“Most big caravans send runners a few sun jumps ahead to inform the next city of their arrival, to hire muscle to carry their goods down to the market, and to arrange for someone to care for their gamelus while they’re in the city.” Ximen looked at her in amusement.

“What?”

“You know all this history and how to read ancient languages, but not the mundane workings of the city.”

“That’s what happens when you grow up in a monastery. What else do I need to know about these caravans?”

“They’re guarded. And Zimraan won’t want to upset the Heliacal Priestess by selling the platinum to us.”

She jingled the osees in her pack. “I’m sure he’ll get over it.”

Ximen smiled. “I take it your visit went well.”

Shyla handed him the pouch of coins minus a handful for her to spend. “Yes. I want you to take this back to headquarters and fetch one of the Tamburah statues.” She explained about the deal. “You’ll have an easier time leaving and returning. I can take care of some business while I wait.”

“All right.”

“And can you check on Mojag? Make sure he’s still okay.”

“Will do.” Ximen left to meet up with Jaft and Elek.

Shyla searched for Orla. The woman was happy to see her and quickly filled her in on the news. The vagrants hadn’t found the mother of the infant left in the sand and they didn’t know where Rendor was staying. The city was buzzing with talk about the arrest of the monks, and the Heliacal Priestess’s obsession with purchasing platinum was still an active source of gossip.

“We believe they’re melting the platinum down in the chapel on level seventy-one. One of my people caught a whiff of molten metal. The priestess has also doubled the number of deacons guarding all the chapels,” Orla said.

“That’s not a surprise. Did you get any backlash from the rescue?” Shyla asked.

“No. In fact, the search for the members of the Invisible Sword has taken priority and both the guards and deacons have stopped harassing the vagrants for now.”

At least Shyla was able to make a difference for the communes. Baby steps was what Ximen had said about learning magic, but it could be applied to their efforts to help others as well. Eventually, they’d be in a position to effect real change. That thought reminded her.

She asked about the people the deacons had tortured. “Are they fully recovered?” It’d been eight sun jumps since the rescue.

“Some are. A few need more time, but Zhek is satisfied with their progress.”

“Once they’re better what happens to them?”

“They are afraid to return to their lives, so they’ve asked to remain with us. As long as they contribute to the commune, they’re welcome to stay.”

“I’d like to talk to them,” Shyla said.