The grains drifted to the surface and flowed, matching the pattern.
“Nice. Do it again.”
This time the repetition included lifting sand from a bigger and bigger circle. Each lift used more of her energy. The increasing heat didn’t help either as the sun jumped higher. Eventually, the hot air wicked the sweat from her face and the desert’s scent now held a burnt aroma. Time to retreat underground.
The crew clearing sand had already quit. Except Rendor. He waited for her by the temple’s entrance, which was a meter-wide hole with a ladder that ended on the first level. There were ramps and steps between the other deeper levels.
“Did you think she needed to be rescued again?” Jayden asked Rendor before climbing down.
Rendor ignored his snide tone and sour look. Or so it appeared. Shyla noticed the slight stiffening of his shoulders. Otherwise, the big man’s expression remained neutral—a skill that was unfortunately needed as he endured many cutting comments and nasty glares. Rendor was smart enough not to snap back, but it had to be difficult.
Once Jayden disappeared, she asked, “How are your preparations going?”
“Gurice and Mojag have agreed to go into the city at darkness to purchase the supplies. I’m having…difficulties recruiting people for the rest of my team.”
Surprised, she asked, “Jaft and Elek said no?”
“They agreed, but that’s all. I need four more at least or it’s not worth the effort.”
Scorching hells. “Who else did you ask?”
Rendor stilled. “I’m not giving you names.”
Figured. Although she understood why. The temperature rose and the intensity of the sunlight burned on her head and shoulders. Without further comment, they descended and joined the others in the common room on level eight. Technically it was too early for second meal, but it was a natural break as all three crews were awake and together.
As she filled her skin, she noted the low water level. Then she checked their supplies. Only one full jug remained. She glanced around the room. Not everyone was here so she sent a few runners to gather the rest.
Once all twenty-nine of them were in the common room, Shyla stood on a table and raised her voice above the murmur of conversation. “I’m sure you’ve noticed we’re low on water.”
Quiet descended. Everyone turned to her. Good.
“Rendor came up with a plan to supply us with clean water. Yes, it’s from his knowledge from working as a guard. And yes, I’m aware of the terrible things he has done.”
“Are you sure you are aware?” asked Ajay, one of the Invisible Sword survivors. “Safe in the monastery, you didn’t deal with the constant fear of being caught by him or his guards. You never had anyone you loved taken, tortured, and murdered by him.”
The others rumbled their agreement. She’d known there was animosity toward him, but not to this degree. Rendor sat alone in the back corner, appearing as if he’d turned to stone.
Shyla swallowed. “Yes, I am aware. I’ve seen the Water Prince’s special rooms and witnessed the torture. I’ve also witnessed Rendor coming to our aid when we rescued Jayden from the Heliacal Priestess.”
“He only came to our aid after he almost died. If he returned to the Water Prince the next guard in line for captain would have challenged him and won. . Killers like him don’t get second chances.”
Seven hells. This wasn’t how this was supposed to go. “Everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone can change. Yes, I grew up sheltered in the monastery and then was blind to the people’s pain and suffering when I lived in Zirdai. I changed and am working just as hard as all of you to help the citizens. Rendor has changed, too, and is making amends.”
“Yeah, by biding his time until he can report to the Water Prince,” Titus, another Invisible Sword survivor, said.
“He’s trustworthy,” she said.
“You only think that because you’re in love with him,” a male voice called from somewhere in the back of the group.
Titters and gasps followed. Scorching sand rats. That explained why her word wasn’t good enough for them. They thought she was biased due to her emotions.
Projecting her voice over the rising din, she said, “It is because I read his soul. You all witnessed what I’ve gone through in order to do just that.” She went up onto her tiptoes, making a show of searching for someone in the back. “Does the person who doubts me wish for me to read his soul?” Some uncomfortable shuffling. She let them sweat for half an angle. “No? I’ve respected everyone’s privacy. And you have accepted my leadership. I assigned Rendor to lead this mission. He needs volunteers.” In other words, she could order them to do it. “We. Need. Water.”
Shyla stepped off the table, grabbed two rolls of jerky, and left. Only when she was alone in her room did she relax. How… Why did they think she was in love with Rendor? He’d made his feelings for her clear, along with his desire to atone, but she thought she’d been treating him like everyone else. She wondered if Jayden had been spreading rumors in order to undermine her authority. Or perhaps their fear and hatred of him were too strong to overcome. Too bad leadership skills hadn’t been included with her new eyes. Did she just make it worse?
Her exertions caught up to her. She plopped onto her mat and chewed the dried jerky.
Gurice visited her first. After a quick knock, she entered Shyla’s room. “Nice speech. I’m gonna need coins to purchase the air bladders for Rendor.”
Why would he—oh, to carry the water. Velblouds had four air bladders inside of them. Just before the start of the killing heat, the animals filled their bladders with hot air and floated, escaping the deadly temperatures on the surface. The bladders weren’t the best water containers for long-term storage, but, in the short term, they were lighter than leather and would be easier to carry.
“How many osees do you need?” she asked, digging into her pack. Shyla had hidden the bulk of the coins but always kept a few with her.
“Four or five.”
She handed six to Gurice. “Just in case.”
“Thanks.”
“No, thank you for going on this mission.”
Gurice cocked a hip. “Did you know Rendor caught Mojag once?”
“No. He doesn’t like to talk about what he did when working for the prince.” Not like they had any time to talk.
“This was before you came to Zirdai. Before Rendor was the captain. He could have arrested Mojag and tortured him for information on the location of the vagrant communes. Mojag was only nine circuits old. But he didn’t. Instead, he showed my brother a shortcut to avoid an area where there were lots of guards, and then let him go. Mojag didn’t even know the guard was Rendor until he was promoted to captain.”
Shyla wasn’t sure where Gurice was going with the story so she waited.
“What I’m trying to say is, working as the captain for the prince drained his soul. Or so we all thought. I’m glad he still has some left.”
Nice of Gurice to share her thoughts.
“And, scorching hells, girl. He’s a fine-looking specimen. Hope you’re taking full advantage.” She winked.
Not so nice now. “Don’t you have buckets of sand to dump?”