"I will give you your audience tomorrow."
"Thank you, Empress.” It was Amshazar who spoke, bowing and taking her cue to leave, ignoring Sibias's low grumble and his thwarted expression, as he gestured the older man along the path.
"What were you saying to him?” Elishiba whispered to Yoshi, as soon as the two men had walked away and were out of earshot.
"I asked him if he were lost and then I offered to lead him to his destination.” Yoshi gave Elishiba a sidelong glance, which only confirmed her mischievous intent.
Elishiba threw her hands up in annoyance. “Isn't it enough that I have to spend my last precious days in Suzin being tutored by him? I certainly don't want to prolong the contact by seeing him walk in my favored courtyards."
Yoshi raised her eyebrows. “It was for that reason I offered to guide him elsewhere, but your comment shows me he has indeed caught your eye. You didn't even mention the old goat who was following him.” She laughed and poked her mistress in the side. “Admit it,” she demanded.
"Ach. Leave me be.” Elishiba rested back on the seat, annoyed with herself.
Yoshi chuckled on, but she was right. Elishiba had hoped to speak with him alone. It was for a good reason—to learn whether she should fear him and banish this growing attraction before it took hold of her. Wasn't it?
"You will do better to approach the tasks ahead with more self-honesty, my dear child.” Yoshi patted Elishiba's hand. “You will see, soon enough."
Elishiba muttered to herself, annoyed. Yoshi was the only person who could reach her like this, not even her beloved Father could make her admit to her misgivings and her deep-seated fears.
After a moment she sighed, then nestled closer.
Yoshi put an arm around her shoulders.
Somehow admitting her fears to herself let them wash over her and away for a few moments, which allowed her a moment of comfort. They sat that way for some time. Then Yoshi spoke again.
"You must be prepared for more of this ahead ... there will be many adversaries vying for your attention. Each has their plan to fulfill. It will be for you to choose the best path to follow for your own purposes."
She gave her mistress a comforting squeeze. “It will be hard, very hard, I warrant you that, and there will be many dark moments ahead, moments of pain and anger.” She tensed and shifted uneasily. “But you will find a way to come through this, and triumph."
Elishiba pulled back. Yoshi's eyes had an overcast look about them that unsettled her. “Can't you tell me more? So many riddles. They only serve to confuse me."
Yoshi shook her head. “The visions are cloudy."
Her tone was evasive, but Elishiba knew from past experience there was no point in pushing her. If she had something to say, she said it.
Yoshi patted her hand. “Know this. You will understand soon."
Elishiba nodded. “I fear you are right about how difficult this will be, I only hope you're right about the end result. Now, I suppose I must go and see how the twins have fared with Kerr. We need at least one true ally in this affair."
Yoshi's dark eyes began to twinkle again. “Oh, you will have your ally in him, believe me."
"The poor young man will be enslaved to Amra and Elra forever, I have no doubt.” Elishiba chuckled and rested a kiss on Yoshi's cheek before she left.
She paused to inhale the heady scent of the courtyard flowers before returning indoors, and it soothed her. Walking down the shady corridors toward her chambers, she was about to turn the final corner when a voice drew her attention.
"Empress Elishiba?"
Drawing to a sudden halt, she saw Amshazar standing in the shadows of a side passage. His eyes were almost totally concealed in the darkness, and yet he seemed to be scrutinizing her. He'd been waiting there for her, she was sure, emerging now that she passed. Glancing ahead, she could see around the corner to where the sentry guarded her chambers. A shout would have the soldier by her in seconds.
She stood her ground.
Amshazar stepped out of the shadows.
How at ease he was, she noted, as he walked toward her. His bearing was almost noble, and yet she sensed no falseness in his manner. Sudden, dangerous curiosity fired her blood as he drew close. “Are you in need of assistance?"
"Forgive me for startling you by my approach,” he said. “You were concerned about the tutoring Sibias suggested. I felt I should speak to you on the matter, privately."
She was bemused by his remark. “I am concerned, yes. Should I not be?"