We spread a story that Sanaya Khara had found Naveed’s own mythical sword.
I knew Casildo wouldn’t be able to resist that, not with the fountain in the middle of his courtyard depicting Naveed’s famed battle. Its worth and value surpassed any in Casildo’s collection. It wasn’t long until Noor spied one of Casildo’s soldiers sniffing around the house.
He wouldn’t buy it from me, I knew that. He knew I wouldn’t sell it to him anyway, not if I was a collector. But most of all he had acquired my father’s knives through theft. Why would this be any different?
“Tell our guards to have the night off for the festival,” I said to Noor, the same night she told me we were being watched by Casildo’s men. It happened at the perfect time, right before Ijal day, a festival celebrating the harvest in Basral. “And make sure Casildo knows about it. Sahiba Khara is so generous that she gave all her servants the night off.”
By that evening, the sword was gone.
Noor stroked the empty case where the scimitar once lay. “It would be obvious that he took it.”
“Casildo believes he is above reproach, that he has the emperor in his pocket.”
“Luckily, there’s someone who we can use to our advantage.”
The second person on my list, and another way to gain the trust of one of my betrayers while destroying the other.
“Darbaran,” breathed Noor. “He’s now head of the city guard.”
“Street thieves know all the city gossip. Yashem told me that Darbaran lost quite a bit of money to Casildo.”
“Bad blood.” Noor crossed her arms over her chest. “He’ll want to clear that debt.”
I nodded, my mouth pursed. “Contact the city guards tonight. I want an accusation of theft made against Casildo immediately. Then we will see where his loyalty lies—with his family? Or with himself?”
Twenty-six
The night was dark, the moon clouded over by the pregnant clouds lurking in the sky, ready to erupt with monsoon rains.
Guards lined the streets, and a crowd had begun to form outside Casildo’s home, as curious onlookers stood around to see what the fuss was about.
I waited outside for Noor and my other betrayer, Darbaran.
The last time I had seen him, he’d arrested me for treason and dragged me by the hair into the palace dungeon.
My hand tightened on the hilt of my knife when I spied his pockmarked face and smug grin.
He wore that same expression when he’d locked me up.
But he was next.
So, while I remembered the part he played in my arrest, it would only be a matter of time before his downfall as well.
At last Noor walked out of the house escorting an affronted Casildo.
“You dare?” he sputtered, marching outside. “I’ll have your head when the emperor hears of this!”
He glared at Darbaran. Then his eyes alighted on me.
I pulled my hood up, making sure my face was covered. Casildowould know it was me—he’d have to know. But I wanted city gossip about Sanaya’s involvement to be limited.
Darbaran lifted a bag and threw it on the street at my feet. My scimitar spilled out.
I didn’t bother to draw back my hood, to study the blade on the ground. I knew it was the one he had stolen.
“This sword was found in sahib Casildo’s home. In accordance with Basral law, stealing is prohibited.”
Casildo looked like his eyes were about to bulge from his head. “This is preposterous! I don’t even know where that came from.”
