Page 81 of Tashama
“I must leave here as the queen fears repercussions from Loran if he should find the Elorian has given me refuge.”
“You cannot travel alone, Tashama.”
She smiled. “A group of the Elorian will take me as far as the mountain pass.”
“You’re still attempting to return to Karthland.”
“I must get word to General Karam that I’m free and ready to lead my people.”
“Against me,” the prince said.
Tashama touched the wrinkle in his brow. “Against Prince Loran. Return to Banff. Be king of the Maldovians. When I have ousted Loran from his despotic rule, I will make peace with you.”
“I cannot let you go alone.” The prince attempted to follow her. Several elves readied arrows in his direction to dissuade him, but he persisted. “I want to go with you, Tashama. You should not be alone.”
Tashama smiled as he pleaded with her.
“All right, but General Karam and my people may not be happy to see you, Prince Aleron.” As she could see he wouldn’t be discouraged, she said, “We must change our garments again because this will put the Elorians at further risk if Loran’s men find us wearing elven clothes .”
Tashama was led to a tent to change, where one of the maidens said, “He has passed another test.”
“Yes, he has.” Tashama pulled the sparkling, emerald-green gowns over her head.
“You will blend into the emerald-blanketed walls of the mines, should Loran and his men discover your route. The dwarven miners will not bother you.”
“As long as they don’t feel we’re there to steal from them.”
“Prince Aleron pays them well to excavate gems for him. He can aid you somewhat until you clear the mountain ring. Thejourney for you will be more dangerous when you return to your homeland.”
Tashama and Aleronentered the valley with their elf escort, but soon after, the leader of the elves pointed at the sky. A hawk soaring high above caught her eye, and she nodded. Before the prince could ask about the matter, five of the elves had pulled arrows from their quivers and centered them on the string of their bows. The five feather-guided arrows flew, and the hawk vanished back into the forest.
“What was that all about?” the prince asked as the party continued on a path to the mountains.
“Valmor can see through the eyes of his familiar–the hawk, apparently. The Elorians couldn’t hope to hit the bird because he soared so high above us, but he would shy away if they attempted to shoot him with their arrows.”
“He knows, then, where we’re headed.”
Tashama nodded. “The Elorians have a diversionary plan, however.”
The party rode deeper into the mountain pass. The leader of the party waved at a couple who hid in one of the folds of the jagged moss-covered rocks. The lady and the man walked forward, then Tashama said to the prince, “We must dismount. This couple will take our places. They’ll continue to the pass where the dragon lies in wait. The Elorians have no trouble with the dragon, but Valmor will not attempt to cross his path.”
“And he will think we’ve gone that way?” Aleron helped her off the horse.
“Yes, my prince. The pass would have led us to the western edge of Sorenson. He will seek us there.”
“But this will lead us to?”
“The elves say Napolia, where my castle lies in wait.”
Tashama slipped the gold bracelet off her wrist, then fastened it to her decoy’s arm. They kissed each other’s cheeks in friendship, then Tashama turned and inclined her head to the leader of the men. He answered her in the same manner, then turned his horse to lead his people back along the path they’d come.
“What did they say to you, Tashama?”
They entered the caves, and Tashama shivered. “They wished me success in my quest.”
“And me?”
“If I am successful, we all will win.”
