Page 121 of Tashama
The colonel looked back at Tashama when she commanded him to do so, and he said, “Release the Maldovians.”
The senior officer grabbed the colonel’s arm to everyone’s surprise and led him from the campfire. He spoke to the senior officer in muffled tones, then the colonel looked back at Tashama and stared at her. She smiled, then turned to consider the other men who waited to see who would speak next.
Her focus shifted to a lieutenant, and he nodded to her. However, as he started to walk away from the fire, the colonel motioned for another officer to detain him. “Who are you?” the colonel asked Tashama as the wrinkle in his blond brow deepened.
“I will speak to General Karam. I have returned to this place to lead my people to victory. Only victory will be achieved by removing Loran from the throne and bringing peace to theregion, not by destroying the Maldovians. Certainly, as you are from the 4th royal house, you should know this to be true.”
“Tashama is no longer with us,” the colonel said. “Return this woman to her carriage.”
“And if I am Tashama and you have failed to notify the general of my presence here as you hold me hostage, do you not think he will have you demoted on the spot? The general and I were at the Maldovian compound as prisoners together even.”
“Preposterous!” the colonel blurted out. “A Karthlander woman wouldn’t have been taken there. He made no mention of you to me.”
Sighing deeply, Tashama said, “So many say how things are a certain way here, and yet they know little of what they speak of.” She turned to the lieutenant. “Tell the colonel you will lead the men as your father has done, but sooner than later, if I do not see the general.”
The colonel glowered at Tashama. “You presume to…”
His speech was interrupted as a soldier ran into the camp. “My lord, one of our lieutenants rode out of here as if he were being chased by the dragon of Ramoria itself!”
“In which direction?”
“Toward the plain where General Karam clashes with Oshon’s forces.”
“Have him stopped at all costs!” the colonel said, then turned to face Tashama.
The flames' gentle light flickered off his green eyes like the emeralds that sparkled in the caverns of the mountains of Maldovia as she studied him. “They’ll never catch the young man,” she said softly.
“She’s a sorceress, I tell you,” the senior officer said to the colonel.
“There is only one per royal house,” the colonel responded. “None of them have a female sorcerer.”
“By morning’s light,” Tashama said, “General Karam will see me.” Then she turned to return to the carriage, but one of the officers stopped her.
“The colonel hasn’t released you,” the major said.
“I am Tashama,” she said, and the way in which she said it showed she delighted in saying so, “and the colonel has no say over me.”
As the officers’ voices stirred, Tashama turned her head away from the crackling fire.
“Return her to the carriage,” the colonel said with a wave of his hand.
The lieutenant led Tashama away, and she studied him while his eyes avoided hers. “You need not be afraid of me, young man. I only want what’s best for our people.”
Two captains followed close behind, and she turned her head to observe them. She smiled. “None of you are from the 4throyal house. The colonel, though he doesn’t believe in me, uses caution anyway just in case.”
The captains exchanged glances. Tashama laughed. “You are from the 6thhouse.” She pointed to the one. “And you, the 5th. The young lieutenant, here, is from the 7thhouse.” She patted the lieutenant’s firm grip on her arm. “This young man will be marrying Deloria, of the 2nd house, niece of Loran himself, soon, but I will not hold that against you. Do not tell her I told you this, or she will think the idea mine, instead of yours.” At this comment, the lieutenant looked at Tashama, and she smiled back at him. “I have the gift.”
Tashama and the lieutenant looked back at the two captains. One motioned for him to continue on his way, while the other hurried back to the campfire.
As Tashama entered the carriage, Aleron reached for her arm and pulled her close. “We must join General Karam and Oshon on the battlefield on the plain,” she said.
He glanced over at Listra, and Tashama shook her head. “Listra must stay here and act as a diversionary force.”
“Oh, Princess Tashama, I could do no such thing.”
“You’ve aided me before.”
“But with my own people. I could not face these Karthlander soldiers on my own.”
