Page 46 of Tashama
The prince knelt next to her and touched her hair. “If you were the ruler of Karthland, would you stop the war?”
“Of course. I've already told you that I didn’t feel it necessary. The soldiers are weary of fighting. I even heard your own armored knights say so the day I was taken prisoner by your lake. It’s time to end the war. I doubt Loran will feel the same way. He won’t stop until he’s proclaimed emperor of the entire region.”
“What is the gift you spoke of?” He lifted her chin and studied the golden flecks in her green eyes.
“I can see the future for some—not for all though.”
“And you can read thoughts as Carissian can?”
She smiled. “Sure.”
The prince looked over at Carissian, who shook his head. “She’s blocking my reading of her thoughts again, sire. She’s very good, this one.”
The ladies walked into the room with veils and pins in hand.
Tashama shook her head at them. “I will not wear those.”
The prince stood, then motioned for the women to get on with the task. She sat quietly while the maids attached two rainbow-colored sheer veils to her hair. They stood back to admire their handiwork. Tashama pulled the pins out, folded the veils, and then placed them neatly on the floor. “I thank you, ladies, for helping me with my hair, but my hair was just fine without.”
The ladies looked over at the prince, who motioned for them to veil Tashama’s hair again. The prince and Carissian leaned against the desk with their arms folded across their chests while the ladies attached the veils to Tashama’s hair again. When they walked away, Tashama pulled the pins out and dropped the veils to the floor.
Everyone looked over at the prince, who rubbed his chin in thought. He leaned over to speak to Carissian in private, who stared back at the prince. The prince nodded, whereupon Carissian walked out of the room.
When the sorcerer returned, a guard followed him with a rope. The prince waved his hand at Tashama, but the guard said, “But she cannot stand.”
“Make her lie down on her stomach then. Just get on with it.”
The guard knelt by Tashama. “Miss…”
“Princess to you, sir.”
The guard looked at the prince, who nodded.
“Princess, would you please?—”
“Why certainly.” She turned on her stomach and placed her hands behind her back. “I will do anything for you, kind sir, since you ask so sweetly.”
The guard hurried to tie her wrists together, then looked for the prince’s direction. “Make her sit up so the ladies can veil her hair.”
“Yes, sire.” The guard helped her to sit, then the ladies hurried to attach the veils. Once her hair was veiled, Tashama got onto her knees and began to walk toward the door.
The ladies giggled as the men all laughed. “You are making a fool of yourself,” the prince said.
“No, sire, you are showing your people how cruel you can be to a royal princess who is your captive.”
“Carry her to her quarters,” the prince said, “and untie her there. In her own chambers, she can wear her hair as she pleases.”
The guard lifted Tashama off the floor and the ladies hurried out of the door. When they were all well out of the range of his voice, Carissian shook his head. “You should attempt to pacify the lady, sire, so that should we be able to reinstall her on her throne, she would look more favorably toward a peace treaty with us.”
“Her husband would be the one to make such a decision. How can she have a husband if she will not obey one? She is a lost cause, that one. If I’m able to tame her ways, her husband will thank me for the training we’ve provided here.” He paced across the floor, then smiled. “I have work to do.”
“Yes, sire. I will consider what to do with the lady concerning Loran in the meantime.”
“Do.” Aleron headed down the hall. When he arrived at Tashama’s chambers, the guard knocked on her door. Princess Listra answered it, and Aleron said, “What is the princess doing now?”
“She’s sitting in a chair next to the window. She seems to enjoy the fragrance the breeze draws into the room.”
“Is her hair veiled?”
