The City of Zirdai

by Maria V. Snyder

  “How do you know about it?” Hanif asked.

  Rendor gazed at Hanif for a moment as if deciding whether the question was accusatory or asked out of mere curiosity. Back when he’d stayed in the monastery, Hanif had clearly disliked and distrusted him. Shyla laid her hand on Rendor’s forearm and squeezed, reassuring him. Then she clamped down on her mental shield again. Even after sleeping so long, her energy was already flagging.

  “When I was working my way up the ranks in the prince’s guard, I had some free time,” Rendor said. “I used that time to explore and learn everything I could about the prince’s organization so I would become an invaluable resource.”

  “Can you tell us where the outflow pipes are?” she asked.

  “No, but I can show you.”

  Ah, tricky, but understandable. Rendor was part of the Invisible Sword. It was time for everyone to accept it. “All right.”

  Another smile, this one equally dangerous to her insides.

  Hanif cleared his throat. “Well then, let’s keep moving.” He led them to the Second Room of Knowledge on level eleven.

  Shyla ducked inside and retrieved the torque she’d hidden, then rejoined Hanif and Rendor. In case of a cave-in, each room was in a different section of the monastery. The Fourth Room had been built in the southeast corner on level seventeen!

  “How deep does the monastery go?” she asked Hanif. She’d explored as much as possible when she was a child, but had always been stopped from going further than level twelve.

  “I can’t tell you all our secrets, Shyla.”

  “At least twenty-five levels,” Rendor said.

  Hanif skidded to a stop and rounded on him. “How… When… There are guards.”

  “Yes, there are. And I may have led you to believe it took longer for me to heal than it did.”

  “I should have put a tail on you sooner,” Hanif muttered.

  “Do you think it would have made a difference?”

  “Let’s keep going,” Shyla said before Hanif could respond. “I’ll feel safer once the torques are secure.”

  Hanif didn’t take long to hide the torques in the Fourth Room and soon they were climbing up to level six. The cool air disappeared, replaced by dry hotness. Level six was deep enough to be safe during the killing heat and, unlike the upper levels, which cooled quickly, it held the warmth during the darkness. With mirror pipes installed in the ceiling, level six was the perfect level for growing plants.

  Like Hanif had said, the cavern was small compared to the ones in Zirdai. Rows of green plants lined the long narrow space. The ceiling arched high overhead with the ends of at least a dozen mirror pipes poking through, piping sunlight down from the surface. As they followed the caretaker’s path through the greenery, Shyla noted there was quite a variety of vegetables, with short bushy plants growing next to ones with tall stalks and thin leaves. Moisture thickened the air. It smelled unlike anything she’d encountered before—a heavy vibrant odor.

  The amount of work needed to build and maintain something on this scale was beyond their small organization. Plus they’d need someone who was knowledgeable. “I don’t suppose any of your caretakers want to become an Invisible Sword?” she asked Hanif.

  “They’re all sworn monks, but if you decide to build a growing cavern, let me know and we can work something out.”

  “Work something out? As in…?”

  “Your people have certain skills that mine lack. There might be a future situation where I need you to do something in exchange for me loaning you one of our gardeners.”

  That was fair. After all, the monks had supplied the Invisible Swords with food, water, and shelter without charging a single coin. And she couldn’t expect to keep getting everything for free. “It will depend on what you need us to do—I’m not risking my people unnecessarily—but I’m certainly open to working with you in the future.”

  “Diplomatic,” Rendor said.

  They retraced their steps through the plants. Shyla yawned twice and caught Rendor yawning as well. Poor guy had stayed up all darkness worrying about her. They had enough time to return to their headquarters before the danger zone, but she wouldn’t be strong enough to erase their tracks. Best to nap first.

  A monk entered the cavern. She carried a basket but stopped in surprise when she spotted them. Shyla also halted. The monk’s blond hair shone in the sunlight. Another sun-kissed. While there was a handful of them living in the monastery, Shyla hadn’t interacted with any of the adult sun-kisseds while growing up, unless she had been out on patrol with them in the desert. Everyone wore turbans and veils, so it had been difficult to tell one monk from another.

  The woman recovered and walked toward them. Shyla studied her, noting her rich bronzed skin and elegant oval face. Fine wrinkles creased her forehead. She was probably around Hanif’s age, which Shyla guessed to be around forty-five circuits. Long blond eyelashes framed her light green eyes. Something about the woman seemed familiar.

  Shyla met the monk’s gaze. Her heart lurched, recognizing the woman before Shyla’s brain caught up. The monk was her mother.”

  Five

  Hanif’s gaze darted to Shyla before he recovered his manners. “This is Kaveri, one of our gardeners. Kaveri, this is Shyla and Rendor.”

  “Pleased to meet you both. Although, I do remember when you were found, Shyla. Such a sweet baby.”

  Interesting that Hanif hadn’t told Kaveri that Shyla knew the truth about her origins. She wondered if Kaveri even knew that she had figured out Hanif was her father and that he wouldn’t tell her the identity of her mother, claiming it was the woman’s decision.

  Shyla smiled at her mother. “That’s nice to hear.” She shot Hanif a sour look. “Much better than being told how difficult and stubborn I was all the time.”

  “You?” Rendor feigned surprise. “Difficult and stubborn?”

  Shyla elbowed him in the ribs. Hard. He had the audacity to chuckle!

  Kaveri laughed, a charming light sound. “Hanif can’t show his true feelings to the children or else they’ll never listen to him. He enjoys teaching them too much.”

  “Enjoys? He could have fooled us,” Shyla said, giving him a mock glare.

  “Yes, well…we’ll let you get back to work, Kaveri.” Hanif herded them toward the exit. Fast.

  But Shyla paused and turned around before leaving. “Can I ask you something?” she asked Kaveri. All the air in the cavern seemed to disappear.

  “About the plants?” the woman asked, hopeful.

  “No, about you.”

  Hanif tensed.

  “What do you want to know?” A slight wariness crept into her gaze.

  “Were you abandoned outside Zirdai like I was?” Shyla would wait until Kaveri was ready to claim the relationship between them. And if she never did…then Shyla would accept it.

  Kaveri’s tight grip on her basket relaxed. “No. I was found near Tarim.”

  That was over a hundred sun jumps away. “How did you end up here?”

  “Some monks travel to other monasteries as part of their spiritual journey. The people living here soothed my soul so I stayed.”

  “That’s lovely,” Shyla said, trying not to grit her teeth. When they’d left the cavern, she rounded on Hanif. “Why didn’t you tell me monks can travel?”

  “You didn’t ask.”

  Her fingers curled with the desire to strangle her father. “You knew one of the reasons I didn’t want to become a monk was because I wished to visit the other cities of Koraha.”

  “You had many reasons, Shyla. A person who takes the oath must be completely at peace with their decision.”

  “But how is a person to make an informed decision when vital information is being kept from them?” She held up a hand. “And don’t say they needed to have faith.”

  Hanif stopped and faced her. “You decided you weren’t staying when you were ten circuits old. From that point on, you turned a blind eye to everything going on around you.�
��

  She opened her mouth to argue, but no words escaped her lips. He had a point.

  “You had faith when it was needed, Shyla,” Hanif said in a softer tone. “Besides, you wouldn’t have been happy as a monk.”

  “No, but I missed all of you.” It had been a lonely and difficult two circuits.

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “That was the point. You needed to be on your own to figure out what you truly desired.”

  She leaned into him for a moment, taking comfort from his steady presence, drinking in the knowledge that she was no longer on her own. However, along with her newfound family, she also had accepted a great deal of responsibility. A bone-deep fatigue pulsed, reminding her of Orla’s good advice not to wear herself out, which she’d promptly ignored.

  “I don’t have the energy to return to our hideout. Can I stay a little longer?” she asked.

  “Of course, you’re always welcome here.” Hanif released her, then added with a glint in his eyes, “But not when you have guards or deacons chasing you.”

  “When? Thanks for the confidence.”

  “Anytime.”

  Shyla and Rendor headed back to her room. By the time they arrived, her legs had turned into mush. After kicking off her boots, she just about crawled under the fur. Rendor hesitated, glancing at the door.

  She skootched over and patted the cushion. “You look as exhausted as I feel.”

  He gave her a tired smile and joined her. Resting her head on his shoulder, she draped an arm over his broad chest. They hadn’t had any time alone since moving to the new headquarters. Too bad they were both exhausted.

  “I’m glad you didn’t become a monk,” Rendor said, tucking her closer.

  “You do know that celibacy is not part of the oath, right?” she teased, then sobered. It was another fact about life in the monastery she’d only recently learned. A blind eye indeed.

  “Oh yes. I got that when I noticed the resemblance between you and Hanif. And…”

  She waited, but he remained quiet. Because Rendor was observant and smart, she could finish his sentence. “And between me and Kaveri.”

  “Yes. It was striking.” A pause. “Do you plan on acknowledging the relationship?”

  “No. Not unless she does. It’s an odd way to raise a child, but, if I think about it, it’s better than growing up a vagrant and worrying about raids, having enough water, and your next meal.” She huffed. “Like we’re living now. If I became a monk, I never would have ruined your life.”

  Rendor moved so quickly, Shyla didn’t have time to react. He sat up, pulling her with him so she faced him.

  “You did not ruin my life.” His intense gaze seared her. “I thank the Sun Goddess every sun jump that you came into my life.”

  Even though she had read his soul when she’d first awoken the power of The Eyes and knew he spoke the truth, she still struggled to believe it. “But you went from captain of the guard to a grunt who shovels sand.”

  “Someone told me I look ‘mighty fine’ when I shovel.” He smirked.

  Figured he’d remember that. “You know what I mean.”

  “I do. And I’d rather shovel sand than torture people for the Water Prince.”

  And just like that, he put it all in perspective. “Sorry. I know. It’s just…”

  “Your heart is still not sure about me.” Rendor cupped her cheek.

  Actually, it was thumping its approval quite loudly. But she’d told him of her confusion before she read his soul. She hadn’t yet revealed that she knew his commitment and love were genuine because she wanted him to see just what he’d gotten himself into. He might change his mind. Plus the rest of the Invisible Swords needed to witness his efforts to become a better person.

  He dropped his hand. “Don’t worry, Shyla. I’m willing to prove myself so you’ll jump into my arms.”

  She smiled. “You’re not going to let me forget that, are you?”

  “Not for one degree.” He lay back, bringing her down with him, once again tucking her close. “Now sleep.”

  “You’re rather bossy for a grunt.”

  “In this case, I’m in charge.”

  “Of what?”

  “Of making sure you take care of yourself by getting enough sleep and eating well.”

  “How’d you get that job?” she asked.

  “No one else wanted it,” he teased.

  Shyla smoothed out her and Rendor’s tracks as they returned to their headquarters. The sun hung just above the horizon. They had woken at angle one-sixty. And while she was refreshed, the effort to erase their boot prints was quickly draining the energy she’d regained. It was a good thing Rendor had insisted on carrying the two jugs of water Hanif had insisted on giving them. She’d vowed to pay him back.

  Jayden and Ximen waited for her near the main entrance.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked, noting their tight postures.

  “Nothing now that you’re here,” Ximen said. “We heard Captain Yates was at the monastery. Did you see him?”

  “Yes.” She explained what had happened.

  “That’s exactly why we haven’t been teaching you more about your magic,” Jayden said. “You don’t know your limits.”

  Oh no, he didn’t get to pull that on her. “Knowledge is never a bad thing. If I knew more about my magic, I wouldn’t exhaust myself experimenting.”

  They glared at each other.

  “Perhaps a compromise?” Ximen suggested.

  “I’m listening,” Shyla said.

  “We’ll teach you, but we determine the pace. And you have to promise not to overextend yourself again. Agreed?”

  That was an easy question to answer. “Yes. When do we start?”

  Ximen glanced at Jayden.

  “How are you feeling now?” Jayden asked.

  She straightened. “I’m fine.”

  “She’s still recovering,” Rendor said. “You promised not to exhaust yourself,” he added when she frowned at him.

  “All right, then we’ll start at angle zero of the next sun jump. We can meet here on the surface,” Jayden said. “Unless you need more time to recuperate?”

  Mindful of Rendor, she chose her words with care. “I should be sufficiently revived by then. If I’m not, I’ll let you know.”

  Jayden just shook his head. He gestured at the water jugs. “That’ll help, but we need to address the water situation before we run out.”

  Remembering Orla’s advice about delegating, she said, “Rendor has a good idea about getting water.” She turned to Rendor. “Time is critical so put together a team to restock our supplies. No one is off-limits. Let us know if you need anything.”

  Rendor nodded, keeping his expression neutral, but appreciation sparked in his eyes.

  Jayden drew in a breath but wisely kept quiet in front of Rendor. She suspected he’d corner her later. Too tired to care, she retreated to her room on level nine. As they cleared more and more space inside the temple, the others insisted she have her own spot instead of sharing. Even though only a worn curtain served as her door, it was a nice gesture and gave her the illusion of privacy.

  Eventually, they would open up all the dorms. And she hoped she could move up to level six and install a mirror pipe. When she lived in Zirdai, her room had been on level three and she missed being close to the sun.

  At about three meters by two meters, the space was…cozy. The thin mat kept her off the cold floor and she used her sun cloak as a blanket. There was no need for a heavy fur this deep as the temperature remained at ten degrees Celsius no matter what the angle. A long table stretched along the wall on the other side of the room. She set her pack down on it. A couple bedraggled sitting cushions were beside it. Two druks kept the darkness at bay, although she wondered if she’d still need them while she slept now that she had the ability to sense people nearby. It’d been embarrassing to admit she was afraid of the dark.

  A pile of clothing occupied one corner, and a pyramid of
scrolls sat in another. Borrowed from the monks, one of the scrolls showed the layout of the Temple of Arinna, their current home. Another contained information about The Eyes.

  She closed one druk and turned the other low before lying down. But her thoughts whirled with all the tasks she needed to do and sleep refused to come. After a few angles, she gave up and unrolled the velbloud skin with the guidance on using the power of The Eyes.

  The problem was the information was written in an archaic language and rather cryptic. She’d learned how to read it as that had been her specialty—transcribing old tablets and scrolls—but it took extra time to translate.

  So far, Shyla had learned how to block others’ thoughts and emotions, which helped keep her sanity. And she was getting so good at lowering and raising her mental shield that it almost didn’t require a conscious effort. The Eyes also increased her magical power. Before she woke them, she could only influence one person, but afterwards she had persuaded twenty-five people that she’d disappeared. And now she could also alter a person’s memory. She wondered if that was the real reason for Jayden’s reluctance to teach her. Perhaps he was scared of her powers and didn’t want to give her even more abilities. She didn’t blame him; if she thought about it too much, it frightened her as well.

  Shyla worked on translating a section of the scroll until the pain in her head forced her to return to her sleeping mat where she proceeded to toss and turn, unable to find a comfortable position. Perhaps some hot tea… No, she wouldn’t waste water. Besides, they didn’t have any lava stones or fuel to heat the water. And tepid tea was…well, tepid. She added lava stones to her wish list along with decent sleeping cushions and extra furs and blankets and fresh meat and vegetables. Perhaps she could buy some from the monks.

  Lying on her back, she was staring at the ceiling when she sensed Rendor outside her room—that really was a handy skill! Shyla lowered her shield. He’d brought her a water skin and a couple rolls of jerky since she’d missed second and third meal. Not wishing to disturb her rest, Rendor debated whether to leave them next to her door or to set them inside on the table.