“I’ve a map of Gorgain’s temple.” The scroll had been in her pack since her original client accused Shyla of murder and theft. Although a little wrinkled, it was still legible.

“So?” She feigned a yawn.

“So, the location of his crypt is clearly marked.”

This caused a sharpening of the woman’s interest. “And his diamond and gold crown and ruby torque?”

“Still buried with him. You need only to dig it out.”

“Then your map is worthless.”

“Excuse me?”

“Your Water Prince has made it impossible for anyone to work a dig site within thirty kilometers of Zirdai except for his archeologist.”

Seven hells.

“But if you bring me that crown and torque, and it’s authentic, I’d be happy to pay you more coins than you’ve seen in your lifetime.”

Perfect, except Shyla didn’t have a crew to dig. Actually, she did, but they had so much to do already. And they hadn’t helped anyone yet. Every sun jump people were being tortured, they were dying, and the Invisible Swords were shoveling sand.

“I’ll see what I can do,” Shyla said.

“Don’t wait too long. I’m leaving for home in twenty sun jumps.” Emeline hustled Shyla out the door.

The visit hadn’t gone as she’d expected. Shyla spent most of the trip back to Orla’s commune trying to figure out a fast way to reach Gorgain’s treasures. Before she ducked down the tunnel that would lead her to the back entrance, Shyla paused and checked that no one had followed her or was watching the tunnel.

She reached with her magic and sensed—Rendor! Spinning around, she peered into every shadow, trying to determine his location. A brief moment of alarm flared from him before he moved away, increasing the distance between them until she could no longer sense him.

Son of a sand demon. Shyla wanted to call after him, but the hard stone walls would echo and amplify the sound. People would come to investigate. Plus the heartbreaking fact that he’d seen her and run away…that said a lot.

Disheartened, she returned to Orla’s. The commune was quiet as most of the children were asleep. Mojag and Jayden hadn’t come back yet. Not hungry, but realizing it’d been a while since she’d eaten, Shyla nibbled on a roll of gamelu jerky as she spread the map of Gorgain’s temple on a table. Better to work than to replay Rendor’s rejection.