Unveiling the Sorceress

"My, oh my. Palace gossip does spread quickly ... apparently it is so. He is gifted and pure."

Elra removed her waistband, setting it on a table at one side.

Elishiba could see the blatant interest in their eyes. “And you two would have him for yourselves, to remedy his virginal state?"

The sisters blushed but Elishiba chuckled, drawing them closer. “Truthfully, I selected him because I wish to give the young man his freedom, as I would them all. But I think if we treat Kerr well we might keep him with us for a while, to see what we might learn from him of his previous owners."

"You think we might be able to make him enjoy his days with us?” Amra murmured, sensing fun.

"Enjoy them ... and desire more, perhaps,” Elishiba replied. “I would rather he chose to stay with us. You know that. I feel sure you could entrance him. Can I entrust that duty to the pair of you?"

Elra's smile was wide and delighted, and Elishiba embraced her affectionately. She encouraged them, amused as the two sisters evolved a scheme to win the young man over. Amra pointed out that they must stimulate the desire for him to stay quite early on, so that he thought it was his own choice when the time came, and he would be more willing. Elishiba thought it quite resourceful.

Happily distracted, the three of them shared their ideas about the young innocent into the early hours, conspiratorially.

* * * *

The faint sound of the women's laughter escaped from the balconied windows into the silent hours. Their movements caused the candles to flicker, casting shadows around the room. In the gardens below, Amshazar listened, and watched the flickering light.

The moonlight was waning. Clouds had scudded across the night sky since earlier that evening. He observed the way the amber light spilled down from her balcony while he contemplated the situation. The unlikely coupling of the scamp, Hanrah, with the exquisite Elishiba had amused him, but only momentarily. She was truly exceptional. Her spirit had resonated through him as soon as he had set eyes on her. She had the gift, oh yes, just as the magi leaders had predicted when they had discussed what might be behind Sevita's peculiar interest in the Empress of Aleem.

Yes, he mused wryly. Had women been accepted as magi

novices—as Sevita wished—and Elishiba presented at the Magi school, she would have been accepted. Of that there was no doubt. Her soul was strong, her purpose true, and she had the gift. Her skills were slumbering, unused, as he had been told to expect. That was something he would help her with, something he would guide her to recognize and nurture. Was this what Sevita had hoped for? By perhaps proving her point through a woman such as Elishiba, she could sway the council on her other, more personal, cause?

Elishiba's talent and potential was something he had been prepared for, but her beauty and intelligence had more than surprised him, much more. He had not considered that Elishiba would stir anything in him other than a desire to guide her to her destiny. However, as soon as he saw her, he wanted her. When she set her steady gaze on him, her spirit and sensuality had rung a clarion cry through his very being.

"A real beauty, isn't she?"

Amshazar started, and looked at his lurking spirit guide with a frown. He was hovering in the bushes a mere arm's length away. “Santor, although I value your presence whenever you choose to present yourself, I have to ask—must you sneak up on me this way?"

Santor shrugged his bony shoulders. “Apologies, old friend.” He had only partially crossed over from the spirit world, and his image was faint. His tufted beard and hair were hardly distinct from his face, and his robes were barely there at all. However, his wily, amused expression was not lost on Amshazar.

He shook his head. “I warrant the magi leaders would not have given you this role had they realized what a danger you are."

Santor adopted a more serious expression. “I'm honored to be your spirit guide in this and all things,” he said, with an underlying mocking tone in his voice.

Amshazar returned to his observation of the balcony. A moment later he was jabbed in the ribs by a bony elbow.

"Admit it, though, you were surprised when you saw how truly enticing she is, the daughter of Ramsis, yes?"

Amshazar threw a warning glance at his guide, who had a tendency to overplay his mischievous streak at times—not an ideal tendency for a magus spirit guide, but one it appeared they were both stuck with. “The situation is complicated by the attraction, I cannot deny that."

Santor chortled to himself. “Oh, I think it is within your power to resist this urge you have to possess her ... but will you really want to resist it, Amshazar, hmm?” Even though his form was not fully realized, the twinkle in his eyes was.

Amshazar ignored the statement, arching an eyebrow at him, unwilling to answer such a provocative remark.

"The Aleemites are passionate people,” Santor went on, “their Empress is a perfect example of that. She is a lush woman.” He moved his hands through the air, as if outlining an invisible female form. “To bed her would, I'm sure, be most—"

"Hold your tongue, if you are able, and stop quizzing me on the subject,” Amshazar whispered. “I am trying to order my thoughts for a more pressing matter, that of revealing my more noble intentions to her."

"Ha, are you indeed?” Santor nodded, knowingly. “I'll leave you to stand here in the bushes gazing up at her window, while you contemplate these more pressing matters; shall I?"

Amshazar gave him a terse smile. “Why don't you do just that, and perhaps you will choose to converse with me more sensibly in the morning."

"Perhaps I will.” Santor dipped his head and with another quiet chuckle, was gone.

"More of a trial than a guide,” Amshazar murmured to himself, after he was gone. It was infuriating at times, having a spirit guide who thrived on mischief. Brooding, he continued to merge with the night shadows after Santor's unexpected intrusion.