Page 110 of Tashama
The thief shook his head. “No, no. Someone lies.”
Tashama sat on the bed. “Why do you say such a thing?”
“A healer approached the leader of our guild—the one who was imprisoned with you at the compound. General Karam is paying us to steal you from here. We’re to bring you to his forces nearby.”
“When?”
“We were to move late tonight. But we’ve heard of the attempts on your life and…”
Footsteps approached her bedchambers, and the thief slipped out the window. The door was shoved open, and Daveal walked into the room, then pushed the door closed. She folded her arms and then tapped her foot on the floor as her cheeks darkened. “You’ve started rumors about me—ugly rumors. Not only are they not true, but you’re stupid for having done such a thing.”
“Oh?”
“Whosoever wishes you dead isn’t being watched. So now everyone is keeping an eye on me, and when you’re not expecting it, whoever plans to murder you will do so.”
“Ah, so who do you think might be interested in such a thing?”
“Many do not like you, Karthlander.”
“Do you mean the fourteen women on the prince’s list?”
Daveal glared at Tashama. “If you think you’re going to have your murder pinned on me…”
Tashama laughed. “Why, I have no intention of being murdered.”
“I can arrange to have you sent away from here tonight.”
“Didn’t you say you were being watched?”
“No one realizes you are even back here. I was going to leave this message here for you.”
Tashama stared at the strange symbols. “Sorry, I cannot read it.”
“You cannot read?”
“I can read English, and some French, German, and Spanish. Maldovian is foreign to me.”
Daveal stared at her for a moment. “The Karthlanders have the same language as we have.”
“Yes, well, I haven’t been around for the last ten years.”
Daveal nodded, then read the note out loud, “At midnight, a caravan of merchants will leave the palace grounds, travel through the city of Banff, then leave you with the Elorian elves in Ramoria if you so choose, as the merchants continue on their way north.”
“And if I choose otherwise?”
“Then you will die.”
“But not by your hand?”
“I wouldn’t wish to hurt my chances with King Aleron.”
“I see. Very well. It’s a deal.”
Daveal took a deep breath, then nodded. “Be ready by midnight.”
“And the guards?”
“Don’t worry about the guards.”
