Page 85 of Tashama
She crouched to relocate her foot to the new location as he sighed deeply. “And your right foot, just a little below that.”
For twenty minutes, they made the climb down, then as they neared a curtain of emeralds, Tashama sensed the arrival of the elves. She turned her head in their direction as they entered from across the cavernous room. “The Elorians say the dragon wasn’t at home for the first time in a hundred years at this time of day. He was chasing a female when they arrived. And the passage through to Karthland was blocked.”
“Blocked?” the prince said.
“Yes, they found the passage that led into this cavern, but they say Valmor and Loran are not far behind. The Elorians will follow the path we have taken and return to Ramoria. They don’t fear small spaces like I do.”
“And us?”
Tashama inclined her head to the elven leader. “He senses there is a waterfall and an underground lake nearby. I must see this water sprite that has spoken to you so often.”
The prince and she continued along the curtain. The elves crossed the cavern to where they had been and began the climb up the cliff. Their fine agile bodies maneuvered the cliff like spiders clinging to their web. She nodded to the leader and then ducked into a smaller room. Dripping water made her smile. She ran across the moss-covered stone and knelt beside the bubbling water. “Water nymph, what word have you for me?”
The nymph darted from the water. “He comes for you.” She fluttered about the prince’s head. “And for him. Loran is angry that you have made him take chase for so long.”
“How can we escape him?”
“There is no escape to Karthland from here, if that is what you seek.”
Tashama sat on her skirts. “What do you mean?”
“You will have to go the way you came.”
“We cannot.”
“Or face Loran, who follows close behind.”
Tashama shook her head.
“Or come for a swim with me.”
“But the prince cannot swim.”
“Then teach him. It is in your power to do so.”
Tashama slipped into the water. “Come, Prince, you guided me through the passageway and down the side of the cliffs. Come with me now, and I will assist you through the water.”
“Is there no other way?” Aleron crouched at the water’s edge.
“Loran will be here soon. Valmor has no power over water. We’ll be safe going this way.”
The prince shook his head. “This goes against all that I know, but I will trust you, royal cousin of the water sprites.”
“Slip into the water and hold onto the ledge.”
The prince did as he was told, then Tashama drew close to him. “Someday I will teach you to swim, but today, I will use a lifeguard maneuver I learned in Girl Scouts.”
“In Texas?”
“Yes, now lean back and relax. I’ll keep your head afloat and will swim with you to the other side of the lake beyond the waterfall.”
“And then?”
“And then, I will instruct you further.”
Tashama pulled Aleron toward the waterfall, and as the water splashed over his head, his posture stiffened. “We are almost there,” Tashama whispered in his ear. “And they arealmost here,” she added as she saw Valmor stalk into view. She smiled.
“He cannot see us beyond the waterfall, and he would never think we could swim across the lake.” Then she frowned. “But he can sense we’ve been here.”
