by R. E. Steele
Perhaps it had something to do with Theodoros’s growing affection for Estella. If he was the man Roxanna thought he was, he probably wanted to provide a safe home for Estella, should he ever get the chance to marry her. For that, Roxanna would give him credit. But Theodoros was no military genius. He admitted this himself, and Roxanna had no reason to disbelieve him. She had been present for many camp meetings in which raids were planned. Theodoros could list facts, but he lacked the talent to put them together to form a good plan. This was Vasilis’s talent. So, Theodoros was just as much at the mercy of his brother’s cowardice as she was.
Therefore, Roxanna was left to fume at her helpless position, but she wasn’t willing to submit to it at all. She considered taking her party away from the Lystra Gang, but immediately dismissed the idea. Bedros had only just informed her yesterday, that the Kalarians were very much active in the area, and her own troops were still too far away and disorganized to help her. From what he had heard in one of the local taverns, they had tried some sort of counter attack against the main Kalarian Army, but had failed, and were scattered again. This infuriated Roxanna, for her troops might have succeeded had she been with them. But she wasn’t, nor did it seem like she would be with them again anytime soon.
Chapter 28
The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat.
~ Proverbs 13:4
Vasilis noticed Roxanna’s increasing anger toward him, despite the fact they were staying in one place now. She wasn’t overt about it. There were no fits of rage with her. She simply kept as far away from him as she could, whether that was staying in her tent, or going into the nearby woods whenever he grew noisy. He had the guards keep an eye on her, but he was soon satisfied that she stayed close enough to the camp, that she wasn’t putting herself in danger. When she couldn’t avoid him, there was no missing the glare she almost always had for him.
Vasilis sighed and shook his head. She still hadn’t accepted that she wasn’t getting her kingdom back. No matter how much he tried to tell her to give up, or how much he prayed she would, she still stubbornly clung to the hope that she would one day make her triumphant return to Oreias. She still micromanaged everyone too, which caused him to go on more raids. He needed to get away from her, and a successful raid always put him back in a good humor.
He had another reason for conducting so many attacks. He didn’t want her to feel as if she needed to skimp and save as much as she tried to. He reasoned if she had more supplies to work with, her efforts would become less excessive. His followers were certainly happy with the arrangement. They hadn’t lived so comfortably in years. The additional weapons and armor they gained from the outpost, also served to soothe the fears of those who had to stay behind in the camp. Imperial grade armor, even for the lowest of soldiers, was no joke, and was renowned for its quality and effectiveness.
But the successful raids did nothing to change Roxanna’s behavior. She still insisted on ridiculous economic measures, and Vasilis was glad he gave Theodoros the power to veto them. Estella played her part too. As Roxanna’s sister, and apparently, one of her confidants, she was able to provide timely warning of Roxanna’s plans before Roxanna acted on them. Celena was also useful in this way, though she was quieter. Celena was still rather timid, and didn’t like telling on her sister. There was a strong bond between the two, as Celena seemed to view Roxanna like a sort of protector, almost like a second mother. But when asked point blank, Celena was willing to tell the truth. She also showed surprising courage by standing up for the less fortunate of the camp, when Roxanna’s plans involved cutting their few comforts.
Speaking of Roxanna’s sisters, Vasilis had to admit, another reason why he was so eager to go on more raids, was because he knew Theodoros was falling in love with Estella. Vasilis hoped, if they gained enough wealth through the loot, Theodoros could persuade Estella to marry him. Roxanna clearly wasn’t pleased with the match. She seemed to have a good opinion of Theodoros himself, better than of Vasilis in fact. But that wasn’t enough for her to approve of a relationship between Theodoros and Estella. However, if Theodoros possessed enough wealth, Vasilis felt Roxanna might be willing to let the marriage take place.
Yet deep down, Vasilis now had to admit, he hoped to impress Roxanna too. As Theodoros was falling in love with Estella, he, Vasilis, was falling in love with the fiery Roxanna. Despite all the trouble she caused him, he still felt she was a lady worth winning. He usually had little difficulty in getting people to like him. But Roxanna, who commanded respect like few others, seemed immune to his charms. She was worth the trouble though. She was the most magnificent woman he had met. But no matter what he did, she was still displeased with him.
He wished his courtship ran as smoothly as Theodoros’s did. The two younger siblings, had taken a liking to each other immediately, and over the course of their time together, had formed a strong bond with one another. While it wasn’t a passionate love, for their affection was rather quiet. Theodoros and Estella still had a relationship strong enough to weather the storms that would inevitably come. But considering how opposite their personalities were, Vasilis supposed he and Roxanna would have a more chaotic courtship. She, a driven perfectionist on a mission. He, an easygoing bandit content with his lot in life. There were bound to be conflicts. But he still loved her, and he wanted to win her.
He began to consider how he might go about doing just that. He briefly considered going on more raids, but that had already proven to be ineffective. His increased activity might bring unwanted attention to the camp anyway. He was taking a risk now, and had to be mindful of not drawing too much notice. If crime became too high, Nikolos would send more troops. Then the Lystra Gang would either have to lay low for a few months, or move to an entirely new location. After the most recent series of moves, Vasilis didn’t think anyone would tolerate another so soon.
Vasilis briefly considered hitting larger targets, or ones with greater loot. But he quickly dismissed that idea too. Such activities carried the same risks as hitting small targets more often. While Vasilis felt his tactical talents were up to the challenge, he wasn’t so certain he would be able to hide the gang’s involvement.
But there was one way that he could win Roxanna’s favor, without as much of an effort. If he held the locations he hit, with the intent of winning back both Achlys and Oreias, she would easily be pleased. But Vasilis still hesitated. The larger the operation, the more could, and often did, go wrong. Yet there had to be a way to win Roxanna’s heart. There just had to be.
Chapter 29
Neither give place to the devil.
~ Ephesians 4:27
Roxanna continued to think over who it was who could help her regain her kingdom. She began considering anyone who showed so much as a hint of ability. The Oreiasan nobility were the first to come to mind. They would fight for her, no question about it. But they were probably in a similar situation to her; hiding, on the run, or worse, imprisoned by Nikolos himself. The Kalarian Emperor wouldn’t trust any of them, even if they were willing to swear a false oath of allegiance to him. Roxanna didn’t think there were any traitors among her nobility either. Her father had been a popular king, and there had been no signs of discontent during her own short reign. Everyone was busy trying to keep the invaders out. Had there been any disloyalty, it would have revealed itself then. But helping the Kalarians didn’t always pay off.
Everyone knew that the Kalarians were in the conquest business to enrich themselves. Roxanna had seen it many times before. As soon as a kingdom was firmly in Kalarian hands, those who participated in the conquest would be gifted large tracts of valuable land. Even those who were treacherous enough to help the Kalarians, weren’t always spared. If their land was valuable enough, it was taken from them, and given to another who was deemed more worthy. If the traitor was rather poor, they might be enriched by their treachery. But that was the problem with helping the Kalarians. You never k
new which way the wind blew.
So, Roxanna’s thoughts to turn toward those closer to her. While she did suspect that some of the members of Vasilis’s gang were outcast nobility, they too, were in no position to help her. Living the life of bandits, they were probably unable to summon the forces they once could. They certainly lacked the funds to do so.
Even if members of the Lystra Gang could contact those who once served them, only loyalty would cause their forces to return. While Roxanna felt the Achlysians were capable of such loyalty, it also had a tendency to backfire on her plans. It was this same loyalty that caused the gang not to act against the wishes of its leader, Vasilis. Why the members of the gang were unwilling to help themselves, Roxanna was uncertain. But they must know Vasilis’s reasons for refusing to escalate matters with the Kalarians.
Theodoros was still not an option, Besides the fact he was probably unwilling to challenge his brother’s leadership, he still lacked Vasilis’s tactical genius. Vasilis himself was still a careless coward. Besides, the old noblewoman had shown she too held Vasilis in contempt. That meant there had to be someone else.
Those princes and nobles still in power, remained out of Roxanna’s reach. It seemed the only way to meet them, was to continue to wait until the search for her cooled, or Vasilis moved the camp closer to a port. Nikolos’s own men wouldn’t side against him. While the Kalarians weren’t exactly known for their loyalty, they had overthrown their emperors before. But Nikolos had grown so powerful in his short reign, that they seemed to think the risk greater than the reward. So, unless there was some foreign prince traveling in the area, that Roxanna was unaware of, she still couldn’t see who would help her. Her own troops were still out of reach too, as Bedros took care to inform her.
She mentioned these thoughts to the lady next time they met. The old noblewoman shook her head and smiled.
“You were on the right track to think of the Emperor’s forces, but you are right, they will not turn against him,” said the lady. “Your kingdom, though important, isn’t quite rich enough to stand on its own against the might of Emperor Nikolos. He rules many kingdoms twice its size. Even if one of his nobles succeeded in helping you free your kingdom, he wouldn’t be able to hold it. Besides, you deserve a better husband than a mere nobleman. Only a king or better will be fit for you.”
Roxanna sighed in frustration. “What am I missing then?”
“Look at an option you wouldn’t otherwise consider,” said the woman. “There, you will find your answer.”
Chapter 30
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
~ Hebrews 6:12
Vasilis continued to think over how he might win Roxanna. The most obvious answer would be to help her regain Oreias, but he still felt that was impossible, for him at least. Not that she would marry out of obligation. If she were willing to do that, she would have already offered her hand to some far away king or prince. Someone would have accepted her bargain by now, in spite of the distance the Kalarian Empire had placed between Oreias, and the remaining independent kingdoms. A royal, who was down on his luck, would have taken the gamble. But Vasilis was certain Roxanna had done no such thing. She needed to fall in love with her rescuer in order to marry him.
That caused Vasilis to think that perhaps he could win her heart, rather than her kingdom. He had an easy enough time inducing girls to flirt with him. In fact, Roxanna was one of the few who seemed immune to his charms. But he knew she had a heart. He just had to find a way into it, besides helping her regain Oreias.
To that end, Vasilis began seeking out Estella and Celena more. Estella was with Theodoros often, so Vasilis being around her more often, would rouse no suspicion on Roxanna’s part. Celena tended to follow the skirts of one sister or another. That might have presented a challenge, since that sister was often Roxanna. But Roxanna seemed to wish to be alone, so Celena was usually with Estella now.
It was through listening, and carefully worded questions, that Vasilis began to gain an idea of what Roxanna wanted in a husband. The picture was not promising. Roxanna had privately scorned many men, who had shown themselves cowardly, or too absorbed in trivial matters, like their showy toys or their personal appearance.
“Not that Roxanna liked slovenliness,” said Estella. “She observed that a man should take care of his appearance, just not be obsessed with it.”
“She always did say she didn’t want a man who was more obsessed with his looks, than she was with hers,” added Celena.
“She had a good opinion of those who sought to get the most out of their lands, but not at the cost of their peasants’ wellbeing,” said Estella. “Nor did she like it when the money was only used for personal pleasure. She always said that some money should be set aside for an emergency, like crop failure. She also thought most of the earnings should be put into finding ways to make more money. She was not fond of showy men, preferring those who put their wealth to wise purposes, rather than to satisfy their own vanity.”
“It was never money that drove her, however, though she did advise some of our friends to not marry, until their suitors had enough to support them in comfort,” said Celena. “She would never marry for money herself. But she did feel that certain requirements needed to be met before she would consent.”
“You can’t live on love, you know,” added Estella.
“What were your sisters views on unequal marriages?” asked Vasilis.
He nervously waited, hoping the question wouldn’t rouse suspicion in Estella and Celena. But they didn’t seem to realize the implications of what he was asking.
“You know, I think she would consider it, as long as she loved the man,” said Celena.
“Yes, so long as she felt the husband in question would be good for her kingdom, and she loved him, I think she would marry him,” said Estella. “She didn’t shun the poorest of our knights, so long as they behaved with honor. Of course, such a man would need a talent for ruling, particularly with a strong-willed woman like her. But if he met these qualifications, I don’t think she would say no to him.”
“Yes, it was never poverty itself that displeased her, but an unwillingness to try to get out of it, that she didn’t like,” said Celena.
This last remark stung Vasilis a little. He could see why Roxanna might think he was unwilling to try to lift himself out of his present position. While it wasn’t as bad as that of a peasant, he obtained more money as a bandit than he ever would have working a farm. But it wasn’t an ideal life by any means. He had no settled home, and he constantly had to be on the lookout for threats. Yes, Roxanna wouldn’t wish to live in such a way, nor would she wish her sisters to.
So, Vasilis concluded that he stood a chance, but it wasn’t as good as he could wish. His current lack of position wasn’t a problem in and of itself, but he probably needed to figure out a way to improve it. How he was going to do that, he didn’t know. He couldn’t very well regain what he had lost, and he had just pride enough to refuse to accept a position under Nikolos. Nor did he think Roxanna would accept this arrangement.
The next best option was to go somewhere else, and try to start a new life. But Vasilis didn’t much like this idea. Despite his inability to regain his ancestral lands, he still felt the need to stay to help the Achlysian people as much as he could. So far, Nikolos had maintained order with his men, keeping the mistreatment of the Achlysians to a minimum. But would Nikolos continue to hold to such principles? Would his successor? Vasilis doubted it. While the Kalarians had a much higher standard of living than most, it was known that it often caused them to look down on those who were not as prosperous, such as recently conquered peoples.
So, Vasilis was left in quite a quandary. If he wished to gain Roxanna’s hand, he would have to do the impossible. But there was one option left to him. Women didn’t often choose as wisely as they ought when it came to matters of the heart. While Roxanna could be a stone-cold ration
al in some matters, and it was possible she was subject to the same weaknesses other women were. If he could cause her to fall in love with him by attacking her heart, his other deficiencies might not matter anymore.
Vasilis felt bad about this idea. He didn’t want to take advantage of Roxanna. But it seemed the only way. Perhaps he could find some course between the two; find a way to create a settled home, while making Roxanna fall in love with him. It wouldn’t hurt to pursue her. So, Vasilis decided he would begin courting Roxanna in earnest, and keep an eye out for any opportunities that arose, that could make him more eligible.
Chapter 31
Thine habitation is in the midst of deceit; through deceit they refuse to know me, saith the LORD.
~ Jeremiah 9:6
Roxanna noticed a change in Vasilis’s behavior. Instead growing impatient with her attempts to save money, and fleeing at the first opportunity. He made an effort to try to understand what she was trying to achieve. He still didn’t always agree to her plans, but he would implement them in a less severe form. He also seemed curious to know how she occupied herself, when not managing the camp.
Roxanna helped the other women sew, weave, cook, and clean; skills she had learned even as a little girl, despite being a princess. They served her well. Few could ever get her tent clean to her satisfaction, so Roxanna often found herself tending to the little faults she found in one maid’s work or another’s. Cooking she did out of a desire for certain comforting foods the other women didn’t have time to make. Sewing was done more out of an effort to do her share than any real enjoyment. But weaving was something she had both joy and talent in. Every little thread contributed to the overall cloth. Her perfectionism served her well here, and the products of her loom were well regarded by all. Vasilis seemed to have noticed this, for he gave her a larger loom that he built himself. He even set it up for her, so could use it as soon as she wished.