Page 124 of Tashama
“But Listra…”
“I was going to return her to Banff with you, but since she was also at risk…”
“No, she must come with us.”
“To Karthland? But…”
“I have seen this, sire.”
He nodded. “So far, your plans have worked.”
Carissian frowned. “She has no plan I can see.”
“You’re right, Carissian.” Tashama ran her hands over the folds of her blankets. “I have no plan, but when I arrive at Napolia, it’ll come to me.”
The Maldovian page waiting to be heard coughed, and Aleron motioned to him to speak.
“Sire,” the boy said, “Princess Listra is waiting to see Princess Tashama, if you so desire.”
“She may,” Aleron said. He turned to Tashama. “I have other arrangements to make to get us to Karthland.” He leaned over and kissed her lips. His mouth rested against hers for longer than he intended as she kissed him back.
Several of his wounded soldiers said, “Whoa,” in response.
Aleron ignored the men and kissed Tashama’s forehead. “Rest so we may ride tomorrow. I’ll be back to see you in a little bit.”
Aleron retreated from the tent. Carissian shook his head at Tashama.
“What?”
“What will you do?”
“You know already, I don’t have a clue. But just as I freed my fellow prisoners at your compound and just as I freed the thieves in your tower, the situation will present itself, and then I’ll know what must be done.”
“If I could, I would join you, but I would put all of you at risk.”
“Yes, I know. Even I might trigger the alarms that Valmor has in place in the event a sorcerer should infiltrate the castle. He fears Balthazar’s return, of course. He knows nothing of my powers, as my mother and grandmother hid these from our people.” She furrowed her brow. “Well, except he realizes I had something to do with the river that carried his men away.”
“What about your hiding these powers from your people yourself?”
“Balthazar had often said I would have to use them to keep myself alive and well upon my return here. I don’t have theluxury of just stepping into my role as ruler of Karthland as my ancestors had done.”
“For being only part sorcerer…”
“Ah, but the part of me that is…”
“Who was the sorcerer in your family line?”
“Morkenza.”
Carissian’s eyes widened.
Tashama smiled. “Yes, he was one of the most powerful sorcerers of his time. Only he had a weakness––my grandmother.”
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Carissian said to Tashama, “But Valmor must know about your sorcery powers.”
“No, Morkenza married my grandmother in secret on her twentieth birthday. She married her advisor as was necessary for her to rule. She had a mock wedding with a nobleman of the highest rank. But he was no more than a figurehead. Her duty was to Morkenza, her true love, and through their union, they had my mother.” Tashama waved at Listra when she finally noticed her standing in the entrance of the tent.
