Vir wondered whether it was magic, or just superb agility, but searching her prana signature yielded no results. Prana Vision couldn’t penetrate her magical armor, not even at this distance. The interference extended to areas not directly protected by the armor, blocking him from analyzing her affinities.
The royal priest descended clumsily behind her, and Vir did his best not to stare. Here was the man who’d killed Rudvik, Apramor, and Aliscia. Who’d sent him into exile, upturning his village life.
So close. I can almost—
Vir squashed those dangerous thoughts. The same as with the princess, taking any action here would no doubt lead to his own demise. He restrained himself, finding that it took more willpower than he’d expected.
The princess slowly approached his position, waving away the half dozen guards that pleaded with her to stay back.
“’Tis of no concern. Please, allow me to help this young one up,” the princess said, kneeling in front of Vir, extending a hand.
Vir had planned to feign shock and awe upon seeing the princess. He didn’t need to. Princess Mina Hiranya was gorgeous.
His mouth opened and closed several times, and his eyes grew as large as orbs.
She was beautiful in an exotic way. Her blue and yellow heterochromatic eyes were the most mesmerizing eyes he’d ever seen, and her tanned, regal face just exuded refinement and supreme confidence.
It was only when the princess giggled that Vir finally broke out of his reverie. He could’ve sworn the entire plaza had gone mute—there wasn’t a single sound to be heard.
So soft, he thought, grasping her proffered hand. His mind conjured up images of Maiya, but he shook them off. Maiya was cute, yes, but the princess was in a whole other league altogether.
He stood and offered the bouquet to her, which she gracefully accepted. It was as though she’d practiced every action to perfection, with each designed to show off just how incredible she was.
“Thank you,” she said with a delicate, lilting voice that sounded like musical notes.
Then the princess did something that defied his imagination.
She retrieved a luxurious robe from an attendant.
“And, for you,” she said, handing him the gorgeous silk robe, gently closing his fingers around it. There was so much intricate embroidery inside that Vir couldn’t even guess how much it cost. This was likely the most precious object Vir had ever held in his entire life.
“Princess? Please!” the head priest said. “That is a priceless family heirloom. Please reconsider!”
“It is my wish,” Mina said with an angelic smile. “It is not right for those of us with means to take and never give back. If this robe brings joy to this boy’s life, I would be remiss to keep it for myself.”
She raised her voice just enough for the crowd to hear her, making her intentions obvious to Vir. But even if it was a calculated move, she had just given him an obscenely valuable piece of clothing.
By the time Vir broke his gaze away from the ornament, Mina had already ascended back to her elephant.
I didn’t even get to say a word… Vir belatedly realized. Perhaps it was for the best. One wrong word and his life would’ve been in danger.
He’d come face to face with the princess—only he was now even more confused than before. Was she a despot to be ousted? Or was she fair, kind, and noble?
Vir swore he’d find out.
“Princess, your father will not approve of this!” Kamna, Mina Hiranya’s personal bodyguard, said from atop the elephant palanquin.
The princess continued to wave at the crowds as if nothing had happened.
“I concur,” Head Priest Harak echoed.
“Tell me, Kamna, how many urchins do you know that have mastered the art of disguise?”
“Sorry? Come again?”
“That boy,” Mina said, smiling serenely at the crowd, “wore face paint.”
“I beg your pardon? Makeup?” Kamna said, drawing her heavy brows together. “I did not notice.”
“And it is no wonder. The boy is nearly as skilled as I am in the arts of deception. No, I suspect he is no mere urchin. Curious. I wonder which faction he works for. Have my brothers recruited new talent, fearing their imminent demise? Or…”
Unseen by all, and only for a brief moment, the princess’ smile warped from angelic into something far more sinister.
“Kamna? Tail that boy. I wish to know where he is at all hours.”
“Shall I not catch him now? If he is a threat, why wait?”
“And deprive me of my entertainment?” Mina said, fury flickering across her face. “Do not dare.”
“I-It shall be done, your highness,” her bodyguard replied.
What fun we shall have together! Oh, delectable agent of my enemy.
67THE BROTHERHOOD OF MERCENARIES
“How much?” Vir asked, eyeing a rudimentary map of the city inked on parchment. He was back at the same paunchy merchant whom he’d sold his daggers to, but this time, he looked to buy.
“For you? I will sell it cheap. Five silvers.”
“You want five silvers for this cheap thing?” Vir couldn’t possibly afford that. Maybe if he sold Mina’s elaborate outfit, but if that really was a family heirloom, he doubted he’d sell it off easily, at least here in Daha. Commoners selling off royal garb raised questions and attention.
The robe was quite useless. Neither could he sell it, nor could he wear it.
“Friend, maps are a rare luxury. I will have no issues selling this for six. Believe me, I am doing you a favor.”
“Uh, huh. Well, thanks anyway,” Vir said, not bothering to negotiate. Any money spent on a map was a waste, since he could just fashion one himself for free. And by making his own map, he’d learn the geography of the city far more intimately than by just buying one.
Vir had risen early the morning after his encounter with the princess, eager to sign on with the Mercenaries Brotherhood—the pawn shop was just an afterthought.
He’d felt bad about waking Neel at such an early hour, so the bandy slept happily at the inn.
Exiting the store, he found a market square that was a far cry from the previous evening. Vestiges of yesterday’s procession remained—flowers of all colors lay on the road, trampled and shredded—but the square was nearly empty.
The Mercenaries Brotherhood building stood out from all the others. While about the same height at four stories tall, its all-stone architecture differed from the arch-and-dome theme of the rest of the city, with an engraved symbol that dominated its front face. A triangular metal plaque adorned with a black ghost.
Its enormous wooden double doors soared to almost two stories in height, thick and rugged like the rest of the structure. If Daha ever came under siege, Vir would want to seek refuge in this building. Carvings decorated its stone—portraits and sculptures of warriors of all sorts, all holding different weapons. And unlike the other buildings that all butted up against each other, the Brotherhood stood apart, extending deep into the distance.
Vir entered expecting to find a vast open space filled to the brim with mercenaries ogling a contract board. After all, how could this possibly be a proper guild without a job board, some adventurers, and some tussles over rambunctious upstarts?
Instead, he found a dim empty hall. Wide and tall, to be sure, but dark, and nearly devoid of life. Rather than a business establishment, he felt like he’d walked into a temple whose congregation had long ago finished—the workers having already tidied up.
“Yes?” said an ominous voice nearby. Vir startled and looked around with Prana Vision. The ability was always on these days—a habitual instinct rather than something that needed to be activated. It showed a strong twin affinity prana signature just a handful of paces away. Seated behind a black veil, only their legs and black polished loafers were visible.