“I’m not a spy.” But even as I say it, I’m filled with doubt.Am I?
Suddenly, she lifts a finger, and the lamp on the table next to me flickers to life. Well, I suppose that answers my earlier question about guards—since she can wield magic, that probably means she can defend herself from any threats, including me.
“You can do magic like your king also?” I ask warily.
Her brows rise. “Everyone in Everlea can.”
“Everyone?”How is that even possible? Magic is practically extinct in Oryndhr. It’s the reason King Zarek is so overly protective of the remaining jadu mines.
Ani nods. “Yes. The numena of each magi are dependent on their level and talent, of course, but this realm is rich in akasha. Our people are born with magic.”
Does that mean everyone here is a magi? Do they even use jadu? And what are numena?
The questions spawn like sandworms in my head, but I’m suddenly painfully aware of my very full bladder. I suppose that takes precedence instead of bombarding her with my curiosity. “May I use the, er, privy?” I ask. “And, um, where are my clothes?”
“Oh—of course!” A blush stains her cheeks as she hurries over and hands me a neatly folded pile. “Your clothing is being mended and cleaned. The water closet is behind that door over there.”
Gratefully, I take the bundle and shuffle over to the small room she’d pointed out to take care of my needs as well as wash my hands and face. I switch out the see-through shift for the borrowed dress. It’s too tight, but beggars can’t be choosers.
I can’t help it that I’m a healthy eater—Amma’s cooking is much too delicious to resist, though my body is far more muscular than I remember it being. Like my hair, the differences are notable. Sands, how much time have I lost?
“Are you hungry?” Ani asks when I emerge, tugging on the snug bodice, as she brings over a plate holding another sandwich. I sit back down on the bed and accept the food, idly wondering if I should be eating anything, but I suppose if Ani wanted to kill me, she could have done so easily while I was sleeping.
I crane my neck to peer up at her—she’s like a tall, thin reed, much lankier than me. Come to think of it, this dress, which is tight and long on me, is probably hers. “Thank you.”
Suddenly too ravenous to worry about poison, I take a huge bite, the flavors of roasted meat, fresh tomatoes, greens, and dressing bursting over my tongue, but force myself to chew slowly even though I want to inhale the meal like a starving beast.
“Slowly,” she cautions, and then stares curiously at me. “You don’t have magi proficiencies where you come from?”
“We don’t havemagi,” I say through a second mouthful. “Or magic. At least natural magic that comes from akasha, anyway.”
She nods. “I read that in our history books about Oryndhr, but I didn’t actually believe it was true,” she says. “I can’t fathom a world without magic.”
“Oh, it’s true.” I finish the sandwich and sip the glass of water she offers, waiting for my brain to catch up with my stomach that it’s no longer starving. “I suppose we stopped believing in the old gods and paid the price.”
Ani lets out a cynical sniff as if what I’ve said is preposterous. “That’s not—” she begins, and then breaks off.
“That’s not what?” I ask.
“Nothing.”
Clearly, it’s something, because her lips are pinned tight and she won’t meet my eyes. I wonder if she’s been given instructions on what to share with me by the tyrant king.
“My friends call me Sura,” I say, hoping that my affable tone will convince Ani that I have no ill intent toward her. Right now, I need to arm myself with as much information as possible before I take any action... especially before the royaldick-tator returns to ruin the day. “Do you know how long I have been here?”
“A few days,” she replies in a slightly livelier tone. “Your wounds were extensive, but the king had the best healers in the realm trying to save you, including his own personal physician.” She points to my side and my thigh. “The healer said you took two poisoned bolts and the infection had spread. You were lucky to keep your leg, but your body took care of itself.”
Strange choice of words on her part. She sounds impressed for some reason. Once more, I try to remember exactly what could have happened to result in such an injury, but the gaping hole in my memory hasn’t disappeared and I bite back a frustrated curse. “I don’t remember any of it,” I admit.
“They said when you crashed with the azdaha in that field, you shattered several ribs as well as your collarbone and arm, but those look like they’ve already healed.”
Already?I frown—if I’ve been here only a few days, any kind of injury that involves broken bones would hardly be fully healed. Then I remember that I’m not in Oryndhr, where a sling and a turmeric poultice would be our best option. Here, they have magic and mystical beasts. I bite my lip. “So it’s true then about the creature? Do... azdahas exist?”
She graces me with a quizzical look. “Yes. How else would you have gotten here?”
But for some reason, my brain cannot even begin to conceive of something so outlandish. Azdahas belong in fairy tales. Maybe if and when I see one, I’ll believe it.
“Do all your healers use magic?”
