Sands and Tombs (Dragon Thief Book 4) by Mac Flynn

Author:Mac Flynn [Flynn, Mac]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crescent Moon Studios, Inc.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Ben was bursting with energy as we exited the ancient storehouses buried far beneath the sands. I could hardly keep up as he hurried down the halls and up the stairs.

“I’m guessing you believe the story from Nahiba’s mother,” I wheezed out as we stepped out into the clear late afternoon air. Nahiba’s qasi glared at us from where he stood a few feet off, having been disturbed in his nap by our moving his bed.

“It’s worth a try,” Ben replied as he turned to me with a twinkle in his eyes. “I must admit I’m looking forward to venturing out at night. It’s been far too long.”

I snorted. “You should have told me you wanted to stretch your wings. I would have understood.”

He raised his eyebrows. “Then you’re not coming with me?”

I playfully slapped his arm. “Not likely. You’re not leaving me behind, but if this way into the pools means I’ll get us caught I’ll stay in the river if I have to. Speaking of water-” I turned and glanced at the open hole. “Where did that smell of water come from?”

Ben shook his head. “That’s a question for another time. Right now we should focus on eating an ample supper and venturing out into the sands under the cover of darkness. We should be able to approach the stones via the fields to avoid any prying eyes from the dig site.”

I grabbed his arm as he headed up the path to our wagon and arrested his movement. “Wait a sec.” Ben turned to face me and his eyes revealed his eagerness. “What happens if you get caught in that holy place?”

A crooked smile slipped onto his lips. “The Dragon Thief rarely gets caught.”

“Yes, but what if you do?” I persisted.

The worry in my voice and face dampened some of his good humor. He cupped one of my cheeks in his palm and met my gaze. “I’ll be as careful as I can manage, and should I be spotted I’ll be sure to make a hasty exit.”

My eyebrows crashed down. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

Ben sighed. “If anyone is caught trespassing on the holy grounds of the ghasl, they’re sentenced to several years of hard labor, or worse.”

“And what’s the ‘worse’ entail?”

“A public execution.”

A lot of the color drained from my face. “Would they do that to you?”

“I doubt I’d be spared merely because of my connections. It wouldn’t be wise for the king to make exceptions, especially since he’s laid an explicit ban on the ghasl.”

My heart sank into my stomach. I bowed my head and bit my lower lip. “Are. . .are we sure this is worth it?”

Ben lifted an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

I shook my head. “Not that the islanders aren’t worth helping, just whether or not the info is worth getting. I mean, we don’t even know what that rock is offering us.”

“Stones such as Pazari and Tijari offer only what’s worth offering,” Ben assured me as he drove us due east across the sands.

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