“Go,” he ordered.
He wasn’t in charge, but he could out stubborn her. So she stole another kiss and went into the shelter.
The sun jumps blurred together, piling up. Shyla was both comforted by the routine and frustrated by it. Soon after they left the travel shelter at the start of their fifty-second sun jump of travel, Shyla sensed a strange thickness to the air. Beside her, Lota appeared unconcerned. Shyla glanced back at the other guards and caravan drivers, but no one acted anxious. The kids were having fun pretending to be racing the gamelus. Yet there was a hum of anticipation and excitement that danced on her skin.
It took her a couple of angles to spot the small shapes in the distance. Monks? Had they traveled close to another city? The monasteries were always built near a major city so the monks could spy on the people and report any problems to the King. They also wore special clothing that blended in with the color of the sand when they were out on patrol.
Rendor moved up from his position, joining her and Lota. “Do you see them?”
“Yes.”
“I count ten,” he said.
“I see a dozen.”
“There’s eighteen,” Lota said.
“Are they monks?” Shyla asked her.
“Not out here.”
“Sand pirates?” Rendor gripped the hilt of his sword.
“No. They don’t strike in sunlight, and they wouldn’t be lying half buried in the sand.”
Shyla squinted. The woman had a keen eye. “The King’s guards?”
Lota scoffed. “No. If the guards ever bothered to leave Qulsary, they wouldn’t hide.” She paused. “We are near a major crossroads so there are travel shelters in each direction.”
“Who are they?” he asked.
“I’ve no idea, but they’re lying in wait for us.” She signaled the rest of the guards to get ready. “I hope you two are as good as you claim. This is going to get rough.”
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The King of Koraha will be released worldwide
November 22, 2021!
Also By Maria V. Snyder
Study Series
Poison Study
Magic Study
Fire Study
Shadow Study
Night Study
Dawn Study
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Glass Series
Storm Glass
Sea Glass
Spy Glass
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Healer series
Touch of Power
Scent of Magic
Taste of Darkness
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Inside Series
Inside Out
Outside In
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Invisible Sword Series
The Eyes of Tamburah
The City of Zirdai
The King of Koraha (coming November 2021)
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Sentinels Series
Navigating the Stars
Chasing the Shadows
Defending the Galaxy
Discover other titles by Maria V. Snyder at www.MariaVSnyder.com
About the Author
When Maria V. Snyder was younger, she aspired to be a storm chaser in the American Midwest so she attended Pennsylvania State University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. Much to her chagrin, forecasting the weather wasn’t in her skill set so she spent a number of years as an environmental meteorologist, which is not exciting … at all. Bored at work and needing a creative outlet, she started writing fantasy and science fiction stories. Over twenty novels and numerous short stories later, Maria’s learned a thing or three about writing. She’s been on the New York Times bestseller list, won a dozen awards, and has earned her Masters of Arts degree in Writing from Seton Hill University, where she is now a faculty member.
Her favorite color is red. She loves dogs, but is allergic, instead she has a big black tom cat named … Kitty (apparently naming cats isn’t in her skill set either). Maria also has a husband and two children who are an inspiration for her writing when they aren’t being a distraction. Note that she mentions her cat before her family. When she’s not writing she’s either playing volleyball, traveling, or taking pictures. Being a writer, though, is a ton of fun. When else can you take fencing lessons, learn how to ride a horse, study martial arts, learn how to pick a lock, take glass blowing classes and attend Astronomy Camp and call it research? Maria will be the first one to tell you it’s not working as a meteorologist. Readers are welcome to check out her website for book excerpts, free short stories, maps, blog, and her schedule at MariaVSnyder.com.
Copyright © 2021 by Maria V. Snyder. All rights reserved.
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No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher.
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This is a work of science fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Locales and public names are sometimes used for atmospheric purposes. Any resemblance to actual people, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental.
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The City of Zirdai / Maria V. Snyder—1st edition
Cover design and interior art by Joy Kenney
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Published by Maria V. Snyder
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Print ISBN 9781946381088
Digital ISBN 9781946381095
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