The Hidden Relic (The Evermen Saga, Book Two) by James Maxwell Page B

his black clothing. In the manner of a raj hada , the sash was decorated with a stylised desert rose.
    "You look well, Jehral. It's good to see you again, too. Now," Ella said, colour coming to her cheeks, "let me go. There is a war going on. Let me return to my people."
    Ella prepared to activate some of the sequences in her dress. The words on the tip of her tongue, she looked down, and then realised. Her dress was gone. She was wearing a plain yellow tunic. Looking at Shani, she saw that the elementalist's red robe was also gone, and in its place her friend wore a faded brown smock. Shani's red cuffs were nowhere to be seen.
    "Where's my dress?" Ella said.
    "They took them," Shani said, sighing.
    Ella glared at Jehral. "Who, exactly, took them?"
    Jehral actually blushed, the first time Ella had seen the desert warrior anything but poised. "Not I. We have an elder with us."
    "But you looked, didn't you?" Shani challenged.
    Jehral raised his chin. "I have taken a wife, Petryan. No, I did not."
    "Will you let us go?" Ella asked.
    Jehral looked puzzled. "Why would I let you go, when I have gone to such lengths to capture you?"
    "No one asked you to," Ella said.
    "Ah, but someone did. My prince asks, and I obey."
    "What does he want with me?"
    "That, Ella, he will tell you himself."
    "And why is Shani here?"
    "Because it was easier to take her, too, and because I suspect, Ella, that you may cause trouble."
    "I'm never easy, barbarian," Shani growled.
    Jehral ignored her, and addressed Ella. "I'm pleased to see that you have recovered." He prepared to depart.
    "Jehral, will you at least tell us where we are?" Ella asked.
    "We're half way to Castlemere, on the Basch Coast. Contrary to what you may believe, no one will find us, Ella. This wagon is one of forty in the train, and thirty-nine of the forty are legitimate traders."
    "Jehral," Ella said. "We used to be friends. Must it be like this?"
    Jehral came forward, his eyes blazing, and Ella shrank bank. "You lied to me, to my prince, to all of us. You took our knowledge and then you left us."
    "I had to help my people!" Ella cried.
    "Your name was a lie, and so was your position. You stole a great deal of essence from my prince's very tent."
    Jehral turned and exited the wagon, sealing it shut behind him with angry tugs at the material, but not before making one last statement.
    "And one more thing," he said. "You owe me a horse."
    Then he was gone.
    "Scratch you!" Ella cried after him.
    She'd been taken from her brother after they'd only just been reunited. Every second took Ella further and further from where she wanted to be.
    "He seems angry," Shani said, "and I'll bet this prince he cares so much about is even madder."
    "Shani, I have to get back to Altura," Ella said.
    "Why?"
    "Because there's a war going on!" she cried.
    "And you want to fight?"
    "Yes!"
    "Think, Ella. Whatever this prince wants from you, do you think it will involve keeping you out of harms way?"
    Ella thought about what Shani had said for a moment. Could she help Miro by aiding the prince? She then noticed that the Petryan woman was creeping steadily towards her.
    "What are you doing?" Ella asked.
    Shani darted forward and yanked several threads of golden hair from Ella's head. Ella yelped.
    "Your hair stands out better than any signpost," Shani said. "Next chance we get, I'm leaving this on the trail."
    "Who for?"
    "For whoever your brother has sent after us."
     
     

10
     
    T HE enemy came in a wave of soundless black shapes that poured over the ridge and down to the wide, shallow river. Against the stormy night sky, Miro struggled to estimate their strength.
    "It's a full attack," Beorn whispered hoarsely in his ear.
    The black shapes hit the river, here where the enemy had discovered a place the Sarsen was shallow enough to be forded. They were immediately slowed by the water as they began to wade towards where Miro and his men sat in hiding, protected by the thick trees that lined the Alturan side