The Ruling Queen

by R. E. Steele

  “I suspect you already know why I wish to speak to you, so I will make this brief,” began Theodoros. “Why do you not wish for me to marry your sister?”

  “Do you truly wish to know, or did Vasilis put you up to this?” asked Roxanna.

  Theodoros smiled. “No, I did this of my own volition. Vasilis advised I marry without your consent.”

  Roxanna smiled. That sounded like Vasilis all right.

  “Very well, I should tell you my reasons,” she said.

  Chapter 48

  Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

  ~ Philippians 2:3

  Vasilis meanwhile, was so blinded by rage, that he wasn’t really paying that much attention to where his brother was. In fact, he had no idea that his brother had actually gone to Roxanna, to ask the reasons for her refusal. Vasilis was just so mad, he hoped Estella would have the good sense to marry Theodoros, without her snooty sister’s consent. Vasilis felt Estella had spine enough to do it. The two sisters had clashed before, and Estella wasn’t in awe of her sister, unlike their attendants. It wasn’t beyond the stretch of reason, to think Estella might take such a step.

  Vasilis did vaguely wonder why he seemed so much more upset by Roxanna’s refusal, than Theodoros. Upon closer examination, Vasilis recognized that his own pride had been stung by the snub. But he didn’t wish to search his motives further. He was content to be angry with Roxanna, and believe that it was she who acted out of pride, not him. Therefore, it took him by surprise when Theodoros came to him, and said he had talked to her.

  “You would have been better off leaving the matter alone,” said Vasilis. “We know her reasons.”

  “Do we?” asked Theodoros. “I was under the impression that we didn’t know for certain, so I wanted clarification.”

  “I didn’t want you subjected to her arrogance,” said Vasilis.

  “Well, I do not believe I was,” said Theodoros. “In fact, I’m not so sure I would have acted differently had I been in her situation.”

  Vasilis was so surprised it took him a moment to speak.

  “Are you sure you’re feeling well?” he asked.

  Theodoros laughed. “Yes, I’m fine, better than fine actually, for now I know my courtship isn’t hopeless.”

  Theodoros then gestured for his brother to sit down.

  “Roxanna told me that she doesn’t disapprove of me personally. Indeed, had you and I been in different circumstances, she would have been very much willing to consent to the marriage. But she fears Estella will not be provided for as she ought to be. Estella is used to a certain level of comfort. Roxanna was concerned that our circumstances might become a bone of contention at some point in the marriage. Roxanna also doesn’t wish her sister to constantly be on the run as we are now.”

  Vasilis was silent. While these excuses sounded reasonable, and even sensible, he still suspected there was more to Roxanna’s denial.

  “Are you certain she isn’t refusing you out of arrogance?” he asked.

  “I’m certain,” stated Theodoros. “She is only looking out for the good of her sister, and being more clearheaded in this case than Estella, Roxanna is willing to bring up the cold, hard facts that none of us wish to see.”

  “Are you satisfied then with her answer?” asked Vasilis.

  “Yes, though the question I have is, why are you so upset about the refusal?” asked Theodoros. “It’s not like you to care much about what other people think of us.”

  Vasilis considered for a moment. He had been so intent on staying angry with Roxanna, that he hadn’t really wanted to dwell on the fact that his reaction had as much to do with pride, as he had assumed hers had. But it seemed, to his mortification, that he was the proud one in this case, not her. It had offended him that someone near his rank in society, could be refused by someone who was in much the same position.

  “I suppose it was because I didn’t think she had a right to refuse,” said Vasilis. “We are not so different, us and them.”

  “It wouldn’t have anything to do with the fact you love Roxanna, would it?” asked Theodoros.

  Vasilis starred daggers at his brother. But even he had to admit the truth of Theodoros’s statement.

  “Yes, I suppose it does,” he said. “I haven’t gotten up the nerve to address my ladylove as you have. But I’m certain the answer would be the same, if not worse.”

  “To be fair to Roxanna, she doesn’t actually know for certain what we are,” said Theodoros. “She seems to think we are some kind of downcast nobility. But I don’t think she has guessed just how important we once were.”

  Vasilis considered whether he should tell Roxanna who he really was. The thought had occurred to him several times before, and he had been tempted to reveal the truth more than once. But he always decided against it. A part of him wanted her to marry him regardless of his position. He had to admit, he was romantic enough to wish to be accepted for who he was, not what he was born into. But was that asking too much? Obviously, her standards for herself, would be at least equal to those she held for her sister. Vasilis had to admit, he didn’t think he was capable of providing the safe, comfortable home, that even a peasant woman would be entitled to.

  “If we are to credit Roxanna’s assertion, I don’t think my telling her who we really are, will make much of a difference concerning either of our matrimonial prospects,” said Vasilis. “We may be worthy of their hands by blood, but neither of us can provide a stable life at the moment.”

  “True, but I think she would value the admission coming from you, even though she has no intention of marrying you for your rank, or rather, your former rank,” said Theodoros. “Could it be that you don’t want to tell her the truth, because you don’t want her to know how far we have fallen?”

  Vasilis considered for a moment. It was uncomfortable to think that he wouldn’t admit the truth, because he was ashamed of what had happened. But the idea struck him forcibly enough, he thought his brother was probably right. Still, he wouldn’t admit it.

  “She still isn’t going to accept me, or you for her sister,” said Vasilis. “We are better off focusing on getting away from here, rather than whether she will change her mind or not.”

  Vasilis then left. He didn’t wish to discuss the topic anymore. It was growing too difficult to be spoken of even with his brother.

  Chapter 49

  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

  ~ Psalm 51:6

  Another day, another move, Roxanna had grown so sick of them. However, she had grown accustom to them. She wasn’t sure whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. But she had other things to occupy her mind.

  She still hadn’t decided what she ought to do concerning Vasilis’s plan. Should she stay and face likely capture by Nikolos, or should she go and abandon her kingdom? She refused to think she would ever abandon Oreias completely. Leaving it for a time was acceptable, so long as she used that time to gather support, for liberating her kingdom later. But Vasilis obviously had no intention of doing any such thing for Achlys, and she rather doubted she would be able to make much headway without his help. It would be dangerous travelling into an unknown land without his protection, and he had no intention of revealing himself to the monarchs of these lands, whichever he chose to go to. Nor did she think her plans would play any part in which nation he ultimately decided to hide in. She didn’t believe he had chosen a particular country yet, which showed how poor his planning still was. It also occurred to Roxanna, that it might be rather difficult to convince another monarch, that she was who she said she was. A neighboring kingdom, not that there were any left, would know her appearance and personality. The rulers of a far-off land, wouldn’t feel the need to be familiar with such details. They likely had more pressing concerns closer to home.

  Money would be helpful, and Roxanna had kept some b
ags of gold coins among her possessions. But it wasn’t enough to bribe someone as powerful as she needed. Nor did she think anyone with that kind of power, would just believe that a rich reward was waiting for them at the end of their labors. She certainly wouldn’t fall for such a thing, or at least, not from someone she had just met. It would take time to build trust.

  No, Roxanna was pretty certain that if she left, it would be for good. She wasn’t even sure she would be able to afford the passage back. If indeed, she could return, since Nikolos’s forces would no doubt be searching for her. There were only so many ports, and they were easier to guard and search than two entire kingdoms. As for her funds, she would need something to live on in another kingdom, and to use to provide for her sisters and attendants. The exchange of gold and goods might not be as favorable in another nation as it had been in her own. What were sizable funds here, might not be so in a more prosperous land. Oreias and Achlys were by no means the wealthiest kingdoms in the galaxy. In fact, there was some reason to believe that the Kalarian Empire came into being, because pressure from these other, more prosperous nations was placed on them first. In order to survive, they became militant.

  Once, Kalare had been a friend of Oreias and Achlys, to the point that there had been intermarriage between the three. It was why Roxanna and Nikolos were often said to have similar temperaments, and probably why some in Kalare thought they would make a good match. But now, no longer.

  Kalare had started conquering its nearer neighbors, nations whom all three had seen as rivals. But as the years progressed, the kings became emperors, and with their newly acquired titles, they forgot the old alliances. Now, at last, they had taken Oreias, and there was nothing left on the planet to conquer. The conquest hadn’t always been bad for Oreias and Achlys. Both had gained other kingdoms through marriage and treaties of defense. But it had all come to naught, and it looked like it would be many years before either kingdom could be restored at all, let alone returned to their former glory.

  Roxanna was determined not to be the one who failed. A long line of kings and queens before her, had brought Oreias through hardship. But it was looking like this disaster was too much for her to handle, even though she knew she was quite capable.

  So, with a heavy heart, and in desperate need of solitude, she went off into the nearby forest. She was close enough that she didn’t believe Kalarian forces would be able to snatch her. If she screamed, she would be easily heard, and quickly found. But she needed to get away, or she would go crazy.

  The darkness and quiet sounds of the forest were soothing. She immediately felt some relief, for she no longer had to maintain the rigid composure that she expected of herself as queen. She leaned against a tree and closed her eyes, allowing her face for once to show just how much of a burden she carried.

  “It is hard being a queen in times such as these,” said a familiar voice, “particularly when one is stuck with such pitiful allies.”

  Roxanna’s eyes shot open in surprise. She was even more surprised to see the old noblewoman who had befriended her before.

  “How...how did you find us?” she asked.

  “Oh, Vasilis isn’t as clever as he thinks he is,” said the old woman. “When you have observed his behavior for as long as I have, he grows rather predictable. His taking of the outposts and fort was a surprise. But, as usual, that glimmer of fortitude disappeared once it faced serious opposition.”

  “You got that right,” grumbled Roxanna. “He would rather flee from his problems, abandon his responsibilities entirely, than face them and do what must be done.”

  The old woman looked slightly intrigued by her words, but soon seemed to satisfy herself with what they meant. Her next words proved she had guessed right.

  “He intends to flee the planet then, doesn’t he?” she asked.

  “Yes,” admitted Roxanna, “which puts me in a terrible situation. If I leave with him, it’s not likely I’ll ever come back. If I stay, the chances of my defeat increase exponentially. Of course, he thinks I’m going with him. He said it would be safer for my sisters that way. The sad part is, he’s right. It is safer for them to be somewhere else rather than here. But I have duties of my own that I will not give up so easily.”

  “Yes, you are a better ruler than he ever was,” said the old woman. “He ought to have been a great man, a worthy challenge to the Kalarians, as his father had been. But no, he was too interested in following his flights of fantasy, rather than attending to his duties. It was his downfall.”

  Roxanna was struck by her words.

  “It sounds as if his father was the equal of old King Vasilis, but I know of no such general,” she said.

  The lady smiled. “Have you ever asked Vasilis what he was before the downfall of Achlys?”

  “No,” admitted Roxanna. “I guessed he was of noble birth, and probably pretty high up in pecking order too. But the way you speak of him, it seems that he might have once been a part of the royal family, a near cousin of the main branch perhaps.”

  “You should ask him,” said the lady. “It might provide some clarity as to what you had best do.”

  The woman then disappeared into the woods. Roxanna didn’t even attempt to stop her this time. She felt too much excitement and dread to bother. Roxanna had thought that at best, the Vasilis she knew was the son of a wealthy duke, probably descended from a prince or princess, but not actually close enough to it to be considered one himself. But the elder lady’s words suggested that Vasilis was Achlysian royalty. Vasilis was a common enough name in the Achlysian royal family. There were several individuals who shared the name, cousins in varying degrees, with the main royal family. But the mention of the father, could it be possible that the Vasilis she knew, and the crown prince she was once betrothed to, were one and the same? Roxanna could hardly believe it, but the similarities were suspicious enough, that she couldn’t let the matter go. She had to find out the truth.

  Chapter 50

  The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.

  ~ Proverbs 29:25

  The evenings were becoming increasingly uncomfortable. Vasilis could feel the Lystra Gang’s discontent with his decision to leave Achlys. It was their home after all. When they had first joined him, they did so out of loyalty, and the expectation that he would free the kingdom. Even when they realized that wasn’t going to happen, they still stuck with him, because they saw that despite his inability to free his country, he still intended to do what he could to help those within it. But now that he was going to abandon it all, they had lost even that reason. While they still wished to remain loyal to him, it went sorely against the grain.

  At least during the day, he had other things to occupy his thoughts. He always felt he could handle his problems better when he was in motion, and the constant changing of camps, provided plenty of that. Whether he was on his horse or on a scouting transport, it allowed him to focus on the moment, and put his troubles to the side. But in the evenings, there were no such distractions. He couldn’t run from his problems then.

  He was dwelling on this in his tent, when he sensed the tent flap being opened. Theodoros came in. There was an awkward silence between them, as there had been for days. It was rare for the two of them not to speak to each other, and this had been the longest time Vasilis had known for them to remain uncommunicative. It was a clear sign that Theodoros didn’t approve of the plan, but hadn’t discovered any facts that might lead to a new one.

  “Has Roxanna told you whether she is coming or not?” Theodoros asked at last.

  Ah, there was another situation that Vasilis was uncomfortable with. When it came to the safety of her sisters, Vasilis expected Roxanna to give in relatively quick. But she hadn’t. After being astonished, and questioning if he knew Roxanna as well as he thought he did, Vasilis realized that he was putting Roxanna at war with the two things that were most important to her; her sisters, and her sense of duty. No doubt, she was hoping,
praying for a way out. But hadn’t found it yet. It made Vasilis uneasy, that she was so willing to face fear and hardship, when he was not.

  “No, she hasn’t,” said Vasilis.

  Theodoros was silent for a moment. “I think I might have hit upon a solution to convince her to go, but I need your advice before I suggest it to her.”

  “What is it?” asked Vasilis.

  “It strikes me that, if I was willing to pursue wealth and prestige, and gained enough of them to be able to provide for a family, Roxanna would be willing to let me marry Estella. Then Estella and I can see to Celena’s protection, while Roxanna gathers what support she can find, and return to free Oreias,” said Theodoros. “What do you think?”

  Vasilis laughed to himself and shook his head. “Theodoros, you shame me. You are willing to put yourself through misery to ensure that you gain the hand of your ladylove, when I’m not even willing to stick my neck out for mine. If you are going to do that, I’m going to have to do it with you. It would look odd for the elder brother to be so inactive while the younger is so ambitious. But foreign kings don’t like displaced monarchs living in their lands, and with good reason.”

  “They won’t all hate us,” said Theodoros. “You will probably be able to persuade them to help us, given time.”

  Vasilis sighed. “You are right. I just don’t like facing my problems when my attempts have gone so wrong before. I shall find Roxanna and speak to her, ensure her that I will use this occasion to better myself. Then perhaps, we can both settle down with the women of our choice.”

  Theodoros grinned. “I think I saw her heading for the kitchens. They would be closed by now. No doubt, she was probably trying to find a quiet place to think.”