The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty

Author:S. A. Chakraborty [Chakraborty, S. A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers
Published: 2019-01-21T18:30:00+00:00

“We’ll attack the second night of Navasatem,” Dara said as they gazed at the map he’d conjured: a section of Daevabad’s narrow beach, the city walls and looming Citadel tower just behind it. “It is a new moon then and will be lightless. The Royal Guard will not see us coming until their tower is crashing through the lake.”

“That’s the night after the parade, correct?” Mardoniye asked. “Are you sure that’s wise?”

Kaveh nodded. “I may not have witnessed a Navasatem in Daevabad, but I’ve heard plenty about the first day of celebrations. The drinking starts at dawn and doesn’t stop until after the competitions in the arena. By midnight, half the city will be passed out in their beds. We’ll take the djinn unaware and the majority of the Daevas will be at home.”

“And Nahri will be in the infirmary, yes?” Dara asked. “You are certain Nisreen can keep her safe?”

“For the twentieth time, yes, Afshin,” Kaveh sighed. “She will bar the infirmary doors at the first sight of your rather … creative sign.”

Dara wasn’t convinced. “Nahri is not the type to be confined against her will.”

Kaveh gave him an even stare. “Nisreen has spent years at her side. I’m certain she can handle this.”

And I’m certain she has no idea the Nahid under her charge once made a living getting in and out of locked places undetected. Uneasy, Dara glanced at Mardoniye. “Would you go see if Banu Manizheh is ready to join us?” he asked. She had barely left her tent in the past few days, working at a feverish pace on her experiments.

The young soldier nodded, rising to his feet and heading off across the camp. The sky was a pale pink through the dark trees. The snows had finally melted and the dew-damp earth glistened under the sun’s first rays. His archers had already left to go practice with their horses in the valley below, and another pair of warriors was leading a yawning Abu Sayf out to their sparring ring. Dara quickly checked to make sure the zulfiqars were still sheathed on the other side of the ring. He had made it clear to his soldiers they were only to practice with Abu Sayf in his presence.

Aeshma snorted, drawing Dara’s attention. “I still cannot believe they celebrate what Suleiman did to us,” he said to Vizaresh.

Dara’s mood instantly darkened. The ifrit had returned to their camp yesterday, and each hour in their presence was more trying. “We celebrate freedom from his bondage,” he shot back. “You remember … the part where our ancestors obeyed and thus didn’t have their magic permanently taken away. And surely you must have once celebrated some sort of festivities.”

Aeshma looked wistful. “The humans in my land would occasionally sacrifice virgins in my name. They screamed terribly, but the music was enjoyable.”

Dara briefly closed his eyes. “Forget the question. But speaking of the attack … are the two of you prepared? The ghouls will be handled?”

Vizaresh inclined his head. “I’m well-accomplished at such a thing.

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