“They admitted their crimes?” asked Tamar.
“Among themselves,” nodded Alahara. “I used an air tunnel to listen into the conversation. Garl heard everything. I used his office to spy on them. Tomorrow when the protest turns violent, they plan to kill the three boys and me. They think that I am trying to infiltrate their organization so they decided that the boys must die so that they cannot lead anyone back to the Society.”
“And what did Garl say about all this?” asked Tamar.
“That is the frustrating part,” frowned Alahara as she caught her sister’s eye. “There is no doubt that he believes everything now, but his response is hesitancy. I think he is afraid of the rogue mages. I fear that he will do nothing.”
“Then you do not understand Garl very well,” smiled the king. “There is nothing that Garl fears, but he is slow and deliberate in his methods.”
“But we cannot afford to go slow,” objected Alahara. “While Salfour and Levitor almost bought my ruse about being disenchanted with Elvangar, Maraton did not. He saw through it immediately. He knows that they must act quickly or risk discovery. I think that they may be willing to take a greater risk now. Perhaps I was wrong to stir up this hornet’s nest.”
“Do not second guess yourself,” comforted the king. “Was there anything in their words to tie Kanis into all of this?”
“Maraton is meeting with her tonight,” nodded Alahara. “He fears that you will kick her out of the palace, making their move that much harder. He said that they must strike within the week.”
“You have done exceedingly well,” smiled the king. “No matter how much I ask of you two, you always deliver more. It is by Kaltara’s grace that you were both spared in that shipwreck. The people of Elvangar will flourish under your rule.”
“If Elvangar survives that long,” sighed Alastasia. “Everything seems to be conspiring against us.”
“Nonsense,” retorted Avalar. “Alahara, can you attend the protest tomorrow and remain safe?”
“How did you know that I was planning to go to the protest?” asked Alahara. “I said nothing about that.”
“Are you the only princess who knows how to use an air tunnel?” grinned Alastasia. “You didn’t think I would listen in to my sister’s conversation with a boy?”
“You brat!” laughed Alahara. “I hope I get the chance to repay you.”
“You are thinking of letting her go?” Tamar frowned with disbelief. “It is much too dangerous. That crowd is going to get out of hand.”
“And you let her drag you to the Island of Darkness?” chuckled Avalar. “I think we both must accept the fact that the princesses can take care of themselves. That does not mean that I will not be worrying, but I will no longer try to protect them by isolating them.”
“I can keep myself safe,” declared Princess Alahara.
“I will be going as well,” stated Princess Alastasia. “What do you want us to do?”
The king’s eyebrow rose as he looked at Alastasia, but he did not object.
“I think we need to develop a plan for tomorrow,” answered the king. “One of the things we need to do tonight can be done right here. I want to learn the air tunnel spell.”
“I can teach you that,” offered Alastasia.
“Good,” nodded Avalar, “that will leave Alahara with time to visit Aunt Kanis.”
“Visit Aunt Kanis?” echoed Alahara. “Do I have to?”
“Yes,” grinned the king. “I want you to be very friendly to her. Convince her that you hate it in Elvangar. Let it slip that you are going to the protest tomorrow. Basically,” the king continued, “I want you to sell her the attitude that you presented to Kara. I think that Kanis will convince Maraton of your sincerity when they meet later tonight. That may buy us some more time to think about what needs to be done.”
“Why would Kanis believe me when Maraton does not?” asked Alahara.
“Kanis is a vain creature,” explained the king. “She will reason that anyone who tells her how beautiful and intelligent she is must be telling the truth, therefore, she will believe everything that you say.”
“Was Mother ever like that?” frowned Alastasia.
“No,” chuckled Avalar. “Alycia has never been like that. It is hard to believe that they are sisters. Even when she was under Karaza’s spell, Karaza was not able to control her completely. I am sure that he found that very frustrating.”
“Let me get this over with,” shrugged Princess Alahara. “I don’t want to miss too much of this planning session. I am sure that I will have some ideas to contribute to it.”
Princess Alahara left the room and headed for the lift. She closed her eyes and pictured Aunt Kanis on the ride down to the proper level. By the time she reached her aunt’s chambers, Alahara was ready for mischief. She knocked on the door and Kanis replied with permission to enter. The princess walked in and closed the door.
“Are you lost?” quipped Kanis. “Why are you here?”
“Shouldn’t I want to know my relatives better?” smiled Alahara as she gazed around the room. “Why are your quarters on such a low level? Surely you deserve better than this.”
Kanis cocked her head and stared at the princess, trying to determine if she was being mocked or not.
“I shall speak to Mother about this in the morning,” Alahara declared seriously. “Avalar has no right to treat you this way.”
“Avalar?” questioned Kanis. “You do not call him Father?”
“Hardly,” Alahara snickered. “If I knew him well before we rescued him from the Island of Darkness I would have saved myself the trip. He doesn’t care for me. To him I am just a status symbol. All he cares about is power.”
“And you don’t care about power,” Kanis replied skeptically. “Please, spare me this little drama of yours.”
“No, I don’t,” Alahara replied adamantly. “I can find no fun in living in a tree watching elves run around the city. In Fakara I had real friends, and they were friends who truly cared for me. I haven’t found an elf yet who is worth knowing. Mother comes the closest to being a friend. I was hoping that you would be different, being her sister, but I guess the elves are all made from the same mold. I won’t trouble you any longer.”
The woman’s face clouded over with confusion as Alahara turned to leave. She moved quickly across the room and put her hand on the door so that Alahara could not open it.
“Stay,” Kanis said softly. “Come sit down. I want to get to know you better.”
Alahara hesitated for a moment and then finally shrugged and walked across the room and sat in a chair. Kanis smiled pleasantly as she sat next to the princess.
“I did not mean to be rude,” apologized Kanis, “but I had heard that you were much like Avalar. I am sure that you realize that the king does not care for me much.”
“Who does he care for?” quipped Alahara. “I sometimes think his years in the prison must have changed him a great deal because I hear stories about how great a king he was. You must have known him in his earlier days. Was he different?”
“He was at first,” nodded Kanis, “but his attitude is not the product of imprisonment. He turned nasty long before you were born. I fear his attitude has rubbed off on my sister. I do not feel very welcome in the palace.”
“Don’t say that,” frowned Alahara. “Mother sticks up for you. I heard them arguing last night. It was Avalar that demanded that you be housed down here. He does not even want you in the palace, but he gave into Mother after a fight.”
“Alycia fought for me?” Kanis reacted with surprise. “Really? Then why did she refuse to see me when Avalar was imprisoned?”
“You had not heard about that?” asked Alahara. “Mother was under the spell of an evil magician. She never even knew that you had come to visit. It was Karaza that had you turned away.”
“But she has not seen me this trip either,” complained Kanis.
“Avalar has forbidden it,” shrugged Alahara. “He would have a seizure if he knew that I was here now, but I heard how intelligent and beautiful you were, and I just had to visit before I left Elvangar.”