Page 129 of Tashama
The two men hurried back out into the hallway and shut the door behind them as Aleron and the thief stared at Tashama. “Only with members of the 4throyal house.” She turned to study Balthazar.
“That’s good to hear,” Aleron said.
Tashama smiled. “Had I been able to use such powers on you, Your Highness, there’s no telling what I might have had you do.”
Turning back to Balthazar’s learning rug, she said, “All right, he’s mixing the fine green powder of emerald crystals and ground tooth of dragon. I believe it’s some sleep potion, or, hmm, a transformation potion. I never could keep the two straight.”
Aleron turned to the section on transformation potions and showed them to Tashama. “Here’s the transformation potions. It’s number three.” Balthazar waved his fingers in the air. Aleron turned to the correct page. “What are the ingredients?”
“The first two you already named, then there is the speckled mushroom of the fairy glade, a cup of the lake water of Curacao, a cup of Elorian elven ale, a dash of the poison of the prickling burs of the forest, a teaspoon of Mordavian tea, and a drop of sweat from the reigning sovereign of Karthland.”
“Loran.” She shoved her hair behind her ears. “Balthazar knows I’m not much good with spells.” She took a deep breath. “We’ll need to get the ingredients, then return here.”
“And then?”
“Hopefully, Balthazar will guide us further.” She turned to Jaran. “Can you lead us out of here? We need to return to the caves near where the Elorians live.”
“Certes, my lady.” Jaran bowed low. The thief soon led them to the nearest sewer system as Tashama wrinkled her nose. “The same man as ours designed your sewers. This is how I got into the city.”
“We weren’t always at war.” Tashama squeezed Aleron’s hand.
“About the ingredients, Tashama…”
“Yes, we must hurry to get them…”
“But the dragon’s tooth…”
“They shed teeth all the time. I’m sure if the dragon is still courting his lady love…”
“Is it not necessary that the tooth comes from the dragon’s mouth?”
“Heavens no.” Tashama smiled at Aleron, then kissed his hand. “I wouldn’t want such a task as that.”
For a day, the three traveled to Ramoria and were warmly greeted by the Elorians.
“You came for Elorian ale,” one of the leaders of the elves said to Tashama.
“He speaks.” Aleron’s raised brows indicated his surprise.
“They’re pleased we are working together in an attempt to end the conflict. They have sent some of their bowmen to help our forces.”
The king of the elves nodded. “We will feast and escort you to the emerald mines.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Tashama followed the men to a large area set under trees and stars, while Aleron and Jaran stayed close to her.
As they took their places at the honored head table, the queen leaned over to Tashama. “He has met all of the tests?”
“Nearly.” Tashama smiled at the queen.
The next day,the Elorians escorted them to the emerald mines. The dwarves met them and offered the fine powder of emeralds…for a price. Then Tashama, Aleron, and Jaran continued with their escort to the dragon’s lair.
“He has returned,” Tashama whispered when his heavy breathing roared in a hush. “How can we safely find a tooth scattered about his lair when he is still here?”
“A female rejected him, and he is in the worst of tempers,” the elf said.
Before anyone could stop him, the thief disappeared into the caves.
“Where is he going?” Aleron readied his sword.
