Page 30 of Keeper of the Word
“Shall we go to the balcony? Five minutes is all you’re permitted.”
Joss’s head swiveled around the room. “Is there anyone else present, m’lady?”
“Nay.” Elanna wrapped her gown tighter around herself, hoping Joss would not notice her splotchy face from weeping. Shehadn’t been able to help it. Unless she could think of another way out of Ashwin and to Asalle, their beautiful realm was destined to fall.
Oh, the darkness that shall cover this land.
“Lord Tolvar sends a message.”
Elanna was uncertain she could handle any more messages from Tolvar. It reminded her again how unaccustomed to being around others she was. How sheltered she was in Ashwin.
She nodded to receive the message.
“Sir Tolvar will escort you to Asalle, m’lady. Can you be at the outer wall of the garden near where you met this eve two hours before sunrise?”
Elanna stood stunned. She combed through her visions. Had she Seen this? Nay. But shehadSeen herself in Asalle, had she not?
She had convinced him. Without the stars’ help.
“Possess you any travel clothes?” Joss asked, examining her up and down.
“Nay, what do I need?”
“Your most simple, sturdy gown, I suppose, a cloak, and a pair of boots if you possess them.”
Elanna nodded, repeating Joss’s words in her mind.
“And…nyxpaun.”
Nyxpaun?
Odd. Why would she need to bring an unusual herb with her?
“The Lucien Law has not truly been invoked,” Joss said.
“What can you mean?” Elanna asked.
Joss told her of Tara invoking the Law through a decision of her own making. The story was rushed, and Elanna could barely keep all the details of Hux, a letter, and mayhap a kinship between Tara and Commander Goodsell back in Garreth.
A knock sounded at the door. “M’lady?” The guard stepped in. “The time of five has passed.”
“Thank you, m’lady,” Joss said, grinning a little too forcefully. “For this…audience.”
Elanna’s eyes followed the guard who led Joss out. She held herbreath until the door was closed. There was no time to consider all she’d just learned. She dashed into action.
Elanna stepped through the hedges.No one was there. Had they left her? A rush of panic flushed her cheeks.
Why was she to meet here? How were they going to leave Ashwin this way? There was no gate to the outside.
Footsteps approached, then Hux stood there.
“Good morrow, lovely lady. Are you ready to make your daring escape?”
Her shoulders tightened. Was she truly going to go through with this? Leave Ashwin? Betray her sisters?
“How can you be so calm?” she asked. Her hand, which held the strap of a rucksack she’d stolen from the kitchens, became clammy.
“This is not my first escape.” He grinned. “Though I must admit, my father’s wall wasn’t nearly as high.”
