The City of Zirdai Read online

  The Eyes were rightfully hers. Plus she doubted the prince or the priestess had the courage to make that sacrifice.

  “Thank you for the information,” Shyla said to the Arch Deacon. She gathered her will and directed it toward him. “You will forget that you fought with me. Instead you will remember fighting with an Invisible Sword member. You will forget this conversation. Sleep,” she ordered.

  The man’s body relaxed.

  Jayden peered at her. “I didn’t know you learned how to erase memories. Are you sure it worked?”

  “Why wouldn’t it work? You taught me yourself. Don’t you remember?” Now it was her turn to smirk. Better that than snapping at him in annoyance for doubting her.

  “Me? When? Did you…”

  She laughed at his panicked expression. “Relax, Jayden. I didn’t erase your memories.”

  “Then how did you learn to do that?”

  Gesturing to the prone Arch Deacon, she said, “When I’m reading a person’s soul, he’s mine. His thoughts and emotions are like patterns in the sand and I can smooth some out, redraw others, and add my own. It’s instinctual and rather easy.” And so very tempting to smooth out Jayden’s lingering suspicions and doubts. But she wasn’t Tamburah and she wouldn’t abuse her power. And if she did, Rendor promised to remove The Eyes.

  “You know he was lying, right?” Jayden asked.

  “Of course. Did you get the torque from your opponent?”

  “Of course.”

  “He didn’t tell us anything useful,” Mojag whined.

  “Oh, he told me quite a bit. He just doesn’t know he did.” She put her hands on her hips. “You both know what The Eyes can do, right? Or are you like this man, who refuses to believe?”

  Mojag ducked his head. “All I know is that they gave you power.”

  Jayden had the decency to appear abashed. Before he could respond, she turned to Mojag. “I’ll explain later. For now, can you take us to those two Arch Deacons on level twenty-two?”

  “Yeah.”

  Jayden glanced at her. “You want to take their torques?”

  “Might as well. After this, the priestess will know for sure that we’re aware of their protective properties. Then she’ll ensure the Arch Deacons travel in bigger packs.”

  They returned for the druk and Mojag led them to the tunnel with the waiting ambush near the entrance on level twenty-two. As she walked, her tunic rubbed against the cut on her lower back, increasing the burning pain. When she woke the power of The Eyes, they had healed all her wounds and erased all her scars. But unfortunately it was a one-time occurrence.

  When they neared the Arch Deacons, the boy wrinkled his nose and stopped. He must have a good sense of smell because Shyla couldn’t detect the scent of burnt hair here or when she had fought the other man. No sounds of a conversation reached her, either. Did he have sensitive hearing as well or had the Arch Deacons been alerted to their presence?

  “This is how it’s going down,” Jayden whispered. “We’ll snuff the druk, creep up on them, then Mojag will uncover the druk right before Shyla and I jump the Arch Deacons. Mojag, you can distract them while we fight. Got it?” he asked.

  She nodded. It was a solid plan. Yet it annoyed her he’d taken charge. And it annoyed her that she was being petty about it.

  “Good. Mojag, you go first. When we get close, open the druk and dodge to the other side of the tunnel.”

  Mojag stood next to the wall with the druk. Jayden was right behind him and Shyla last. Jayden put his left hand on the boy’s shoulder and his other on the wall. Mimicking Jayden, Shyla clasped his shoulder and placed her fingertips on the cold stone. This way they had contact with each other and hopefully wouldn’t stumble in the complete darkness. A nervous tremble traveled through her legs at the thought of being in the dark.

  “Now,” Jayden said.

  Mojag snuffed the light. She gripped Jayden’s shoulder. Hard. Her fingernails dug into his flesh.

  “What’s wrong?” he hissed.

  “I can’t see.” The panic in her voice was unmistakable.

  “Hold up, Mojag.” He pried her hand off his shoulder. His boots scuffed on the floor. “That’s the point. What’s really wrong?”

  “I’m…very uncomfortable being in the dark.”

  “And you’re just figuring this out now?” Jayden’s tone was incredulous.

  “I haven’t been in the dark before now.” In fact, the thought of being in the dark scared her more than fighting Arch Deacons.

  “Don’t you sleep?”

  She really didn’t want to have this conversation now, but Jayden needed to know. “I always have a druk on low when I sleep. I can’t…ever since I was locked in the dark for twelve sun jumps, I can’t…I don’t…I avoid being in the dark.”

  “So our fearless leader is afraid of the dark? Heck of a time to tell us.”

  She’d never claimed to be fearless. In fact, her fears increased with all her new responsibilities. “Can we talk about it later?” she snapped. “I don’t know how long I can…tolerate it.”

  “How about a quick magic lesson?”

  “What? Now?”

  “Yes. Your magic can sense others nearby. It’s a handy skill and helps us avoid encountering people. It’s similar to gathering your will and directing it at a person. Instead, you send it out in a wide arc to seek. And if anyone’s within five or six meters, you’ll know. Not who they are or what they’re doing, but you do get a vague sense if they’re coming toward you or heading away.”

  “That is handy.” She thought about it. “How does this help me now?”

  “You can use that to see me and Mojag. You won’t truly be blind.”

  “Oh.”

  “Try it.” Amusement colored his voice.

  She followed his instructions, sending her magic forward. Two…bumps rippled her magic, and if she focused, she picked up Mojag’s surface thoughts. It appeared that once she’d read a person, she could link to their thoughts even in the dark.

  “Did it work?” Jayden asked.

  “Yes. Thank you.” Her breathing calmed and the blackness wasn’t so…menacing.

  “You catch on quick. Must be because of The Eyes. Just remember it won’t work if the Arch Deacons are wearing torques like the two hiding in the storeroom. That’s why Mojag’s in the lead,” Jayden said. “Okay, let’s try this again.”

  They resumed their creep. Shyla was glad for the soft soles of her dillo leather boots. Eventually, the scent of burnt hair—Mojag was right, it was vile—filled her nose. Jayden stopped and touched her fingers on his shoulder—a signal to let go and get ready. She released her hold and prepared to attack.

  “Now,” Jayden ordered.

  Mojag opened the druk. Orange light spilled out, revealing the two Arch Deacons. Being caught completely off guard, the two didn’t stand a chance. Between her, Jayden, and Mojag, it took a fraction of an angle to knock them unconscious. She put their torques into her pack.

  “You’re bleeding,” Mojag said behind her.

  She tried to downplay it. “It’s just a scratch from the other fight.”

  “Scratches don’t soak your tunic,” Jayden said. “Keep still. Let me see.” He lifted the material.

  Cool air caressed her skin, sending a shiver up her spine.

  “It’s deep. We need to get you to Zhek.”

  “We need to get back before the Arch Deacons wake up or the next shift arrives,” she said, yanking down her shirt.

  “Don’t be stupid. You could get sick if it gets infected. Zhek’s at Orla’s commune on level thirty-nine. It’s not far.”

  “How do you know where he is?” she asked a bit petulantly.

  “I’m the Vagrant Prince. I know where all my people are.”

  Mojag chuckled.

  When she didn’t follow Jayden right away, he grabbed her wrist and tugged her along. “They’re your people, too, Shyla. The Invisible Sword was formed to protect the people of Zirdai from tyr
ants. All the people.”

  “I’m well aware, Jayden. Except that’s a tall order at this time. We only have thirty of us. We need to secure the means to our survival first and then we can right the very long list of wrongs.”

  For once Jayden didn’t argue. Shyla almost fainted from the shock. Instead she followed him as he navigated the twists, turns, ups, and downs that she had come to realize was required to travel through Zirdai without encountering anyone.

  The druk light turned red when they entered level twenty-five and stayed red until they reached level thirty-six where it changed to green. A fluttering in her stomach started about then. The last time she went to Orla’s commune, she had to cross a thin plank over a deep vertical air shaft. It hadn’t been the best time to learn that she was uncomfortable with heights. However, on the way back, Adair had pushed her off and she fell twelve levels until she hit a net, which saved her life. The man hadn’t warned her, nor did he tell her about the life-saving device. Jayden had theorized Adair was probably angry because she’d found their well-hidden commune.

  Despite the fact she survived, Shyla wasn’t in any hurry to cross that plank ever again. She’d happily avoid it for the rest of her life.

  And perhaps Jayden sensed her unease. They entered the edges of the commune from a different direction. The guards hidden in the shadows nodded at Jayden as they passed.

  Orla was in charge of the largest vagrant community in Zirdai. She had plenty of room since technically the levels they occupied were outside of the city’s limits, which were loosely defined by the major vertical air shafts. Zirdai was roughly bowl shaped with the deeper levels narrower than the upper levels.

  “Do all the communes have multiple entrances?” she asked him.

  “Yes. There’s always the danger of a raid. Even though this one is well hidden, they still have at least five different exits.”

  That was three more than their hideout. Shyla considered how to add at least another. Then she remembered the old headquarters had been under Tamburah’s temple, which was three kilometers away from the city, but Jayden hadn’t taken them to the surface to reach it. Had the Invisible Sword built tunnels to connect the two or were they already there? She’d have to ask Jayden later.

  A dozen druk lights shone from the heart of the multi-level commune. Shyla blinked in the brightness. Shouldn’t everyone be asleep? She checked the sand clock. It was angle three-forty. “Why all the light?” she asked Jayden.

  “Vagrants don’t follow the standard sleep schedule of the rest of Zirdai,” he explained. “Most raids come during darkness and moving around the city is easier in the late angles of a sun jump.”

  They entered the main area. Ladders stretched between levels, curtains covered doorways, and colorful cushions and furniture decorated common areas. The pleasant aroma of incense and cleanser floated on the air. A few kids spotted Jayden and Mojag and dashed over to ask them questions in a breathless rush. Adults worked at various tasks, crafting goods to sell at the market. Others bustled about. It was a bubble of peace. They didn’t need the Water Prince’s guards or the Heliacal Priestess’s deacons here. Yes, they had to find their own food and water, but they policed themselves and prayed to the Sun Goddess on their own terms.

  Of course this wouldn’t work on a larger scale. There was a reason for guards and organized religion helped a number of people. Unfortunately for Zirdai’s citizens, those in charge had been corrupted by the power. She hoped that wouldn’t happen to her.

  Orla spotted them and hurried over. Gray streaked her black hair, and although older, she moved with the same energy as a child only a few circuits old. Her gray-eyed gaze met Shyla’s. The woman’s curiosity blasted Shyla and was followed by wonder and awe. Surprised by Orla’s intensity, Shyla strengthened her mental shield. It’d been easy to block Mojag’s rambling thoughts and, since she hadn’t read Jayden’s soul, she didn’t pick up his thoughts and emotions.

  “Your eyes,” Orla said, stepping closer. “They’ve changed color.”

  Oops. Shyla glanced at Jayden.

  “Orla helps the Invisible Sword from time to time,” Jayden said. “Who do you think has been supplying us with water these last six sun jumps?”

  “Thank you,” Shyla said.

  Instead of answering, Orla cupped Shyla’s cheeks. Her bony fingers were cold. “I knew you had greatness in you. Even shunned as a sun-kissed, you persisted, and look at how the Sun Goddess has rewarded you.”

  More like ordered her, but Shyla wasn’t going to correct the woman. She’d only told Hanif about her…encounter with the Sun Goddess that may or may not have been a heat-induced delusion. I do not enjoy seeing my people suffer, the goddess/delusion had said to her. Make it stop.

  Orla released her. “I’m sorry I don’t have any extra jugs of water for you.” She gestured to the others nearby. “The last batch we received was all poisoned. We are rationing what we have until another source can be found.”

  “That’s terrible. We’re not here for that. You’ve done more than enough,” she said.

  “Where’s Zhek?” Jayden asked. “Shyla’s injured.”

  “It’s minor,” she rushed to assure Orla while frowning at Jayden.

  “He’s checking on Darma. Her baby is due soon. I’ll let him know you’re here. In the meantime, please help yourself to some refreshments.”

  As the woman hurried off, Shyla wandered around. She wasn’t going to drink any of their limited water. Jayden and Mojag went to talk with who she presumed were friends or maybe family members. It occurred to her that, other than Mojag’s sister, Gurice, she didn’t know anything about Jayden or Mojag’s family. There just hadn’t been time to learn. Maybe if she understood Jayden’s life better, they wouldn’t argue so much. She added it to her list of tasks.

  First on that long tally was getting clean water. She needed to understand how the black market for water worked. Then she had to secure a supply they could trust, which meant paying more coins per jug. And that led to earning coins. Shyla imagined setting up a market stall, hawking soul readings for two osmiums. Ah, no. What else could she do?

  Shyla almost laughed out loud at her next thought. She could sell sweets to the treasure hunters. That had been how she survived when she’d first arrived in Zirdai, locating valuable artifacts for the hunters. However, she had switched to working with legitimate clients. And the thought of those treasures being sold to black-market dealers and collectors didn’t sit well with her.

  She doubted the Water Prince’s new archeologist would hire her to find temples and castles that had been buried by the sand. Who else would? The history professors? Well…not the ones in Zirdai. Perhaps in another city but— The answer popped into her mind. Aphra! A treasure hunter who sold her sweets to professors in other cities. It was a compromise Shyla could live with. Her good mood lasted until Zhek arrived.

  “Ten sun jumps,” Zhek said instead of a greeting.

  “Excuse me?”

  “You managed to stay healthy for ten whole sun jumps.” His grumpy tone implied it was unacceptable.

  “I’ve missed you too, Zhek.”

  His bushy white eyebrows shot up into his mess of white hair in surprise. “Well, er…” He cleared his throat. “Where are you injured?”

  She turned and showed him the cut on her lower back. Zhek tsked, hustled her into an examination room, and instructed her to lie down on a table on her stomach. Once the numbing paste soothed the pain, she ceased listening to his admonishments as he stitched the skin closed.

  Shyla fell asleep soon after Zhek finished, but she didn’t rest for long. Jayden woke her at angle three-fifty-five. Only five more angles before the sun started its jump.

  “We need to go if we’re going to get out of the city without attracting attention.”

  She suppressed a groan. He was right. Angle zero was the perfect time to slip out with all the others who went to the surface: the velbloud caretakers, the deacons who joined the Heliacal Pr
iestess for her early angle worship service, archeologists with their diggers in tow, and various others.

  However, since she was already in the city, she needed to do a few more things. “Send Mojag back to headquarters to tell everyone we’re going to stay another sun jump,” she said.

  His shoulders tightened. “Did you forget about the Arch Deacons we attacked already?” His tone implied she was an idiot.

  Instead of snapping back—something she’d done in all their prior arguments—she kept her voice even. “No. In fact, they’re one of the reasons I want to stay. By now, they’ve reported to the priestess that the Invisible Sword is still around and deacons will be stationed at all the city’s exits.” She held up a hand to stop his retort. “I know we can use our magic to slip by them, but I’ve a couple other tasks and need your help.”

  The tension eased from him. Shyla refrained from celebrating. While Jayden went to find Mojag, Shyla changed into a clean tunic. She folded the stained one. The blood had dried, stiffening the fabric and making it difficult to stuff into her pack. The four torques clinked together. They needed to be hidden somewhere very safe. The Monks of Parzival had kept The Eyes of Tamburah safe for close to half a million sun jumps. Perhaps she should give them to Hanif to put in the Fourth Room of Knowledge. Not many monks had permission to access that room.

  While growing up in the monastery, and even after she left, Shyla was allowed in the First Room of Knowledge. She earned the right to enter the Second Room of Knowledge when she retrieved a vial of “water” from the black river for Hanif—it had ended up being a rivulet of blood. She hoped to be able to earn admittance to them all—it would be a first for someone who was not a monk.

  “Mojag isn’t happy to miss all the fun. His words, not mine,” Jayden said when he returned. “But he’s gone to tell the others we’ll be delayed. What do you want to do?”

  “First, can you tell me how the vagrants get water?”

  “There are water dealers in the black market. We make arrangements with one of them, but when we get poisoned jugs, that understanding is voided and we have to find someone else.”