Page 59 of The City of Zirdai
Aphra studied him. “I’m confident, intelligent, and resourceful. And I’ve been in plenty of terrifying circumstances.”
“You forgot modest,” Jayden quipped. Then he sobered. “I just don’t…feel the potential within you. It’s hard to describe.”
Curious, Shyla pushed him to put the feeling into words.
He shot her a sour look. “It’s a gut instinct.”
She recalled that not everyone who had been tested taps into the power. And Jayden had dismissed the possibility of Mojag having magic rather quickly. Perhaps his gut instinct wasn’t that accurate. “What do you feel when you encounter another Invisible Sword who can wield magic?”
“Probably the same as you,” he hedged.
“Humor me.”
“There’s an instant connection. Like we’re family. But you have to remember, I know everyone who can wield magic.” He paused and glanced at Aphra. “She doesn’t have that essence that makes me think she could be family. That’s what I mean by gut feeling.”
Shyla had experienced a similar bond with the other wielders. But she never picked up on an essence of potential. Then again, she was new to magic. Perhaps she needed to experiment. She scrutinized Aphra. Did she have potential? Was her magic like a locked door inside her, just waiting for a traumatic event to crack it open?
“Are you doing that soul reading thing?” Aphra asked in alarm. “I like you, but I don’t want you to read my innermost thoughts and feelings.”
“No, I’m not. Sorry, just trying to pick up on Jayden’s gut instinct.”
“You know that sounds weird, right?”
“I do. Okay, back to Gorgain. Do you think you can get his treasures?”
“Shouldn’t be a problem,” Aphra said.
“Can you do it in eighteen sun jumps?”
“Now we have a problem.”
Shyla tapped the map. “What do you need to get it done in time?”
“More people.”
“There’s thirty—no, twenty-nine of us. Will that be enough?”
“It’ll depend on the condition of the site. Will your people follow my orders?”
“Regarding the dig, yes. If we need to hide from any patrols, then we’re in charge.”
“Fair enough.” Aphra examined the edges of the scroll where a series of ancient symbols marked the geospatial location of the temple on Koraha.
“Do you need me to translate those grid lines for you?” Shyla asked.
“I wouldn’t have been a very good treasure hunter if I couldn’t do it myself.” She winked then glanced at the sand clock. “There should be enough time for me to scout out the temple and mark the entrance to the grave diggers’ escape route.”
“Good. Jayden, go with her.”
“Now?” he asked.
Aphra rolled up the scroll and stood. “Yes, now.”
He wasn’t happy, but he went to retrieve his sun cloak.
Aphra gestured to the table. “They saved some fresh fruit for you.”
That was kind. Too bad she didn’t have an appetite.
