That didn’t make sense. “But you found it. It’s where you put the fake Eyes for Banqui to find.” According to Banqui there’d been nothing else but a skeleton inside when he’d first opened it.
“That was his personal vault. He supposedly had another one that wasn’t marked on a map.”
Supposedly. One of the words Shyla hated most as a researcher. “Is its existence written on a scroll or tablet or is it one of those legends?”
“It’s from our oral history,” Ximen said with an edge to his voice.
Which tended to be exaggerated and embellished during each generation. Since the Invisible Sword was about five hundred thousand sun jumps old, that was a great deal of time for their history to change.
“Don’t forget, Shyla,” Jayden said. “The Eyes are part of that history and they ended up being exactly what our history claimed.”
True, but information about them was also written down. However, she didn’t remind him. Instead, she asked, “Did you explore all of Tamburah’s temple?”
“Of course. The vault’s not there. Tamburah had a number of residences while he ruled. He was the king after all.”
Yet, according to the records, he spent most of his time in his temple. He’d believed he was the Sun Goddess’s son and therefore divine. Again, it wasn’t worth arguing over.
“Back to my original question,” Shyla said. “Any ideas on how to earn some coins now?”
Jayden hunched his shoulders. “I can work for the black-market dealers. I’ve done it before. They appreciate my abilities to get around Zirdai unseen. It won’t bring in much, but enough to last until we uncover the crypt.”
“Mojag can help you,” Gurice said.
“The risk of getting caught by the guards or the deacons is high and I don’t want him in danger.”
She glanced at Shyla who shook her head slightly in a we-can-discuss-it-later manner.
Shyla said, “I can do some research and maybe find the location of the other vault. And while I’m at the monastery, I’ll look for another site that may have a valuable artifact we can uncover faster.”
“Do you want me to continue clearing the tunnel at Gorgain’s?” Aphra asked her.
“Might as well until we have another possible dig site. But you’re not going to have the full complement of Invisible Swords.”
“I figured. Better some than none.” Aphra stood and stretched. “I’d better get some sleep.”
It sounded like an excellent idea.
“What was that look for?” Jayden asked Gurice once Aphra had left. “Do you really want to endanger your brother for a few extra coins?”
“Mojag might be better at avoiding the guards and deacons than you think,” Shyla said. She explained about her experiments.
Instead of being happy, Jayden growled at Gurice. “And you let her do that to him? He’s just a boy.”
“He’s old enough to make his own decisions,” Gurice shot back. “Besides, it’s a good thing. We need more people who can wield magic.”
“He’s not mature enough. He’s already cocky and takes unnecessary risks. If he learned how to wield magic…” Jayden sighed.
“What’s really bothering you, Jay?” Gurice asked in a soft voice.
“When I was the priestess’s…prisoner…one of the things that got me through their…questioning…” He swallowed.
Ximen put a hand on Jayden’s shoulder, squeezing it in support.
Jayden gave him a wan half smile that quickly faded. “I endured because I knew Mojag escaped. I thought the Invisible Sword was gone and that he would be able to return to the commune and not be recruited. He’d have…well, not a normal life, but a safer one.” He swept an arm out. “And here he is. Still in danger.”
It was obvious that Jayden and Mojag were more than friends, more than mentor and student—they were brothers of the heart.
“I’m glad you’re worried about him, but that’s not for you to decide,” Gurice said. “It’s his choice. He knew he could have returned to the commune back when we were hiding at the monastery. At any time, really. Unlike us, no one knows he’s involved with the Invisible Sword. He’s chosen to stay with us despite the danger. If Shyla can unlock all his magic, that will make him safer.”
Jayden’s shoulders sagged. “You’re right.” He focused on Shyla. “You said you could see a glowing ribbon of magic inside him when he tried to wield magic. Did you see it with The Eyes?”
“Yes. I had to lower my shield.” She described what she had done in more detail.
“And you think you can unlock the rest of his magic?” he asked Shyla.
“As I see it, it’s more like…opening it up to its full potential. Like widening that crack. I’ve no idea if it’ll work, but I think it’s worth the effort if Mojag agrees.”
“When are you going to…you know…try?”
“Not for a couple sun jumps,” Shyla said. “I need to recover.”
“All right. I’ll take him with me to the black-market dealers while you rest.” Jayden glanced at her. “What about your ideas to recruit more people?”
Ximen straightened. “You have ideas?”
“A few. One of the reasons I experimented with Gurice and Mojag was to see if The Eyes could recognize a person’s magic. Since they can, I thought I’d start with the deacons who’ve been tortured. Perhaps some cracked while being rehabilitated, and they might be interested in joining us.”
“And if they’re not, they’ll alert all their deacon friends,” Gurice said.
“Of course there’s a risk,” Shyla said. “I’m hoping once I read their souls, I’ll know the likelihood of them joining. And if they’re truly devoted to the Heliacal Priestess, then I’ll erase their memories before they yell for help.”
“How are you going to find them?” Ximen asked. “It’s not like they have ‘I’ve been beaten into submission’ written on their robes.”
“I know they’re not the ones guarding the chapels or the dining cavern or working in the confession rooms. They tend to hold the lowly jobs. They’re the gardeners, the cleaners, and the kitchen workers.”
“What about the people you freed from the confession rooms?” Gurice asked her. “They’re probably grateful.”
“That’s a possibility.”
“We could free more,” Ximen said.
She’d like to rescue them all. “Not for a while. The deacons will be on guard for another ambush.”
“What are your other ideas?” Jayden asked.
“The vagrants. We could recruit from the communes.”
“You mean I could,” Jayden said. “They won’t trust an outsider. Well, most won’t. Orla’s know what’s going on with the Invisible Sword. They’re already helping us, but I guess it won’t hurt to ask if anyone wants to join. With Orla’s permission, of course.”
“Of course. Did the Invisible Sword ever recruit from the communes?” Shyla asked.