The Truth Over The Wall

Chapter 10

"Princess Hanalea?" Dominic maintained a calm expression while using a casual tone, "Why the princess, of all people?"

"Well," Amara said and got up immediately, prepared for such a situation, "There's this book. On the great and noble history of the Tafahan royal family."

She crossed to the other side of the room to a long table. Someone had cleared it of all ornamental objects and flower vases which still rested to the side on the floor to make room for books, notes and what appeared to be maps, old and brown. It was probably Amara.

"Did you know?"She asked him, fascinated, "That King Leopold's family has been at war with a clan of witches - the same clan of witches - for over five hundred years. The writer - H. J. Pennon - says that Tafah has become the nexus for people with supernatural abilities. All sorts of creatures have joined the fight.

"And his descendants," Amara was clearly in awe, "Have spent nearly six hundred years fighting them. And I imagine they must have made a very close study of magic in those centuries. And if ever there was an expert on individuals with extraordinary abilities, it would be a Tafahan.

"And if there was anyone amongst the Tafahans particularly knowledgeable, it would be the Princess, wouldn't it?" Amara's face was alight with excitement as she explained her theory and presented all the facts.

"I'm sure she must spend nearly every day facing such creatures," Amara said nodding to herself, "If anyone could tell one on sight, it'd be her."

In theory, it was all very sound. Yes, Leopold's children had spent five hundred years fighting the witches. Yes, they had made a close study of their enemy. And yes, of course, if anyone could tell a witch on sight it would be a Tafahan royal.

In theory.

Hanalea was not a Tafahan royal. Not in the strictest sense of the word. She was born in Tafah, yes, but had she been brought up there? Had she been brought up as a Tafahan? No.

Hanalea's grandfather had meant to correct the mistake he had made with his daughter. Claire had become a warrior and joined her husband in the fight against the witches.

And he had ended up losing her to that cause.

Hanalea was all King Damon had left of his daughter. And his solution was to keep her under constant supervision and protection. She would have nothing to do with the matters at Tafah.

And many of the Tafahan nobles had supported Damon in this move. Hanalea was all they had left of Tafah. To lose the very last of Leopold's children was to surrender to the witches.

So, in fact, Hanalea was the last person that would know a witch when she saw one. If she saw one because Damon was bent on preventing that at all costs.

Everyone knew that, Dominic thought frowning. Everyone save Amara apparently.

Or maybe...

If this was a trick on Fiona's behalf to get Dominic to reveal the Tafahans weak spot or Hanalea's exact location, then he had to admit, it was an elaborate one.

And rather half-baked at that. Unless of course, she was telling the truth? In which case she needed an honest answer.

But he could not betray Hanalea

And he did not want to have to lie to Amara. Even as Dominic struggled for middle ground, Amara gave a loud huff and closed the book she was perusing.

"It doesn't matter now though," she slammed the book down a little harder than necessary and then flinched and patted it apologetically as she said, "That was before. When I still thought I might be a witch. Now I'll just have to start all over again. Collecting data, finding a description that fits and then applying the theory. Perhaps I ought to look into Trolls. Ash has brought it up enough times..."