Chapter 5 #2
A bird nestled in an alcove caught her eye.
Aleron cannot keep you here any longer than he can imprison me.
She paused, envisioning the sight of the prince sitting proudly upon his steed.
You could not stay away from me, oh prince.
I didn’t think I would have such an effect on you.
She grabbed a curl tickling her cheek and tucked it behind her ear.
What did you think, prince of my dreams?
That you would send me here to silence me?
The tips of her fingers touched the sun-drenched moss.
Your skin is as soft and warm. She closed her eyes.
Your fingers on my skin stir longings I dare not reveal to your sorcerer.
If he were to know I am the true ruler of Karthland…
She shuddered. I could be a pawn used to obtain concessions against my very own people.
“Sire, you’re scheduled to see the Alsate’s ambassador,” Carissian said.
The prince continued to pace. “Tell me why the Karthlander woman is so dangerous. You haven’t given me one good reason.
” He stopped only long enough to glower at his advisor.
“You should have seen the way her people cheered her. I’ve never seen a woman affect a group of men so. Never.” He renewed his pacing.
“Sire, the—”
“Her green eyes distract me.”
Carissian shook his head. “Sire, you—”
“She shouldn’t have been taken to the compound. She’s stirring up trouble there, don’t you sense it?”
“The woman is a—”
“She is nobody. How can she rouse the men so?” The prince took a deep breath. “The Karthlander healer cared for her injuries adequately, but she shouldn’t have been left there.” He sat down on his throne.
“Should I have the ambassador shown—”
The prince jumped up from his seat. “She cannot stay there. You should’ve advised me better, Carissian.” He strode out of the throne room.
Carissian hurried after him. “Sire, I can see what you have in mind, but—”
“Then you already know what I will do.”
By late afternoon, Tashama had surveyed the grounds. Now, she sat on a stone bench to monitor the movements of the guards.
“Are you really going to try to escape, miss?” a voice said from a little way off.
Twelve men stood ten feet behind her.
She nodded, then turned her attention to the gate when a wagon rolled into the compound. She noted the time as the men lined up for supper. “All very civilized.”
“Do you have the gift?” one of the men asked.
“We’re not to converse, gentlemen, by order of your general.”
“Are you really Tashama?” another asked.
“Really, gentlemen, I wouldn’t wish you ill tidings.”
Before she could join the others for her food, the first one in line hurried to bring the plate to her. “Why, thank you.” She took the plate from him, and as she touched his hand, her eyes grew big.
“What’s wrong, miss?” He steadied her plate.
“She touched you. She has the gift,” one of the men hurried to say, growing closer to Tashama.
“What did you see, miss?”
“Your general—he doesn’t want me to speak with you—any of you.”
“What did you see, miss?” the man persisted.
She smiled. “You’ll escape from here in two days.”
“And me?” another said, grabbing her arm.
“Oh!” she cried out.
“Forgive me, miss.” He dropped to his knees.
“Yes, you, too, only my arms—they still hurt.”
Another knelt before her. “And me?”
General Karam, his blond hair and beard striped with gray, his face appearing to redden as he stormed across the compound toward her. “Please—gentlemen, the general is headed this way.”
“We want to know, too,” several said.
Tashama shoved her plate into the man’s hands who had delivered it to her, then ran her hand over several who stood before her. “Yes, all of you. And you’ll return safely to your villages, too.”
“And you?”
She shook her head and sat on the bench. “I cannot see what fate awaits me.”
The men all stepped back from her. The general closed the gap between them.
He folded his arms across his broad chest and glared at her.
She reached for her platter, and the general commanded, “You’ll return to the healer’s tent at once!
” He surveyed his men for a moment, then turned to her.
“You screamed out in pain when one of my men accosted you.”
“He hadn’t meant to.”
“Return to the tent, now!”
“You have no business telling me what to do.” She tilted her head in defiance. He pointed to the tent, and she nodded. “For now, you’ll have your way, but not for long, General.”
She would do what he ordered, only because she didn’t want Aleron’s guards to get wind of the fact that she was Tashama, rightful ruler of Karthland.
Later that evening, Tashama met with the fifteen men at the eastern wall. “Seven will leave tonight. If all goes as planned, the others will escape tomorrow night. They don’t do counts of our people, so they won’t notice when people are missing.”
After the guards changed shifts, Tashama led the men up the wall walk stairs and, finding their way clear, she motioned to the parapet where they hurried to tie the braided hemp. She stared in the direction of Banff and the palace where she assumed Aleron would be settling in for the night.
What do you wear when you slip between your princely sheets? Do you have thoughts of me when you close your dark eyes? She frowned. Even when my eyes are wide open as they are tonight, I can see only you.
“What about you, miss?” the last of the men said, holding the rope out to her.
Startled, she glanced at him. “I’ll join you and the others as soon as I can.”
The men took turns dashing into the tall brush near the prison walls. They disappeared into the moonless night, and she gave a tentative sigh of relief.
“The guards,” one of the lookouts said, quickly removing the rope.
Tashama and the men scurried down the steps and hurried away from the wall. “Tomorrow night at the same time.”
The healer joined her. “The general is on his way to do a bed check, miss.”
“A bed check? For everyone?”
“No.” He smiled at her. “Just for you.”
Before she was halfway across the compound, the general blocked her path. He glowered at her, seized her wrist, and dragged her to the hospital tent. “What do you think you’re doing, young lady?” He shoved her to her cot.
“Aiding my people to escape, such as you should have done since you’ve been imprisoned here.”
“I will not escape from this place, as it is not our way. Those who do will soon be recaptured and sent to a compound where they will be starved or worse for their disobedience.”
“You won’t escape from here, General, but you’re the only one. Tomorrow, there’ll be an officer exchange. You’ll be returned to Karthland then.”
A surge of shouts beyond the tent muffled the clanking of metal boots as they neared the canvas entrance.
Her heart hammering, Tashama stood up from the cot. Aleron. “He has come for me.”