Page 142 of The City of Zirdai
“No, just the Invisible Swords, Hanif, Kaveri, and the protectors.”
“Do all the protectors know about wielders?”
“Yes. When Rendor recruited them to our side, he told them. When he was the captain of the Water Prince’s guards, he always told them what was going on if he could. That’s why they trusted him more than Yates.”
“Isn’t Rendor still the captain?”
“He’smycaptain, not yours. You’ll have to find your own.”
Jayden was thoughtful. “Perhaps he’ll have some recommendations for me.”
“I’m sure he will.”
After a time was set for Jayden’s unofficial coronation—the official one would be when the King’s emissary arrived—Shyla returned to her room. Rendor was already there. He worked at the desk, assigning shifts. Another thing Jayden would need to do was recruit more protectors.
She told him about the plans for Jayden and mentioned that he would be asking for recommendations, but Rendor was distracted and closed off, reminding her of when she’d first met him. And she didn’t need to read his emotions to know something was bothering him. She only needed on guess to figure out what.
“Time for a break,” she said.
“I need to get this done,” he said, writing team names.
“It wasn’t a suggestion.” This time her voice was firm.
“Huh?” Rendor barely glanced at her. “Just a couple more---”
“Captain, take a break.”
She had his full attention. Fun. However, his scowl wasn’t as fun. Shyla took his hands in hers. “Do you really care what they think?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your family. Is it important to you that they change their opinions about you?”
He studied her for a few moments. “Are you offering to use your magic?”
“No, but I’m offering you my support if you want to talk to them.”
“They’re not my family. They disowned me.” The words came out flat and emotionless as if he’d repeated this to himself so many times that it no longer hurt to say it.
“There’s been a lot of changes. You’ve changed the most. Plus it’s a new era. And you’re no longer working for the prince, but for me.”
He laughed without humor. “I doubt they’d think that was an improvement.”
“Insult aside, let me ask you again. Do you really care what they think?”
He bent his head, and stared at their clasped hands. Shyla waited as he sorted through his emotions. But before he could reply, Mojag and Gurice poked their heads into the room.
“Are you ready, Rendor?” Gurice asked. “This little sand rat’s driving me crazy.”
“Sand rat? You’re just mad I disarmed you in five moves,” Mojag said.
“Disarmed?” Shyla asked Gurice.
“Yeah, we’re both learning how to fight with a sword.”
“And some of us are quicker to learn,” Mojag added with a smirk.
Shyla glanced at Rendor. He peered at the pair as if seeing them for the first time.
