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Kerr was startled by the unexpected remark. “Yes, I have."
"Kazeen is safe in the city of Lhastari, but hidden, for the Empress Mehmet has put a price on his head. She wishes him dead."
Kerr heated with a sense of injustice. “Why?"
"She is a cruel woman. I tell you this because I want you to trust me, and see I mean
no harm. I will help you see him again, when we get there, if you will help me."
"I thought perhaps he had been killed, but hoped it were not true."
"It was a close thing, but he is safe."
"What is it you want me to do?"
"It may be hard for me to speak with Elishiba from now on. I need you to be my eyes and ears, and to pass a message to her if I cannot get close to her myself."
Kerr paused, turning his doubts over in his mind. As he did, the moonlight fell across them and he saw the sincerity in Amshazar's eyes. He could not doubt this man. Deep inside he felt the honesty of Amshazar's words. His purpose was just.
"Your will is done,” Kerr whispered.
Chapter Eight
In the early dawn light, Elishiba sat up and stretched her stiff limbs. She had not slept. They had spent the night coiled together, Elra, Kerr, and Elishiba. Yoshi had sat nearby, propped against a stack of cushions, dozing on and off as she watched over them. Elishiba was relieved to see that she was snoring softly now.
Elra's face was grief-marked even in repose. She clutched Amra's scarlet sash against her body. Kerr held her loosely, but close, and the image touched Elishiba. It was as if he had offered himself as a surrogate twin. Was this part of the sense of destiny about young Kerr that Yoshi had foreseen? Elishiba wondered on it. He had become part of their intimate group, and she was glad of it.
Outside, the camp was stirring. There would be gossip and whispering as they prepared for the onward journey, speculation about the danger into which they all apparently traveled. It wasn't far now. They would arrive in Lhastari before nightfall. Elishiba was ready for it. Amshazar was right. Amra's murder would either weaken or strengthen her. She felt cold, empty, but strong and purposeful. That she had been naive and unarmed was more than apparent. She would have to be more thoroughly prepared from now on.
She crept closer alongside Elra and stroked her forehead, pushing her loose hair back from her face. Elra's eyes opened. She stared up at her mistress, and then silent tears began to mark her face. The pain inside her was great, but instinctively Elishiba knew what to do. And she believed now, she believed that she could help her people. Whether the sorcery that Amshazar had introduced her to was the same breed of esoteric power as that which had been used to cause Amra's death, she could not be sure, but she would use what she knew to heal now, to restore the balance.
She rested her hand on Elra's forehead and summoned all the warmth, love and care she had inside, both for this woman and her sister, now gone. The emotions swirled within her, causing a strange feeling she now recognized as the growth of healing power.
Elra sighed and her eyes closed. The heat grew and traveled into the palm of Elishiba's hand, transferring to Elra. It seemed as if Elra were an open channel, and Elishiba sensed this was somehow different than when they had dealt with the shayatin. Then it was as if she and Amshazar had to force the power into him, for he was unwilling. Her handmaiden—although deeply wounded at this time—had an open communication channel with her mistress, which enabled the healing power to travel swiftly to where it was needed.
Elra's body trembled against the blankets and then stilled. After a few moments, Elishiba moved her hand away. Elra opened her eyes and looked at her mistress. She sat up and rested herself into Elishiba's arms, who rocked her slowly. The grief had not gone, nor would it ever. But it had been tempered.
They stayed that way for some time, and then Elishiba drew back and looked into her handmaid's eyes. “Do you wish to return to Suzin?"
Elra shook her head.
"Take some time to think about it. You can return with The Immortals, you will be safe."
Elra squeezed her mistress's hand before giving a sad smile. “I don't understand why this has happened, but my place is with you, more so now than ever."
"I'm glad of it, but say the word and you will be safely home in Suzin.” She took a deep breath. “This has perhaps occurred to make me afraid, but I cannot let it happen."
"I feel that too.” Elra seemed thoughtful now. “The evil that has struck at my heart and yours,” she blinked, and Elishiba felt the depth of her contained emotion. “We must not let it creep into the heart of Aleem."
Reaching into her lap, Elra clutched at the sash that Amra once wore. Lifting the precious fabric in her fingers she bent to kiss it. Then she lifted it over her head and rested it across her shoulder and down between her breasts, until it lay against her own bind of indigo. “I must be both Amra and Elra for you now, Empress."
Moved deeply by her words and actions, Elishiba nodded. “We will enter the city of Lhastari later today. I am determined to show them that whilst we represent a small, peaceful country, we will not be trampled on."
* * * *
The caravan moved in a more subdued procession than before. Speculation about what had gone on in the camp the night before was, however, rife, the conversations ongoing in low-level murmurs. Amshazar observed it cautiously, his senses honed to pick up information and gauge reactions.
Elishiba rode at the forefront of her closest companions, her magnificent stallion a noble white beast with silver coins spilling over his coat. A worthy mount for her, the horse held its head high. So too did she. Her expression was determined, her beautiful eyes focused on the horizon. Ebony hair escaped her white headdress on one side, sleek as it hung down against her breastbone. Her body undulated gracefully with her steed as she rode, making Amshazar want to hold her in his arms again.
