Page 101 of Tashama
“Escape, sire, is what Princess Tashama is planning now. I know she’s scheming somehow, but I cannot find out how. She suspects someone still wishes to murder her and Princess Listra.”
“But we don’t know for certain whether the lobster was poisoned or not. Oshon has married now and doesn’t seem to mind that the Karthlander woman continues to reside here. So what makes Tashama think someone intends to murder her, and my cousin as well, for heaven’s sake?”
“Lady Daveal confronted her and Princess Listra in their guest chambers earlier in a threatening manner. She doesn’t trust the woman.”
“Why did you not tell me this before?”
“Princess Tashama does trifle with Lady Daveal, sire, like a cat toying with a mouse. Lady Daveal is often a tigress herself, so I didn’t believe the women would behave any more than the usual sort of advisories would who were after the same thing.”
“Whatever does Tashama have that Daveal would want? She’s a Karthlander after all and came here with little possessions of her own.”
“I cannot think of a thing.” A slight smile appeared on Carissian’s face. Then he grew serious. “You only have a week and a half to decide between a wife, sire.”
“And if I wait two weeks? Where does it say I have to make a decision within that time frame?”
“Our laws, sire, as passed down from generation to generation. This is to prevent a king from waiting too long and not producing an heir in a reasonable amount of time. Within two weeks of the coronation, you must wed. If not, you could be forced to abdicate the throne, and the next royal figure in line would be eligible to become king.”
“Oshon.”
“Yes, and from what I understand, he has taken off much time from leading the cavalry of late, as he sees to other priorities.”
“His own offspring?”
“Yes, sire. So you see, you should not delay any further.”
“I will not be rushed into the matter.”
“If the list is too short, we could add some lesser noblewomen to the list.”
“No. You truly do not know what measures Tashama is taking to try to escape?”
Carissian shook his head. “She has been teaching Listra to swim. I wondered if perhaps she was preparing her for some venture they may wish to make.”
“Where?”
“At the pool that meanders through the gardens.”
“When?”
“At this hour, I would think. The activity draws quite a crowd every day. You won’t see a soul in the hallways loitering as usual about this time.”
The prince jumped to his feet and headed out the door before Carissian could finish his statement. “Are you going to stop the entertainment?”
“Do you not have other business to attend to?”
“No, sire. Accompanying you seems to be a more interesting business.”
As they arrived at the pool, Aleron saw a crowd gathering at the bridge, then he dashed that way. He watched as one of the ladies pointed at the pool, while several others smiled and nodded.
“Oh, sire,” one of the ladies said as she quickly curtsied to him. “Princess Tashama has taught Princess Listra to swim underneath the water already.”
Aleron studied the women as they swam underneath the bridge. “Have none of you anything better to do?”
“It’s the hour of free time, sire,” Carissian said to Aleron.
“Then why does she do this during this particular time of day?” Aleron hurried to the waterfall.
“It’s the only time the guards have allowed her to have free time also, sire.”
