Not everyone was caught. But she wasn’t worried as Elek, Jaft, Lian, and the other fighters—who were now dressed like deacons—took care of them. The priestess’s wielders tried to interfere with Shyla’s people, but their efforts had no effect. The Invisible Swords all wore rings of platinum on their fingers. Engraved into all the platinum jewelry was the old Invisible Sword symbol. Ximen’s experimentation with the torques had revealed that it didn’t have to be worn around the neck. As long as it touched skin and had the symbol, it worked.

The Goddess had smiled on them because Wazir was a metalsmith. He’d been able to make the rings quickly. His occupation was also the reason he and his family had ended up in the chapel. Wazir had refused to hand over his inventory of platinum to the Heliacal Priestess so she had tortured his family.

When everyone was secured, Shyla removed her camouflage. Her injured leg had stiffened with the inactivity and she was unable to stand. Ximen who was nearby, rushed over to help her to her feet. So much for her grand entrance.

Grins and whoops sounded from the Invisible Swords when she joined them. She congratulated them on their success. But they couldn’t relax yet. The sun climbed closer to apex and the deacons needed to be taken to the monastery where Zimraan’s people waited. The monks had agreed to hold on to the captured deacons for a few sun jumps.

To her, the very best part of the plan was that she now had thirty-two Invisible Swords disguised as Arch Deacons and deacons.

They raced the sun. Zimraan’s caravan arrived at the entrances to Zirdai around angle sixty-five. The porters waiting for the merchant sprang into action, unloading the goods, unharnessing the gamelus, and cursing under their breath at the unexpected delay. Zimraan shrugged, claimed traveling in the desert was a dangerous undertaking then proceeded to bark orders.

Zimraan had played his part well. At first he’d been against the idea of deceiving the Heliacal Priestess’s deacons, but a large pouch of osees had changed his mind.

Four more Arch Deacons waited as well. They demanded to know what had happened. Shyla’s people had ensured their faces were hidden behind the veils. They parted and revealed their prizes—Shyla, Gurice, and Ximen with their hands tied behind their backs. She glared at them all, playing her part.

“The mission was a complete success,” Elek said.

“What about the other renegades?” one Arch Deacon asked.

“Dead,” Elek said in a flat tone. Muscling past the man, he gestured for the others to go inside.

“That wasn’t part of the mission,” the man said, trailing them. “The Blessed One will be upset.”

“They fought back.” Elek shrugged. “Not much else we could do.” Picking up the pace, he led them down to level six.