Labyrinth of Souls by C. E. Dorsett

Author:C. E. Dorsett [Dorsett, C. E.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: dashPunk Books
Published: 2017-12-14T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIX

The Challenge Coin

Jodhaa locked eyes with the muursuns chef offering her a plate. His people always pursued their own agenda... Then again, everyone looked out for their own, but Jodhaa had met no one better than the muursuns at hiding their real intent. Their body language differed from most peoples, involving a complex connection between ear position, facial expression, and tail shape. She added their body language to the list of gaps she needed to fill. Spirits existed on the periphery of her life, blinding her to how important knowledge of them would be.

Her stomach protested her doubts.

The likelihood the academy hadn't vetted the people allowed in the cave's beneath them was low, but the ashen lion attacked them.

Her stomach grumbled again.

She accepted the plate from the humanoid feline who reminded her of a mountain lion she had seen once on a camping trip with her father in Golyn. She didn’t take her eyes off of Toby as he insisted on being called. Toby sounded like a Sawyer name, and that made her even more nervous. The Sawyers had conquered a large part of the continent, and everyone recognized they wanted more. She considered a dozen ways a muursuns could get a Sawyer name. He could have been a slave or a pet, but he bore no obvious signs of trauma. They ran reeducation centers to convert the natives. That didn't add up right either. It was possible it sounded like one of their names, but Jodhaa scrutinized him for any signs of deception or threat.

Jodhaa took her plate over to the table Raih chose and sat across from her to watch her back. Her companion confused her.

Raih was a rare gem- precious and hardened. She had been through something she wasn’t ready to talk about or probably face. The tragedy clung to her words and clouded her eyes, yet she was naïve, or even innocent. She sensed something familiar in Raih. Whatever it was comforted her and made her want to protect her. She had never felt an instant connection with anyone before. They were so different. Whatever qualities she possessed, she felt trustworthy. Jodhaa hated to trust others, especially someone she just met. She would keep an eye on her.

Despite her concerns, the stir-fried chicken and vegetables tasted good. Besides, she loved Cishani food since her first visit to the mountain empire. The dish offered a further mystery though. Why did a spirit creature from Golyn go by a Sawyer name and make Cishani food? She wanted to ask him, but didn't want to be rude to a being that could disembowel her with a single swipe. Besides, she needed to blend in with the other students and not raise any suspicions. It was better to play ignorant.

She remembered her father’s words, “The less others realize you know, the more advantage you have.” They had served her well in the past, so she would do well to heed them now.

A kitsune, spirit fox, walked past again in what looked like a patrol route.

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