network will be able to assist?"
Nerul rose and bowed, impressed by the girl's determination. "I place it at your disposal,
Princess."
"And obviously, I will accompany the Princess," Ramil said firmly. Tashi opened her mouth to protest but he continued, "If you do not let me travel with you, Princess, then I will follow. You will not deny that this political alliance concerns me closely. My father has left me to be my own
judge and it is clear to me that I can best serve my country by ensuring your safe return to your
court. I ask nothing else." He held her eye, his expression stubborn.
"And the Princess is going nowhere without me," said Gordoc, crossing his arms on his chest, daring her to refuse him.
The Fourth Crown Princess arched her fingers and pressed them to her lips, trying to stop her
outward control from collapsing. They had just offered to follow her into mortal danger. But she
knew that she stood a much better chance with them by her side so, though her instinct was to
protect them, her duty was to accept.
"I thank Prince Ramil ac Burinholt and Gordoc Ironfist for their generous offer. I will leave
tomorrow at dawn and would be grateful for their company."
She
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rose and swept out of the room.
Merl followed her. He burst into her room without asking leave to enter. She had her back to
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him, head in her hands.
"Tashi, I thought we understood each other!" he appealed to her, grabbing her elbow to swing her round. "I want you to stay here with me--never to leave my side."
"Please do not touch me, Merl," she said, trying to pry his fingers off her arm.
"I do not have the luxury of considering my own or your feelings on this subject."
He seized her other arm, holding her tightly. "You can't go. You'll be killed."
"It is my duty to try." She looked down, trying to prevent any of those signals that apparently so confused him.
Merl's handsome brow was pinched with concern. "Send a messenger--
send Ramil. There is no sense in risking yourself. You are too precious--let others go in your
place."
"I will not send others on a journey I would not undertake myself, least of all Prince Ramil. Only I can reinstate the alliance. Please let me go. You have no right to touch me like this. You're
hurting me."
"I have the right of a lover who will not let his lady be parted from him." He bent forward, seeking her mouth, but she twisted away.
"I do not want you as a lover, sir. I have never wanted you. Let me go!"
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Her cry brought an instant response. Before Merl could force a kiss on her, Gordoc was in the
room and had him by the scruff of the neck.
"Even among us poor folk, your lordship, a lady's 'no' means 'no,'" Gordoc said, giving Merl a shake.
Nerul appeared at the tent flap, his expression furious. Ramil stood behind him, fists curled.
"Brother," barked Nerul, "you forget yourself and carry your intrigues too far.
Under my roof, the Princess Taoshira is entitled to her privacy and certainly to be spared such
ungentlemanly treatment. Leave her in peace."
Dumped on the floor, Merl straightened his clothes and stalked from the room.
Nerul turned back to Tashi. "Forgive us, Your Highness. Merl has over-reached himself. His
concern for you is his only excuse."
Tashi collected her dignity. "And I ask your forgiveness for anything that I have done that may
have prompted him to hope where there was none."
Nerul gave a crooked smile. "I fear you are too kind to Merl. I know my brother well. He is
experienced at this game and doubtless had you swimming into his net. Your decision to depart
does not suit him. He thinks first of his pleasure, rather than his responsibility to his people.
However, unlike him, I see the necessity and would like to offer you all assistance. Is there
anything you require? I will give orders for packs of supplies to be made up. You leave as you
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came with your two horses?"
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"And a mount, if I may beg one for myself. I do not wish to be a burden on my companions."
"Consider it done. Anything else?"
Tashi held her arms out, displaying her finery. "I was once told that you needed suitable clothes to ride a horse. Would you be able to find me something more practical?"
"We should disguise ourselves," Ramil added, stepping forward to take part in the discussion. He had been silent during the scene with Merl, fiercely happy to see his rival rejected by Tashi. "1
think it best if I maintain my character as a mercenary from the south. Perhaps the Princess may
condescend to take the part of my sister and dress accordingly."
Tashi wondered since when Ramil had felt the need to ask her to
"condescend" to anything, but his idea was a good one.
"I would be happy to, sir, if such dress can be found," she replied with equal formality.
"And Gordoc here, if he wouldn't mind the indignity, could travel as our slave bodyguard. The
desert dwellers are known to keep slaves like most of the people in those parts."
"Mind?" rumbled the giant. "Old Gordoc's skin is too thick to take offense. I'll be your slave, 238
master." He thumped Ramil on the back, making him stagger.
"I will see to the disguises," said Nerul. "I suggest you get your rest, that is if you keep to your intention to ride at first light?"
"I do," said Tashi. "Time is running out."
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"I will send messages ahead of you. If you would care to eat with me before you leave, I will give you as much advice as I can, maps too if I can find some suitable."
"Thank you, Your Grace."
Tashi dismissed them all with a bow. The three men retired from the room.
No sooner had Gordoc got Ramil alone than he dug him in the ribs. "Now you should be happy,
young pup: she sent him packing and you have her to yourself again, just like old times."
"This isn't about her and me, Gordoc. This is state business," Ramil said stiffly.
"Go on, admit that you're pleased." Gordoc whistled to the crescent moon cheerfully.
Ramil met his friend's grin and broke into a smile. "All right, I'm pleased. For some mad reason, I'd prefer to be heading into danger with Tashi than leaving her to sit anywhere within a mile of
Merl ac Moilinder."
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"I knew it." The giant chuckled. "I knew it!"
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Chapter 13
Seamstresses worked through the night to make Tashi and Ramil the long flowing robes of the
Southern people. Tashi woke to find hers hanging on the screen in her chamber--a loose purple
gown with a veil that covered her face with only a gauze to allow her to see. It was designed for
protection against the fierce sandstorms of the desert, but it suited her purposes perfectly here
in the cold north. Wearing a pair of long leather gloves, she would be completely hidden.
Having completed her rituals, she arrived at breakfast to find the table more crowded than she
had expected. In addition to Nerul, a chastened Merl, Ramil and Gordoc were Professor Norling,
Melletin, and the dark-haired woman Tashi had once glimpsed on the practice fields. The men
rose on her entrance. Nerul conducted her to the chair at his right hand.
"The robes are perfect," Tashi said, more like her old self than the formal Fourth Crown Princess of the last few days. "Please thank those who made them."