Page 92 of Tashama
“My own people reject me. All I have is your friendship now. I cannot lose you too.”
“You’ll find one who’ll win your heart.” Tashama touched Listra’s hand. She squeezed her hand lightly as her eyelids shut closed. “You’ll always be my friend.”
“Who is the one whom I am to love?” Listra implored as she rubbed Tashama’s hand. “Tashama, who is the one I am to love?”
24
“She cannot hear you as she is in the world of dreams,” the healer said to Listra.
Says you.Tashama took a deep breath.These drugs will not make me sleep. I forbid it.
“You must get your sleep as well, Princess Listra. Everything will look better in the morning.”
“Thank you, healer.”
He left the women alone, and Listra removed her hair veil and gowns, then slipped into bed beside Tashama. “At least you can have pleasant dreams while I am struck with the truth.”
How can I have pleasant dreams, to think…to think…oh, Balthazar.
Later that night, Tashama ran from the black funnel spitting glass as it whirled in front of her. Balthazar flew past her, his white beard and hair suspended midair, while his steady blue eyes studied her.
“Balthazar,” Tashama said.
A hand shaking her shoulder stirred her from her sleep, and she stared groggily at the black-hooded woman standing before her in the shadows of the night. “Have you come for me?”Tashama’s glazed eyes tried to discern the woman’s eyes behind the black veil. “You have no eyes.” Tashama attempted to push the woman away.
“You must tell the prince Oshon has done nothing to cause you harm. He is innocent of the charges you have preferred against him.”
“Oshon?” Tashama said, confused. “No, Balthazar. Where is Balthazar?” She slipped from the bed and fell with a thump to the floor.
“You must tell the prince.” The woman leaned over Tashama. “You must tell him Oshon has done nothing of what you say. That you have lied. If you do this, he will leave you be.”
Tashama stared at the woman's black shoes, then reached out to touch them. “Balthazar,” she whispered.
The woman slapped her hand away. “Oshon and I will be married if you free him from the ostracism he now bears. Only you can set this right.”
“Balthazar is gone.” Tashama sobbed as she grabbed for the lady’s skirts.
The woman backed away in annoyance. “If you will not right this wrong, Oshon will do what he set out to do, you stupid woman.”
“If he is gone, nothing else matters.” Tashama stood up and then walked toward the bath.
“What are you doing?” The woman grabbed Tashama’s arm.
Tashama shook her loose. “I will find Balthazar.”
The woman watched for a moment, then as Tashama walked into the bath, the woman ran for the guards. Tashama listened for a moment. Metal-edged boots ran toward the bath, then she slipped beneath the water.
“Tashama!”Listra cried out.
Hands tugged at Tashama’s arms. Tashama coughed for a second as her skin touched the cold tile.
A man’s hefty fingers wrapped around her wrist. “She is fine.”
She saw Listra grabbing a robe and tying it around her waist as she ran to her.
“What happened?” Listra dropped to her knees, then cradled Tashama’s head in her lap.
“Apparently, she tried to go for a swim in her dreams. The drug the healer gave her has not worn off.”
