Page 68 of Den of Thieves
“Governor Jeera.” The female captain clapped a fist to her heart in a show of respect, then bowed her head. “We found these foreigners wandering near the coastline outside the city. The woman’s name is Tariel, and she claims to be a mage fromFjordland.”
“A mage?” The governor raised plucked eyebrows, sitting up a little straighter. She studied Tariel, her dark eyes glittering with suspicion. “Do you speakMaroyan?”
“Some,” Tariel said. “I had a teacher when I wasyounger.”
“Ridiculous,” the governor said. “Fjordlanders don’t teach their women anything beyond how to cook and clean and open their legs on command.” She raked her cold glare over the rest of Tariel’s entourage. “I suppose this is yourharem?”
“Of course,” Tariel said, a little indignant. “Why else would I be traveling with a group ofmen?”
“Perhaps this is merely some kind of front, and you are all spies,” the woman sneered. “How do I know you are a mage atall?”
“She did light a bush on fire with her magic,” the captainadmitted.
“Pah. That is done easily enough with smoke and mirrors.” The governor waved a hand. “Throw them in the dungeons and call the interrogator. We’ll find out what these spies are really upto.”
“I don’t think so,” Tariel said. Lifting a hand, she summoned her magic, then willed the large, silken pillows to move. Gasps echoed throughout the room as the pillows levitated, and Governor Jeera squawked as she was lifted into the air, high enough for the top of her head to nearly graze thecanopy.
“Impertinent girl!” she snapped, her eyes blazing fire. “Put me down atonce!”
Tariel was tempted to just let the pillows collapse, but she knew that wouldn’t gain her favors. Slowly, she lowered the pillows, then released her magic once they had touched theground.
Governor Jeera huffed as she stared down her nose at Tariel. “If I were a lesser woman, I would have you punished forthat.”
“Then you would be a most ungracious host,” Zolotais declared, appearing in a flash by Tariel’s side. She darted up the dais toward the governor, who looked quite taken aback. “It has been a long time since I have last been to the Empire, but I do not remember Maroyan mages being so hostile and rude to their fellow mages. Had I known things had changed so drastically, I would never have told Tariel to travelhere.”
“A djinn!” the governor declared, her eyes widening. “Why, I never! What are you doing with thisforeigner?”
“What’s going on?” Riann whispered in Tariel’s ear as Zolotais and the governor launched into a spirited argument. “Was she about to have uskilled?”
“Jailed,” Tariel corrected. “She thought we were spies, until I showed her my magic. And now Zolotais is taking her to task.” She hid a grin as she listened to the desert spirit scold the governor, sounding quiteindignant.
“Oh, very well!” Governor Jeera waved a hand, and Zolotais was pushed back to Tariel by some unseen force. “I concede that you clearly must be a mage of some sort, and you obviously have Maroyan blood in your veins. But one small demonstration and the word of a rude desert spirit”—she glared at Zolotais, who glared back—“is not sufficient evidence that there is no foul play. I have never heard of any kind of mage coming from Fjordland—they burned all magic out of their bloodlines over a thousand years ago. The fact that you exist is an anomaly I mustinvestigate.”
“What will you do with us, then?” Tariel demanded. “Surely we do not deserve to be chained up in thedungeons.”
“You will stay here as my guests,” the governor declared, “at least until I get to the bottom of this. You may, of course, have access to any amenities I have to offer. But do not betray my hospitality. Should I find that you are deceiving me in any way, you shall all beexecuted.”
On the heels of that dire pronouncement, several servants stepped forward to lead them away. Two spear-toting guards brought up the rear as they were escorted out of the hall and down a long corridor. Tariel breathed a sigh of relief that she knew was shared by everyone else except for Yarim. She could feel the terrible dread that twisted in his stomach, making him anxious almost to the point ofillness.
“We’re going to be fine,” she whispered, slipping her hand inhis.
Yarim nodded tightly as he squeezed her hand. But Tariel knew he was right to be afraid. After all, they were deceiving Governor Jeera right now. And if she found out the truth about Yarim, it would mean certain death for all ofthem…
To becontinued…
