Page 61 of The Storm of the Empire

“What?” I blurted, louder than I intended and slapped my hand over my mouth. “What were prisoners doing at a temple?”

“I don’t know. I have the same questions you do.”

“And you didn’t think to tell me?”

“Our priority was the eggs. I thought that was more important.”

“They are! But things like prisoners being kept at a remote temple by the sun order is also a thing you should share.”

“Sorry. I wasn’t hiding it, I was just prioritizing.”

The ship shuddered, and several shouts went up. Obviously, we were pushing off.

“Let’s go up and see what else needs to be stowed. It might give us access to another area.”

As I helped push barrels down a gangway into the hold, I was beginning to think Luka’s life was exhausting.

“Over there,” Faolan called, checking his manifest as we worked. “Then would you close up the sections down here for me?”

I looked up and realized he was talking to Luka.

“Sure,” Luka said brightly, and Faolan nodded, leaving us to load in the last barrels.

“Is that normal? To be trusted like that?” I asked, mystified.

“Are you complaining that we have more time to search?” He seemed so comfortable here.

I held up my hands. “No, I’m not complaining.”

“Good. Now come. Let’s start at that end.”

“What are we doing?”

“Room by room, we look in, check the cargo, make sure it’s secure, then close up each section so it’s safe during the voyage.”

“Lead the way.”

We went door by door, checking the contents quickly before using ropes to secure things. We worked for over an hour as the ship left the bay and hit the open sea. Nothing was marked with the sun symbol Luka had described.

And then…there it was.

I had opened the door, but we both stepped in. In this room was an assortment of sacks and crates all marked with a red sun.

Luka froze. “Leave,” he hissed.

“Why?”

He didn’t hesitate, just shoved me out the door. “Dragon’s Bane!”

My heart fell into my stomach. I had never encountered it, but knew those who had.

The door slammed in my face.

“Luka!” I whisper yelled.

“You have to get back,” he ordered through the wood.

“How do you know it’s Dragon’s Bane?”

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