The Courier's Quest E-Book

T. S. Valmond

• Herausgeber: T.S. Valmond
• Kategorie: Für Kinder und Jugendliche
• Serie: The Bolaji Kingdoms
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 286

Beschreibung

If this courier is going to save the world it’ll take a miracle.

The royal Choosing is imminent, but Rasha Indari has no interest in being queen. She finally has everything she’s always wanted and more, she’s a courier with a talented partner and another fantastical pet. When an old friend goes missing and a plague sweeps across the realm it’s up to her to solve both mysteries before all the citizens of Bolaji are lost.

Armed with her short swords and her new friends Rasha will set out to save her world once again. But with the future of the eleven kingdoms at risk, will she find the cure in time?

The Courier’s Quest is the third book in the Bolaji Kingdoms' enthralling young adult fantasy series. If you like action adventures with courageous heroines you’ll love this book.

Buy The Courier’s Quest today and immerse yourself in this amazing world again!

Leseprobe

THE COURIER'S QUEST

THE BOLAJI KINGDOMS SERIES BOOK THREE

T. S. VALMOND

CONTENTS

Also by T. S. Valmond

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Chapter 27

Chapter 28

Chapter 29

Chapter 30

Chapter 31

Chapter 32

Chapter 33

Chapter 34

Chapter 35

Chapter 36

Chapter 37

What Next?

Acknowledgments

About the Author

THE COURIER’S QUEST

The Bolaji Kingdoms Book Three

T.S. Valmond

Copyright © 2018 by T.S. Valmond. All rights reserved. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events or locales is purely coincidental. Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited.

PRINT ISBN: 9 7 8 1 9 9 9 5 0 1 2 3 5

EBOOK ISBN: 9 7 8 1 7 7 5 3 6 1 0 5 3

Cover By: Goerz Designs

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A Romeo and Juliet Story With a Fantasy Twist

A Romeo and Juliet story with a fantasy twist.

Sanee and Adera became friends long before they understood what it meant to hate those who were different. Falling in love in secret pushes their two tribes closer to an inevitable border war, forcing the pair apart.

On Bolaji, there’s a mythical land where it’s rumored those of different tribes and peoples are living in peace. Desperate to be reunited, they each embark on a journey that will test their resolve and in the end they’ll have to choose between their young love or ending a century long blood feud.

Get the book today and discover how the first of the Bolaji kingdoms was born! (MORE)

ALSO BY T. S. VALMOND

Books in the World of Bolaji:

The First Kingdom (Prequel)

The Courier’s Code

The Courier’s Conflict

The Courier’s Quest

The Guardian’s Code

Want more adventures in space?

The Starship Hope Series:

Ensign (Prequel)

Exodus

Marauders

Viral

Nexus

Arrival (coming soon)

Want more? Here’s where you can find me: https://TSValmond.com/links

For Christine

Your loyal friend is never silent.

Your true love never lies.

Your enemy always has their reasons.

The Eye of the Universal Sacred Writings

1

RASHA LAY PRONE ON THE roof, watching Jak on the ground below, wondering if he forgot the signal or had decided to audition for the theater down there. The way he was dancing and prancing around, she couldn't make out what any of them were saying.

At last, Jak pulled out his sword, giving her the signal.

She whistled for her dragon, who swooped in with a screech and a roar.

Rasha climbed onto her mount and they descended, landing hard on the ground in front of the tavern. Inside, the men who saw the dragon scattered in all directions.

Jak came running out first.

"What the yahtz was that? I said come in quiet!" Jak leapt up behind her onto the dragon and pointed to the side door with his sword.

"Dragons aren't quiet! Or didn't you know?" Rasha directed the dragon to where he'd pointed.

As soon as they were close enough, Jak slid off of the beast and held up his sword, ready for the first of the men to come out. Two men charged him at the same time and he got between them. He knocked one back, giving him enough time to deliver a kick and disable the other. Their size and strength, however, made it difficult for Jak to keep up with both of them.

"I could use a little help down here,” He said as he fought off two of the men. Rasha jumped down and took out the one at his back. Two more made their escape during the commotion. Her dragon caught them running and delivered a whip of her tail that sent both men flying backwards.

"That's why you bring a dragon,” Rasha said to Jak.

She huffed as she deflected another man's sword in front of her. The two of them fought off the men until they were all down. Jak knocked out the last of them with the butt of his sword.

"Got it." She reached into the fallen man's pocket, but it was empty. "It's not here."

Jak reached down and felt inside one of the other unconscious men's pockets. After closer examination, they still didn’t find a package on any of the men.

"Well, what happened to it?" Rasha asked.

A transport vehicle built for jungle and desert travel pulled up next to her dragon.

The dragon stumbled back out of fear and roared at the two men inside.

"What a delightful beast you have, Rasha,” Gorg said from behind the wheel of the vehicle. His partner snickered beside him.

"What are you two doing here? Looking to lose at another game of Hand?" she asked.

The two had lost their last vehicle to her and her partner Lu. She never let them forget it. Gorg's face puckered in annoyance. Jak had heard the story and didn't mind goading them either.

"How old were you then, Rash?" Jak asked, feigning ignorance.

"I was seventeen and Lu was only sixteen."

"That's right. Well, enough reminiscing, what are you doing here?" Jak asked.

"Oh, nothing. We just like to watch you work for nothing. Since we've already fetched the package, there's no reason for you to be harassing these men,” Gorg said as he flashed them the small package.

Rasha's blood boiled. There was no way they'd gone through all of that to come away with nothing. Before she could get the question out, he offered an explanation.

"We thought we'd come by early and relieve them of the package, then wait and see how you would have done it. The dragon's a nice touch." Gorg revved the mechanical engine, and the two raced off, kicking up mud and dirt behind them.

Rasha used her hands to brush at her clothes. She walked over and patted the dragon on the neck. The poor thing, startled by the closeness of the noisy vehicle, had retreated further and only now ventured forward.

"There, there. Those pumseeds are gone now. You're safe."

Jak kicked at the dirt.

"That's the third one in two months," he said.

"Yes, once is a coincidence. The others make it a pattern. We need to find out why the Courier's Keep is giving them our assignments."

Jak put one arm around her shoulders and reached out with the other to give the dragon a pat on the neck.

"It's true, the dragon is a nice touch."

Their communicators beeped at the same time. Jak and Rasha both reached for their pockets.

"Priority level one," Jak read the message.

"Delivery to the Courier's Keep. Well, that's convenient,” Rasha said, slipping her communicator into her pocket.

"We have to go to Poobari's stink hole. Should we take the dragon?" Jak asked, gesturing with one hand to the beast.

Rasha made a face. She hated Poobari's Tero-Joro prison.

"Yes, that way we've got a quick exit," she said as she climbed into her seat behind the dragon's neck.

"By the way, when are you going to name her?"

"I don't know what to call her."

Jak hoisted himself behind her. "You named your swords Cutter and Blade,” Jak paused, realizing he'd made her point. "True, you need to think of something more original than Dragon."

"Poobari, you mangy man, I thought you were dead," Rasha said. She and Jak entered the jail and found him sitting at his desk. The man's thinning hair—the patches that hadn’t fallen out, anyway—had grown down to his shoulders. His thin mustache and beard looked like extensions of the greasy hair from his head.

"I heard you were a princess,” he returned. “Can't believe everything on the feed." His middle jiggled and rolled with laughter. "You must be here for the delivery to Courier's Keep." Poobari leaned to one side of his desk and pulled out several square keys. He slipped them into his pocket as he stood up.

"Correct. If it wasn't so urgent we'd love to sit around here and–" Jak looked around the tossed room, at a loss for words, before turning back to him, "stare at the walls or whatever it is you do here."

Rasha stifled a laugh. She held out her hand and wiggled her fingers with impatience as she waited for Poobari to give her the package.

"Oh no, it doesn't quite fit in the palm of your hand." Poobari waddled to the door and used his blue key to unlock it.

"This way." He continued down the corridor, not waiting for them to follow. "They told me they'd be sending the best, I had no idea they meant you,” Poobari said as he continued down the dank corridor. The jail had the distinct odor of rotting flesh, urine, and feces.

Rasha leaned forward and took a whiff of Poobari, then leaned back again, letting him get several steps ahead of her. The rotting flesh might be him. They'd taken two turns before Jak spoke up.

"Where are you taking us?" he asked.

Poobari smiled but said nothing.

"You could have had the package waiting for us when we arrived,” Rasha said as she avoided an outstretched hand from a prisoner inside one cell they passed.

"Nope, this one is special." He stopped in front of a dark cell and chuckled. "She and I are old friends. Aren't we, little girl?" Poobari pulled out an orange key and unlocked the cell door.

The prisoner sauntered up to Rasha and Jak with a huge grin, then put one hand on each of their shoulders.

"I'm so pleased to see you. Have you both been well?"

"Ladi?" they asked in unison.

2

POOBARI STOOD HOLDING THE DELIVERY tag out to them, impatient to be leaving.

"Is one of you going to accept the fetch or do we need to call for someone else?"

Jak didn't respond, but he pulled out his communicator and accepted the package. Poobari didn't wait around after unlocking the door. He made his way back to the front near his desk. The sound of desperate inmates calling out to him as he waddled back down the halls didn’t seem to bother him.

Ladi stood staring at the two of them as if she'd invited them over for a meal.

"What are you doing here?" Rasha asked.

"My final exam didn't go well. When things got worse, I ended up in here again with Poobari. He really is a horrible man, but it's either here or someplace worse." She shrugged.

How could she just shrug? Rasha wondered.

"No, I mean, how did you end up here? Aren't you supposed to be completing your training?"

"It turns out that wasn't really for me,” Ladi said. She squeezed between them and lead them back up the corridor.

Rasha looked at Jak who shook his head. What could she be thinking? Why was she being so evasive? Rasha didn't know what to think about it.

Jak held up a hand behind Ladi's back. He'd seen Rasha about to lose her temper.

Rasha bit back her response and let him take the lead.

"So, you returned to a life of crime?" Jak asked.

"Not exactly," Ladi said as she reached the door to Poobari's office.

"I'll be taking my weapon, package, and my communicator, now."

Ladi held out her hand.

Poobari ignored it and picked at his dirty nails, looking at Rasha as he spoke.

"Young people these days are so disrespectful. In the old days, as I recall, they used to be much more polite. Not like these uneducated rangleforts."

Ladi put her hands on her hips.

"I don't have all day to fool around with you, old man. Give them up."

Poobari laughed then Ladi leaned forward on his desk and crooked a finger at him to come closer. He inched forward, wary of her, and she whispered something in his ear that made him swear. From underneath the wooden desk, he pulled on a drawer and lifted out a small package and a communicator chip. The sword was last, and he handed it to her blade first.

Ladi sheathed her sword before turning to Rasha.

"Shall we?"

"You know where we're going?" Rasha asked.

"Of course, the Courier's Keep will want to see me about this package. Let's go."

"See you again soon, my little green girl,” Poobari called from behind her.

"Not if I can help it,” Ladi said without looking back.

When they reached the outside and stood in front of Rasha's dragon, Ladi let out a whistle.

"You kept him."

"Her." Rasha gave the dragon a pat on the neck. "She wouldn't leave."

"Are you going to take me up on her? Please, it's been so long since I've been on a dragon."

Rasha put a hand on Ladi's shoulder and turned her around.

"Are your brains half cooked? We just picked you up from jail. You swore you'd never return there especially after what happened to your brother. You have to go back to the Courier's Keep to answer for the package you fetched but never delivered. What's wrong with you? Talk to me."

Jak took that moment to walk away.

Ladi looked away, her eyes filling.

"Don't. Don't do that. I'm trying to understand," Rasha said.

"You can't understand. You don't know what it's like to have to walk in his shoes."

Ladi's shoulders dropped. She'd obviously been carrying this for some time.

Rasha had struggled with her own feelings about Lu and his death. What could she say to get through to her? Ladi continued to blame herself for her brother’s death.

When Jak moved towards them, she looked up and shook her head. She wasn't ready to end their conversation.

"You can't keep punishing yourself for your brother's death,” Rasha said.

"They don't want me. They want him." Ladi shrugged away from Rasha. "All they wanted was for me to be more like him. Just like you. After a while, I couldn't take it."

Rasha took a step forward and turned Ladi to face her again.

"That's not true, I don't want you to be him. However, the job of the Keep is to train you to become the best courier you can be. Why did you feel you had to leave?"

"They wanted me to take the Courier's Oath, but I couldn't."

"Why not?"

"How can you ask me that?" Ladi asked, incredulous. "To lie and say that I'm loyal to no kingdom. How did you do it and stand on the front lines of Adalu, killing the beasts?"

Rasha stopped short.

"What do you mean?"

"The oath: 'In service of the ten kingdoms, allegiance to none.' How could I say it and mean it after all we've been through?"

Rasha's hand dropped as she thought about what she was saying.

"Allegiance to none," Ladi said, waiting for Rasha to understand.

"Yes, but a courier just like a princess is still in service to the ten kingdoms."

"Not ten, eleven. Serving is not the same as allegiance."

Rasha hadn't even considered the oath since she'd returned to the job. She wondered what Jak thought of it. She'd have to ask him later. Ladi was too volatile now to consider the issue with reason.

"Listen, you have to stop thinking like this. No one is comparing you to Lu except you." Rasha put a hand on Ladi's shoulder and forced her to look into her eyes. "Do you want to be a courier or not?"

"I don't think I do anymore," Ladi said.

Rasha didn't know what to say.

Jak moved over to her but Ladi had already walked away.

Rasha shrugged and waved it off. They agreed it would be best if Rasha and Ladi rode on her dragon to Adalu. Jak would have to make his own way there and meet up with Rasha to complete delivery.

The Keep was located in what was left of the first kingdom and the weather had already turned warm again. Most of the damage from the year before had vanished in most places. There was a scar left across the land from where the beasts and the ten kingdoms had fought. The ruins of the first palace was the only dark smudge among the greenery of Adalu. Rasha and Ladi arrived that evening at the Courier's Keep and for the first time since ending her own training, Rasha was allowed admittance.

"Welcome, Courier Jenchat-42769 how can I be of assistance?" The robotic assistant had no humanoid features on its metallic plate of a face, only a faintly recognizable humanoid anatomy.

"I request an audience with Courier's Keep to complete delivery of Fetch #456-257."

"Processing…"

Rasha twitched while she waited for the confirmation.

"Please follow the blue lighted signs to the Courier's Keep located on the fifth floor."

Rasha and Ladi didn't need the lighted signs to find the Keep. When they reached the imposing wooden doors of the Keep on the fifth floor, Ladi stopped short.

"What's wrong?" Rasha asked.

"I don't know if I can do this."

"We don't really have a choice. You have to give the package back."

Ladi shook her head and backed away.

"No, Ladi, don't even think of running."

"I'm sorry, Rasha, this can't go back to them."

Rasha watched in horror as Ladi bolted down the corridor. The doors of the Keep opened and Rasha turned to run after her.

"Wait, stop, there's no way out that way!" She ran after her but only made it as far as halfway down the hall before Ladi jumped through the window.

"No!" Rasha ran to the window but the only thing on the ground was the broken glass. Ladi hadn't landed on the ground. She was flying in the arms of one of the Wola, his arms clutching her middle as her legs dangled in the air. Rasha's hand came down on the window sill.

Rasha returned to the doors of the Courier's Keep. they were still open. She entered the large domed room, its eye-level windows letting in light from all sides. A man older than her father with a turquoise hue to his skin and blue hair stepped forward. His face was grim and disapproving.

"Rasha Jenchat, I told them you wouldn't be able to bring her in."

3

RASHA STARED UP INTO THE face of her former courier instructor with as much sass as she could muster.

"That sour expression has aged you."

"I see you haven't learned any more respect being out in the world. You think your perfect record gives you the right to disrespect the couriers that came before you?"

"I'm only here to deliver a fetch, not to get into it with you."

The man lifted his sword and lunged at her. "Wrong, you'll leave when you're dismissed."

Rasha had only a half a second to pull out Cutter and Blade to defend herself. She countered his hit with one of her own. They danced around the Keep, avoiding students in the midst of their practice. A few stopped to stare at them, at first wondering what was going on. After the whispered comments made it around the entire floor, they encircled them, waiting to see the outcome.

"You're still dropping your left," he said.

"I'm not, but you're not as fast as you used to be." They sparred for several minutes before Rasha used the exercise equipment behind her to propel her into the air. She landed on top of him, his sword barely able to absorb the shock of her hit.

He raised a hand in surrender and the exercise ended.

Applause erupted from all around them.

Rasha sheathed her swords and shook hands with her trainer.

"Let me present Rasha Jenchat. She used to be the youngest courier we had ever trained."

"Rash," Chigo ran forward. He threw his arms around her and she had to hug him back or fall over. "I can't believe you're here. How is everyone? Have you seen Ladi?"

"That’s enough questions for now. Back to your studies." The instructor clapped his hands, and they returned to their practice. Chigo did the same, keeping one eye on Rasha.

Her former instructor raised a hand, pointing toward his office. She knew it to be soundproof. No doubt that was the reason he chose it now. He'd want to discuss Ladi but not in front of the others in her class.

"Sit down, let me get you a glass of water."

He poured her glass and put it on her side of the desk. He lifted a large bottle and drank from it. Then he picked up a sprayer and sprayed his face and head, letting the water run down his neck. As a merman, he struggled with the time on land like most, but committed his time and life to training couriers.

"Tell me exactly what happened, from the beginning."

"Jak, my partner, and I received the fetch and agreed to pick it up." He nodded at the mention of Jak but didn't interrupt. "We discovered the fetch was a prisoner, Ladi."

"Did she explain why she took the package in the first place?"

"No, sir. She admitted that she'd dropped out of her training and that she had doubts about taking the oath."

"What kind of doubts?"

"She didn't think she could, in good conscience, say 'In service of the ten kingdoms, allegiance to none.' I reasoned with her, insisted she return the package, and she agreed we'd came here to clear up the matter."

"She agreed?"

"Yes."

"You used no force or coercion in any way?"

"I did not."

"Interesting."

"Why would she agree to come all the way here just to jump out a window?"

"She wasn't alone, then?"

"No, a Wola caught her mid-air and carried her off. It was planned from the start, from what I could tell."

"The package, did she give it to you, did you see it?"

"She did not. I didn’t even see the contents. She kept it with her the entire time. We weren't together long."

"How did you manage that? She was in the Twinlands, was she not?"

"Yes, however, we traveled by dragon. It took only a matter of hours."

"Dragon? You ride on a dragon?"

"Are you avoiding my question?" Rasha asked. She put the water down and sat back in her chair, crossing her legs.

Her instructor took a deep breath.

"I don't know why she would bring you here," he said, avoiding her eyes.

"That's a lie, try again," she said crossing her arms and losing her patience.

"I don't know what she thinks you can do," he said looking her in the eye.

"She's the younger sister of my former partner and friend. I've known her for years. She trusts me. The question is why doesn't she trust you or the courier system?"

"She has no reason not to trust us. Her role is simple. You understood it at her age. You fetch and deliver, you don't ask questions and you don't deviate from your instructions."

"Are you saying she deviated from her instructions?" Rasha asked.

"She completed the fetch as planned but she did not deliver the package. To our knowledge, she still has the package in her possession which is paramount to theft and a betrayal to the courier's code and to the ten kingdoms."

There it was again, he'd said the ten kingdoms instead of eleven. That had bothered Ladi and now it was bothering her.

"What do you mean ten?"

"The Wola did not accept The Courier's Keep and our courier system. We only serve the ten original kingdoms."

There was something else there but she wouldn't get the chance to get it out of him as his communicator beeped and he jumped up from his desk.

"I have some other business to attend to you. Shall I see you out?"

Rasha stood up. She looked at her former instructor, measuring him with her gaze. He was hiding something. Something beyond this training program, perhaps for someone in a higher position of authority.

"No, I know the way."

Rasha took her time leaving the building. She reached the front desk and tried another tactic.

"Can you help me?"

"Courier Jenchat-42769, how can I be of assistance?”

"The Courier's Keep, who has direct oversight?"

"There is no direct oversight. The Courier's Keep must answer to all, loyal to none."

"Do you mean they answer to all the kingdoms?"

"Yes, they must answer or forfeit their diplomatic status,” the robot answered.

"If they fail to adhere to a kingdom?" Rasha asked.

"Then they shall serve none."

"Who would provide the courier service for the kingdoms should this happen?"

"Answer unknown." The robot tilted its anatomically incorrect head to one side. "Do you need further assistance?"

"Yes, why are assignments given out to multiple couriers?"

"Please, clarify the question."

Rashsa huffed. She thought that was as clear as she could get it, but she rephrased it instead.

"Under what circumstances would two different courier teams be given the same job?"

"Processing."

Rasha waited for the whir of the machine to stop.

"Unknown."

"Really? It took you that long to figure out exactly nothing?" Rasha threw up her hands.

"Please clarify the question."

Rasha shook her head and thought for a moment.

"Here's a better question, have duplicate assignments ever been given before?"

"Processing."

Again, Rasha waited while tapping her foot with impatience. This time, however, the whir stopped fairly quickly and she was rewarded with an answer.

"Yes."

"Please provide details," Rasha said.

"That information is classified. Courier Jenchat-42769, you do not have the appropriate clearance."

That might be worth checking into, but first she had to focus on Ladi. She turned to walk away.

"Do you need further assistance?"

"Not at this time, thank you," Rasha called out over her shoulder.

"Courier Jenchat-42769, have a pleasant day."

"I wish I could."

4

AFTER WATCHING LADI FLY OFF with one of the Wola, it was clear she was working with them in some way. Rasha figured the fastest way to find her was to track her down. The mystery of the Keep would have to wait. If Jak followed the route they'd taken, he'd still be on foot and more than a day away. She called the dragon to her then climbed on, heading for his approximate location. They were already losing time and she only half understood what was really going on at the Courier's Keep. When she was close to where she thought he might be, she signaled him and flew down to pick him up.

"Did I miss anything?" he asked, taking in her facial expression.

"Only my first incomplete delivery."

"What? How?"

"She bolted. At the last second, she did a flying piko right out the window and into the arms of a Wola."

"The package?" Jak asked.

"Gone. She took that too."

"So, she went through the whole compliant thing to just leave you on the front steps of the Keep?"

"Not the front steps, the training door. I met with an instructor. There's something going on, but I'm not sure what it is."

"You look like you could use a ferm. Want to hit up Silae?"

"Not particularly."

"I'll take that as a yes."

They rode the dragon less than two hours to the pub where Silae worked. Rasha hadn't been there since she'd announced Lu's death to his sister. She'd been proving a point then, and now it seemed pointless to hang out in the place without him. Jak had been trying to get her back in there for months but she'd refused. Seeing Silae would bring the memories back and she wasn't sure she would ever be over that. Silae, as it happened, wasn't bothered at all. In fact, she was more excited to see Jak than she'd ever been to see Lu, which only irritated Rasha more.

"Welcome, Prince Jak Ameenu. Sit anywhere you like." Silae leaned forward enough to just brush his arm with her ample chest, then pulled him along, pointing out the benefits of one empty table over another.

"Seems sort of quiet for this time of day. Where is everyone?" Rasha asked, looking around at the bar.

"Sick. It's that time of year so, not unexpected. With the changing of the seasons from cold to warmer, it happens. Seems like more people than usual are dropping like pikos, though," Silae said.

"I think the small table in the corner will do just fine." Jak smiled back at her. He would because he was that kind of guy, the guy who girls fell on top of themselves for whether they had a chance or not.

"Could you get us some drinks?" Rasha asked.

Silae ignored her and continued to fawn over Jak. She'd worn her hair down today, in the Karmirian style. The black waves reached her lower back and her skin, a chestnut red, had a glimmer as if she'd used some kind of body make-up.

"So, I hear the Karmirian traitor will be sentenced for his crimes," Silae let Jak sit, then squeezed in beside him. "He might even be executed."

"That's more than he deserves," Rasha mumbled.

"He was doing it to protect his own family and kingdom. Can you really blame him for making that choice?" Silae asked.

Rasha's fist came down hard on the table.

"That muke put the whole of Bolaji in danger, not to mention he supported the torture and brutality of those animals. If it had been up to me, I would have taken a piece off of him for everyone who died because of that war."

Silae tossed her hair to one side as if they'd disagreed on the weather and changed the subject.

"Anyway, the prince will be inviting some eligible princesses and princes to the Ishola Palace in a few days. Are you planning to attend?" She slid closer to Jak and wrapped her arms tight around his right arm.

"I hadn't planned on it, no,” Jak said, his tone casual and almost dismissive. "Is there any reason I should change my mind?" He gave Silae a wink and a smile that made her giggle.

"Absolutely," Silae said.

"Ahem,” Rasha said clearing her throat. "Do you mind?"

"Not at all, you're excused,” Silae said with a wave of her hand.

Rasha was not amused. She was beyond annoyed and heading toward full on furious. What was Jak doing? Silae was incorrigible. She had no shame and no respect for herself as she threw her breasts at anyone who dared to come into the establishment. Her apron covered more of her body than her clothes did. Rasha lost her patience.

Her right hand reached for her sword and Jak gave her leg a nudge with his foot and shook his head.

"Any interesting news come through here about the Courier's Keep?" He asked, an inch from Silae’s nose.

Rasha watched as her smile grew. She tossed her long black hair behind her shoulder. Then she leaned into the table, looking at both Jak and Rasha.

"I hear Lu's little sister got herself into some trouble."

Rasha looked at Jak, amazed. This is what he'd been planning all along.

"What kind of trouble?" he asked without taking his eyes off of her.

"The Couriers have a code, as you know, and she didn't deliver. They say it has something to do with the package itself."

"Does anyone know what's in it?" Rasha asked.

Silae leaned back in her seat.

"No one seems to know that bit. She’s not even supposed to know what's inside, but she found out without opening it. At least that's what they say."

"She didn't open the package?"

Silae shook her head.

"Then how could she know?" Rasha asked.

Silae shrugged.

"The yahtz if I know." She looked over at Jak and put a hand on his chin. "You look thirsty. Let me get you something to drink."

She bounced up from the bench and worked her way across the room like a master. Silae spoke to regular customers, greeted new guests, and cleared up dishes as she moved among the patrons. She did it all with that wide smile and the short skirt that emphasized her swinging hips.

"We need to find out what was in that package,” Jak said.

"It might be easier to find Ladi and ask her,” Rasha said.

"I doubt it."

"Why?"

"She's just like you, she won't tell anyone until she figures out how to handle it or gets caught again."

Rasha rolled her eyes. He was referring to when she hadn't told him about her royal status. He'd found out when she got them all arrested by the Chilalian royal guard for refusing to go to the Choosing. She'd been made princess incumbent anyway and ruled for the months they were at war with the beasts of the north. After prince Bashir came out of hiding and took his throne, she'd immersed herself in the courier business along with Jak. They hadn't given the palace another thought.

"What are you going to do if he comes for you?"