The Princess Who Tamed Demons by J. Kirsch

unless it is merely to
dredge up trouble like the corpse from the bottom of a lake. Word
of your near-death…experience…is swirling about the city, with some
rumors claiming that you were even killed and raised from the dead
using the Great Amir's unholy magic." Salib made the sign of the
Verses on his chest and backed away. "Some even say that it would
have been better had you followed your husband on his continued
journey."
    "When you say 'some' would that include
Ghayth?"
    "I am sorry, but I do not think I can help you
further. If you are curious to learn about our beliefs, then I am
happy to speak with you. But I will not answer these strange
questions, asking about some random herb, not without knowing your
true purpose. What is it you seek?"
    Linn shook his head with a dark chuckle. "We
cannot tell you that, Salib. Perhaps I should remind you exactly
what you owe me. Perhaps the supply of medicines I make for you
will suddenly dry up." He looked hard at the black-smothered
Verse-preacher, and the skeletal man seemed to wilt. I gaped at
Linn. I had never known a librarian to use knowledge as a weapon.
Then again, maybe Linn's was an idle threat, a bluff he hoped Salib
wouldn't call.
    "Very well. I will make a list of names for
you and have it delivered to the palace. Even though some
Verse-preachers do not use it, some of the acolytes who they train might . I will not know until I have made discreet inquiries.
They will wonder why I want to know. What should I tell
them?"
    Linn shrugged. "You're a creative man, Salib.
I'm sure you will think of something."
    The Verse-preacher frowned, turning on his
heel, and his sandaled steps left us a cadence of rude echoes. He
called over his shoulder.
    "Give me two or three days."
    After he had gone, I walked with Linn back
into the open hallway. The fresh air was a relief after enduring
the cloying scent of the burning candle. I took a big gulp and
glanced at Linn, who was watching the open-air worship space filled
with over three hundred men. A small section in the corner was
reserved for women, but their carpets were thin and drab, faded
browns or blues, if they were lucky. As we walked past the
worshipping throngs I was tempted to whisper a question, then
thought better of it.
    When we emerged back onto the alabaster steps
I walked over to the statue of Esthera. I looked up at the goddess
sitting proudly on the camel.
    "Who was she? I mean, besides one of the Two
Creators." My curiosity in the dualinists' religion needed to be
sated just a little.
    Linn pointed at the book. "As you can guess,
that is the Book of Verses, the holiest of holies for all who
belong to the Mosques. The texts say that long ago, this world was
a shadowed face covered in nothing but desert. Then one day two
lost souls descended from the stars and decided that this land
would be their home. Esthera became pregnant to Eskugai's delight,
and when the child was born the fluids of the mother watered the
earth, creating the oases and the rivers which made life in this
harsh land possible."
    "What happened to Esthera?"
    "She died in childbirth." Linn sighed. "In
that way their creation myth is depressingly realistic. Too often
mothers do die giving birth."
    "But why?" I knew this probably didn't have
much bearing on finding who tried to kill me, but I couldn't
resist. "The healer at the palace saved my life, and that was after
a crossbow bolt had torn out my insides. Surely a healer of that
ability can save the life of a mother giving birth to her
child."
    "That healer could, yes. Jawaher is talented,
and he should be. He is the Great Amir's own personal healer. Those
healers are as rare as black pearls, Najika. They do not exist if
you are an ordinary man or woman. The average healer can prevent a
cut from becoming infected or mend a shallow wound."
    I ran a hand through my hair. "That is wrong,
then. Sir Amir should share something that precious with his
people. Surely he would save many lives."
    Linn