated Shyla like an equal and not some pariah. Plus Aphra wouldn’t have to worry about surviving on her own. “Wait. Do you want to join us?”
“The vagrants? No, thank you.”
“No, we’re not…” How to explain? And could Shyla trust her? She kept a light touch on Aphra’s emotions. If she spooked and planned to betray them, Shyla could erase Aphra’s memories of their encounter. “We’re the Invisible Sword.” Shyla braced for laughter.
But Aphra peered at her. “Like in Tamburah’s time?”
One of the benefits of being a successful treasure hunter was that you became an expert in history.
“Yes.”
“You found The Eyes.”
Aphra had been one of the few people who’d actually paid attention to a sun-kissed. Shyla stepped close to a druk, testing the woman’s observational skills. “I did.”
She studied Shyla. “You have pretty blue eyes. What would I have to do as a member?”
As briefly as possible, Shyla explained what they hoped to do.
Now the woman laughed. “Is that all?”
